Anglers flock to Columbia in search of spring chinook

BOB BROWN, FOR THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published Friday, April 5, 2002

Spring chinook salmon catches increased last week on the lower Columbia River, especially for boat anglers in the Woodland and Longview areas.

Counting fish released, anglers averaged up to one fish per boat. Bank fishing also improved, with about one chinook for every 20 rods.

Both the number of fishers and the number of salmon caught are rising, said Joe Hymer, a biologist with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife's Vancouver office.

Last Saturday, nearly 1,500 salmon boats were counted. Most fishers were from the I-205 Bridge upstream to Washougal. More than 200 boats were counted in both the Woodland and Vancouver areas.

In addition, 673 bank anglers were fishing the Oregon side and 453 more were counted on the Washington shore.

Last Saturday, 32 spring chinook were counted at Bonnevillle Dam. On the same day last year, 1,200 fish were counted. Through March 30, 2,280 spring chinook had been counted at Bonneville Dam. Last year, 8,038 fish had been counted by the same date.

Fish and Wildlife is asking anglers after chinook in the Columbia and Snake river systems to report fish with colored tags in their jaws. About 3,000 spring chinook were tagged in a test to determine the relative survival of fish caught in two sizes of tangle nets and then released.

Rivers

- COWLITZ: Fishing has been good, said Karen Glazer of Barrier Dam Campground.

Anglers are still catching winter-run steelhead and a few spring chinook. Seven spring chinook were caught at the barrier last Saturday and boaters are catching some, too. Sand shrimp have been effective. Corkies and yarn have been working for bank fishers.

- FORKS: Most coastal rivers are in good shape and fishing has been decent, said Bob Gooding of Olympic Sporting Goods in Forks. Steelhead fishing has been best in the Hoh. The Sol Duc has been producing some spring chinook, Gooding said.

- CHEHALIS: Some anglers are reporting good fishing, said Ray Dean of Monte Square Food Mart in Montesano. The river is in excellent shape.

Sturgeon

More than 300 sturgeon boats were counted last Saturday on the lower Columbia River. Most of the effort was concentrated in the gorge.

Boaters averaged about one-half legal-sized sturgeon per boat. Boaters caught some legals in the Kalama-to-Woodland area, while bank fishers landed a few sturgeon around Longview. The sturgeon have been hitting both shrimp and herring.

Saltwater

- TACOMA: A few nice blackmouth are being landed, said Art Tachell of Point Defiance Boathouse & Marina. The Delco area during the in-tide has been good, and the clay banks have been good spots during the out-tide.

Fly-fishing

- SALTWATER: South Sound continues to fish well for sea-run cutthroat trout. The cutthroat are done spawning and are feeding on small baitfish and salmon fry along beaches, said Greg Edwards of the Streamside Anglers store in Tumwater. Look for small streams entering the saltwater. Try small Clouser minnows and Sculpin patterns.

- RIVERS: The Wynoochee, Cowlitz, Chehalis and Skookumchuck offer the best fishing. Try Green Butt Skunks and March Browns.

- LAKES: A few opportunities exist for anglers who want to fish before the opening day crowds April 27. In Thurston County, Offut, Black and St. Clair are open and can provide some good fishing. In Mason County, Cady has started to heat up, with fish longer than 24 inches being reported caught and released.

Youth fishing

- LONGVIEW EVENT: A kids fishing day will be held Saturday at Longview's Lake Sacajawea.

A $5 entry fee will include a T-shirt and fishing rod and reel for every child registered. The event is open to youngsters ages 5 to 14.

Kids can choose one of six half-hour fishing sessions between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Youngsters can keep two fish. The event offers a netted area and an on-site fish-cleaning station.

There are 12 annual Fishing Kids events scheduled throughout the state.

Fish and Wildlife staff, the Cast For Kids Foundation and other groups help organize such events not only so kids can catch fish, but also to help them learn about fishing.

Topics include water safety, knot tying, fish cleaning and fly casting.

- SOUTH SOUND: A Kids Fishing Event will be held April 20 at Lacey's Long Pond.

For more information, call Lacey Parks and Recreation at 491-0857.

Bob Brown is a correspondent for The Olympian. He can be reached at 754-5432.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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