I guess it would be a different comparison except for the fact the ODFW only has one wild fish doctrine, they manage all wild species the same, I was using the Wilson as a example. Or are wild salmon different than wild steelhead?
Just to set the record straight here, I have not harvested a native steelhead since Oregon changed the rules on retention, I think it was in the mid 80's.
My point is ODFW does have a recovery plan in place, and yes they do have latitude for a limited harvest, if the stocks are healthy enough to sustain such harvest.
And as the bio I talked to Roseburg said, the biological opinion to have a limited harvest is sound.
What I'm trying to convey here is that a small vocal group is masquerading the notion we need to protect these wild fish, even though they are already being protected.
But the real reason is the local guides want to cut down on competition on the river, just like they successfully did on the middle Rogue River.