I recently read some interesting statistics on Kamchatka steelhead that made me wonder a lot about the potential for recovery in the PNW.

On a number of Kamtchatka rivers, poaching took 1/2 to 3/4 of the fish returning to a number of rivers. After noticing a steep decline in returns, the Russian fisheries folks shut it down and within two life cycles, the numbers bounced back to what they once were. Granted I am no scientist and I am sure any number of flaws could be pointed out with regard to the reliability of the data, but here is a pretty clear cut case of diminishing returns with only harvest to blame. Once the harvest was curtailed, the fish came back.

I have no doubt that PNW stocks can recover, the question is will we let them. As Mr. Rose said, it will likely come down to decisions on an individual basis. I am not ready to make mine.