Hi guys.
Sthdr1 and Steelhead Addict: EF summer natives are now spread out. Used to be a distinct early run ("Springers" and I'm not talking chinook) of summer natives in April-May. These were different fish than the late winter fish that are nearly gone. They weren't as big for one and when you cleaned one the fat deposits were as large as a July lower Columbia summer-run bound for upriver Col Rvr. We used to say, "When the dogwood blooms - fish the EF".
Now the summer natives are spread out April-November. People falsely think that more return in October and November just because the rain moves 'em up outta tidewater and the rest of the river. Everything in the river moves up then. Plus the rain of course gets them more comfortable to bite. Go after early winter-runs in November and you will sometimes have loads of the pink-sided summer-runs around.
Another thing, when EF went to adipose clip for '86 return the summer natives accounted for 20% of the run. That was with plants of around 100-150K hatchery fish. Now the summer plants are down to 30K or so (ESA) so the native ratio will "falsely" seem higher.
Kalamabama: EF is closed only to chinook over 28". Winter-run is not 80% native as it still gets a "healthy" plant of 75-120K smolts. I agree that it is a good river but not your statement "No-traffic". Perhaps slightly less than easier rowing rivers but prime time EF can be just as busy as the rest of them. 10-20 Driftboat trailers stacked up on HWY503 at Lewisville Bridge. Tow trucks and Troopers writing and towing the dumb ones off over the fog line. Another 10 or more going to La Center sitting in Daybreak Park. Pontoon boats all over. Bank guys so thick that a boat can't even fish (If following good etiquette) until they get to Hamms on the lower drift.
Primetime EF. Just my $.02
x

[This message has been edited by Extreme (edited 10-19-2000).]