Cool Spring, Hot Springers! 4

This year's much anticipated Columbia River spring chinook run has been a mirror image of our "spring" weather: underwhelming at best.

April was a near bust for both the sun and the springers as low water temperatures slowed the early running chinook's accent up the Columbia to a mere crawl. In fact, the sport anglers low catch rates led to not one but two rare extensions of the season.

However, it was not until chinook counts finally exploded with a peak of 15,766 on May 1st that this run appeared to track close to it's forecast of nearly 200,000 spring chinook over Bonneville Dam. When fisheries managers were comfortable with the strength of the run, a re-opener of the spring chinook fishery was announced for May 15th.

Unfortunately, the large snowpack had started to melt and make it's way down the drainages of the upper Columbia, increasing river flows and decreasing visibility. With reports of near flooding conditions above and a sharply rising river, I was not very optimistic about anglers having a realistic chance to catch fish.

I could not have been more wrong!

The May 15th opener was nothing short of wide open chinook fishing! My good friend, top notch Columbia River Guide Eric Linde was quick to call me with a report:

"Better get down here Nelly, it's about as good as it gets and with the dirty water coming, I don't know how long it's going to last!"

I was not going to pass up the opportunity to get another springer on the barbeque!

"If you have an open boat tomorrow, I'll grab Robbie Tobeck and Big Phil we'll hit the road. Just tell me when and where!" With the plan in place we met Eric at Lyons Park outside of Woodland and we were shocked to see how high the Columbia had risen!

Eric Linde dodges drift in the swollen Columbia River as he makes his way to the Lyons Park Launch.

Robbie Tobeck's tennis shoes wouldn't let him get into Eric's sled with dry feet so he donned his infamous "pig farmer boots". Apparently, nobody taught Tobeck about  Xtra-Tuffs at  the "Agricultural Academy" known as WSU… 

We headed upstream to Eric's favorite anchor fishing spot, dropped back the sardine-wrapped Flatfish and had a fish on in less than 5 minutes! Unfortunately, was first to the rod and crackered it off at the net. 

Anchor fishing in the Columbia is a community affair and when other boats anchor next to you the "Hogline" forms and you see a slice of other peoples lives. Here, Scott Salmon feeds his infant son a bottle of formula warmed in the kicker engine's hot water wash basin!  

Eric Linde's lunch system is a bit more sophisticated. His propane barbecue nests in a bow compartment and heat up the beef stroganoff, veggies and garlic bread in short order! 

After lunch of course, is Tobeck's obligatory "fishing cigar" which was only slightly interrupted by a fine, hatchery springer! 

Phil Michelsen, Eric Linde and Robbie Tobeck with our two keepers. We also released two wild chinook and I was robbed of a nice fish by a seal. A great day on the big river! 

We have a great opportunity on the Columbia  and it's only a 90 minute drive from Seattle. This season in particular, with springers remaining open until the "June Hog" fishery of summer, the Columbia will remain open through year's end.

If you are new to this fishery, it does not require a large boat and if you invest in the services of a guide such as Eric Linde for a day you will learn more from that experience that you could in weeks or months on your own.

Get down to the Columbia River and good luck!!!