Columbia, Lewis and Kalama River Spring Chinook
Capt. Jerry Brown
March 13, 2008
Columbia River - Freshwater Fishing Report
Its April soon and Spring is looking better everyday. J and L Guided Sportfishing is gearing up for spring chinook on the Columbia, Lewis and Kalama rivers. With winter steelhead season over and a new 24' Alumaweld Super Vee await christening on the waters of SW Washington state.
Beginning in March 269,300 spring chinook start entering the Columbia river bound for the Lewis and Kalama rivers as well as the upper tribs above Bonneville dam. This will be the 3rd largest run since 1977. A majority of this run consist of 4 year oldfish with a few 5 year olds mixed in. These 4 year olds average 12-22 pounds and are the best eating salmon on the planet!
April and May is the peak of the run. We start out "hogline" fishing the Columbia between the mouths of the Kalama and Lewis rivers.
May is the month for maximum fishing oppurtunity. Spring chinook fishing is at its peak with 3-5 "springers" a day. There is nothing more exciting than watching these fish smack a bait-wrapped Kwikfish, a diver and bait combo while backtrolling, or hover fishing "cocktail" baits in the deep holes of both rivers.
we are currently taking reservations for spring chinook fishing trips on both rivers. Jet boat trips on the Columbia and Lewis for 4 anglers are at a special internet price, $580.00 and driftboat trips for 2 on the Kalama are $325.00
Columbia River Fishing Forecast:
Also summer steelhead are in the rivers at the same time as the springers adding for an added bonus. They are chrome-bright, powerful and add an extra excitement to your fishing trip! Averaging 14-18 pounds we incidentally catch several of these beauties every spring salmon season.
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