Drano Lake ... the place to be this spring?

From the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife 'Weekender Report':

"Above Bonneville Dam, chinook fishing was slow through the end of March, when only 173 fish had been counted moving through the fishways. But that is expected to change by April 10, if not before, Hymer said.
"Starting April 10, spills are planned at Bonneville Dam to help move juvenile salmon downriver," Hymer said. "Those spills should also spur more adult salmon to move upstream, and improve catch rates for bank anglers just below the dam."" 

Ok, as for places to stay I think Timberlake campground is the call. Super clean campground and close by for $17 a night. Each campspot is for 4 campers. So far the campers I know of are me, Pole, Espiga. Room for one more at our spot.

http://timberlakecampgroundandrvpark.com/

Z

Zee, did you make a reservation?  Or are we crashing Richards spot?   

-Allen

Todays count over the dam was 180.  Not exactly the 1000/day threshold that the Salmon Univeristy article recommends, but much better than a week ago.  Hopefully the increased spills will help ramp this up by Sunday.

Todays count over the dam was 180.  Not exactly the 1000/day threshold that the Salmon Univeristy article recommends, but much better than a week ago.  Hopefully the increased spills will help ramp this up by Sunday.

The Salmon U article says to go for sure when the counts hit 1000 per day.  But they also say that good fishing can be had well before that when the counts are in the 100's.  I'm guessing this rocket takes off in the next couple days and well see 500 go over Bonney on Saturday, just in time to rush up to Drano and bite my orange Magnum Wiggle Wart smeared with Shrimp/Anise Smelly Jelly.   

I'm really looking forward to a campfire on Saturday night and talking story with you all.  So hope to see you there.  If not I'll see you on the water Sunday morning ...

-Allen

I'm really looking forward to a campfire on Saturday night and talking story with you all.  So hope to see you there.  If not I'll see you on the water Sunday morning ...

-Allen

Yea, my WA license and catch card arrived today.    Scott, lets go break our shutout streak on these Washington fish.

Unfortunately, I have a volunteer committment Saturday night. Since I am not really an early morning riser on my days off, do you guys have an expected launch time in mind?

Thanks,
Jay

Zee, did you make a reservation?  Or are we crashing Richards spot?   

-Allen

Spot reserved! Thanks for the graph B, that's some exciting stuff seeing the counts going up. BTW you did make that graph yourself didn't you? You know "Fish Nerd" doesn't begin to describe your skillz.

Z

Thanks to Fred Meyers and Washington Department Fish and Game I'm $80 poorer, but legit to catch a Wa. Salmon. At least it's good for a whole year from April 1st.   Gives me time to bag that Halibut...right.

Hoping to get that no-fish monkey off my back this weekend, but that's a mighty big river for only 173 fish.  Guess that leaves 172 for you all to fight over. Ha!

Hoping to get that no-fish monkey off my back this weekend, but that's a mighty big river for only 173 fish.  Guess that leaves 172 for you all to fight over. Ha!

That's 173 fish in March.  So far in April there have been 781 Chinook over Bonney.

-Allen

slbrow6, did you get your license at a Fred Meyers in WA or did you find a place here in Portland?

that's a mighty big river for only 173 fish.

Actually the cumulative count for the year is 953 salmon over the dam.  Today alone there were 180.

Z, yeah I made that graph myself.  It was pretty straight forward because the data is all online..
https://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/op/fishdata/fcounts.asp?fr_cdm=1&fr_cdd=1&fr_cdy=2008&to_cdm=4&to_cdd=8&to_cdy=2008&prj=BON&op=runsum&subbtn=View+Report
I'll try and remember to update this daily between now and Saturday.

Brian

bsteves - I made a "Run for the Border" to get my license.  Up I-5 to Fourthplains in the couve', turn right and Freds is a mile or so down the road.  The Fourthpains Fred Meyer is closing and there's not much in the store, but the customer counter is still up and working and can sell you the license, tag and parking pass(?).  They don't have any fishing regulations though, so will have to relay on other fishermen for this weekend.  The dude said there was a new Fred Meyers on Hwy 14, but my GPS didn't have them.

Okay, okay almost a 1000 fish, me bad.   Still a big river for a 1000 fish, but then again, I only need one.

I'll try and remember to update this daily between now and Saturday.

Brian

Nice! A round of applause for Bsteves!

Z

Here is some other nice news..

Now that's what I'm talking about.  Sunny and 70's.  Don't forget the sunscreen.

-Allen

Temperatures in the 70's?!?!?

OK, I'm changing my plans.  It's official, I'll be camping alongside you boys.  LeRoy issued me T7 for Saturday and Sunday nights.

-Mark-

Since the weather seems to be cooperating and the counts are rising, is there any info on the tide swings?