Our Hoh River creel data does not support the supposition that the sport fishery preferentially harvests larger wild steelhead. Also, the North Coast tribes would appreciate the opportunity to discuss the ramifications of the State going to non-retention of wild steelhead prior to adoption of the regulation. The current regulation allowing only one wild steelhead per angler per year statewide, has resulted in a large drop in wild harvest by the sport fishery (roughly a 70% drop over pre-2004 harvests), and our rivers where wild steelhead are harvested are regularly making or exceeding escapement goals. On the other hand, recreational effort, both guided and non-guided, appears to be growing on the North Coast, especially during the March and April time frame when wild fish are present in largest numbers. The recreational fishery is catching and releasing (C&R) far more fish than it is harvesting, and though we assume a 10% mortality on C&R fish, there may be other less understood effects to these fish. A conservative approach to managing the wild stocks that will forestall any long term declines in the runs may therefore be advisable. That strategy might include finding ways to decrease or limit the effort on the rivers, and possibly eliminating or further restricting harvest of wild steelhead. Prior to making any major regulation changes, however, we should consider investing in a creel on the Quillayute system that could better inform us of effort, catch, and C&R trends.