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Other Activities => Fishing => Topic started by: antlerking on July 01, 2012, 11:55:40 AM


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Title: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: antlerking on July 01, 2012, 11:55:40 AM
Well it looks like this morning was a good opener here in wenatchee, even with high flows there was fish-on. Cant wait to hit it tomorrow hopefully. The fish looked good nice color and 15-24 # average.
Title: Re: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: TommyH on July 01, 2012, 12:06:22 PM
 :drool: :drool:  good deal! hope to get in on some of that action!
Title: Re: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: Scottystyle on July 01, 2012, 08:19:32 PM
What gear is working best?
Title: Re: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: huntnphool on July 01, 2012, 09:31:41 PM
What gear is working best?
+1
Title: Re: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: jordano on July 01, 2012, 11:36:15 PM
was out there and only know of 5 fish caught.. fish are still lower on the river..
Title: Re: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: antlerking on July 02, 2012, 07:41:57 AM
The same ol garlic dip with superbaits and hotspots, and wut ever else. A buddy caught 2 fish and lost 2 fish, thats pretty good for it being this early, in fact the best I have ever seen! I dont think I have ever caught a salmon on the opener here in wen.
Title: Re: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: teal101 on July 02, 2012, 11:59:42 AM
Havent made it out yet, but it sounds promising.  Cant wait.
Title: Re: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: TommyH on July 13, 2012, 09:52:05 AM
Anyone doing any good out there?
Title: Re: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: WSU on July 13, 2012, 09:55:57 AM
Anyone use herring?  Seems that they would work great if super baits are working.
Title: Re: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: jordano on July 16, 2012, 06:32:55 PM
does anyone really think that someone will blab on the internet what they are catching kings on?!!?!  :bash:
Title: Re: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on July 16, 2012, 06:45:38 PM
Hopefully someone can show me some pictures ...... :tup: :tup:
Title: Re: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: SkookumHntr on July 16, 2012, 07:12:03 PM
does anyone really think that someone will blab on the internet what they are catching kings on?!!?!  :bash:
-Somebody will bite!..
Title: Re: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: Mtn.Ghost on July 16, 2012, 08:58:39 PM
The sockeye are "SMOKIN Hot" in the Brewster pool and and heading for the Okanogan "LIKE SHOOTIN FISH IN A BARREL"  :guns:
Title: Re: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: Dhoey07 on July 17, 2012, 08:47:18 AM
I heard the thermo block on the okanogan just broke
Title: Re: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: steeleywhopper on July 17, 2012, 09:19:04 AM
does anyone really think that someone will blab on the internet what they are catching kings on?!!?!  :bash:

I went a couple years back and fished it. We talked to the folks at Hooked on Toy's and they gave us very accurate info on the right gear. Stop by or call them if your headed over to fish. I don't have any what's hot or not info right now or I'd PM ya.
Title: Re: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: WSU on July 17, 2012, 11:48:44 AM
does anyone really think that someone will blab on the internet what they are catching kings on?!!?!  :bash:

I do it all the time.  I don't tell people the secret recipe, but something like identifying the bait used is common.  A little overly-zipperlipped?
Title: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: DeerHarvester on July 17, 2012, 01:23:41 PM
All the fish ran up river. Probably should just put the boat away for the year.
Title: Re: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: woodywsu on July 17, 2012, 01:36:30 PM
Heard the okanogan is running 61 degrees and everything is running right up it. ;)
Title: Re: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: cohoho on July 17, 2012, 03:16:53 PM
does anyone really think that someone will blab on the internet what they are catching kings on?!!?!  :bash:

I do it all the time.  I don't tell people the secret recipe, but something like identifying the bait used is common.  A little overly-zipperlipped?

Why not?  It isn't like the secret is locked away in some vault.  Fishing is quite different than say a honey hole for Bears or Elk.  Especially salmon, what fish that are there today will not be the same fish there tomorrow.   
Title: Re: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: WSU on July 17, 2012, 03:41:41 PM
It also depends on the location.  I often don't tell the location if I caught the fish on some small river, but won't hesitate to disclose the location if it is the sound, cowlitz, ocean, or some other large fishery that can handle additional people.
Title: Re: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: antlerking on July 17, 2012, 07:44:10 PM
Here is a pic from a 6 hour fishing trip
Title: Re: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: WSU on July 18, 2012, 11:57:24 AM
Got any pics of the meat on those?  Interested in how the kings and sockeye look.  I'm sure they are good, but just curious...
Title: Re: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: Shed Stud on July 18, 2012, 01:34:39 PM
nice looking catch
Title: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: DeerHarvester on July 18, 2012, 03:38:43 PM
Sockeye
Title: Re: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: TommyH on July 18, 2012, 04:21:33 PM
antler king, that looks like it was a good day!!! :tup:
Title: Re: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: dr.derek on July 18, 2012, 05:40:51 PM
I love the color of sockeye,
Title: Re: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: Scottystyle on July 18, 2012, 06:38:34 PM
 :drool:  cant wait to hit Brewster sunday  :IBCOOL: 
Title: Re: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: Jburke on July 19, 2012, 09:50:12 PM
So in all honesty is the OK running cold enough for them to head up it already??
Title: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: DeerHarvester on July 19, 2012, 10:52:53 PM
So in all honesty is the OK running cold enough for them to head up it already??

Yes and No. Last night the OK was 70 degrees. Earlier this week it dropped to the mid 60s because of a rain storm.  So a lot of fish made a run up stream at that time.  We are expecting more rain this weekend so that could drop the water temp once again.  But the peak of this salmon run is still coming so there is still lots of fishin ahead.   

I spoke with a tribal member working the nets in the OK. He said Tuesday they seen a large run of fish coming into the nets, that would have been when the water temp dropped and the fish took off up stream. Or tried too until they hit the nets.
Title: Re: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: Jburke on July 19, 2012, 11:50:22 PM
Well I guess it can't hurt to give it a go anyways.  Was planning on hitting it next weekend for a couple days.  New fish mving in every day and at the rate they are crossing wells there should be plenty of fish in the pool. 
Title: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: DeerHarvester on July 19, 2012, 11:55:15 PM
Yeah I would agree. Lots of fish still coming over wells. Plus the kings are still coming.   
Title: Re: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: Dhoey07 on July 20, 2012, 05:49:08 AM
Well I guess it can't hurt to give it a go anyways.  Was planning on hitting it next weekend for a couple days.  New fish mving in every day and at the rate they are crossing wells there should be plenty of fish in the pool.

You can always hit below wells. They stack up there no mater what the water temp is  :twocents:
Title: Re: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: Scottystyle on July 20, 2012, 07:56:59 AM
Ive heared the launch at Wells is wiped out? Anyone else heared this ?
Title: Re: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: MtnMuley on July 20, 2012, 08:00:40 AM
Gonna be a while until the Wells launch is opened up.  They're saying the end of the month.........I'm thinking into August. :twocents:
Title: Re: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: Scottystyle on July 20, 2012, 08:04:04 AM
 :hello: thanks!
Title: Re: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: TheHunt on July 20, 2012, 08:43:31 AM
I am with WSU on the comment of sharing.  I don't share on 100% fishing sites like iFish or Gamefishing.  But I don't think there are many folks here that fish as their primary reason for being here.   Heck the title of this site is Hunting-Washington.
Title: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: DeerHarvester on July 20, 2012, 04:47:14 PM
If you planned on coming over this weekend I would think twice.  Flash flooding right now and the Okanogan is screaming. The salmon are running up river.
Title: Re: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: Wa hunter on July 21, 2012, 10:59:28 AM
Any up dates?
Title: Re: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: Wacenturion on July 21, 2012, 12:13:19 PM
Heard from a friend who was out yesterday that it was on the slower side, some being caught.  Netting going on at the mouth of the Okanogan, plus thunderstorms and probability of fish shooting up the river.
Title: Re: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: Wa hunter on July 21, 2012, 08:15:35 PM
Oh, well I guess I will give it a try tomorrow.
Title: Re: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: antlerking on July 22, 2012, 12:51:47 PM
Here is another one from last night
Title: Re: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: bearpaw on July 22, 2012, 01:00:06 PM
nice fish, congrats....  :tup:
Title: Re: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: GEARHEAD on July 23, 2012, 04:08:24 AM
I was at Wells yesterday...the launch is wiped out, dont expect it to open soon. the Okanagen is just plain Mud and Indians netting at the Mouth. never been to the dam before so had to check it out while passing by. the fish are stacked thick at the ladder located next to the launch, but i did not see one sign saying i couldnt fish there, had to talk to campers who advised of a boundry sign around the corner outa site.  that water is just pourrrrring outa the dam. very impressive.
Title: Re: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: Ice Cap on July 23, 2012, 03:55:38 PM
Fished the Brewster pool Friday and only put 1 fish in the boat.
Fished Saturday and put three limits in the boat in 5 hours.
Sunday the three of us put 18 sockeye in the boat in 2.5 hours.
Down riggers at 20 feet, size 1 dodger running six feet behind down rigger.
14 inch leader with small chunk of shrimp dyed with red food coloring.
Trolling speed was as slow as I could go while still getting the dodger to do its thing.
Friday we stayed in the slot next to shore. Saturday and Sunday we fished closer to the mouth of the Okanogan and much further from shore.
Title: Re: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: antlerking on July 28, 2012, 05:07:41 PM
18 and counting!     There pretty much jumpin in the boat, but is HOT out there drink lots of beer
Title: Re: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: dr.derek on July 28, 2012, 07:18:29 PM
was that from brewster pool? heading there tomorrow for a week hope it stays hot. heard it was slow the last few days
Title: Re: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on July 28, 2012, 07:43:41 PM
just got word that the fish are back at Brewster .... best go now  :tup: I may head back tomorrow but not sure ....Confirmed tonight at 6:15 pm
Title: Re: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: Birdguy on July 29, 2012, 05:07:07 PM
Must be a few fish around, we drove through Brewster late Friday night and boats lined the streets, the hotel was packed. Came back through Saturday morning and the river was full of boats just below where the OK flows into the Columbia. Looked like a great day to be on the water for sure. Good luck to all who are out there  :tup:.
Title: Re: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: RockChuck on July 29, 2012, 07:10:38 PM
Is there anywhere to tent camp near there? Thinking of heading up there next weekend
Title: Re: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: TommyH on July 30, 2012, 07:29:55 AM
Lots of boats out there!!! Looked like it was the tournament. We put 4 in the boat. No pics, hours of truck problems! :bash: Good thing we met a few nice people to help us out and give rides back and forth to the parts store. :tup:
Title: Re: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: MtnMuley on July 30, 2012, 11:54:52 AM
Is there anywhere to tent camp near there? Thinking of heading up there next weekend

Not a lot of tent camping around there, but I imagine there will be space available for sure this weekend with the derby.  Even if they have to put you on the soccer field, I'm sure they will find a way to accomodate everybody. :twocents:
Title: Re: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: TommyH on July 30, 2012, 04:18:34 PM
 :yeah: The soccer field is the overflow camping area for the derby weekend, well it was in the last to years anyways.
Title: Re: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on July 30, 2012, 06:49:54 PM
Just got back and again the fishin was good for some and not so good for others ...Seems a few old timers had it down and they caught sockeye and kings .. We caught 2 fish today and it was slow .... Some boats had more than others.... I guess I was a week or two to late but it was fun and got to try something different ..I am a skagit Bank fishermen and need some more time on the Columbia  :dunno: :chuckle: :chuckle: I hate being out fished and I have been everytime I have been to this place  :bash: The few fish I caught both times where as soon as we put in then it went to sheet after that and we have been out at the crack of light both times ...... :dunno:
Title: Re: The upper columbia salmon opener
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on July 30, 2012, 06:56:32 PM
All and their is dry camping ( tents ) at columbia cove camp ground and There was some fine scenery hanging out ( Know what I am saying ) :chuckle: :chuckle:



Here is a few from last weekend and I will post some other pictures I took this time when I get time ...
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