I have no pics, but the ones I have caught in the past have been bright and in very good shape.

I worked on (construction) of the Cle elum Salmon Hatchery back in 96. Back then it was considered state of the art. If memory serves me right only spring Chinook are reared their.

The springer's are in excellent shape (my only picture is of a 10pd. fish caught below Parker back in 85). even when they get to Rosa. As for tasting, I'm guessing they still have good flavor even into Aug.

Smoked in Aug. And Bonk em in Sept.

http://travel.webshots.com/album/552732120QgKZqZ?start=12

Mf

Springers stay in good shape well into summer on the rivers I fish, so I don't see why they wouldn't be in good condition when they get to the yak this time of year. I've always thought that would be an interesting fishery. I fish the lower Columbia tribs for springers, and as you know those fish are strange. Weird biters to say the least, when they get to the yakima are they still as picky? More so?...Later


Jake

I have never fished Yakima R. springers, but when the Wenatchee R. was open for springers they were by far the best biting springers I have ever fished for. In some of the more popular holes you would sometimes see 5 to 10 fish on at a time. It was mostly a bank drift fisherie with eggs, shrimp and herring the most used. From what I have experienced the upper Columbia R. trib. springers are much better biters than lower Columbia R. trib. springers. I sure miss the Wenatchee R. springers.

I'll second wenatchee springers biting well. We would float our 12' lake boat down icicle creek before work and limit out every morning for a week or two. Blue label herring with a #2 spin glow drift fished. I know it sounds stupid but the would eat it and you really had to let them eat it or you would miss them every time. We also would back bounce in the main Wenatchee when it was open. From 85-87 were awsome and they were awsome eating bronze color but red meat 550 miles from the salt.

Saw several boats and a few guys fishing the zipper lip stretch, on my way home from work yesterday. The river's coming up faster than Kingda ka, and pretty milky.

Here they come.
http://www.cbr.washington.edu/dart/adult.html

Mf

I would be very suprised if the Yakima is fishable for the rest of this season. With Record high temperatures, tons of snow still around, and winds, I think everything is pretty much going to be toast for a while. With the Yakima already at about 10,000 with the hottest days yet to come, I think we are going to see one heck of a flood soon.

Flooding for sure...but check out the extended forecast.

The lower fishery's probably done for, but the upper river...don't think so.

Mf

every springer i've seen in a indian dip net was beautyfull. very brite with no signs of coloring. this is at the wapato/parker diversion dams.

just thought on the bad water conditions. there are many glacial fed rivers up in alaska. water almost white. they take kings in that near zero vis. a guy should still ba able to catch fish in the yak. the klickatat flows very silty and king are caught in it too. i would adapt my klick tactics to the yak. big saucy clusters fish closed to shore. just my thoughts