Ya know, to the (previously) uninformed you guys provide a heck of an education on a given topic.

The whole issue is much clearer now, but some things are stil a bit muddy...those will come in time.

After reading the entire thread there seems to be some commonalities..

1) Having hatchery fish and wild fish in the same waters, at the same time, is not always (maybe never) a good thing.

2) A potential exists for the spawning of a wild/hatchery pair...this potentially reduces the quality and strength of the gene pool in that particular strain of fish.

3) Almost all agree on complete non-retention of wild fish.

4) CnR fishermen typically show the wild fish more "respect" in handling and releasing. Those with "fishing pox" (like us) will provide the wild fish much more respect and care in handling and releasing, while the two day a year armchair fishkiller would be more likely to damage/harm the wild fish...public education is needed here.

A Question or two:

A) Would there be a benefit to have a much increased hatchery run in the rivers, but with a distinct time separation from the wild runs. Hatchery run in Nov./Dec. when the wilds are returning 2 months later? See if we can get the law changed so that all caught hatchery fish must be retained at any time, so as not to even take the chance on the gene-pool issue.

B) Increased awareness campaign for the (non-fishpox) public. Maybe a Public Service Announcement (aka PSA) funded in part by PSA (Puget Sound Anglers), TU and ?? and general donation AND WDFW funds.

A 30 second PSA can go a long ways towards gaining respect and awareness of the Puget Sound Anglers group and the increased respect of the public towards the resource.

I can think of numerous ways to raise the funds for this.

Benefits? The sportfishers gain greater respect from the WDFW, the resource gets far better treatment (we hope) and ultimately the steelhead populations (both wild and hatchery) will increase.

I am sure there are "issues" with both of the above suggestions...but, nothings going to change unless we make it happen. Setting a commonly agreed upon set of goals, and working towards them (vs. letting the ignorant, non-fishing public and ??? take the lead) seems to be our only option.

Mike