What is so great about wild steelhead anyway? Where did the hatchery fish come from in the first place? I don't think they pulled them out of a magic hat. Genetically they are the same fish, it's not like they turn into a cutthroat when the egg hatches inside the hatchery. Here's another thing to consider, the hatcheries don't clip all the fish, only about one in four. So, there is no way to know if a fish was born in the hatchery or born in the river. It doesn't really matter to me, the fish can be traced back to their "wild" ancestors anyway. The only benefit I can see for wild fish to spawn in the river, is that their carcasses are used by the smolt for food. Then again, steelhead can return to the ocean so that isn't such an issue.

These biologists have their own agenda when they release their research findings, alot of them would like to see fishing shut down altogether. They hide behind science all the while pushing their insane environmentalism on the public. I'm sick and tired of the government telling me what I can and can't do and that doesn't stop with fishing. I buy a license only because it works as an insurance policy against the game nazis. I keep fish when I feel like it. I'll fill up my freezer with fish and when it's full I'll release fish because I can't use them. Unless I'm being watched closely, I'll keep any fish I catch with no regrets because I know it's going to be put to good use.

Ocean conditions affect the amount of fish returning more than any one thing. As long as nets aren't strung across rivers for long periods of time there will always be fish coming back. The sport anglers will never have the capacity to destroy a run of fish as long as there are reasonable daily limits. There are too many days during a fish run where the conditions of the river are not conducive to catching fish, yet the fish continue up the river to their home.

My beliefs are based on common sense and logic and not rooted in emotion. Many of you may think I am insane or just some outlaw. More power to you, I could care less, but I just wanted to put out another point of view that I hadn't seen much written on.

Good Luck....rip some lip!