Edit: I wasn't aware of a low springer prediction for the Klickitat when I wrote this last night. I am very suprised by that in light of the factors mentioned in posts below. ...
-----------

The Columbia springer run over Bonneville has been revised upward to over 400,000 fish. Scores of thousands of these fish stand to become excess hatchery catfood again. Because of that I will suggest some ideas that I wouldn't post in a normal season. Check out the Columbia tributary planting and catch rate stats for ideas of rivers that are likely to be full of springers very soon, some already. There are so many fish and rivers to fish this year that I won't hesitate suggesting people fish in places other than the popular rivers fairly close to the west side; there's more than enough fish to go around. One such river that is likely to have lots of springers in good water conditions right now and getting better the rest of May is the Klickitat River [not - read posts below]. Do some research on many Columbia tributary rivers east of the Gorge and you can find a lot of fishing potential. A little more driving can get you into springer paradise without having to fish with 40,000 guys on the Wind River thru May!

RT

[ 05-04-2001: Message edited by: RT 1 ]

The Klickitat is only expecting 1900 adult springers this year! Do you consider this to be a good year?

I fish this river a lot in the fall, but these numbers hardly make it worth the trip.

[email]null[/email]

Obviously I don't consider 1900 fish there a good year Spike. I wasn't aware of such a possible prediction? And it's like I said, I suggested guys research plants and recent catch rates for Columbia tribs east of the Cascades - many have predictions of record runs coming. I am very suprised to hear about only 1900 predicted for such a great river as the Klickitat, especially during this year's record 400,000 return of Columbia springers! Did they stop planting springers in the Klickitat? That would also be suprising since the Columbia Tribal Commission seemingly would be all over such a move because they dipnet the narrow falls on the lower river, and they have state and Fed agreements to compensate salmon loss in rivers caused by the dams. Does anyone know for sure the springer prediction for this river? Or if it was stopped being planted and why - and how, considering the Indian agreements? I'm not saying a low return isn't possible - just saying I don't understand how that could be so within the above factors and would like more info. What about the status of the once, and maybe again, excellant summer steelhead runs there?

Edit: In light of this low Klick prediction I will change the topic a little

[ 05-04-2001: Message edited by: RT 1 ]

RT,

According to this annoucement by the WDFW http://www.wa.gov/wdfw/fish/regs/regchng/mar0801c.htm

The Klickitat is only expecting 1900 springers, and is only open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.

Mike

Thanks Mike. And please pardon my doubt about those figures Spike. As I said, that is really suprising in light of those above factors. Anyone have the answers to those factors?

RT

RT, the Klickitat is still a good opportunity for springers even with just 1,900 fish. It could be a sleeper on the days it's open, and most others anglers will be on rivers with more fish. Hit it at the right time and a guy could do well. It's a pretty river to fish anytime anyway, right?