Post by: duckmen1 on March 20, 2019, 02:20:48 PM
I think everyone has seen a result of poor runs and seeing things turn worse over the last few years on our Washington and Oregon rivers. Here is a group trying to change the way hatchery programs are run in a way to benefit larger returns in runs that can benefit native salmon/steelhead returns as well as ways to get some of our fisheries to start producing again. Take a look at there website as well as the Addicted fishing podcast on YouTube on the subject. We can all agree we need change. Take a look and talk about what you think on this. I think it's a great way to try and get stronger healthier runs. Which in return will hopefully quit getting emergency closures on our systems and potentially benefit the fisherman as well as the ones fighting for native returns and seeing no change after true hatchery fish are out of the systems.
Post by: Stein on March 20, 2019, 04:53:57 PM
Post by: Bill W on March 20, 2019, 06:53:45 PM
Post by: Alchase on March 20, 2019, 07:08:12 PM
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on March 20, 2019, 07:29:25 PM
Post by: WSU on March 20, 2019, 07:36:37 PM
How do we tell the different between a wild fish and a hatchery fish when they have been releasing unclipped hatchery fish for decades?
DNA. I haven’t read the link yet but that’s the answer.
Post by: Alchase on March 20, 2019, 07:54:49 PM
How do we tell the different between a wild fish and a hatchery fish when they have been releasing unclipped hatchery fish for decades?
DNA. I haven’t read the link yet but that’s the answer.
I get that DNA can, but they can’t test every unclipped fish that returns to determine which one is wild or not.
I like the idea of restocking the rivers again back to decent levels.
But honestly, part of me thinks if they do not stop the gillnetting, all they would be doing is increasing the catch for only one of three consumer groups.
Post by: Gun smoke on March 20, 2019, 08:49:44 PM
Post by: Crunchy on March 20, 2019, 08:56:13 PM
Post by: j_h_nimrod on March 20, 2019, 10:00:58 PM
With all the diluted wild/hatchery fish maybe they should stop wasting time marking fish, and just get fish in the river. Wonder how many truly wild fish exist. Then we wouldnt have the issue of wild fish release mortality.
I would venture none in WA, OR, CA, or BC. There *may* be a very few select streams in AK that have not been influenced by hatchery fish, but I would find it unlikely. Hatcheries have existed on this coast for ~150 years and most early century (pre-WW2) hatcheries were run as factories for packing companies and produced numbers of king, coho, and sockeye unheard of currently. Not only were the numbers produced large, but there was very little, if any, managed escapement and no genetic considerations period. It was a free for all by private, state, and federal groups and every trickle of water was Johnny Appleseeded with fish, it is hard for me to take the current myth of the “wild” salmon seriously.
Post by: huntnnw on March 20, 2019, 10:36:50 PM
Post by: j_h_nimrod on March 20, 2019, 11:11:22 PM
there isnt a single fish in E WA and ID streams salmon or steelhead that has not been someway or another influenced by hatchery fish. There is no truly 100% wild fish left on this side of the state. I find it hilarious all these stupid laws about barbed hooks and releasing wild salmon and steelhead on this side. Now the Olympic peninsula is another story
Even out here just about every river of any significance has or had a hatchery on it at some point.
Post by: JimmyHoffa on March 21, 2019, 08:00:05 AM
:yeah: Nearly every little creek was affected too. There used to be trucks and trailers that would deliver the smolts just about everywhere. Might have only been a few hundred fish a year. These were places you could almost jump across. WDFW used to have more volunteers and they'd let you work at the hatcheries to raise more fish, then you could sign out the trucks/trailers and go plant fish. There weren't gates then like now, so places like Kalaloch Creek, Goodman Creek, Cedar Creek, etc all got fish. If there were unaffected areas they would be higher in the systems.there isnt a single fish in E WA and ID streams salmon or steelhead that has not been someway or another influenced by hatchery fish. There is no truly 100% wild fish left on this side of the state. I find it hilarious all these stupid laws about barbed hooks and releasing wild salmon and steelhead on this side. Now the Olympic peninsula is another story
Even out here just about every river of any significance has or had a hatchery on it at some point.
Post by: timberfaller on March 21, 2019, 08:24:39 AM
What has resulted is NOAA agreed to limiting the hatchery's catch, after that the hatchery's have to close their gates and the returning salmon are allowed to continue past the hatchery's and THEY become the "wild salmon" that will be controlled by the ESA and NOAA.
NOAA refused to look at and adhere to "Known and established Science" concerning Salmon Returns. They had an agenda to accomplish and they succeeded. Piping the Methow Valley's open ditches. Which in turn had the OPPOSITE effect they told the public would happen, instead of MORE water during the returning salmon they got LESS. They refused to believe the farmers and rancher about "underground recharge" the open ditches contributed to!!! So, with the recharge done away with you have less water in the rivers when needed bringing about less fish. Oh ya, they also(NOAA)refused to believe "predators" had any factor on returning/leaving(fingerlings) numbers too! Stupid is as Stupid does! :o
Post by: duckmen1 on March 21, 2019, 11:20:40 AM
It seems by the responses that most people may not actually be looking at the program listed. That we all know at the state we are in and the programs currently being used are not working. Check out this group and see what you think.
Post by: Skillet on March 30, 2019, 12:15:34 PM
Let's hope this one gets some traction. :tup:
Post by: Skillet on March 30, 2019, 01:11:20 PM
"Hi Chris.
That's a question that gets asked a lot.
H&WC is focused on highlighting the importance of hatcheries with the goal of providing healthy and abundant fisheries for all users. Harvest methods are not part of the hatchery equation or H&WC's agenda.
Dave"
This is good news to an open-ocean mixed-stock fisher like myself. Put more fish out, get more fish back. A rising tide lifts all boats.
Big :tup: to @duckmen1 in bringing this up here.
Post by: duckmen1 on March 30, 2019, 04:52:18 PM
If anyone has any doubts about this program just take a look at the Quinalt reservation who is having absolutely incredible steelhead runs when the rest of the state is struggling. They have been doing this program for many years and it's showing incredible results on returns. To my knowledge they are netting 6 days a week and recreational fisherman are having catch rates that are unheard of. With huge healthy fish. Please take a look and see what you guys think.
Post by: castie2504 on April 02, 2019, 01:05:21 PM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on April 02, 2019, 01:10:57 PM