First of all, I do not know this suddenly turned into a gear vs. fly arguement. At times, a bait ban would be beneficial to the fish. At others, a bait ban would do no good and may do more harm (bait=more hatchery fish to the bank).

Anyways...

elkrun-
My contention and its been my contention all along as well as the vast majority of those in support of WSR is that if there are not enough fish in the river close the river.

Closing the river will not suddenly put a halt to all the other problems facing wild steelhead BUT it will allow more fish to reach the beds when every fish matters.

Under WSR, you can not tell me the Hoh will not benefit. That poor river has experienced an aggresive over the last decade and has missed escapement numerous times because of the kill. If the Hoh was under Wild Steelhead Release it would of made escapement all but just a couple times...so yes, WSR helps.

Take another river, the Bogey who experiences very heavy fishing pressure in November and December to target the hatchery fish returning. At the time you are also allowed to kill to wild steelhead...the early component of that run is doing very poorly. WSR allows for very heavy fishing pressure while still providing protection for that early component.

And again elkrun, I ask you, what are you doing? Everyone has agreed that there are many other more pressiing issues facing wild steelhead in this State. What are you doing to deal with those issues? Like I said earlier I have no issue with those who do not support WSR and the WSC, especially those that are working their tails off when it comes to habitat, commercial netting etc. etc. but for you to sit back and do nothing does none of us (nor the fish) any good!