First, I have never supported the Wilson broodstock program. They started that POS program back in the 90's ( Yeah Kevin, it's been a hell of a lot longer than 4 years).

I was guiding the North Coast Salmon Rendevous in Tillamook when a prominant NW fishing celebrity was telling all of us at the dinner one night what a great thing this was going to be for anglers. And that the money we were raising was going to support this new program.

I was shocked. Yeah it sounded great for some anglers, but how was this supposed to help fish?

When I asked this question, I was greeted with a bunch of blank stares.

When I asked how taking wild fish from the river to produce inferior hatchery fish was better for wild fish.....Same blank stare.

Say what you want, I grew up on the Wilson. And the people who have been fishing it for 40 plus years like myself have seen no benefit from the broodstock program unless your only goal is to take fish home.

The only thing that has benefited the wild fish is mandatory CnR. It sure as hell hasnt been the broodstock program. The science is out there, ignore if you wish.

I do appreciate one thing it has done. It has taken a lot of pressure off the rivers with out broodstock and other hatchery programs. And those native fish rivers are doing well.

Better the the Wilson? Depends on who you talk to. Personally, I think they are for the simple fact it is keeping a bunch of people off of them.