Every year they open Reiter on June first and then they have to close it due to lack of fish. Why don't they just delay opening it until the quota is met, insuring that they have their 500+ fish.

If I'm not mistaken it doesn't open until August 1st now.

Since were on the subject, over the last few years has their been any decrease in the amount of hatchery smolts released due to the funding problems the hatchery has had? Do we have a lame hathchery return coming back sometime soon for either summer or winter fish?

Howdy,
I have'nt been able to find any smolt release number's any more current than the '97 one's in STS. What is up with that? They can account for every trout stocked in the lakes in a timely fashion. The facility up a Reiter is now in much better shape with new and improved preditor netting. And the Commorant's don't dare show up any more. Was the opener around Reiter a good one, I'd like to hear about some summer-runs.

reiter will open on august 1st(0800 hrs) only if they have a minimum of 250 fish in the trap. this is half of what they need for broodstock. it has been this way for a while now. the 1998 plant was bad as they had a 50% mortality from the birds and otters before they got the new netting in and installed. the fish that we clipped last august was 50,000 fewer than normal as they had a water quality problem for a bit. funding of reiter is an issue as wdfw has been taking from peter to pay paul up ther the last 3-4 years. that is why we lobbied the hell out of our area legislators and volunteers clipped fins there last year. the legislature partially funded this for 2000 and 2001 i beleive but we sportspersons will ost likely be called upon again to not only clip fish but possibly pony up some extra bucks as well(to show our good faith and dedication to the cause)due to this inadequate funding level. i-695 will the easiest excuse this state has for closing hatcheries and gutting our salmon and steelhead fisheries. hope you like trout and bass. notice all the emphasis on warm water enhancement of late and the big push to close river hatcheries! just a thought.