Stew,

I have never run a single guided trip for steelhead anywhere. So you can disclude me for those reasons. Secondly, I fish for steelhead lots. I like to fish rivers that don't get hatchery influence, but I will do the ones that have a broodstock program. Just as you do.

However, you, nor anyone else can prove anything bad about a broodstock program without data. Not that there isn't a chance to have the programs be wrong. I'm just not ready to jump on that wagon until some data is completed.

Here is my whole reasoning. I know you have fished the Nehalem. I fish it in the winter alot. It has one of the nicest runs of wild fish in the state with the least amount of access. There are years when it is tough to find many steelhead in this river. Some years it is like a hatchery pond. Why is that. It has been left alone and managed for wild fish and yet it has no better of a run than the Trask or Wilson. I know you are aware of this as you fish the Wilson. You must agree that the Wilson has a nice population of wild steelhead.
I know that there are guides that make a living from the catch and kill fishery, but is it wrong to want to feed you kids and make your house payment. If I needed guiding income to make all my bills I'd be right there fighting with them to help make a difference. You should thank those guides who have given us all an opportunity to catch a fish we can take home.
Take the word "greedy" out of your sentence, or look in the mirror.