People are goint to do what they want. I think the issue is a good one to bring up for the simple fact, it takes people off auto pilot. I have no problem with photos, memories, sharing the trip, etc. of hatchery fish.

I just find it hypocritical that a group of anglers would lobby the dept to.

1. Make retention of wild fish illegal

2.Shorten the season in Puget Sound rivers to February 15 (January 31 if they had their way) because they dont want anyone to catch a wild steelhead by mistake.
3. But will those same people stop running over to the OP after feb 15
and taking pictures of the wild fish they caught.
4. Some groups want hatchery fish discontinued period.

If you want wild steelhead to have a better chance of survival, dont target them, dont take pictures of them, because its not how well you protect the fish, its that 1000 other guys will not.

Steelhead plants have already been cut. Shorten the season, leave the gates open after escapement, count the surplus fish and then watch other people question the value of producing hatchery fish that we cannot catch. Meanwhile the tribes make up their own minds. The treaty may allow them to catch steelhead, I would like to know where it says the state, the Feds or ESA statues must allow restaurants and grocery stores the right to buy an ESA listed fish and a game fish at that.

PS, I dont care if a particular steelhead run is not ESA listed. The state or feds have reduced the level of escapement so low, they have an excuse to not protect a endangered fish. You wont have much ammo to stop tribal river netting of steelhead, if they are not ESA listed.