Hot springer fishing

Published 10:01 pm Friday, May 13, 2011

Hot fishing right now for spring chinook above Bonneville Dam at the mouth of the Wind River and at Drano Lake, the mouth of the Little White Salmon. According to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife biologist Joe Hymer in Vancouver, boat anglers at both locations averaged about two-thirds of a fish per rod last week — an outstanding catch rate for springers. Pressure has been heavy, Hymer said, with 160 boats countted at Drano on Saturday.
It’s too early yet for springers in the Yakima River, even though one portion — from Richland up to Horn Rapids Dam — opened Saturday. The best fishing will be found a little later in the upper portion – Union Gap to Roza Dam – which opens Saturday.