Correct me if I'm wrong--but isn't true the Quinalts don't clip their hatchery fish? How are you supposed to tell if its native or hatchery? Granted the beat-up fin thing is a dead give away-but last time I fished the Quinalt we landed 11 fish and most of them had perfect fins (that was in early Feb.) Mabye they were or mabye they were not, but I took my #17 home with me-that by the way is my biggest to date. We then returned and fished the Clearwater where I gladly released a #16 chromer hen that I could have kept! I release every native I catch, but when you can't tell-then what? 25 pounder---one time--in the Quinalt--KONK!!

Crafin,

You bring up a valid problem on the Quinalt. I've fished the lower Quianalt for the last 4 years. To date, only 1 fish had it's adipose fin clipped. Every time we would bring a fish in to the boat and ask "Is this a hatchery fish", the guide would say "Sure.". Granted some fish were just so perfect that we knew they were nates and let them go. Others, it was really hard to tell and was a judgement call.

I'll let you guys know what happens when I fish the Quinalt on the 23rd. I'll take a bunch of digital pictures and post them on my site. I'll let you judge whether these fish are nates or brats. Of course, they'll be 30+ pictures to look at... Look for a post from me on the 24th/25th.

Tight lines!

Parker

Native fish are NOT replaceable! If you kill a native hen, you are taking 3 or 4 fish out of the river (its offspring) and this may sound like a very small amount but add to that 500 other fish taken, and you end up taking alot of fish out of the river for the future. Hatchery fish were put here for a reason - to allow people to keep fish at the expense of paying more to keep the hatchery programs putting more fish in the rivers. Bottom line is: Release the Nates and keep the brats.

tight lines *

Even if it was legal and I caught a state/world record steelie I would release it. The only reason a angler would keep it is because of their ego and the need to prove it to someone and see their name in print. I guess you just get to a point in your "angling career" where your confidence is at such a level that you proved it to yourself and no one else's approval matters (self actualization?) I like a quote I heard "I know I caught him and he knows I caught him so why should i worry about anybody else"

[This message has been edited by Rich (edited 02-14-2000).]

Jigman, you dont know s***, the biologist you are referring to does not kill native fish and knows far more about that river than you ever will and fishes it with a bunch of white guys like you and I. So I suggest before you open your white trash mouth get your facts straight. this world does not need any more biggots such as yourself. Peace


[This message has been edited by Bob (edited 02-18-2000).]

hi fisher peeps, well i was wondering where the is the quinalt..or however you spell it.. i had good fishing on the carbon this weekend..hooked 4 landed 3..all nates..man it was a blast 2 fish in 45 mins..best ive had yet..lol..well anyway..if anyone has directions to the quinalt..could you write me or sumthin..welps..im outie