Ive heard alot of rumors this year. Otter cleaned out trap, trap was shut, water 80 degress in Hogarty creek.... We have been spoiled the last few years by early(june) returns, but this year the fish came later(jul) coupled with very low water and what we got were fish spread below and above the outlet. Summer fish arent ripe like winters and dont neccesarily need to go back to the hatch right away. They can afford to go were ever they feel the safest.

We are now seeing fish from both forks do their "reprinting" back to the hatchery and the fish from below have finally got high water so BAM reiter opens.

I for one can tell you the fish have been there the whole time. Granite, there werent the numbers like 02' but for those that hiked around and put in time did well... THose that scrapped rock doing the high bridge to sultan in Aug will echo that..
_________________________
"I have a fair idea of what to expect from the river, and usually, because I fish it that way, the river gives me approximately what I expect of it. But sooner or later something always comes up to change the set of my ways..."
- Roderick Haig-Brown