hey salmo,
first: i said "I THINK" i got it, i'm trying to get current with the info that you & CFM know inside out but, I also find myself skimming the words from time to time so I could see how how you missed my disclaimer.

second: I was probably out line using the words "gutless" & "mis management", just as you were with the word whiner.

third: at least we both agreed that the will of the people is to have their power first, then all other considerations come after & that to get what you want from the legislation a donation is in order

fourth, as far the word toast goes, perhaps it was a little harsh, what i meant was that the last good run @ the barrier dam was the summer run the summer before last (which rumor has it was because of the efforts of friends of the cowlitz), since then the springer run was OK but that was about it for the Barrier Dam, the summer run this summer @ Blue Creek was OK to good as well, so by using the word toast i meant that from what little I know, the idea of converting the river back to wild & self sustaining seems like a long shot and nothing I've heard would lead me to believe the fishing will improve or even stay the same while the actual "conversion" process takes place. Based on the thumbnail data I've received on this COMPLEX issue, I am thinking/guessing out loud here that it will get worse before it gets better, thus, the word toast...

fifth, I realize that there are many other factors beyong the power company's control that affect the # of fish in the river (any river) & these factors may be playing a larger role in the returns than I understand

so, in spite of my poor choice of the words, and know that I am not whining, I am just trying to find out from people that know more about the Cowlitz than I do, if the prospects for fishing on the cowlitz are more likely to go up or down... Either way, it's unlikely to dramatically change my fishing habits, I'm still going to be making my 1,000 casts because I like the location(s) & it relaxs me...
Also, I would like thank the Power Co. for the access to the river @ the barrier dam & Blue Creek (you can ask the regulars there, I do not litter & try to take some trash out with me each time) and I appreciate the people at the power co who are really trying to make the best of the situation...

That said, I'm going to ask Salmo & CFM what I should have asked in the first place, which is:

Honestly (please don't just blow smoke), based on everyting you know about the Cowlitz, etc. do you believe that the fishing prospects on the cowlitz are more likely to get better or worse next year?

Lastly, what's the inside track on the PLAN/REQUIREMENTS/POSSIBILITIES on ways that are in place that truly work or are being done or are planned to allow the fish to get back & forth ?