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This page was last updated on 02/03/12.

 

 

ICTU Club News

Next Membership Meeting: Feb 8

Calendar of Events:

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Membership Meeting: Feb. 8 at Kristall's Restaurant, 6 p.m.

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Board Meeting: Feb. 22

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Membership Meeting: Mar. 14 at Kristall's Restaurant, 6 p.m.

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Board Meeting: Mar. 21

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Membership Meeting: Apr. 11 at Kristall's Restaurant, 6 p.m.

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Board Meeting: Apr. 25

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Membership Meeting: May 9 at Kristall's Restaurant, 6 p.m.

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Board Meeting: May 23

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Membership Meeting: June 13 at Kristall's Restaurant, 6 p.m.

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Board Meeting: June 20

Columbia River Mouth Fish Returns Actual and Forecasts

 

2011 Forecast

2011 Return

2012 Forecast

Total Spring Chinook

331,800

320,900

423,200

 

Willamette

104,100

80,200

83,400

 

Sandy

5,500

4,300

4,800

 

Cowlitz *

6,600

4,100

8,700

 

Kalama*

600

800

700

 

Lewis*

3,400

1,400

2,700

 

Select Areas

13,200

8,900

8,700

 

Lower River total

133,400

99,700

109,000

 

Wind*

4,900

7,800

8,400

 

Drano Lake *

12,600

12,200

9,500

 

Klickitat*

2,100

1,400

2,100

 

Yakima *

10,300

13,400

12,000

 

Upper Columbia Total

22,400

16,500

32,600

 

Upper Columbia Wild

2,000

2,200

2,800

 

Snake River

 

 

 

Spring/Summer Total

91,100

127,500

168,000

 

Snake River Wild

24,700

31,600

39,000

 

Upriver Total

198,400

221,200

314,200

Summer Chinook Upper Columbia Total

91,100

80,600

91,200

Sockeye Wenatchee

33,000

41,800

28,800

 

Okanogan

126,800

143,500

431,300

 

Snake River Wild

2,100

1,900

1,900

Total Sockeye Steelhead

161,900

187,300

462,000

Spring chinook runs look strong for Columbia River | Fishing report

Washington and Oregon Fish and Wildlife managers are forecasting 314,200 upriver spring chinook, which would be the fourth-highest return since 1980.

By Mark Yuasa

Seattle Times staff reporter

Those who enjoyed spring chinook fishing in Columbia River tributaries above Bonneville Dam last year will like what's in store this coming season.

"We saw some pretty good fish returns last spring, and it should be strong again," said Joe Hymer, a state Fish and Wildlife biologist.

The forecast for the Wind River is 8,400 spring chinook compared to an actual return of 7,800 last year under a forecast of 4,900.

Another strong return of 9,500 spring chinook is expected to the Little White Salmon River also known as Drano Lake. The return last spring was 12,200 with a forecast of 12,600, and a recent 10-year average of 11,600.

The Klickitat River forecast is 2,100, compared to an actual return of 1,400 last year and a forecast of 2,100.

The Yakima River forecast calls for 12,000, down from 13,400 last spring.

"Everything was delayed last spring by (late) fish passage over Bonneville, but once they got over they were right on track," Hymer said.

Washington and Oregon Fish and Wildlife managers are forecasting 314,200 upriver spring chinook, which would be the fourth highest return since 1980. Of those 277,400 are expected to be four-year-old fish, and 36,400 will be larger-sized five-year-olds.

The largest on record occurred in 2001 when 440,300 returned.

Another 83,400 are destined for the Willamette River in Oregon. Last year, the forecast was 104,100 with an actual return of 80,254.

The 2012 spring chinook returns for the Cowlitz, Kalama and Lewis — tributaries of the Lower Columbia — look slightly better than last year with a forecast of 12,100 compared an actual return of 6,300 under a forecast of 10,600.

The Cowlitz forecast is 8,700 (4,100 returned last year); Kalama, 700 (800); and Lewis, 2,700 (1,400). The spawning goals in the Cowlitz and Lewis are 1,250 each; and the Kalama is 500. Spring chinook fishing restrictions could happen in the Kalama and Lewis.

Salmon stocks are taking advantage of La Nina's colder water upwelling conditions in the ocean that produces good survival rates.

A total of 154,895 angler trips were taken on the Lower Columbia last year with 11,694 spring chinook kept.

Last year, sport fishing for spring chinook in the Lower Columbia River was open Jan. 1 to April 4, and reopened April 8-19 and May 15 to June 15.

Fishing seasons in the Lower Columbia River will be decided by state, federal and tribal fishery managers in Portland on Thursday at 10 a.m. Fisheries above Bonneville will be decided some time next month.

Great expectations await spring chinook fishery on the Columbia

It's only a matter of time before the first migrating spring chinook is hooked by a lucky angler in the Lower Columbia River.

By Mark Yuasa

Seattle Times staff reporter

It's only a matter of time before the first migrating spring chinook is hooked by a lucky angler in the Lower Columbia River.

We already know this fish will be among a strong forecast of 414,500, which could lead to the fourth-largest return of upriver spring chinook on record.

Fishing is currently open daily from Buoy 10 in the Lower Columbia up to I-5. The fishery expands upriver to Beacon Rock from March 1 to April 6 (closed March 20, March 27 and April 3), and possibly longer depending in the catch rate.

Also opening March 1 is bank fishing from Beacon Rock to the boundary below Bonneville Dam.

Fishing above Bonneville Dam will be open daily from March 16 to May 2, between the Tower Island power lines 6 miles below The Dalles Dam and the Washington/Oregon state line, 17 miles upriver from McNary Dam. Bank angling is allowed from Bonneville Dam up to the power lines during that time.

Starting March 1, anglers below Bonneville may keep one hatchery-marked adult spring chinook daily. Above the dam, anglers can keep daily beginning March 16.

More statewide salmon forecasts will be revealed when state Fish and Wildlife has a public meeting 9 a.m. Feb. 28 at the Natural Resources Building in Olympia.

But before those figures are unveiled, let's gaze back at how things fared last season.

The big eye opener was an estimated 378,056 salmon angler trips taken in the Lower Columbia last year, which broke the previous record of slightly more than 371,000 set in 2010.

The 24,973 summer steelhead kept by anglers last year smashed the previous record of 18,324 fish kept in 2010, and was the highest on record since at least 1975.

Add to that another 45,000 adult chinook kept, second only to 2010 when 49,000 fish were taken home by anglers.

Ample time on the water also allowed anglers to reap their fishing fortunes.

Last year, spring chinook fishing on the Lower Columbia was open Jan. 1 to April 4, April 8-19 and reopened on May 15. In that time, a total of 154,895 angler trips were taken with 11,694 spring chinook kept.

Anglers were allowed to keep summer chinook from May 15 to July 17. In past years, the option would close by mid-April and wouldn't reopen until mid-June. Also during the small period when chinook catch-and-keep was closed July 18 to Aug. 1, summer steelhead action ramped up.

The summer steelhead catch of 11,160 in August was tops for any month since at least 1969, and walloped the previous record of 8,549 from July.

Add to that a record 18,509 kept or released in August, compared to the previous record of 15,934 in July 2009.

Going back to records that started in 1969, the 5,160 adult summer hatchery chinook kept were a record. The old record was 4,924 fish caught during a nonselective fishery in 2006.

When the fall chinook started to show up in the Columbia around August, fishing never slowed down.

A record 28,168 adult fall chinook were caught in the Lower Columbia from Aug. 1 to Oct. 31. The previous record was 26,195 adults kept in 2003.

During that period, 147,343 angler trips were taken, which was a record effort since at least 1980. The previous high was 117,975 angler trips taken in 2009.

The good times weren't just limited to one location, as the Hanford Reach area saw a record 11,598 kings kept last year.

There also were a record 1,427 Lower Columbia sockeye (which rarely bite any lure or bait thrown at them) kept. That was nearly twice the previous record of 900 in 2009.

With the upwelling of cold water from La Nina conditions securely fastened in the ocean, there should be more excellent survival rates as this season's fish migrate back.

All ocean and Puget Sound salmon fisheries will be finalized April 1-6.

Click her for a list of meetings.

Two chinook counted at Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River, but unsure if they are spring or late fall fish

Posted by Mark Yuasa

The first spring chinook hasn't been hooked by any angler on the Lower Columbia River below I-5 just yet, but two might have shown up elsewhere on the mighty river.

Joe Hymer, a state Fish and Wildlife biologist in Vancouver says an adult and a jack chinook were counted at Bonneville Dam on Wednesday, Jan. 25.

"We aren't sure if it was a late fall chinook or a springer," Hymer said, "The (lower river) commercial sturgeon fishery starts on Monday, and we'll see what they catch too."

Here is what the actual fish counter at Bonneville said: "Unclipped chinook adult and an unclipped chinook jack that went through one right behind the other (on Wednesday) and they both had the white chins, and I don't think they're springers. I was doing video when they went through so I got to see them live as well as the video. They're both bright as can be, but just don't have the look of a springer."

Even if those aren't truly spring chinook it is only a matter of time before we hear about the first one caught.

The upriver Columbia River spring chinook forecast is 314,200 compared to a forecast last year of 198,400 and an actual return of 221,200. It would be the fourth largest dating back to 1980, with the largest return of 440,300 happening in 2001.

The second largest occurred in 2002 when 335,000 upriver springers returned, and the third largest was 315,000 in 2010.

Harvest guidelines adopted will allow anglers fishing below Bonneville Dam to catch and keep up to 14,500 hatchery-reared spring chinook before the run forecast is updated in May.

Spring chinook fishing is currently open to boat and bank anglers on a daily basis from Buoy 10 near the mouth of the Columbia River upstream to the I-5 bridge.

Under the new rules, the sport fishery will expand upriver to Beacon Rock from March 1 through April 6. During that period, the sport fishery will close on three Tuesdays - March 20, March 27 and April 3 - to accommodate commercial fisheries.

Starting March 1, bank anglers will also be allowed to fish from Beacon Rock up to the fishing boundary below Bonneville Dam.

Above Bonneville Dam, the fishery will be open to boat and bank anglers on a daily basis from March 16 through May 2 between the Tower Island powerlines six miles below The Dalles Dam and the Washington/Oregon state line, 17 miles upriver from McNary Dam. Bank anglers can also fish from Bonneville Dam upriver to the powerlines during that time.

Starting March 1, anglers fishing downriver from Bonneville Dam may retain one marked, hatchery-reared adult spring chinook as part of their daily catch limit. Above the dam, anglers can keep two marked adult spring chinook per day effective March 16.

As in years past, only hatchery-reared spring chinook marked with a clipped adipose fin may be retained. Any unmarked wild spring chinook must be released unharmed.

Decent salmon fishing off coast and on Columbia predicted in 2012

Predictions for year are promising for Northwest anglers.

By Mark Yuasa

Seattle Times staff reporter

Salmon anglers should have decent fishing opportunities off the coast and on the Columbia River next summer and fall.

"The summer chinook return for the Upper Columbia is a good forecast, and the highest since at least 1980," said Joe Hymer, a state Fish and Wildlife biologist.

The Upper Columbia summer chinook forecast is 91,200, compared to a forecast of 91,100 last year and an actual return of 80,600.

The record Columbia River summer chinook return was 89,500 in 2002.

All salmon stocks in recent years are benefiting from La Nina's colder water upwelling conditions that produce fantastic ocean survival rates, not only for fin fish species but the entire food chain.

Most of the summer chinook migrate up the Columbia River above Priest Rapids Dam from mid-June through July, and are commonly referred to by anglers as "June Hogs."

Last summer's 5,160 adult hatchery-marked summer chinook kept is a record, breaking the 4,924 in 2006. There was an estimated 75,818 angler trips, the highest since at least 1973.

The Columbia is also expecting a relatively strong sockeye return of 462,000 in 2012, compared to a forecast of 161,900 last year, and an actual return of 183,300.

Most of the sockeye — 431,300 — are destined for the Okanogan River with 28,800 headed to the Wenatchee (41,800 returned last year) and 1,900 back to the Snake River in Idaho (1,900).

If the 2012 forecast pans out, it would be a record return since at least 1938. The largest sockeye return was 387,900 in 2010.

"Sockeye can be difficult to forecast, and the Snake River return hasn't increased and is going to be a constraining factor again," said Kathryn Kostow of Oregon Fish and Wildlife and Columbia River Technical Advisory Committee chairwoman.

The Columbia sockeye fisheries are quite limited by Snake River sockeye, which are listed on the Endangered Species Act.

But the Lower Columbia was open for sockeye fishing last summer, with a record of 1,427 sockeye kept.

No specific forecasts have been released for fall salmon runs, but some general information was recently announced.

The upriver bright fall chinook return in 2012 is expected to be strong again, and is a major contributor in the Columbia River fisheries.

All other Columbia River fall chinook stocks should be similar to 2011 actual returns, including the lower river hatchery stock that produced one of the better fishing seasons off the coast. The Bonneville Pool hatchery chinook return is predicted to be less than 2011.

The total fall chinook returns in the Columbia River last year were predicted to be 766,300 adult fish (nearly 108,000 more than the 2010 forecast), and the actual return was about 600,000.

The Lower Columbia River fall chinook had a record kept catch of 28,169 adult fish with 147,343 angler trips taken from past August through October. The previous record was 26,195 adults kept in 2003, and the previous angler trip record was 117,975 in 2009.

The 2011 coho return is slightly greater than 270,800, and the jack return about 13,000, compared to 10-year average of 28,00.

All the salmon fishing seasons will be announced in early April.

Grant to remove debris from Icicle, Wenatchee

By K.C. Mehaffey
World staff writer

Friday, November 25, 2011

The state Department of Ecology has awarded $25,000 to Chelan County to clean up Icicle Creek and the upper Wenatchee River.

The county will partner with the Icicle Valley chapter of Trout Unlimited to get residents to help remove rip-rap and other debris, and replace them with native plants, an Ecology news release said.

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WE'VE GOT SMOKED FISH!

Contact George Lang at
509-548-5522

 

Family
Fishing Derby
and
Fisherman's Breakfast

June 16, 2012

 


Icicle Conservation Banquet

Saturday,
Sept. 22, 2012

 

 

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