Smalma asks, "However the question what is the improved science in salmon management that allows you to be comfortable in harvesting unclipped salmon?"

All rules and regulations should be based on whether or not a specific system can sustain it's escapement with the harvest of its wild species (salmon/steelhead). If it can't, then regulations need to be implemented to protect the wild fish. These regulations need to affect all user groups .

But sure, I am aware its not that easy. The science and data is out there. There is no doubt in my mind that managers (WDFW) have a good idea of what the future holds or what needs to be done to sustain our fisheries. The biggest problem is the politics, internal and external. We need our Co-managers to base their decisions, regarding our regulations, with the interest of properly managing our renewable resources. To often decisions are based on personal preferences which often have been influenced by the politics of specific user groups.

So........back to the original question. I harvest wild salmon when WDFW says I can.

LT