I guess you can find the Everett Herald article on-line. I saw Bob at the Snohomish Sportsmen's Meeting in December. It sounds like the WDFW will only plant hatchery steelhead at locations where they can be trapped such as at Rieter Ponds Hatchery, Wallace River Hatchery, Tokul Creek Hatchery etc.
So goodbye hatchery steelhead plants in the Pilchuck River, Pilchuck Creek, Sultan River, North Fork Skykomish, etc. etc. etc.
The number of summer run plants at Rieter Ponds will also be significantly reduced.
The WDFW is also planning on reducing the season on the Pilchuck River by two weeks (to close February 15th instead of the end of the month) to reduce "stress" on the native fish by catch and release.
It is time for all NW sportsfishers, clubs and associations to start raising the awareness of the general public and our elected officials. Our opportunity for steelhead fishing is going to be greatly diminished in the upcoming years unless we collectively start taking action now.
We need to learn from our neighbors to the north in BC who practice sound scientific fishery management practices including capturing wild fish to spawn with hatchery fish to ensure strong and vibrant hatchery runs.
Why can't we select a few rivers to manage strickly for wild fish and select others to manage for optimum hatchery production and sport's harvest and generate world class recreation and a huge boost to our local economies!!!
Folks the time is now to unite in 2010!!!!!!!
Happy New Years! And tight lines and fish filled rivers in the NW!!!!!
