R&G,

It wasn't a hoax. There was no perceived need for steelhead data for a long time, let alone precise or accurate data. So when someone asked what the steelhead catch was, they did the simple math, multiplying the catch on returned cards by the total number of cards sold. The usual multiplier was three point something. Then, after US v WA, more accurate catch data was needed because the treaty fishing tribes intended to harvest 50% of some number. That was when WDG needed a very good number for the steelhead catch and the projected steelhead return based on hatchery plants. At that time there was zero data regarding wild steelhead run sizes, but that soon changed.

And yes, there were way more steelhead, hatchery and wild, around then.

Sg