I heard from a contact within the PSMFC (part of NOAA) that due to the low counts of steelhead returning this last fall, the state is looking at pulling the plug on steelhead this year much like they did to salmon. With no trout stocking either, this is going to be rough year for us. Send out those emails to the Fish and Game commission! We still have a chance!

I just read this from a post on another FF board.  I must say, after having done some extensive research on the issue of Salmon and Steelhead populations, trends, declines, etc., It is clear that agencies like NOAA and DFG have no real clue.  Fishing is not the problem, and with catch and release mandated on all steelhead waters except for hatchery fish and the Smith I'm not really sure shutting down fishing entirely would help any more anyway.  I would like to think scientists at DFG and NOAA are reading their OWN diagnosis (their biological opinions) of problems related steelhead.  If they did they would never think of closing fishing for steelhead.