It is shocking that anyone would use Wild Steelhead for bait. It seems as sportsmen we look at Steelhead as some type of mystical creature or a Holy Grail to chase after and from our point of view and our culture this should be true and we should be shocked and angry. But I think if we try and look at it with the eyes of a culture that has used these fish forever as part of thier lifes blood then we could see that it doesn't matter how they are used as long as it helps towards an end in the the process of that cultures survial. Catching Steelhead for bait is now the easiest part and cheapest way of the work of catching Halibut which puts food on the table and more money in the pocket, (Halibut is way high $$$/lb). When the Steelhead are gone they will use something else to catch Halibut with.
The Native Americans know all too well what is happening to the Steelhead and salmon and yet they will not change not even for lots of money in a federal buy out. Fishing is part of thier way of life they do not want it taken away under our terms. Does anyone know of what terms the indians would change the way they would fish or better yet? What do the Tribes really think of Wild fish compared to Hatchery fish? It seems that I can never find anywhere a reason from a Native American why they are willing to let Wild fish be netted into non-existance. Sure would like to know but please no hostile answers just maybe some that you have come upon from the Tribes themselves.