Without starting anything about... nets, tribes, or rednecks.. I have a couple of questions.

1>where are all those salmon that crossed bonneville going???

2> where is a place that people are fishing for them?? Tri citys ???

3> how do they do it..

I don't know anything about fall Chinook.. I see these fish counts ( way higher than in the spring ) and I wonder why I am not trying to catch one or don't hear about anyone else trying etc... it is open, correct??? 41,000 fish crossed in 1 day.. where are they going???

Thanks in advance. I have a bunch of time off work because of the 40,000 golf ball. Any info would be great.

B-Run,
Sometimes I think the less you hear about a place, the more the fish are being caught! Dangerous Dave and I hit the CR at the mouth of the cow and banged 'em pretty good trolling spinners. reports I've gotten in the past few days from our Longview fishing partners is that fishing is still good but more silvers now than nooks. Still trolling flash glo spinners for 'em.

Can't help ya with above the dam, but if you want to intercept them before the dam, the mouth of the Cow might be a good place to start.

B Run,

Most of them are heading for the hanford reach area, which is just above the Tri Cities. Well within range for you.

It's an interesting fishery, requiring some serious get down gear to be effective. A lot of folks use downriggers, which makes me nerous in fast water like that. But there are lots of fish to catch. Like right now.

Tear 'em up.

If you want more information, from someone who actually knows what he's talking about, call Motyka's Sporting Goods in Richland, and they probably can talk you into what you really need.

Well I can tell you where I am going to be the 2nd week of Oct...... McNary dam..... You would not believe the fantastic salmon fishing there that time of year. The silvers are still bright with sea lice (dead) on them... The chinooks are a bit dark, but still fun to catch......

I guided that area for 6 years and did very well for myself. Fall was my favorite time due to the salmon, steelhead, and BIG walleye at night!!!!!


MC

Thanks for the info. That seems like a lot of fish to me. When my buddy told me he saw where 41,000 crossed Bonneville in 1 day I told him he must have read that wrong, gues I was the one who was screwed up. Are the fall fish larger than the springs?? Also, are there nets in the river right now??? Hate to see the B-RUN get hammered as well. They are also in the columbia right now.

Generally speaking, the nets are not in at this time of year.... But.........
With the media blitz surrounding this record breaking show of fish, it will probably garner a request by the Yakima nation for a special net fishery. They can actually net any time for ceremonial purposes, but since their is no money in that you never see much of that. Usually one family is designated by the tribe for ceremonial fishing, which is either regarded as an honor or a pain in the arse (no money), depending on the specific family. I am going to visit my son in that area this weekend, and will check the river out and report back what I find...... Fall run fish generally larger fish, but lower quality than springers.... Coho are a different story, they are nickle bright!! Yeah!!

MC

McNary is killer in oct. Try to time your trip at night .Oct.10 is a full moon {hint} WALLEYE below the dam. Steelies above, you can not go wrong.Remember though you can only launch and take out after dark from the washinton side. happy fishing

B Run,
Here is a link to an article I published last year on my first trip to Hanford. It may have some things of help. Regarding downriggers on the river, I always have a wire cutter right next to each DR. This year we did have one weight get hung up. The connection broke almost immediately. But I'd still keep that wire cutter handy!


Hanford Fishing, 2002

I'm here in the Tri-Cities and I know it all...I don't have a boat anymore, so I live vicariously through others that write on Forums. If you want to e-mail me I'll be happy to line you up for some fishing here. I'd be even more helpful if I were in your boat...Yeah, that's the ticket.

By the way, you don't need a down-rigger. I used to use one religiously. I found other ways to fish with less maintenance.

45/70

dcmcfall@msn.com

Well, just got back from the Hermiston Oregon area and the fish are in there thick..... So are the tribal nets.... They were at the Umatilla marina selling them for $1.00 a pound.
They had quite a caravan of vehicles/tents/coolers and garbage there (public marina) but the strange thing was, there was only one indian woman there and 3 white guys, one white woman. The white guys were the ones manning the coolers.......
I really think you should have to be indian to exercise treaty rights....... Fine for them to eat the "subsistance" salmon, but they should not be profiting from them.... IMHO.....
I will be there next sunday for 4 days..... Hope the fish hang around for another week!!!!

MC