jere, i don't think people want to set the clock back 1000 years, maybe
only 200 years <G>.
here's a question though on the water temperature argument. i'm a young
guy but i've talked to alot of the old timers who were around back when
the early returning native winter steelhead (nov-jan) were a signifigant
portion of the total run size. the most common theme when they talk
about these fish is what good biters they were and how well they
fought. my experience with the few early natives i have caught has been
similar. i think it's something to think about and find it interesting.
personally, i think there need to be changes in hatchery management, and
i'd like to see some rivers managed for wild fish exclusively just to
see what would happen if we basically left them alone for awhile. i
think that it would answer some questions about the ability for wild
fish to recover and it'd be interesting to see if those fisheries would
be "better" than hatchery intensive fisheries. unfortunetely, i mostly
see an all or nothing attitude among sportfishermen on this issue. the
middle ground is usually the best way on most things.
as far as retaining hatchery fish (the original question) i have no
problem with it. fresh fish is a wonderful food, and the fish were
planted for harvest... so if you enjoy fish it is a good thing to retain
some hatchery fish.
chris bellows
