Hello all,

I'm new here and mostly lurk. This is a very interesting thread and I am glad to have read the stats, facts, and people's opinions. I am still pretty new to river fishing (2nd year), but when I first came in my buddy told me of the fabled Elwah and 100lb salmon. I then told the story and showed her a glimpse of the Elwah whenever we drive home from Forks. The largest salmon that we have caught is a 15lb coho (wife) and it was probably one of the proudest moment we have had as a couple.

With that said, I do not see how they can not even give the fish a chance to do the dew themselves, before stepping in. Someone brought up the point of a fish kill with the silt that will result from the dam removal. How do they expect the wild fish to survive this? Especially since someone posted the dismal numbers that are returning right now? Do they have a means to mitigate that affect? Will they attempt a brood stock program? Have there been any plans to reduce or more heavily regulate ocean fishing? I have heard horror stories of MASSIVE accidental salmon catching by commercials.

Also I had a question if anyone knows the answer. Will the fish venture further and further upstream over time? Because I am under the impression that fish stay in the salt longer to develop more fat deposits to endure the further trek upstream. Could that be jumped started by moving wild fish up to these ideal spawning grounds? Also would that help reduce the loss from the lower rivers silt deposits ?

I haven't taken biology since 7th grade so please forgive any retardation or oversight in my questions and ideas. Thanks for allowing me to add my 2 cents to this discussion.

RB and Mara