searun
Well-Known Member
Earlier this year, there were some concerns being raised that the warm blob had caused some very significant poor ocean survival for Chinook all along the coast. I heard the US guys saying they had big concerns over the Columbia Chinook return because they were having great difficulty finding out-migrating smolts off shore Oregon and Washington.
Lately I have been fishing the Nanoose area, which according to predictions should have poor fishing due to concerns of Puget Sound Chinook and Harrison River Chinook. My experience, and that of others has been quite different. In fact, I have heard some fellow anglers saying this season so far has been one of the best in recent memory...and I concur. That led me to go and fact check the Columbia River Adult return data as they have accurate fish counters due to the many dams and fish ladders.
Interestingly, the Spring Chinook returns are far better than forecast. In fact looking at this year (supposedly a bad one) the returns are better than last season, but well below the 10 year average. Looking at the Bonneville data the year to date adult returns so far are 46,244, compared to 30,088, and a 10 year average of 106,048.
Just wondering what others have experienced, and anyone seeing similar adult chinook return data? Could it be that all the concerns we are hearing about Chinook returns to BC are also off the mark? Thoughts?
Here's the link to the Columbia River data:
http://www.fpc.org/web/apps/adultsalmon/Q_dailyadultcountsgraph.php
Lately I have been fishing the Nanoose area, which according to predictions should have poor fishing due to concerns of Puget Sound Chinook and Harrison River Chinook. My experience, and that of others has been quite different. In fact, I have heard some fellow anglers saying this season so far has been one of the best in recent memory...and I concur. That led me to go and fact check the Columbia River Adult return data as they have accurate fish counters due to the many dams and fish ladders.
Interestingly, the Spring Chinook returns are far better than forecast. In fact looking at this year (supposedly a bad one) the returns are better than last season, but well below the 10 year average. Looking at the Bonneville data the year to date adult returns so far are 46,244, compared to 30,088, and a 10 year average of 106,048.
Just wondering what others have experienced, and anyone seeing similar adult chinook return data? Could it be that all the concerns we are hearing about Chinook returns to BC are also off the mark? Thoughts?
Here's the link to the Columbia River data:
http://www.fpc.org/web/apps/adultsalmon/Q_dailyadultcountsgraph.php