First a big Thanks to all of you who sincerely help us newbies. I have learned a great deal on this board and the ifish board, from techniques to the different sides of issues.

Now an issue question. I have had a lot of luck fishing the Puyallup, and I release the few foul-hooked fish that I have caught. There is no rule requiring the release of any wild silvers or kings on the Puyallup. Why is there no rule for this? And would you release wild kings, silvers, or both? And why or why not?

I don't know enough about the issue and would like some info before I form an opinion. So far I have caught mostly hatchery fish, but have released a few and kept a few wild fish.

The last data I remember reading on this topic was that in the large southern rivers the genetic makeup of the naturally producing wild fish is generally identical to the hatchery fish. Because the hatcheries on the Puyallup and Nisqually are the large production facilities the rivers have become places where the hatchery offspring sustain the wild population. The exception to this is white river spring chinook which are distict. Their may be new data on these systems but I am not aware of it.

Who's to know if what appears to be a wild fish really is wild? You aren't hurting the system by keeping those fish.

There is an article in this month's STS about wild steelhead, it may provide some insight. For me, there is one simple rule when in my boat; if it's got an adipose fin, it goes back in the river. (This excludes certain rivers over on the OP where the dorsal, not the adipose, is clipped)