Hi Guys,

Andy said this board's a joke, so I thought I would post something you will consider relavent and that might rattle your cage. Steelheadman asked about why different numbers of hatchery summer-run smolts are released in different rivers, and it got me to thinking (often a dangerous thing!). I read here and elsewhere about how our license fees and taxes pay for the hatchery smolts that are stocked. Have you ever wondered whether you are getting good value for your money?

Just how much is that hatchery steelhead you caught worth? I've read that a sport caught steelhead is worth about $400 to the state's economy. And a six pound brat taken in a gillnet at $0.65 per pound adds a whopping almost $4.00 to the economy. But have you considered how much it costs to return that hatchery brat to the river so it can end up in your creel or a gillnetter's boat?

Well, consider hatchery rearing costs that range from $3 to $6 per pound of fish raised (not all hatcheries have the same costs or efficiencies). At 6 smolts per pound that's $0.50 to $1.00 per smolt! And at some of today's average smolt to adult survival rates of 2.5%, these fish cost $20 to $40 each to return to the river! [Bleeeeep!]! I didn't know they were that expensive to produce; did you? Now, what about some of the really poor return rates that occur, like 0.3% to the Cowlitz last winter? That's $236 (Cowlitz = ~ $0.71/smolt) for each brat that returned to the river.

Chew that one over, guys. Are these fish worth it? I like to catch steelhead as much as anyone, and I have particularly enjoyed the hatchery summer-runs over the many, many years. But I honestly didn't have a clue what is was costing to make them available. I think this is especially a thought provoking issue in areas where hatchery fish may pose threats to wild fish populations. That is, how much are you willing to spend, considering what you're getting in return, and considering the effect the hatchery smolts may have on other fish?

I'm not ready to say no hatchery steelhead, but this does cause me to think about how can I justify having my fellow state taxpayers support the steelhead hatchery program so I can get my kicks at this price. How about you?

Sincerely,

Salmo g.