Springers.....are they late or not coming??

Jim · 04-09-2002, 09:31 AM

Whats your opinion??

Pete · 04-09-2002, 09:39 AM

How can I answer this? I don't think they are late and I do think they're coming. I boated my first on February 22, same as last year. I've put 8 in the boat. I think the numbers are down, but I don't think they're late or not coming.

hookem · 04-09-2002, 09:42 AM

I looked at your question and do not think they are late at all. Just deffern't water conditions that can make there travel time and river path change from last year. I might be wrong but I bet the catch rate is up from last year. How adout a poll on that?

fishon · 04-09-2002, 09:45 AM

I agree with hookem I think that the water conditions are different this year and that the temperature of the water plays a big part in this too. Once the water temperature goes up I think we will see lots more springers.

TundraIII · 04-09-2002, 09:46 AM

I've seen more fish caught so far this season than I did this time last spring. Late or not coming? I think they are here now and their numbers are going to increase over the next few weeks. Too soon to get discouraged already.

wetaline · 04-09-2002, 09:47 AM

I dont think there are any fish out there, anywhere... everyone should stop fishing.... that way i can enjoy those 9 fish days i had like last sunday by myself, or the 2 fish day this sunday, or witness 5 caught in the only hour i was out last night after work between 10 boats on the willamette.

There's lots of yard work to do guys.. i'll go fishing for ya :grin:

TheRogue · 04-09-2002, 09:49 AM

Bonneville count yesterday....2000+ fish.

Phish_on · 04-09-2002, 10:10 AM

What is that 56,000 "behind" number?

? ? ?

Springers are here, and the peak catch is historically around the last week of April.

I don't think they are either LATE or NOT COMING.

The fact that I haven't had a bite is ... NORMAL!

Jim · 04-09-2002, 12:40 PM

I will answer questions that I know.

Hookem and others...water conditions are virtually the same as last year according to the data.

The Rogue...2000 fish is closer to the 10 year average...same day last year without looking was around 12,000

Phish On...last year on this date 64,000 Springers had gone over Bonneville this year so far 8,000.

Right about August 18th is the traditional peak of the run over Bonneville.

Just curious about reaction to facts...

Jim

FishinMission · 04-09-2002, 12:55 PM

If you wanna compare the Columbia run to last year...I think there were more fish in the river the first week of April last year than there is now.

And I think the Willamette run this year is better than it was last year at this time.

Mark

Jim · 04-09-2002, 01:05 PM

Mark,
Regarding the Columbia...I think your right...I don't fish the Willamette so I don't know.

Went to the passage web page, forgot to look at the 10 year average but here are some interesting facts. I am learning as I go here...not trying to argue [img]graemlins/program.gif[/img]

On this date 2001 9,241 Kings over Bonne Peak 4-18
" 2000 2,147
" 1998 592 peak of the run was 5-21
" 1997 1,835 peak 4-14

Certainly not scientific guys, just interesting.

Jim

Lured In · 04-09-2002, 01:24 PM

More fun....

Although I believe the "catch rate" is down (ex fish caught/trip), I have had better luck this year than last. Last year seemed to be fast and furious and the water was lower. GPS marked spots that were in 25 feet last year are in close to 30 feet this year. IMHO I believe the "peak" is still not here, but I also believe that the run may be smaller than projected of 350,000 vs. 420,000 for last year.

According the following US Army Corp of Engineers site for Bonneville:

https://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/op/fishdata/welcome.htm

This year we have 9317 over the dam as of the 8th of April and and 2096 went over yesterday.

Last year as of April 8th 67,380 over and 5027 over the dam on the 8th.

The 10 Year average for April 8th is 10,816 over with 1144 the average over on the 8th.

The 10 year average peak is the 18th of April.

Based on this data i would guess the run is a little behind the average given we are higher in number for the date, but behind in total to date based on the 10 year average. I would bet within a week the numbers will jump significantly.

[ 04-09-2002, 02:37 PM: Message edited by: Lured In ]

Lured In · 04-09-2002, 01:36 PM

One other thought....up to the time the nets came out, they had released 9000+ wild springers. Which way did they go? :whazzup: [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img]

Trick · 04-09-2002, 05:41 PM

They probally went belly-up and floated to the ocean.

springer4you · 04-09-2002, 05:52 PM

I say their all headed this way and everyone at F4 is going to catch at least one...

Happy Fishing and Good Luck All

Kc

AngleThis · 04-09-2002, 06:20 PM

We just started getting spring rain after a long dry spell. The counts over Bonneville for the last four days are: 863, 584, 1090, 2096. I submit that the first rains have brought the run 'scouts' over the dam. If I am right, there will be 5 digit daily counts within a week, the bulk of which are just getting through Portland water right NOW. I'm heading out early and with a mission tomorrow morning. Cross your fingers

myxxolydyan · 04-09-2002, 11:27 PM

Will be fishing Rainier area today. Hopefully today is the day they ALL get here. There are fish to be had, and there will be more. We know it. There are just a lot of antsy fishermaen out here. What with all the silvers last year, winter steelhead, and summer steelhead being caught. Guys are antsy. Can't wait for the next fish to conquer. Heck,.... I'm one of em'

Good luck all! Play music, and fish!

Vinny · 04-09-2002, 11:35 PM

Perspective:
If you haven't been catching fish yet, they're late.
If you get there and catch fish, they're on time.
If they were there yesterday and you weren't, then you're late.

Personally, when I finally venture to the real world, I hope they're still there.

dawhunt · 04-10-2002, 03:35 AM

Guys,I was told by a biologist that the fish are hanging up around Cathlamet ?? and the mouth of the Cowlitz ??,I have no way of knowing if this is true,is anyone on this board fishing up that way :whazzup: ,I do know for a fact that the fishing is way below what it was this time last year WAY BELOW !!!.Reed Island was dead slow yesterday saw very few fish caught maybe 7-8 mostly natives in 8 hrs of fishing.My buddy hooked a 25+ native yesterday morning early and we never touched another fish for 5 hrs.I"m not crying yet cus I've had a decent season but nothing at all like last year at this time.THERE COMING just have to be in the water when they come thru. :whazzup:
Bob