Dave Graybill: The Fishin' Magician

Fishing for summer-run salmon on the upper Columbia is the best that it has been in years. The forecast for the return of summer salmon was first updated from 73,000 to 85,000 and now I have seen estimates of over 115,000 coming to the upper Columbia.

The count for summer-runs over Bonneville Dam has passed 160,000 and there are an additional 170,000 jacks. These numbers are the highest since 1960 and the third highest in recent history. If you haven't tried fishing for summer salmon this would be the year to get out and do it.

Also, the ratio of adipose fin clipped, or hatchery fish, is higher this year so the odds of getting a keeper is better this year.