If you didnt know the Sol Duc Hatchery is on the chopping block. The state has slotted it to close July 1st. Im sure the Quileute Tribe will be fighting it as that hatchery puts out over 1,000,000 salmon smolt.

The only part I dont like about it is that the guides and community would loose some money during summer, fall and spring.

The funny thing is that i read the Forks Forum today and I saw an article protesting the statewide CnR rule purposal. It said the community would loose money if it passed and that all together it was a bad idea. Seems to me that the Sol Duc hatchery closeing would make much bigger of an impact but I have seen no mention of that.

Closeing that hatchery would'nt be a bad idea, It would shurely take some nett presure off the spring and summer steelhead as well as the wild fall salmon. If the springers were gone there is no reason to nett spawned out steelhead on their way back out.

But on the other hand it would hurt the ecomomy of both the Quileute tribe and the city of forks. Really the closeing of the hatchery would be a no win situation for the people. But the wild steelhead and salmon might come out ahead.

Like you pointed out ryan the Sol Duc hatchery does deal with parts of the Snider steelhead program. So that would be another nagitive.

[ 11-30-2001: Message edited by: RICH G ]

Rich-
When I first saw the proposal a few days ago, I was very concenred as I started fishing for the 'Duc springers this past spring and it was a blast. The 'Duc is such a beautiful and peaceful river at that time of year. Plus I also read that the incubation and other juvenille stages of the Snider Creek fish take place at the Sol Duc adn I believe that is a very important program to keep alive.

But Bob and now you have brought up a very good point regarding Indian netting and that it might be drastically reduced if there is no Sol Duc Salmon Hatchery. So right now I really do not know which way to lean on the subject...

I do believe though that many Fork's area guides rely on the Sol Duc springers as their only fishery in May will be severely hurt.

I guess we should hope for the Hoh Springer fishery in May to take place on a more regular basis. But at the same time, didnt the Hoh Springer fishery take place last only to appease the sportsmen so the Indians could net?? My opinion though, is that these native Hoh springers should be left alone, C&R only which is how it was last year.

I dunno...maybe I am just talking out of my ass as I'm not very familiar with these fisheries.

[ 11-29-2001: Message edited by: RPetzold ]

Wow.I knew that they were hanging on by thier finger nails but I never thought It would come to this.Selfishly I would miss the xtra fish,Espesially those damn springers.But what is good for the wild stock I's more important,Next to the local people.California has already had to much to say about too much over there.Why are they wanting to close the hatchery,cost or protection of the native kings.?Is there going to be any open forrums on this?

They whant to close it because of money. Budget cutts. It has nothin to do with protecting the wild fish