It's too early, but...

[skyriver]

Hi guys,
Since this is no longer called the Steelhead forum everybody gonna be nice right? Please....

Would like opinions, or even better, facts.

Looking at unclipped fish over Bonneville so far.


Where u think that early bump of fish are going? I'll throw my hat in the ring...spring run summers headed for the Wind.
Whatever they are, glad there are more fish than last year! Maybe the spring kings are a good omen? Like I said...way too early.

Ok, your turn!

 

[DKL]

One trib had its best spring numbers in years so I too was hoping that was a sign of things to come for the rest of the system. Like you said, way too early to know but keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[Evan B]

I think a big reason is just the amount of rain we've had has pushed fish up instead of them holding lower in the system.

 

[skyriver]

I think a big reason is just the amount of rain we've had has pushed fish up instead of them holding lower in the system.

Hmm. I do think fish notice rain, but I think they notice water level, temp and speed more. There might be something about the rain, but the Columbia has actually been low this spring because of cooler than normal temps delaying runoff.
The river just went up with this last storm, but still lower than normal. Here is gauge height (I know, doesn't tell the whole story) below Bonneville-



And here is discharge at Vancouver-



So not sure about rain, flow or temp or anything. So much we don't know. I know one thing...so good so far.

Fingers crossed.

 

[skyrise]

If you watch Outdoor GPS Owen goes over all this every weekend. Just wish I could get down there to chase some springers.

 

[skyriver]

Springers are going crazy. We're about 2 weeks from seeing if steelhead and sockeye do the same thing. I hope!

 

[Yardus]

Columbia spring unicorn from Sat morning. Wrapped Mag lip on the pick.

 

[Evan B]

Columbia spring unicorn from Sat morning. Wrapped Mag lip on the pick.

View attachment 14562

I saw a few caught around Skamania Flats yesterday, but none for me unfortunately. I wasn't there all that long, but probably could have scratched one out had I put in a bit more effort.

 

[Yardus]

From what I saw it was tough sledding for most... Lot's of story's of you should have been here yesterday floating around.

 

[skyriver]

 

[Evan B]

Cautiously optimistic

 

[_WW_]

View attachment 16624

Do you have a link to that?

 

[skyriver]

Do you have a link to that?

https://www.fpc.org/web/apps/adultsalmon/R_yeartodatecomparisontable_results.php

And then see the tabs at the bottom for the different fish. Steelhead tab is in the middle (of the bottom).

 

[ianpadron]

View attachment 16624

Lookin' real good!

 

[Millsfly]

praying that the strong correlation of chinook numbers to steelhead numbers holds true

 

[Tom Butler]

I believe this was the first year spring chinook were expect back and we got a few returners already. Good news I think. Can't fish 'em and rivers still blown.

 

[skyrise]

Outdoor GPS does the numbers for the big C and Willamette every weekend. So glad to see both states fish/game were Way off on numbers. And that river up north is open, ya ! And the other north rivers.

 

[DerekWhipple]

I'm sure that spike is due to high water, but still, looks like it's trending to "not awful" this year:




Dalles still seems too early in the season to make a call, but is also following 10 year trend more closely:



Hope they open it soon this year! Also, maybe this water flushed smolts out to sea quickly, so might help in the next couple of years.

Still trying to find a summer near Portland...

 

[Long_Rod_Silvers]

That's encouraging.

 

[Yard Sale]

Monster day yesterday may be throwing the charts off a bit. Now if those numbers keep like it for a while....