Most fishermen do realize that dams are only a part of the problem. Sockeye is probably a poor example to use when measuring the effects of Dams on salmon due to the fact that Sockeye is one of the least effected by the main stem dams. Most of the rise and decline of Sockeye populations is due to ocean conditions and lake conditions.
All dams create a certain amount of fish mortality, especially at the smolt stage. But that mortality alone is not as big an issue. Loss of spawning habitat is the biggest issue. Some people bring up the point that the spawning habitat is not being used and therefore smolt and adult mortality at the dams is to blame. I disagree. During times of poor ocean conditions, it is normal for not all the spawning habitat to be utilized. The problem is that we have reduced the amount of spawning habitat to the point that during poor ocean conditions the run size drops to the point where it is difficult to sustain them. This is why I do not necessarily believe that removal of the Snake River dams is the right way to go. The best solution would be to remove the Hells Canyon dam that flooded so much of the spawning area in Idaho. But if your not going to remove that dam, then removing the snake river dams might be the only option because if your not willing to restore spawning habitat then the best you can do is try to eliminate as many things that kill fish as possible.