THE WASHINGTON STEELHEAD DILEMMA-JULY 2011

Using fin-clipped Steelhead as a basis for catch-and-release and as the "buzz-word" in arguing about native/wild/hatchery Steelhead is not as scientific as the scientists and debaters make it sound. It's not as fool-proof an indicator as you might think. Picture millions of tiny fish, a few volunteers or underpaid hatchery workers, fatigue, boredom, poor lighting etc. and know that many fry are missed, injured and killed in this process. Often, an anesthetic solution (slightly toxic) subdues the fry and a person's hand or a machine does the clipping. Imagine how many of the tiny fish are missed in this procedure. So to use the fin-clipped Steelhead as the basis for laws is certainly an appropriate reason for serious questioning and discussion. To blindly accept the pronouncements of a corrupted hatchery system or a zealot Steelheader, is not the way to resolve the Steelhead dilemma. Try to use your intelligence if you really want to make a difference in the plight of this wonderful creature. Steelhead are going away and only intelligent discussion and action might mitigate this tragedy.
At this point in the demise of the Steelhead, using the designations "native", "wild" and "hatchery" is no longer valid. The only somewhat accurate terms are "fin-clipped" or "non fin-clipped" because, short of expensive and complicated genetic testing, there is no way for the Steelhead angler to reliably determine which is a native or which is a wild Steelhead. The only thing we on the Rivers can know for sure is: Is it fin-clipped or not? And, as mentioned above, this is not always accurate. How would the angler truly know if it's a native Steelhead, a missed hatchery fish, a Steelhead born in the River from wild/hatchery parents, or wild/wild parents or hatchery/hatchery parents?
To truly know what's going on takes a lot of effort. You would have to examine the raw data, examine the conclusions drawn from this data, examine the hatchery methods, analyze the laws, rules and regulations, determine the hidden agendas, etc., etc., etc.
So what can a Steelheader do? Begin by using what we can see as a basis for discussion. Is it fin-clipped or not? Question the science upon which the laws are based. Question the enforcement industry. Research the Boldt Decision of 1974. Stop using the "Indians" or ourselves as the diversionary scapegoats. Focus on the politics. Even a novice detective knows to "follow the money and power". Consider all the contributing factors: politics, hatcheries, poaching, poor catch-and-release practices, pollution, clear-cutting, conditions at sea, misleading "science", the "BS Factor", etc. Do your homework before opening your mouth.
An experienced lobbyist knows that the most effective solutions in our modern society are the political ones. Are there any politicians courageous enough to question the Boldt Decision and urge the lawmakers to finish this unfinished piece of legislation by providing intelligent checks and balances based on scientific impact studies, how it should be applied to different areas, state and local input, Steelheaders' input, etc.? Until this incomplete piece of legislation is completed, the Steelhead do not have a chance! Like it or not, that is a fact you can rely on. Also, urge any wildlife department to place the welfare of the "resource" (the fish and game) as their primary job. Short of that, I think the best advice is to enjoy any Steelhead that are left, treat them and their environment with respect and be an intelligent and courageous champion for their survival.
………………………………………………………………………

Recently came across this humorous anecdote re: clipping of a body part and it somehow reminded me of fin-clipping fish:
"Maybe if women had to throw back circumcised dudes and could only keep uncut hombres the practice would change. 
“OMG, Kristin, can you land him? He’s so big and strong!”
“Oh damn it, he’s cut.” 
“Better let him go. If the man warden catches you with him it’s a huge fine".”

May the River Gods smile upon you.
A Concerned Steelheader