I was wondering how anglers from this BB would respond to the catching-and-releasing of both native and hatchery origin steelhead, in light of the low return of brats this year on many systems? Releasing brats would not be an "option," but mandatory on rivers, like the Snohomish and Skagit and all their tribs. Just envision this policy as a next-to-last-ditch management tool to try to ensure an adequate number of adults return to the hatchery and keep guys/gals still fishing. The alternative would be to close the rivers off until Feb or March, when our nate-C&R season begins.

One would have to look at individual areas. Some systems have ample returns of hatchery fish this year. I happen to release most all of what I catch, but suspect this proposal would meet with a lot of resistance.

My thoughts, for what its worth:

I'm wondering if its really necessary. Tokul and Reiter were closed a couple of seasons ago for the same reason and by mid- February the terminals were re-opened because they got their escapement.

I've also had a look at distribution numbers of catch on the Sky and Snoqualmie--well over 70 percent of the brats are taken at Reiter, Tokul, and Big Eddy on the Snohomish basin (even with all of the lower river sled traffic). These fish seem to be bred to boogie. Although some anglers that fish the terminals will be fishing other areas on both rivers, you're not going to get near the catch rates in non-terminal areas where the fish are just passing through (you can also bet that a lot of anglers will be heading to Blue Creek and the coast).

If after the next couple of high waters, the terminals are still not getting the fish, then I think it may be necessary to shut down all areas to catch and keep. Overall, though, I can't help but think that with the terminals closed, netting will have a far larger impact on escapement then the sport catch. If WDFW really gets worried about getting fish, restrictions will be necessary on the nets.

I'm with you on this ,a little sacrafice now might help out in the long run.

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Tight Lines....
Jaxx <*)>><

I heard that hatchery fish aren't as succesful at spawing as native fish are, and besides why would we want hatchery fish spawning with native fish?

As long as the nets are in you cannot shut it down or go to CNR because of the foregone opportunity. In other words, if we don't fish the tribes can get twice the fish. But, I have seen this many times. The fish will be here they are just late. In fact...I think they might be showing themselves now....hehe.

I agree with Stlhead, I believe the Sky and Sno will still get their fish just not in numbers we'd like to see. It makes sense to shut it down short term though to make sure that the hatchery take is adequate for some brat production. The Sky in particular has historically had a strong middle/late January hatch run and I expect it will come by early February. Just a weird late year in addition to maybe some high predation on brat smolts (at the end of El Nino 2 years ago...Spanish Mackerel in Puget Sound!!). I think the nates are smarter though and will be closer to normal run size. Just my best guess.

You're right stlhead! Every year people say the fishing wasn't as good as it normaly is. The truth is that people don't remember all the hard work they put in to catch those few fish. Truth is most people don't want to remember all of the miserable days where there hands are so cold they can't eve tie a knot. Thats just my two cents.

although I would have no problem with 100% C&R I find it sad that we have to discuss it as possibly the only option to future steelhead runs. I don't have any proof to back this up but I believe much of the problem is WDFG and all the phony fish counts and run "predictions". I'm so tired of hearing all the excuses from hatchery personel, fishcheckers, game cops, and even some lawmakers. It's time to look the public in the eye and tell us the truth. I actually had one tell me "the Snohmish system can not support any more fish". What kind of crap is this? How many of you have fished it lately?

I think hatcheries should be used to improve the native runs. These hatchery fish come from native fish originally. If I am not mistaken the snyder hatchery is attempting this. Each river should have some native fish taken to spawn. Then return those fish back to their native streams in the rearing boxes. I do not think the streams should be cross planted. If cross planting did not take place all fish would be native to their original streams!!!! Drives me nuts seeing a river filled with two salt fish that should be filled with 3 or 4 salts!! Each stream needs to have its mini runs identified by the time of year the fish return. Similiar to the fraser system in CANADA. Each ecosystem needs a separate management group that decides whats best for that particular stream. Too many Political games going on.

Since I am on a soap box...Stop commercial netting five days a week........Stop netting during low water periods.....I wish the Quilluyates would use some common sense in their netting practices. I wish they would change the law so we could sue the Tribes for damages like they can sue us!!

.02


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Marty www.steelheader.net
marty@steelheader.net


I know this is the wrong river system..same problem though!!


[This message has been edited by smilesforu (edited 01-22-2000).]

Well, here's my two cents worth on this issue. I'm fairly young (I'm 30 so I'm either old to some of you or a youngin to others) and have been fishing for salmon/steelhead since I was 7. I remember the glory days of the early 70's and the last of them in the early 80's. I have done alot of reading over the years on the hatchery systems and pondered a question. I had remembered reading that hatchery fish weren't necessarily being planted to strengthen run populations perse, but they were planted to give sportsman something to catch to help diviate our attentions from wild fish. Thus, giving nat's a chance to spawn and produce more fish (and stronger fish). I can't remember which person responded above (you'll have to forgive me but the flu is kicking me in the butt and my mind is a bit off) but having hatchery fish spawning with nat's is a bad idea. Most fish in hatcheries aren't from the same genetic strain as the nat's in the same river. If they were, I'd assume if would be great. From articles and talking with WDFW personal at local hatcheries they use a certain genetic strain on most (if not all) hatcheries. Thus, making a cross in the genetics. I know they want so many hatchery fish in the escapement boxes to restock themselves, but for the most part they want the fish caught out of the rivers. I have seen where there is supposedly an escapement box on the Wynoochee and they're REDROPPED excess fish back into the system for sportsmen (and women) to catch again. I may be wrong, but I C & R all nat's to help keep the run strong, but I find NO problem in keeping a hatchery fish. I do love to EAT fish and find nothing wrong in keeping a hatchery fish, which we've all paid for with our taxes. Just my opinion. Tightlines...

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