Saw in the Seattle Times that the Cowlitz got it's first springer back to the hatchery...Dec 20th! Can't believe it's already getting to be that time of year. Time to get the plugs ready.

For sure a springer and not a really late fall nookie?

Well, that's what the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery stated. I would assume that they know what they are talking about. They're expecting the largest run since 1987, so it wouldn't surprise me TOO much. Hopefully it's a good sign of what's to come.

I caught one two months ago, November.
I swear that I finally caught the new SH State record, but it turned out to be a very early or very late springer.

Frank at fish country told me less than an hour ago that the first springer came in last week.

sounds a lot too early for springers, but yet a nice late winter chinook!

Willamette usually gets the first one in early January. Cowlitz not yet. only way to tell is if it dies in a month its a fall fish. If it lives to see the summer, then we'll know for sure.