Stew,

I agree that last winter was not as good as past years. i'd even go as far as to say it was poor. I didn't get out as much as I would have liked. I know several very good fisherman who did get out and fished many streams with pathetic results last winter.
I also know that the steelhead fishing was really good two years ago in the Nehalem, Trask, Wilson, Umpqua, and many other streams that need not be mentioned.

Judging a return of fish by spawning numbers is the only way to get an accurate count. i don't have access to those numbers, but i'd like to see them and how they correspond with the broodstock program.

I'm all for ending the broodstock program if there is GOOD evidence that shows the population of wild fish declining is a direct effect from the program. I also don't think we want to wait until it's too late to make that determintaion.