An interesting question Rich. One I wish the state would really give us a straight answer to. I have a feeling that it boils down to money more than anything.

The Snider program seems to be working well ... the fish come over a much longer period of time, spawn well on their own within the creek, and are nice quality fish.

Personally, I'd love to see a world where we'd have no need for hatchery fish, but that's pretty unrealistic. They do have their place in many river systems.

Hatchery fish do get a bad rap. Ho0wever, I think the biggest problem though is how the hatcheries are run ... not a "hatchery fish" in itself. Wild broodstock would be a great leap in the direction of running things properly.