The general objective of this project is to test whether the abundance of naturally produced Upper Columbia River steelhead on natural spawning grounds can be increased through the use of long-term kelt reconditioning methods.  Project objectives include: (1) Recondition UCR steelhead kelts using long-terms methods at existing facilities, (2) Evaluate kelt survival and effectiveness of reconditioning methods, and (3) Collaborating with ongoing M&E studies to document the reproductive success of kelts released from the reconditioning program.  The scope of this contract covers steps taken in the fifth year of implementation of a kelt reconditioning project in the Upper Columbia River.  Activities expected to be completed within the contract period include the collection, reconditioning, transportation, and release of natural origin (NOR) steelhead kelts.  Coordination with affected stakeholders (USFWS, WDFW, USGS, USFS, Chelan PUD and Douglas PUD) regarding live spawning of NOR broodstock, trapping and collection of kelts, and evaluations of kelt survival, maturation, and reproductive success will take place.  An effort will be made under this contract to work with stakeholders to find areas where collaboration on projects could be mutually beneficial.  Steelhead kelt collection will continue under this contract.  A temporary weir trap designed to downstream migrating steelhead kelts will be operated in Little Bridge Creek, South Fork Gold Cr., Beaver Cr. and Hancock Springs.  NOR kelts collected at these traps will be transported to the Methow Steelhead Kelt Facility (MSKF) for reconditioning.  In addition to trapping kelts at tributary weirs the YN will also participate in hook and line broodstock collection of steelhead for Winthrop National Fish Hatchery.  All NOR females used as broodstock by Winthrop National Fish Hatchery will be live spawned in a combined effort by the YN and USFWS staff.  All NOR females from the Twisp River conservation hatchery program operated by WDWF at the Methow Hatchery will be live spawned in a combined effort by the YN and WDFW staff.   Live spawning will allow the fishes' inclusion in the kelt reconditioning project.  YN will collaborate with Chelan County PUD to collect kelts moving downstream through the juvenile bypass at Rock Island dam. The reconditioning process will begin once kelts have been transported to the MSKF.  Reconditioning will include the reintroduction of feed and pathogen treatment.  Kelts will be reconditioned for approximately six months before they are released near the mouth of the Methow River.  In 2016, the project will explore the possibility of retaining non-maturing fish through the winter and the following reconditioning cycle to account for skip-spawning life history of documented in some kelts in the natural environment.  The project will have discussions with cooperating agencies to determine the feasibility of these actions.