does the state consider hatchery and native steelhead seperately? I don't think so. That would be a good point to push the state to do. It would force certain hatcheries into fin clipping.
I also would be in favor of a tag system if we can't go to C&R on natives.(Proceeds go into habitat enhancement.) Say $10.00 per native tag if you want to keep a native or you can C&R. That way if a fish is badly hooked and bleeding, whip the tag out and keep it. Go buy another tag.
I would rather have C&R for natives but this might make people think before harvesting a native. Any other ideas?

[This message has been edited by Bruce (edited 11-07-1999).]

Can I say that I believe that is one hell of an idea? I mean, there is NOTHING I hate more, than having to turn a native fish loose, that is bleeding... It's such a waste!

Tom

Bruce, do you know of hatcheries that don't practice fin clipping? I know that all fish can't get clipped by manual labor, but I'm suprised to hear that some hatcheries don't clip steelhead at all. At least you can fish on the peninsula rivers; in north central washington the feds and state have decided that our steelhead are endangered and the hatchery fish are evil. They want to do away with all hatchery plants from the Wenatchee river north to the Canadian border.The hatchery fish are BAD and the "wild" fish that are all from hatchery descent, are sacred. There hasn't been a true native fish for over 50 years above Rock Island Dam,the state plants in excess of 250K smolts in the Wenatchee alone,we have a above average return this year and still no fishing. But we can all fish the lower Columbia for steelhead and the gill netters can kill with their nets, but once the fish get above the Blue Bridge in Pasco then they are endangered. I don't understand it!! Off my soapbox now. snit

Sorry about the Wenatchee. The one year salt used to be a blast. I think that all hatchery fish should be clipped.