The Fishin' Magician

This was a very busy weekend 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 this weekend. Many had little to show for their efforts. Fish were both more scarce and smaller this year than last, 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.

Congratulations to all the winners and a big thanks to all the sponsors, organizers and volunteers that made the derby possible. I know everyone is looking forward to next year’s event. Fish has just got to be better!

Anglers are keeping their fingers crossed for continued warm weather here in Central Washington. Remember, one of the keys to really good fishing for the salmon in the Brewster Pool is the super warm water of the Okanogan River dumping into the Columbia. The Budweiser-Lowrance King Salmon Derby in Brewster is coming up on August 2 through the 4th and when these conditions are present, the fishing is excellent. This is the 8th annual derby and in most years the catch rate is the best of any salmon derby anywhere. One thing is certain, and that is everyone has a great time at the Brewster derby. People have been coming back year after year, whether they catch any fish or not. There is still time to enter, too. All you need to do is visit their web site at www.brewstersalmonderby.com, to get all the details.

On Saturday evening I attended, along with joined a very large crowd of well wishers, the retirement party for Dennis Beich. He is leaving the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife after 13 years as Director of Region 2, out of the Ephrata office. Beich had previous experience with the state in the Ecology Department, where he did some landmark work, streamlining the permit forms between Ecology and other agencies. Senator Linda Parlette was there to explain how she had been instrumental in the hiring of Beich. This was the beginning of a great partnership, where the two of them were able to advance many fish and wildlife projects to the benefit of all, and particularly those who reside here in Eastern Washington.

Beich joined the department in the midst of the salmon and steelhead endangered species listings, and a lot of speculation as to how they would advance recovery while still offering sport angling. He was very instrumental in developing and refining the concept of using sport fishing as a management tool. By having sport anglers remove the hatchery fish from our streams, and enhancing the ability of wild fish to spawn, the department was able to maintain fisheries for both salmon and steelhead.

He also was responsible for forming an “ad hoc” committee of representatives from various sport angling groups, watershed committees and other interested parties to examine the challenges facing the department in the region. It was from this group that the concept of an endorsement stamp was brought forward. Thanks to Beich, Senator Parlette and Rollie Schmitten, this idea was translated into a bill that was passed through the legislature and was expanded to include the Columbia River and all its tributaries. The Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement raised an average of 1.5 million dollars each year, which has been in a dedicated fund to maintain and expand selective fisheries for salmon and steelhead. The pilot project is up for permanent adoption by the legislature next year, and is being considered by other groups, including the state of Oregon to help with their programs.

Agency officials in attendance told of many examples of what Belch’s leadership has accomplished during his tenure as director in Region 2. A common theme of all what was said was that he was an excellent communicator with an amazing ability to bring opposing faction to the table and keep them engaged. It was through his ability to form relationships that projects were completed and policies formed for mutual benefit. His legacy is all around us, in the form of improved accesses to public land and water, and continued progress toward salmon and steelhead recovery—while we keep on fishing. All of those who have worked with Dennis Beich wish him well and hope he gets plenty of opportunities to pursue his passion for hunting and fishing now that he has the time.

One of the most fun things I did this week, and that included fly fishing on the Icicle River to salmon fishing on the Columbia at Chelan Falls, was fishing for perch at Fish Lake. Eric Granstrom and I ran up there last Thursday and shot a video for the Fishing TV Show on my web site on how to catch perch, and found them willing at Fish Lake. This is a great time to get up there to get the makings for a perch feed.

I am looking forward to doing some more fly fishing on the Icicle in the coming week and salmon fishing on the Columbia. I have a trip planned to Wells Dam to shoot a Fishing TV Show, and am really excited about that one.