One of the biggest points that has been reiterated by folks like Salmo and Kurt is the fact that C&R is only a management tool and not a means to recovery. If a river is underescapment, simply moving to C&R doesn't fix any of the ills. Hence the closure of the Sky et al while sad was the right thing to do....

And for what it's worth Auntie, I'm on your side when it comes to reasonable harvest level on healthy populations. You will not see me complain one wit about harvesting Pinks, Chum, or hatchery steelhead. But on stocks that shouldn't be fished, they should be left along.

The only reasons I do support the C&R season is are admittedly for greedy selfish reasons. The first is for local economoies, the second for myself.


1) When it comes to the money that can be generated from wild steelhead, it seems to me that those fish are better served in a C&R kind of opportunity. Longer season means more people coming and going into Forks, Darrrington, etc for a longer time buying gas, hotels, etc. More time available means a longer booking season for local guides too. Lots of money in that Skagit extended season I say!

2) more fish available in river means that I as an angler will have more opportunities at a trophy sized fish. If every 20lber were pulled out an kept, I would have less of a shot. I can catch my fill of meat during the hatchery run, but the wild season is my shot at a lifetime prize...