There are no hatchery fish on this river, never have been. So all the fish that are caught by "sportsmen" with rod and reel are only the fish that pull into the mouth to get some cooler cleaner water and to rest. However, we WERE allowed to fish in a boat upstream towards the dam.
According to the people I talked to about the dam, the natives will be able to net the river above the Hwy. 14 bridge, so that means taking WILD fish that no one else can even take out of the water for pictures. No one will be allowed to fish above Hwy 14 EXCEPT "natives". So yes, us "non natives" get screwed. IF the Yakamas were truly concerned about restoring the wild salmon runs, they would never put another gill net in the river... but it is not about that. As usual it is about the money of selling salmon.. not feeding your family...