It seems very reasonable to me to attempt to see if something is killing ANY smolts. This is especially true when we have such a small number of smolts as we see in many Puget Sound rivers. Doesn't look to me like anyone is saying the sulfites are anything like the main problem, just that perhaps they may be one problem. If so, let's fix it.

Another proven smolt killer is the two small hooks with bait used by many side drifters, but . . . If we fail to do whatever we can to help the wild fish we will see complete closures. Which would you choose?

I do not know how long the sulfites have been in use as egg cures, but do know several Kenai guides were using them in the late 70s.