Grandpa,

I try to stay out of these arguments, but I'm curious about the person you spoke to that said that Puget Sound chinook would go away in 2 years if it weren't for hatcheries. As far as I know, Puget Sound chinook return as 2's, 3's, 4's, and 5 year old fish, so it should take more than 2 years for them to disappear, right? Did you mean 2 generations? I don't even think that is reasonable given that there is natural production taking place even in, shall we say, less than optimal habitat.

For instance, the Department operates traps throughout Puget Sound rivers that collect chinook smolts (and other fish). Obviously, mother nature is producing some fish that emigrate to these traps, so I'm not sure what you mean by them going away in 2 years.

What am I missing? Any chance you can "out" this respected person, so I can give them a call?

Personally, I think hatcheries and the arguments for hatcheries are one of the biggest scams in the Northwest. I can't believe that sportsmen or tribes for that matter, accept hatchery fish as an acceptible substitute for wild fish and protection of habitats. The phrase "Don't piss on me and tell me it's raining" comes to mind.

FP