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3. I know! Let's put ten zillion summer run smolts in the hatcheries asap, and beat those pesky wild fish back right away, before someone realizes that we are fuckin retarded!

The correct answer is #3, though I wouldn't be surprised if #2 had some adherents...one thing's for sure, there was no one who took #1 seriously if they were in an actual decisionmaking position, though several of the non-decisionmakers held that opinion, and very strongly.




Sorta correct but don't forget WDFW wasted no time opening the South Fork to wild retention as the winter fish rebounded in 85-86'. I spent many of the following years there because fishing was good.

Within 3-4 years the fishing died off and returns plummeted. Most anglers kept their fish(different era, more accepted back then) and poaching was rampant. I saw much of the latter firsthand.

As to the Elwah, I get the feeling the deal is done and the main players are chuckling at us as we squabble over something that is pretty much signed and sealed. Frustrating? For sure! I think Smalma nailed when he said the article/editorial is a couple years too late.

This once in a lifetime opportunity blown leaves me little hope that we will ever do "the right thing" in-so-far as salmon steelhead are concerned. Depressing really.

Wouldn't it have been interesting if the public could have voted if hatchery fish should be introduced or not. I know how I would have voted and it WOULDN'T include a hatchery on the Elwah.