The Nisqually is a good wild gene bank candidate river because of its history of very few hatchery steelhead being stocked. It is great news that the escapement is up significantly this year, but that is following the trend of improved wild steelhead escapements in PS this year. A good escapement in one year doesn't equal recovery however. Good escapements need to be the rule and not the exception.

The Elwha is the poster child for wild gene bank rivers. I expect rapid and large increases in wild salmon and steelhead production since the river has been re-opened to anadromous access.