When i was looking at the benefit that pink salmon spawners give to coho, and this back in the 90s, each SINGLE adult coho added to the run gave the ocean fishery 100 additional coho to catch. That is why the added WR fish will go to the marine fishery and not sporties in the river.

In river sporties, no benefit but you can bet your last dollar tribal fishermen will be netting the very maximum they can.

Is it a guarantee that these fish will be clipped? I am fairly sure that so far none of the white river fish are. If they are left unclipped it seems to be doubly against our interest as they will be hatchery fish that could be counted as wild in any catch and count against impacts that we are allowed. The more out there, the more will be encountered and counted against the total wild impact allowed.

How long does it take people to understand that the catch is divided by Indians and non-Indians fishing in WA. In most cases, the non-Indians take their fish in marine waters, as juveniles (black mouth). Regardless, most of the NI rec harvest is marine. The Tribes are limited to their Usual and Accustomed areas which is generally on a river but may include the bay and some approach areas. So, for salmon, Indians will take most of their fish in the river. That is where they get their share. We can argue to appropriateness of the total numbers taken but rivers is where they fish.

Sounds like we just need more fish instead of fighting over the last of whats left over...

If you were ever given the opportunity to fish on them. What tactics would you employ?

You can bet when the tribes are directly involved in funding and operations they won't want to clip fish. It is in their best interest not to.They have never liked our clipping programs because it gives the rec a solid argument for more time on the water to catch more fish.

I know it's a pipe dream, BUT.... I would use traditional Kalama drift boat tactics. Back troll divers n bait. No motors allowed, period! Bankies could throw bobbers n bait where access is available. The White/Stuck has very little of that. Especially in it's lower reaches.