As I said, it's tempting to compare run sizes between rivers like the Oregon Coast and the Snake River (or wherever) but it's risky because the problems are different. In the Snake River basin there's plenty of excellent habitat but the problem is access - the fish can't make it past eight dams (twice). Along the coast, access is easy (no dams) but the problem is degraded habitat. Too much logging, road building, land clearing, poor water quality, etc. Either way, the freshwater conditions are degraded.
Including the conditions in our backyard (as you have correctly stated).

Are we speculating? Sure. But that's the whole point. It's okay to speculate on what will happen if we remove the dams, or don't remove the dams, or improve habitat, or reduce harvest, or expand/reduce hatchery production, or whatever. After all, everyone in the Northwest has a stake in the outcome, not the least of which are the anglers on this BB.


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MSB