The Fishin' Magician

Monday, July 22

I finally got the skunk out of the boat at Chelan Falls on Friday. It wasn't much but it was a fish.

My buddy Brian and I were pretty happy, having only seen one other fish caught in the pack we were fishing in, until we got way down low in the hole.

Here we saw at boat that had three nice kings. We saw this boat briefly earlier in the morning, but it obviously found a good area down river and stayed there.

I got my fish very early on a herring, but next time I head out I am going to start early with Super Baits and stick with them.

It looks like were have seen the last of the sockeye come over Bonneville Dam. The total run didn't hit 200,000 this year. More than originally forecast but less than half of last season's return.

It means that we still have a lot of sockeye fishing ahead of us up here on the Columbia, and they are starting to make their way up the Wenatchee River.

I have plans to fish below Wells Dam this week with Austin Moser to shoot a Fishing TV Show and I am really looking forward to it.

Wednesday, July 24

This past weekend was busy on the Columbia River, particularly between Rock Island and Rocky Reach Dams.

The 2nd Annual CCA Wenatchee Salmon Derby had anglers running up and down the river from dawn till weigh-in time, trying to catch a winning fish. The fishing was tough this year. Less than 20 fish were brought to the weigh in station.

Some blamed it on the phase of the moon, and I am willing to accept this, as I know there were some very experienced salmon fishermen out there.

Fish were both more scarce and smaller this year, and this is how it all sorted out: Big Fish and winning $2,000.00 for first place was Tyler Anderson, with a 22-pound-plus king.

In second place and banking $1,750.00 was Michael Minton, for his 18-pound summer run.

Taking third place, worth $1,500.00 was Rich Stevens, with a 14-pound fish.

In the total weight category, Johnny and Corey Stavenjord teamed up to weigh in over 47 pounds of kings and won first place and $1,750.00.

The second place team of Mike Roth and Tyler Anderson weighed in over 30 pounds of fish and took home a check for $1,500.00.

Third place and $1,250.00 was won by the team of Bob Shelton, Erik Shelton and Andy Hendrickson with over 25 pounds of salmon.

Friday, July 26

Whew. It's hot over here, and that makes fishing for salmon on the Columbia something you want to do in the early morning or evening.

The hot weather serves an important purpose. It heats up the water in the Okanogan River and keeps migrating salmon in the Brewster Pool.

This is something everyone wants as the Budweiser-Lowrance King Salmon Derby in Brewster is scheduled for the first weekend in August every year, and will take place on the 2nd through the 4th.

This is the 8th Annual and it appears everything is falling into place for excellent fishing this year. There are good reports coming from this area already with both summer run kings and sockeye stacking up off the mouth of the Okanogan River.

If you want to join the fun of the Brewster derby you still have time.

Just to go www.brewstersalmonderby.com to get all the details.

Cash and prizes at this year's derby has reached an all-time high with over $20,000.00 up for grabs.

Another fishery that is really fun in the heat of summer is the perch fishing at Fish Lake near Lake Wenatchee.

This is really fun for the kids and the filleted perch dinner that follow is a treat for everyone.