The five big steelhead topic brought to mind a question that has been floating around in my mind over the last month:

With the dismal return of hatchery steelhead this year will there be a greater urge for anglers to bonk wild steelhead the rest of season in the only streams open for wild retention in the state- the OP? Unfortunatly, in my opinion, I believe it will.

I do not believe the lousy hatchery runs will mean an increase in wild harvest. The sort of people who bonk nates will still do so and those of us who don't still won't. I make about 3 to 5 trips out there per year and from what I see 99% of the nates caught are bonked. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE . I don't care what the states position is. Lets keep fighting this battle for the worlds greatest sport fish

only a fool would bonk a native. the same idiots who already bonk natives will continue to bonk natives, but i believe the true sportsman will release the natives to fight another day

the only native i 'll bonk on the head is one that strings a net across the river.

Read my latest 5 Dead Steelhead thread post - shoulda put it here

I thught the same thing; I know its easier for some guys to turn loose a native when they have a few hatchery fish "in the Bank".

Which is a bigger problem, sporties who catch a couple per year and kill them, or guide clients who get their limits and kill them... and the next day, and the next...?