Dave knows alot more about most of the rivers and their returns and lack there of than I do---But one river I know and have observed alot over the years is the Sky--IMHO, I believe that the low numbers of hatchery returning steelhead we've been seeing is in large part a direct result of the change of hands and handling of the hatchery itself at Reiter.

It makes a big difference if the person running the hatchery actually cares about the run(s) as much as they care about collecting a paycheck.

As for the large hatchery and wild returning spawners---I'd like to see a program similar to the one I remember reading about that was and hopefully still is used on an Oregon river where sportsmen take large live returning spawners (hatchery and wild) to staging toobs located along the river that are regularly checked and picked up by hatchery managers to use as brood stock. If I catch a SH in excess of 15lbs, or more--It doesn't matter to me of it's wild or hatchery--I want it to go make alot of babies that will hopefully grow up and eventually be 15lbs. or more.

BTW--Grandpa is right about the fisherman that C&R the same wild fish over and over--it's basically the same as hitting it in the head with a rock.

PS--Everyone should take a few deep breaths, count to ten and read Eddie's post before doing anything irrational.