Regardless of your "opinion" as to why the steelhead have declined in the Nisqually River, which did not appear to begin until about 1989, winter steelhead declines were reported at about the same time by the other western states and BC. This would suggest that the declines may be the result of ocean survival and not in river problems. However, the declines also indicate that all the remaining fish are required if we are to recover the stock. The Nisqually Tribe does still harvest a few fish during the directed chum fishery but anglers also report the harvest of wild fish on catch record cards. Both groups are limiting maximum recovery potential.

An estimate of escapement is also being conducted in the Mashel River. Unfortunately, a redd based estimate has never been conducted so it will be years before an annual estimate can be labeled as week or strong. I can tell you that we are pleased with the numbers so far. Remember that the agreed to escapement estimate of 2000 fish is for the main stem alone and doesn't include Mashel fish.