rvrtramp,

How big are these jacks you are referring to? My guess is that these are probably salmon smolts(6 to 10") that have been released from the hatchery. I heard there were alot in the river. Most guys refrain from fishing for these little guys so they have a better chance of surviving and returning as 15 to 20 pound adults. Just thought you might want to know. Tight lines.

I fished the kalama for the first time on 4-21 and was really impressed. We didn't catch anything but enjoyed the day. As for all the smolts. We couldn't keap bait on more than a few min. They were so packed into the holes I couldn't believe the numbers of fish. millions of smolt. but I gues that is good. I thought I would try a spinner and they wouldn't bother with it. wrong they still went crazy after it. the only thing with spinners I didn't need to put bait on every cast.


Overall I like the river and will be back in a few weeks when things get going.

dcrzfitter

Was up on the Lewis on thursday the 20th and my partner and I hooked 3 chinook landed 2. 15 and 18lbs. We also caught a summer run about 10lbs what a beauty. Much, much funner than any chinook in the world. There were also 11 chinook taken out of the Meathole this morning the 22nd. It's so sad that all the bankies have to be whiners the river closes from Johnson creek to Colvin creek on May 1st. SO SAD!!!

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Stlhdr1...Ever fight a king in Ak. on the ocean, they'll put to shame "ANY" half dead river king.

I hate to burst everyones bubble but the hatcheries havent released a smolt yet this year.Must be native fish!

In the Kalama..

[This message has been edited by LoomisMan (edited 04-23-2000).]

Native fish? WOW!!!! I was surprised with the numbers and now you say they are native. If that isn't good news then what is. I don't wanna think how many fish will be in the river when they do turn them little hatchery buggers out. look out they'll eat the boat out from under you.

dcrzfitter

fishaholic thanks for letting me know about the smolt.not a one was harmed.now loomisman you are saying that these smolt are all native,funny the few that managed to get on my no.1 hook yesterday,were all fin clipped.what is really going on. FISH ON!!!!!

I was up to the hatcheries and both of them told me that they havent released any smolt yet this year.I was there mon.- Thurs. I dont know what is goin on there.I know they had 3 pens they were gonna let loose but they said it would be a few weeks yet.HUH!!!!!

They must have had a mass breakout because there were thousands of the little 4"-6" buggers eating anything in their sight. Either that, or the Kalama has the healthiest breeding grounds for chinook in the whole northwest.

Bruce

Either someone released huge numbers of salmon smolts, or the smolts have learned to give each other adipose fin clips. They are there in great numbers and they have clipped fins.

Otherwise, how did everyone do over the weekend? A buddy and I were there on Saturday. We went through about two dozen sand shrimp apiece to come up with four good fish stuck(all steelhead), and one highly colored, native, winter buck brought to streamside. It was in the 17 - 19 pound class. This was in the lower river. We did not get up into the canyon.

I've heard that the upper hatchery has not gotten a spring Chinook back yet. So they apparently haven't gotten all the way through the canyon to the deadline and beyond and season is still young.

Any summer steelhead or otherwise fresh fish seen or caught lately?

[This message has been edited by T Dodge (edited 04-24-2000).]

Was up there Fri and Sat. Two springers caught that I heard of for both days. B gray was with me Sat and had a Chrome Summer on about 14 pounds. Probably one of the hardest fighters I've seen in a while. We lost it When I was trying to decide what net to use. Couldent at first figure out if it was a springer or a Summer. Had the C & R net and the Beckman. Once a fish gets in a beckman theres usaully no return! There bottomless nets. Awesome for catch and kill springers and Falls...But would never land a Stellie nate in them...

Bob D.

Yup, losing that fish was all Bob's falult. It had nothing to do with the fact that I lose my mind every time I get into a good fight. It really was an unexpected rocket.

Dodge - you probably passed us or vice versa on Saturday. We were in Bob's purple Willie. Hard to miss.

[This message has been edited by B. Gray (edited 04-24-2000).]

That thing was actually under my boat in a foot or less of water at one time! What a missle...He deserverd to get free! I do know he was a Buck. And yes it was my fault! If Id of only anchored and grabbed the Beckman!!! Ya right, Id rather lose it then put it in that net. A pic would of been nice though...but hardly worth the risk.

Bob D

Purple Willie?

I talked to you Fri. when yer buddy was taking his truck down. You were telling how yer buddy had his boat painted to match his truck and I was wanting to do the same. I was in the white GMC with the cowboy in the windows. We did about the same on fri. no keapers. just lots of smolts. maybe try again in a few weeks.

finally starting to see some of the guys from this bord o nthe river.

dcrzfitter

went out this last saturday didnt stay long talked to alot of people from everywhere.smolt were still being a problem. but oh well its for our future.ifinished off at the deadline,IT LOOKS LIKE A D$*N GARBAGE DUMP!!!!every where i stopped at the holes off the banks and the boat launches had baggies,shrimp containers@beer bottles and cans,@ just plain general garbage.i read in a earlier post i dont remember who was gripin about the same thing.remember if you brought it in take IT OUT !!!!!!!

Too many trash fishermen just too lazy to pick it up.

Well if you have time come on up to the dead line parking area at 9:00 AM sat. 5/6 some of us are meeting up there to do a clean up of the river. Every little bit will help. We all should do what we can to KEEP THE RIVERS CLEAN!!!

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dank

[This message has been edited by kalamabama (edited 05-03-2000).]