The Fishin' Magician: Summer salmon opening

Summer run salmon numbers look really good for the opener on July 1. The return is ahead of schedule over Priest Rapids and Wanapum Dam. Anglers have been eagerly awaiting this popular fishery on the upper Columbia River, and it appears that at least the early season is going to be great.

It will be a while before these fish hit the Wenatchee area, but they will be there soon enough. Hordes of anglers will be after the summer runs below Wanapum Dam.

This is the hot spot for opening day, and success is usually very good. It could be even better this year as boats won't have to deal with the tremendously high currents we've experienced the past two seasons.

There is the possibility that we will be able to fish for sockeye below Wanapum on the on opener, too. There was some doubt about a sockeye season on the Columbia this year, but an opening for sockeye has already been announced below Priest Rapids Dam.

Keep an eye on the Department's web site for this one. We won't have near the numbers of sockeye this year, but everyone hopes we will be able to fish for them.