Columbia Sockeye

Not open in the mainstem Columbia, but every now and then if enough make it up, they open up Lake Wenatchee.  Almost 40K have passed Bonneville so far this year, which is 4X normal, and roughly 8X last year's run at this time.  The forecast is for 75K fish, of which 13,700 are forecasted to return to Lake Wenatchee.  However 27K are needed for them to be able to open up that fishery.

More info ... http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/sockeye/columbia.htm

-Allen

Nice to see a good strong run. Maybe a dumb question but is there a sockeye hatchery up there?

Z

Here's hoping a few of those guys are heading to Redfish Lake.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/38065_lonesome07.shtml

Thanks for the great news! I hope this is an indication that they are on the rebound.

Possible event?

Nice to see a good strong run. Maybe a dumb question but is there a sockeye hatchery up there?

Z

Good question; I don't remember for sure, but I think there is a supplementation program. There are also sockeye that run up the Okanogan River, though no fishery.

Steelhead numbers over Wells Dam are looking really good, too. As of 6/16 there's been a total of 207, with a ten year average of 24. (It's very early in the year- last year at this time there were 53 towards an eventual count of ~7500.) http://www.fpc.org/adultsalmon/AdultCumulativeTable.asp

Finally, Summer Chinook salmon open on the Upper Columbia on 7/1. These are the big boys, with fish to 40-50#. Last year's run was around 34,000; this year is supposed to be around 52,000.

Sockeye season opens on Columbia River

CLACKAMAS, Ore. -- Chinook anglers on the Columbia River will have an unexpected opportunity to take home a sockeye salmon when the summer chinook fishing season opens on Saturday.

Due to much higher than average counts of sockeye salmon passing Bonneville Dam, Oregon and Washington fishery managers decided today to allow retention of sockeye salmon during upcoming summer chinook fisheries.

From the Rocky Point/Tongue Point line upstream to Bonneville Dam the river will be open to the retention of sockeye from 12:01 a.m. Saturday, June 21 through Sunday, June 28, 2008. From Bonneville Dam upstream to Priest Rapids Dam the season extends from 12:01 a.m. Saturday, June 21 through Thursday, July 31, 2008.

All sockeye are considered adults, regardless of size, and are included in the daily bag limit of two adult salmon or steelhead.

“The 2008 sockeye run is shaping up to be considerably larger than forecast,” said Chris Kern, fish biologist with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. “Normally, anglers encounter very few sockeye; however, catch rates so far this summer have been much higher than normal. This change allows anglers the opportunity to keep sockeye they catch during the summer chinook season.”

Harvest in non-tribal fisheries is limited to less than 1% of the total sockeye run, and fishery managers estimate up to 1,000 sockeye will be handled during the recreational season.

So what.. we don't have any AOTY points for sockeye.  Oh wait, they taste mighty fine don't they.  I hope I get a chance at one.  Anyone what to try for some summer chinook / sockeye next week?

Brian

So what.. we don't have any AOTY points for sockeye.  Oh wait, they taste mighty fine don't they.  I hope I get a chance at one.  Anyone what to try for some summer chinook / sockeye next week?

Brian

G-at damn they're tasty B. IMO those are arguably the tastiest fish we have on NW coast. If I was closer to the Columbia Id be so on this. Hope you guys can hook some up!

Z

Just bought a set-up to do some steelhead/bass fishing.  Would the following work for sockeye?  Rod: Shimano 8'-6"  Line Wt:6-12 lbs,  lure wt: 1/4 - 3/4 oz  Power: Medium Light   Action: Medium Fast   Spinning Reel  Flueger 6735  line capacity 145/8  and 120/10  gear ratio 5.2.1  I have two spools one with 12lb and the other with 8.  Wikipedia says the sockeye are between 6-8 lbs, so this should work right?  Thanks

Would the following work for sockeye?  Rod: Shimano 8'-6"  Line Wt:6-12 lbs,  lure wt: 1/4 - 3/4 oz  Power: Medium Light   Action: Medium Fast   Spinning Reel  Flueger 6735  line capacity 145/8  and 120/10  gear ratio 5.2.1

As long as you don't accidentally hook a king you should be fine.

Brian

I've got a hall pass tomorrow, but no idea of a decent spot on the Columbia to try for em'.  Any thoughts?  My guess is somewhere on the main river, with a current seam near shore caused by a rock outcrop or something.  Beacon Rock came to mind, but maybe elsewhere would be better?