I can think of a few rivers, though I am not sure how many, where the hatchery does not have a seperate channel but rather are stopped by a weir. Chambers creek, the Green off the Toutle, the Sooez (Neah Bay) are just a few. I suppose the barrier dam on the Cowlitz and the Dam on the Kalama would qualify, though I am not sure how many hatchery fish were stocked this high.
Many of the smaller, Hatchery creeks have weirs too, but these would not intercept as many. Without clipping, it would be impossible to tell the difference. Just seems like there is Death by a thousand cuts. With clipping, this could be easily eliminated, so it would not apply today, but it could be part of the demise, on top of harvest, that killed off the early run portion.

Having had the pleasure of working on some creeks where were marked all the smolts and captured all the adults that went back upstream we learned a lot about wild fish straying. They do, a lot.

With steelhead, about 1/3 of the adults had been marked as smolts. Now, some of the other 2/3 did come from downstream of the rack (1 mile of a 7.5 mile anadromous zone) they all didn't come from there. Plus, we marked all the kelts with numbered tags. Got a goodly number of repeats annually and NONE had been marked. We did get one marked recovery in the Union River and one in the Nisqually.

As to coho, we got better levels of return but still straying. One year, all the adults that had been marked in Salmon Creek returned to Snow. I know they are close, bit ALL?? And, Salmon got a decent unmarked eascapement.

We really don't know how much the wild fish stay because we don't mark and recover them with the same effort we give hatchery fish; it's easier to mark them. And, we don't have intensive recovery efforts.

A good friend that I knew that had worked with both wild and hatchery stocks was pretty adamant about straying. Wild Steelhead stray all over the place which was natures way of adapting but hatchery Steelhead not nearly as much as long as you released the smolt from a location that could capture returning adults. Salmon similar but stream conditions always shake things up. Low water Salmon will improvise and just plain find a place to spawn, high water move into an area that meets their needs.

When working in forestry years ago I was in a unit that had zero salmon spawning habitat. When going down a ravine in a rather heavy rain storm I was stunned to find a Coho beating its way up a foot wide run off channel. We have a tendency to think we know why fish do what they do when the fact is they run on pure instinct and frankly improvise a lot.

Well, on the other hand, when BC tried hatchery steelhead they reared them in one pond next to the river on Vancouver Island. When they came back, adults (because of cwt's) were found on approaching streams on both sides of the straits. They were all over. We recovers a cwt'd steelhead from Samish in a creek near PA.

I’ve caught 2 hatchery steelhead at Reiter ponds both with a missing rear ventral fin & adipose. They were both high jumping summer runs but when I sent a email to wdfw they had no idea where they came from.

Closing dates formally set

January 5, 2021

Conservation rules implemented on coastal tributaries update

Action: Updates rules for coastal tributaries regarding gamefish seasons, fishing from a floating device, Selective Gear Rules (Selective Gear Rules prohibit the use of bait including scents or scented materials) with only one single-point barbless hook allowed in all areas open to fishing and requires release of all rainbow trout.

Effective date: Immediately, until further notice.

Species affected: All species.

Rules:

All species: Fishing from a floating device is prohibited. Selective Gear Rules in effect, except only one single-point barbless hook is allowed.

Rainbow trout: Release all rainbow trout.

Locations (the following waters will follow the above rules and will close to all fishing until further notice beginning on the date listed next to the water; any exceptions to the rule will also be listed next to the water):

Bear River (Pacific Co.): Closed beginning March 1, 2021.

Big River (Clallam Co.), outside Olympic National Park: Closed beginning March 1, 2021.

Bogachiel River (Clallam Co.), from the mouth to Olympic National Park boundary: Closed beginning April 1, 2021.

Calawah River: (Clallam Co.), from the mouth to the forks: Closed beginning April 1, 2021.

Calawah River, South Fork (Clallam Co.), from the mouth to Olympic National Park boundary: Closed beginning March 1, 2021.

Cedar Creek (Jefferson Co.), from the mouth to Olympic National Park boundary: Closed beginning March 1, 2021.

Chehalis River (Grays Harbor Co.), from the mouth upstream, including all forks: Closed beginning April 1, 2021.

Clearwater River (Jefferson Co.), from the mouth to Snahapish River: Closed beginning April 1, 2021.

Cloquallum Creek (Grays Harbor/Mason Co.), from the mouth to the outlet at Stump Lake: Closed beginning March 1, 2021.

Copalis River (Grays Harbor Co.): Closed beginning March 1, 2021.

Dickey River (Clallam Co.), from the Olympic National Park boundary upstream to the confluence of the east and west forks: Closed beginning April 1, 2021.

Dickey River, West and East Forks (Clallam Co.): Closed beginning April 1, 2021.

Elk Creek (Lewis/Pacific Co.): Closed beginning April 1, 2021.

Elk River (Grays Harbor Co.): Closed beginning March 1, 2021.

Fork Creek (Pacific Co.), from Fork Creek Hatchery rack upstream 500’ at fishing boundary sign: Closed beginning April 1, 2021.

Goodman Creek (Jefferson Co.), outside of Olympic National Park boundary: Closed beginning March 1, 2021.

Hoh River (Jefferson Co.), from Olympic National Park boundary upstream to Olympic National Park boundary below mouth of South Fork Hoh: Closed beginning April 1, 2021.

Hoh River, South Fork (Jefferson Co.), outside of Olympic National Park boundary: Closed April 1, 2021.

Hoquiam River including East fork (Grays Harbor Co.): Closed beginning March 1, 2021.

Humptulips River (Grays Harbor Co.), from the mouth to confluence of East and West forks: Closed beginning April 1, 2021.

Humptulips River, West Fork (Grays Harbor Co.), from the mouth to Donkey Creek: Closed beginning April 1, 2021.

Johns River (Grays Harbor Co.), from the mouth (Hwy. 105 Bridge) to Ballon Creek: Closed beginning March 1, 2021.

Kalaloch Creek (Jefferson Co.), outside Olympic National Park boundary: Closed beginning March 1, 2021.

Moclips River (Grays Harbor Co.), from the mouth to Quinault Indian Reservation boundary: Closed beginning March 1, 2021.

Mosquito Creek (Jefferson Co.), from Olympic National Park boundary upstream to Goodman 30000 Mainline Bridge: Closed beginning March 1, 2021.

Naselle River (Pacific Co.), from the Hwy. 101 Bridge to the North Fork: Closed beginning April 1, 2021.

Naselle River, South (Pacific Co.), from the mouth to Bean Creek: Closed beginning March 1, 2021.

Nemah River, Middle (Pacific Co.): Closed beginning March 1, 2021.

Nemah River, North (Pacific Co.), from Hwy. 101 Bridge to Cruiser Creek: Closed beginning March 1, 2021.

Nemah River, South (Pacific Co.): Closed beginning March 1, 2021.

Newaukum River, including South Fork (Lewis Co.), from mouth to Hwy. 508 Bridge near Kearny Creek: Closed beginning April 1, 2021.

Newaukum River, Middle Fork (Lewis Co.), from mouth to Taucher Rd. Bridge: Closed beginning April 1, 2021.

Newaukum River, North (Lewis Co.), from mouth to 400’ below Chehalis City water intake: Closed beginning April 1, 2021.

North River (Grays Harbor/Pacific Co.), from the Hwy. 105 bridge to Raimie Creek: Closed beginning March 1, 2021.

Palix River (Pacific Co.): Closed beginning March 1, 2021.

Queets River (Grays Harbor/Jefferson Co.): Contact Olympic National Park for regulations. (360) 565-3000. nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/fishing.htm

Quillayute River (Clallam Co.), from Olympic National Park boundary upstream to confluence of Sol Duc and Bogachiel rivers: Closed beginning April 1, 2021.

Quinault River, Upper (Grays Harbor/Jefferson Co.), from the mouth at upper end of Quinault Lake upstream to Olympic National Park boundary: Closed beginning April 1, 2021.

Salmon River (Jefferson Co.), from outside Quinault Indian Reservation and Olympic National Park: Closed beginning March 1, 2021.

Satsop River and East Fork (Grays Harbor Co.), from the mouth to bridge at Schafer State Park, and from 400’ below Bingham Creek Hatchery dam to the dam: Closed beginning April 1, 2021.

Satsop River, West Fork and Middle Fork (Grays Harbor Co.): Closed beginning April 1, 2021.

Skookumchuck River (Lewis/Thurston Co.), from mouth to 100’ below outlet of TransAlta WDFW steelhead rearing pond located at the base of Skookumchuck Dam: Closed beginning April 1, 2021.

Smith Creek (near North River) (Pacific Co.): Closed beginning March 1, 2021.

Sol Duc River (Clallam Co.), from mouth to Hwy. 101 Bridge upstream of Klahowya campground: Closed beginning April 1, 2021.

Sooes River (Clallam Co.), outside of Makah Indian Reservation: Closed beginning March 1, 2021.

Stevens Creek (Grays Harbor Co.), from the mouth to cable crossing downstream of WDFW hatchery outlet and from WDFW hatchery outlet to Hwy. 101 Bridge: Closed beginning March 1, 2021.

Thunder Creek (Clallam Co.), from mouth to D2400 Rd.: Closed April 1, 2021.

Van Winkle Creek (Grays Harbor Co.), from mouth to 400’ below outlet of Lake Aberdeen Hatchery: Closed beginning Feb. 1, 2021.

Willapa River (Pacific Co.), from mouth (City of South Bend boat launch) to Hwy. 6 Bridge (near the town of Lebam): Closed beginning April 1, 2021.

Willapa River, South Fork (Pacific Co.): Closed beginning March 1, 2021.

Wishkah River (Grays Harbor Co.), from the mouth to 200’ below the weir at the Wishkah Rearing Ponds and from 150’ upstream to 150’ downstream of the Wishkah adult attraction channel/outfall structure (within the posted fishing boundary): Closed beginning March 1, 2021.

Wynoochee River (Grays Harbor Co.): Closed beginning April 1, 2021.

Reason for action: These measures are being taken to protect wild steelhead stocks. The majority of coastal wild steelhead runs are expected to return below escapement targets as they have the past four seasons and have failed to meet management objectives. These rules are expected to result in a reduction of wild steelhead encounters by more than 50 percent.

Additional information: Please note that the Wishkah River, from 150’ upstream to 150’ downstream of the Wishkah adult attraction channel/outfall structure (within the posted fishing boundary), is open only to anglers with disabilities who permanently use a wheelchair AND have a designated harvester companion card.

This fishing rule change has been updated to include the waters of the West Fork Humptulips, West and Middle Fork Satsop, East and West Fork Dickey rivers, and Fork, Stevens, and Thunder Creek.

Information contact: Region 6 - Montesano, 360-249-4628

01/06/2021

Humptulips River, East Fork----Why would WDFW leave the East Fork of this river open????? Doesn't make good sense to me !!!!!!!

Pretty sure its closed most of the year in general is it not? Where does it say the EF is open?

Perhaps the default rule now is back to open unless closed.

Because they don't know what they're doing. Did they really mean to keep the West Fork and the Middle Fork Satsop open thru March?

Complete idiots.

Anyone catch the recent FHN where they talked about Cameron's protest out in forks and figured out that everyone donating to the cause was just donating to change.org? Helping fund their service and advertising network...

Just another one of the fine details these guys got wrong.

...does it not say that on the petition?

The Quinault Indian Nation just closed the Quinault and all its tributaries within the reservation, effective Sunday.

Fish on...

Todd

i figure with the Quins not netting the chehalis right now that the state will be shutting down the sports anytime.

Because they are netting the Queets from Monday till the middle of March 4 days per week?

I saw this was happening a few days ago. It's interesting they shut down everything on the Quinault that if I remember correctly was a little above Escapement. Yet they continue to net the Pristine Queets that is not meeting escapement and has been having trouble meeting it for years. No development, no pollution etc. Is it that they want to build their run back up since they make a lot of $$ off that fishery? Just curious. At least they aren't netting 5 days a week.

Wonder if the boat will get taken, like the guide on another GH river last week.

About the GH guide?
Ask monte square gas station..they told me and everyone else in line

No reefer, that's what I'm saying they're telling people at the monte store..they don't say the name either, I'd be just as interested to know as you.