Picked up a couple of wild fish the past few days. It's been a few years since we've had a couple before the 15th ...

Coupled with the pretty good returns of hatchery fish in many areas so far, I (we, many) hope this perhaps will be an indicator of a strong return of wild fish.

Since we didn't take any pix at all of our fish the past few days, I don't have a full shot of the fish, but I grabbed the camera from under the seat to grab a quick shot of this before I let today's simply gorgeous hen go ... I don't think I could have painted these lice on in a more perfect line



A reminder though ... even the state admits the health of these early stocks is way down. There aren't many left in the wake of 5 day a week netting on hatchery fish and the take of them that comes with the hatchery sport fishery.

They are a very fragile stock and regardless of your feelings on wild fish release ... I urge all anglers to let these early wild fish go so that they don't all disappear and perhaps one day we'll have the opportunity to see their numbers rebound to natural levels!