I'm with you Rich when it comes to proper catch/release methods. I rarely pull a trout out of the water, and if I do, I always wet my hands and lay the trout over on it's back to calm it.

The numbers of fishermen on the river has increased greatly over the past several years. I remember 6 years ago going on Thursday's (my day off) and being the only person on the river for hours before ever seeing another boat. Now I can't find a parking spot at Helm's Landing on Thursdays when the river is fishable. I'm not complaining about the numbers of boats...it's just an observation of the increase.

With that increase has come the grass covering the bottom of the river no doubt carried in by another boat from another river, trash along the banks, poor sportsmen on the water, and increased pressure on every gravel bar in the river. Would any of these ideas help revive the river and return it to it's previous condition...at lease as close as possible.

1) Complete construction on the dam (obvious need)
2) Release more trout once that construction is completed
3) Move slot to 12" to 20"
4) Make a large section catch and release only (temporarily)
5) Raise trout permit fee's (this is to detour the casual fishermen) I don't even know if raising the price of the trout stamp is possible...just a thought.

These I'm sure are not popular thoughts...they may be wrong all together, but I fear the end of a wonderful treasure if we do not take some measures to protect it.