Luv2Spey,

With all due respect to your neighbor, he is wrong about politicians being unwilling to tackle WSR. Those who oppose WSR have had no problem trying to force their agenda through the various House committees. For example look at the shot fired across the bow of the WDFW commission when they were considering wild steelhead release without exception. I will agree with you though that the greater public doesn't know or care about the subtlies of steelhead management.

I also agree that habitat is a major component but am confused at your comment "with a pristine watershed I believe our fisheries could sustain a harvest (of hatchery fish) that would exceed our wildest expectations". In my experience the watershed has about as much to do with the hatchery return as what type waders you wear. Hatchery return is a factor of # of smolts released, predation and everyone's favorite; ocean conditions.

Unless you are thinking that given pristine conditions hatchery fish would be able to spawn in greater numbers. I seem to remember that you feel this would be a good thing.

sinktip