I like to see these big gals go back whenever possible ... many do, but certainly not enough. Educated clients will often let the big females go ... and the guides / captains need to help in that. Being that halibut has always been considered a foodfish, I think the conservation minded approach will take a little longer in this fishery ... but we're trying.

Same can be said for the salmon ... look through the gallery for salmon pix, you'll see some kings going back (both WA and the second-run Kasilof native kings). Unfortunately, we don't always have a clipped / no clipped situation here on the N. coastal rivers (especially with kings), so it's often difficult to tell the difference and as such, some wild fish are being killed.

I'd like to see the kill reduced on these stocks myself ... I've been harping on the Region 6 guys for several years to knock the king limit down to one and a five fish annual limit ... they've always said "No Need!" ... but, it looks like things might be getting depressed enough that that might come into play in the very near future.

And, if we can get the state to mark the fish for us ... I'll gladly institute a no-clip/no-kill policy (same as I am with steelhead) on the salmon on any of those stocks needing some help. Anyone else??

[This message has been edited by Bob (edited 03-21-2000).]