Even with the lower runs across the board including the Quinault. They continue to run a hatchery program for multiple rivers using the broodstock program. On low return years there run is still plenty strong. And they get a ton of fish. Where our rivers don't see any. Some years will have better returns then others due to factors at play but even so if the Res. Played the same game wdfw is they would have little fish at all returning there too no matter the location. But they produce a lot of smolt and release which in fact keeps a pretty solid run of fish to have a fishery up there. Cut there program like wdfw does and let's see if any guided trips continue. Look back on the puyallup river/carbon river. Used to be an amazing fishery for how many fish were pulled out. Before a lot of the younger guys times. But talk to old timers that used to fish it back when. They said awesome things. Then the program was diminished and well there are virtually no steelhead returning 20 plus years later. Antis got there was about hatchery fish being bad and the plants are gone. Well native fish never returned. Point is yes some habitat is better but even in the areas with good habitat and fish production you see cut backs in runs. The reason for hatcheries is if we need to mitigate for habitat loss, pollution, climate, reasons etc to see fish returns that's what we should be doing. Instead pointing the finger at all hatcheries are bad and having programs cut completely so far has not benefitted any areas for returning native fish. Now the Native fish numbers are even lower as predation also impacts solely them and other factors. I can go on and on with thoughts about it. But one thing I can say for certain is if we keep allowing our programs to be cut. Our license costs go up and opportunity is taken away. And we don't see any benefit to the species with anything we are hit with. I am happy to sit back on the sidelines and watch what I love rebuild. But with our department handling the way they are I will never watch it rebuild. I am watching it dissappear more and more every year in our great state with fishing and hunting. And its a sad thing. So everytime I have to modify for success that is what I do. But then thinking about it more that is more stress I and we put on other species of fish and game. Ultimately continuing the cycle of all populations of fish and game lowering any time we suffer from one loss. It will continue to make more loss elsewhere from more pressure.
