Salmon Fever?
April 10, 2009
I just drove by Chinook Landing, a local boat launch area for the Columbia River. The parking lot is completely full! Almost 200 trucks with trailers are in the lot. But where is the Salmon? Well, they aren’t quite here yet. The Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife monitors the catch rate on the rivers. Last Saturday there were 3248 boats on the river. Only 209 salmon were caught. Bonneville Damn fish ladder has counted less then 700 salmon this month. It’s just too early to be salmon fishing! Monitor the fish counts at Bonneville. When the daily counts reach the 500 mark, it’s time to go.
So why are so many people Salmon fishing? Most are afraid they will miss the season. Last year the river was shut down mid-run, because the catch rate was so high. I believe that many are fearful of something similar happening this year.
That’s why I don’t guide for Salmon. I want my clients to have the best opportunity to catch fish.
Ken Bear Cole
[...] Salmon Fever? [...]