The number of returning spring chinooks seems to have been a big surprise to
everyone (30% higher than pre-season estimates). The official numbers over
Bonneville were 178,000 springs and 21,000 jacks, the largest return since
1938. The downside is that an estimated 90% were hatchery fish. There are
still many questions in my mind. I know that, even though the hatchery was
not yet completed, the tribe released a large number of smolts three years
ago (we were catching them all through the spring and summer) so there
should be adults from that plant returning this year. Are the Yakamas
marking their fish? I don't think I've ever bothered to check any of the
many little fellas I've caught. I just find it hard to believe (especially
in light of that 90% hatchery figure from Bonneville) that there is such a
sudden bonanza of wild springers in the Yakima. I agree that (in spite of a
recent study by WDFW) the re-introduction of salmon will have an adverse
impact on the Yakima's trout populations. Sure, ocean-type chinook drop
down to the salt almost as soon as they are free swimming, but river-types
stay in the river for at least a year, eating, eating, eating.
Re-introduction of coho should elevate the problem to a whole new level.
