Only 63 fish have returned to Reiter thus far so don't expect to be claiming a rock anytime soon.

The hatchery program on the Sky is a joke. They not only don't seem very good at raising steelhead but those that do return seem to return only during a two day high water event. They also don't bite very well until after they have spawned wich seems to be within a couple of days of being in fresh water. Over the last several years my wild v hatchery catch ratio is about 10 to 1. Of course I'm not one to claim a rock during the one week hatchery run!

Although small the wild run seems to be holding steady on the Sno system. I think this is where the efforts should be aimed. I would rather have ten fresh wild fish in the river most days of the year than a week of 10 brat days every Dec.

There are a few things that I think would help.

Wild Sky needs to become law in order to preserve the headwaters of the Sky. http://www.house.gov/inslee/issues/environment/wildsky.html

The hatcheries should be used only for the propagation of wild fish ala Snider Cr.

The whole system should be open for catch and release every day of the year.

I've seen lean years before and am hopeful things will improve!