Scitzo,

Out of the millions released from Idaho rivers, fewer than 20% ever make it as far as Astoria alive. So only a tiny fraction return as adults to the Columbia. As far as sharing any remaining largesse with their inland neighbor, Washington and Oregon have never been very generous. Our two coastal states have always been willing to have Idaho habitat, and hatcheries, produce juvenile fish. Then dams on WA and OR waters kill most of the smolts. And any that do survive to become returning adults were happily gobbled up in Columbia River gillnet fisheries and a modest sport catch.

Things are changing, thanks in part to ESA. We'll see how much.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.