On the issue of segragating the runs (wild vs. hatchery), would it not be possible to imprint the hatchery fish with a distinctive home?

This may already be a practice, but if the hatchery releases (or hatcheries) were to be located just upstream in a feeder (Like the Baker), would not those smolts be imprinted with the Baker smell, vs. the Skagit?

I don't know how many fish might spawn elsewhere besides their "home" waters, but in the case of the Baker there is a clear (actually muddy) separation of the waters for quite a ways downriver, so much so that I am told the hatchery fish hang to the North side of the Skagit as they come upriver, as it smells like "home".



If the wild fish are spawning elsewhere, it makes sense to create a separation using the natural flows of feeder streams, making them "home" for the hatchery fish and an obvious spot for sportsmen/hatchery to control the returning population.

This *may* already be a practice of the hatcheries...seems logical. (and that's dangerous..LOL)

Mike