Think about it cman . The species you mention, pinks and chums are way underfished in comparison to coho & kings. Less pressure, more escapement, more fish to spawn, irregardless of habitat, more fry survive. As for the comeback of dollie varden, bull trout and cutthroat, hmmm, lets see. Could it be because they've been catch and release for years? The native sea run cutties are making a comeback since catch and release was established on the sound. They are not targeted by the commercial (native & non native) fisheries. The biggest thing we as a steward of the habitat can do is to protect the remaining habitat that we have. establishment of buffer zones on our rivers similar to Alaska. i.e. no logging within 5 miles of rivers, streams tributaries. Silt run off kills redds. PURE AND SIMPLE. PERIOD. When I was studying fisheries biology in the mid to late 70's at Western Wash. University, I watched the Skagit go from a very, very productive river to a shear abysmal fishery in about 4 short yrs. From 1976-1981, the Skagit Valley transformed from a beautiful tree lined, forested river valley, to an almost desert. The amount of siltation I measured from logging runoff, made me want to cry. I quit working in fisheries science after witnessing the devistation of what logging AND THE BOLDT DECISION did to our fisheries. The natives, commercials and sport fisherman couldn't see eye to eye or cooperate to save the future of our wild fish. Re-establishment of habitat will only occur if we back off and let mother nature do her work. Sometimes she surprises us with a fairly quick recovery. other times, it will just have to run its course and let the flora and fauna establish itself in cycles. we are so self centered and selfish, we don't have the patience to let it happen. we want fish, and we want em' now mentality.
The Elwah may recover in my lifetime is my hope. I know my sons, daughter and grandaughter will see her recover. The dollies, cutthroat and King gene pools are all still there. I dont know how diluted they will become.