When I was at the Sportsman Show this last winter, I stopped by the WDFW booth and talked to one of the state guys about the Sekiu seasons. Pretty much what it boiled down to is opportunity. We could have a season like last year (one fish limit, wild or hatchery) that last less then a week and be done with it, or have the current season on hatchery chinook that will likely last more than a month.

I was up there for the silver season last year too and it was frustrating watching people net fish, bring them in the boat for a while, then heave them back. I remember seeing a lot of floaters. Thank god it's now against the rules to bring a wild fish on board this year. We'll see how well that's enforced. Not sure how that's going to work with boats that have high sides though.

Even so, there will be mortality. I question if it's even worth having a season, especially with the expected small percentage of marked fish.