I have to agree with NWMallard on this one. Since Grand Coulee was built, the hatcheries were for the replacement of lost fish stocks for the people. And these brood stocks were developed by stopping all migrating salmon and steelhead at Rock Island from 1939 to 1945 and mass spawning them to develop a hatchery strain for all hatcheries on the upper columbia tributaries to plant. Only the last 3-4 years have the plants not been clipped. Unfortunately, the Upper C was picked by NMFS as a "project". But it could of been Skykomish native summer steelhead (how many of those have you caught?), or other favorite fisheries. It gets back to bad science.

If they want wild fish, close the friggin' hatcheries, quit planting "brats" and wait a few hundred years! Why can't we at least C&R???? The whole friggin' state just went to it, and we have over 4000 gosh dang fish in the Wenatchee and we can't fish!!! How many fish does the Naselle, Sultan, Grays, Sauk, etc get? 4000 is alot of darn fish! A limited C&R is possible but the state doesn't want to manage it. They like to close sporting opportunites rather than work at keeping them open. So when you see me on your favorite river (Naselle, Nemah, Goodman Creek, NF Sky, Grays, Hoko, Upper Queets, etc), don't ***** about too many people.

Also, all you Methow fisherman...next year don't brag to the fish checkers about how many fish a day you're hooking! That's what the local gamies told me was the reason of the early closure. After I *****ed, they said to show the checkers my punch card. Everything else is just hearsay (hooked, c&r'd).Too much pressure, and too many hatchery fish being harassed. Also, why close the Columbia? That's where I really like to fish is above the Okanogan. We put over 40 HATCHERY fish to the boat last year ABOVE the Okanogan in January. Most people don't know about that fishery. But it's included in the closure, but not the Okanogan? Again, bad science!!!

Damn, I told myself not to get pissed, but I am. Sorry for the rant...I'm done now. My name is snit and I'm a fishaholic!