I remember that 20 or so years ago for a couple summers the fishing in MA 10 was limited to weights of no more than 2 ounces. As CM said those of us that adapted to the mooching game did quite well. An interesting side observation was that it seemed that we caught fewer shakers with a high percentage of the Chinook in the top 75 feet of the water column being migrating adults than when we were dragging the bottom.

Just an observation; the most constraining ESA listed Chinook stocks would not likely benefit significantly with a complete fishing closure. Those populations even with conservation hatchery programs are limited by habitat conditions (mostly freshwater). The one thing we have learned in the 20 years that Puget Sound Chinook has been ESA listed is that we as a society are not likely to restrict our activities (ability to make money) to benefit those fish. This of course that restrictive situation we currently find ourselves is likely to continue into the future. Having a discussion about how best use the available impacts in mixed stock recreational fishery seems appropriate.

One thing about limiting the effectiveness of those fishing mixed stock areas would benefit those anglers fishing many of the terminal areas and rivers where less constraining stocks are returning.

Curt