I doubt that the average fisherman could tell the difference between an unclipped hatchery steelhead and a real wild fish. I also know that it would be unfair to demand release of all wild fish if no one can say that all hatchery fish are easily identifiable. Moreover it is grossly unfair to allow the tribes to selectively mark fish or not mark fish. Universal rules must be established before anyone should pass on restrictions to sports fishers. What sense does it make to demand release of any species on a river while allowing gill netting on the same river? Right now there is gill netting going on for Chums and Coho and steelhead are to be released....they are being released DEAD. What the heck is going on with that? How is it possible to have selective gear restrictions and yet allow gill nets which are non-selective?
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