1st Springer or real late Fall Chinook?

FEAR NO FISH! · 12-10-2002, 02:36 AM

One of my night fishing buddies caught a bright chinook salmon of approx. 24 pounds last night at McNary. So what do you guys think it was? All of our Hanford Reach Salmon should be dead by now. Pretty weird deal. :shocked:

steelheadslayer · 12-10-2002, 02:59 AM

That does seem wierd. I wouldn't think it would be a springer, but who knows? I think all of the fall fish would be dead especially that high up in the river. An early springer isn't out of possibility due to someone saying they got one around Super Bowl Weekend one year. Now, having said this, all of our runs this year have been late. What would make something change now? Did you get out tonight and if so, did you catch any steelies?

FEAR NO FISH! · 12-10-2002, 03:21 AM

Nope, tonight was my last graveyard shift. I will be on the water tonight around 4:00pm. I gotta see if the steelhead wanna have a go.

All4TheNookie · 12-10-2002, 04:14 AM

looks like im going to have to head out on the river again. its December 10 and there is still no snow at bluewood. im usually knee deep in fresh powder by now. have you heard any reports about steelhead on the colombia or walla walla FNF?

FEAR NO FISH! · 12-10-2002, 04:24 AM

My buddy also caught 2 steelhead last night. Another buddy of mine caught a 37.5 inch steelhead 2 days ago above Ice Harbor Dam, with a shrimp and bobber setup from shore. The fish are still out there!

All4TheNookie · 12-10-2002, 05:47 AM

looks like im going to have to head out on the river again. its December 10 and there is still no snow at bluewood. im usually knee deep in fresh powder by now. have you heard any reports about steelhead on the colombia or walla walla FNF?

Cohoangler · 12-10-2002, 06:14 AM

FNF - Regarding your original question - was it an early springer or a late fall Chinook? - the answer depends on the maturity of the reproductive organs. Was it full of eggs/milt? If so, it's a late fall Chinook. If the eggs/milt were virtually non-existant, it won't spawn until next August or September. That would make it an early springer.

I landed a bright hen Chinook on the Kalama this year in early November when all the other Chinooks were long dead. It was full of eggs, so it was just a late running fall Chinook.

FEAR NO FISH! · 12-10-2002, 07:01 AM

Cohoangler,
Loren told me that the egg skeins were small and only half developed. The meat was excellent. He is gonna get me a picture that he took of it. I'm jealous as heck!

norms gone fishing too · 12-10-2002, 10:33 AM

could it be one of those rare winter fish???

wetaline · 12-10-2002, 01:43 PM

I heard something about a winter run on the columbia too... A buddy said they caught a couple nooks two weeks back at the mouth of the Lewis... They were supposedly mint bright and said they were a winter run chinook - just like the summer runs that were plentiful this year and not well known before....

??????????????? just dont know..... My vote is a winter fish - it is winter after all. :smile:

Sam I Am · 12-10-2002, 02:14 PM

Fear No Fish, This may sound like a strange question but I was under the assumption that night fishing for Salmonoids species 1 hour after dusk and 1 hour before dawn was against regulations? Those are some impressive night time fish!. Could you clarify please for my own curiosity? I also see that the Scootney Perch Shuffle has again begun! Thanks, good luck and tight lines! Sam I Am

Amerman · 12-10-2002, 05:35 PM

I would say late fall or winter chinook. If the eggs where half developed it can not be a springer their skeins would be a little larger than your thumb this time of year. I believe that the winter chinook or late fall chinook is very common. I seem to catch a couple every year in Jan. on the coast streams and even caught one in Feb and saw one caught in March. These fish seem to be the ones that come in and travel way up the upper small tribs of the coast rivers I think they come late because they need lots of water. We always say they are the best fish of the year like upper river brights.

wetaline · 12-10-2002, 06:01 PM

Sam I Am - Washington has different regs in regards to fishing at night.... and If your an Oregon resident Angler, on the columbia system, you can purchase a out of state WA lics' and you'll be in the clear - or the dark in this case :grin:

Sam I Am · 12-10-2002, 08:29 PM

Thanks Wetaline.... Yes indeed I'm a Washington IFisher! I would not have a problem buying an Oregon liscense for some of those beautiful steelies that Fear No Fish shows off! Thanks for your response! Sam I Am

FEAR NO FISH! · 12-11-2002, 02:07 AM

Sam I Am,
I am slightly confused. If you are a Washington angler why would you want to buy a Oregon License to fish at night on the Washington side? At McNary the salmon seasom is open till Dec. 31st. No night closure for steelies or salmon. Just don't get caught on the Oregon side fishing at night, like two fellas I know who got $75.00 tickets for fishing on the Oregon side Friday night. Nope, wasn't me.

Flying Roast Beef · 12-11-2002, 02:35 AM

FNF when you say Oregon side I must ask you if they were bank fishing or in a boat?

Sam I Am · 12-11-2002, 04:32 PM

Thanks FNF, I misread the thread and also checked the Regs.

dampainter · 12-11-2002, 04:41 PM

FNF...oregon side??? where`s the boundary? the imaginary line? It is legal to fish 10 foot from shore? and also depends on where you put out at.... washington or oregon, to whose laws one would abide to, am I wrong here?

[ 12-11-2002, 08:45 PM: Message edited by: dampainter ]

GutshotApe · 12-11-2002, 04:51 PM

dampainter - That's a good question. How do you know at night where the imaginary line is?

Another question is: Why is there a difference in regs between the two states? The Columbia River regs are set by the Columbia River Compact (composed of the directors of ODFW & WDFW) and all fishing regulations on the Columbia are supposed to be uniform. Except for night fishing? :whazzup: