If it makes anyone feel any better the Indians are only allowed to net 3 days a year on the Baker river for Sockeye. They have only had maybe one good year of netting. Last year they only got like maybe 100 fish in all 3 of those days because the run was so bad. On the upside there netting is heavily monitored by fish and game. There netting is also monitored by local citizens that do not like them netting up there. On the down side if a steelhead ends up in there net it is doomed regardless of whether they throw it back or not. It's not like the fishermen are any better then the Indians up there. I saw to natives caught and kept up there last year. So no matter what you do, any steelhead that travels up that river is doomed during Sockeye runs.

As far as the Springer s go...I have not seen any caught or harmed up there.

I like the sockeye run up there because the run gives my family and friends a opportunity to get away from town and catch some fish when the run is good. It also helps the economy in Concrete/Skagit Co. because fishermen come from everywhere to fish and spend money.