I agree with Genieman. Even though I rarely keep a Steelhead, catch & release  is practiced     10 x's more then it was in the 80's, 90's! Stringing fish does wipe a few extra out in smaller certain holes but does not take the blame at all for this decline. Not even close . Like I said NY. has had a one Steelhead limit on most creeks over many years so where are all the fish year after year ? I've fished NY creeks for over 35 plus years and the one limit fish has made no increase in numbers year after year. Stocking and Mother Nature account for up and down numbers plane and simple.