Quote:
Originally posted by Smalma:
The 2004 forecast for summer/fall fish was 461 hatchery and 20,354 wild - would not say that the river is exactly full of hatchery fish (97% wild).
Smalma:

Got to thinking about the numbers you posted for the fall King runs, and was wondering how many fish are needed to make the "escapement" goals. IE: At what level (numbers) do we need the wild fish to be before we can harvest a % without harming the growth rate of the fishery? (I know the calculations may take some of that "black magic", but I'm hoping there are stats somewhere?


Quote:
Originally posted by Smalma:
Regarding the coho fishing starting on the 16th - unless are ok with keeping wild fish you will likely have to sort through a fair number of wild fish for each hatchery one -
I don't have any issue with keeping a wild Coho (or King), providing that the retention of a % of these wild fish will not harm the continued growth; ie: plenty left-over to not only re-populate the run, but continue to increase it.

I believe the hatcheries are providing a renewable source for the fish, to suppliment the wilds, BUT, if we can get the wilds back to some large, historically high numbers, then maybe the hatcheries can apply their efforts elsewhere. Maybe, instead of making Coho, then can create a healthy hatchery SUMMER run of steelhead on the Skagit??? (t'wood be nice!)

Just some thoughts...

Mike B