I think discussing hatchery programs on PWS pinks, Columbia kings, and WA steelhead at the same time is incorrect. They are apples and oranges.

In terms of hatchery steelhead:

Man, I thought just last month we came the general conclusion that hatcheries served only one purpose - a crutch. That's all they are. Supplementation is truly the key word. They provide more fish to harvest. They do not enhance the spawning productivity of a river. i.e. they make ZERO fish for the future.

Broodstock programs, discussed at length on this board, may have some place on enhancing some wild runs on some rivers.
But if you are relying on the 30th generation of Chambers Creek fish to save the day, you better not hold your breath. Smolts from H x H and H x W crosses DO NOT MAKE IT BACK! So how then are they going to help any run recover?

Fishyologist - thanks for joining the foray. Your comments will always be appreciated on this BB. How much genetic diversity is there between a native (not wild, but native) Skagit River steelhead and a native (not wild, but native) Hoh River steelhead? Compare the genetics in 1905 (prior to white men messing everything up) to 2005 if you could. And how do those genetics of those native fish on those two rivers compare to a Chambers Creek hatchery fish? That would really help me out a lot.

Hope I can sleep tonight.....first trip to OP this year comes tomorrow.....in search of....

Ike