Originally Posted By: Doctor Rick
Originally Posted By: stlhdr1
Originally Posted By: freespool
Have you ever read any stock assessment studies done by state and federal fisheries biologists?
Pay close attention to the "Limiting factors for recovery" section, there's where the scientists list, in order of severity, the factors that limit stock recovery.
In dozens of West slope and coast range studies the factors are almost always the same.

1. Water quality (elevated summer temps.)

2. Lack of stream complexity.

3. No large woody debris recruitment.

4. No over wintering back channel/alcove habitat.

5. Poor estuary habitat.


You won't find over harvest, or poor stock genetics as limiting factors for recovery, so scientifically speaking you are incorrect.


Scientifically speaking, if they knew wtf they were talking about our rivers would be flooded with wild steelhead...

Is it ironic that Forks, WA was technically undiscovered 10-15 years ago. Meaning the world didn't go there in masses as they do now? Is it ironic that as those Forks WA streams became more popular the steelhead #'s have diminished? Pretty scientific isn't it? What's changed in the last 20 years in Forks, WA that would correlate to your 5 reasons?

We had the same trend here in SW WA about 10-15 years prior.. In the 70's SW WA had great steelhead fishing with lots of big wild fish. Then Vancouver/Portland are booming towns with zillions of people that fish. You been to a river lately, find a parking spot.....

Keith thumbs


Keith, I don't think increased fishers on the OP is so much the cause as the effect. It is most likely that the same things that are causing decreased returns on the OP are the same things that caused the declines on the mainland and that fishers have left the most depleted areas in search of less depleted. Declined OP runs are most likely not caused by the relatively mild increased pressure.


Seriously though. I remember in the younger years seeing people fishing, 90% of them were clueless and not a threat on any river for any species of fish. Now in 2010, there are a lot of skilled anglers (self taught/internet savvy/etc)... Just the sheer #'s of increased anglers/better anglers is crushing the #'s of wild steelhead.

The trend is there if you want to recognize it, if you don't then no biggie........

Keith
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It's time to put the red rubber nose away, clown seasons over.