Just saw this story, thought it worth passing on. http://seattlep-i.nwsource.com/local/43271_steelhead18.shtml
__________________________________________________________________ Abundance of endangered steelhead may lead to a fishing season (Thursday, October 18, 2001) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS WENATCHEE -- So many steelhead are returning to north-central Washington rivers that federal officials are considering opening a fishing season for the endangered species. The National Marine Fisheries Service is considering the idea, which would be the first public fishing for steelhead in north-central Washington since the runs were listed as protected under the federal Endangered Species Act in 1997. "I know it sounds crazy. We list these fish for protection and now we want to go fishing on them," said Art Viola, district biologist for the state Department of Fish and Wildlife in Chelan and Douglas counties. "But this is really about managing hatchery fish, not catching naturally produced fish," he said. "The purpose is to control the hatchery ones in order to help restore and conserve the natural ones." --MORE--
