Well, now hold on. I do like WILD trout (see photo, dont tell anybody), but admit the only utility for a hatchery raised stocker IMO is to increase growth rates and condition of largemouth bass.

"Defining appropriate places is the crux of the issue though", I guess thats really the point of what I was saying, I just didnt articulate that very well. And really that sums up my opinion and beliefs. Reservoirs are too far gone, let go, accept them for what they are (i.e., stop putting salmon in Oroville and Trinity and focus more on warmwater which is the only thing that reservoirs are good for).

The Santa Ynez pop is in the Southern California ESU (evolutionarilly significant unit) and listed as endangered, one of 15 steelhead ESU's on the left coast. ESU's also are considered separate pop's, and managed as such. Several people here have been heavily involved with the Santa Ynez issue, and they did say that those involved considered or were concerned about mingling with stockers, but they said the issue was not really that big of a deal.

And issues do need to be treated on a case by case scenario. One of the major issues or questions when considering projects is "is this project economically and biologically reasonable, or could the funding go to a better cause". For example, what could we have accomplished if we took all the money that has been spent on the Condor program? Another one would be was it worth the money to try and "save" the florida panther, or could that money have been better spent elsewhere (such as rehabilitating Lake Okeechobee). Many argue that florida panthers are no longer genetically viable because of so few numbers (yeah, you can define genetic viability, and once you go below the minimum threshold, that species is done, and least genetically). IMO, some of the hatchery procedures are not a wise use of funding, and that funding could be used on something more important.

Ok, I gotta get back to work:(

http://www.calfishing.com/dc/user_files/4046-Dont_tell.JPG

Attachment #1, (.JPG file)