Hmmm where to start, where to start...
Lets look back at the year 2000. Anybody remember how the king run was? I do. I also remember standing waste deep in emerald green water above the boat shoot on October 1st opener along with the rest of the zoo. I was drift fishing eggs with a flame red cheater. I hooked and landed 2 good looking hatchery summer run steelhead and 2 bright hatchery silvers. I took home 4 fish... Can't say I've done that ever before. To say the least it was a great day fishing and there wasn't a king in sight. A river that is usually plumbed with kings, was empty of the species. We spent hours broodstocking Stevens Creek to barely almost reach our quota. This was 2000, remember that... Anyways 4 years later ( the lifespan of the majority of kings) the river is open 14 days later and now it's the complete opposite. The river is plumbed with kings, yet you have to work your butt off for a silver. We C&Red a great number of kings on the opener to finally get one silver. To say that it should be closed to kings is just plain stupid. I worked my tail off to help get the king run back up to par for harvestable numbers, and now that they are there, why souldn't we harvest these fish. Moderation is the key, stick to the rules of 1 king and try to let everyone else know to only keep 1 king. The silvers will come, as they did earlier on but this time they should be a bit larger. I've caught bright silvers in late January while fishing for brats. I've also caught the Turkey run of kings, and they are as bright as any URB you ever seen. The hatchery will reach their quota for kings with out having to stress. Lots of fish will have spawned naturally, and hopefully everyone will get a shot at these fish. Your paying for them. Why shouldn't you? I've got mixed feelings about the whole subject, but all I can say is fish responsible and have a good time. Ohh yeah pick up your garbage, the gravel bar across from Stevens Creek looks like Lemays by November.

Harbor Hog