I got a chance to sample the kokanee fishing, or silvers as the locals call them, at Lake Chelan recently, and although the fishing wasn’t the best I have experienced, the fish are huge this year. The kokanee fishing draws crowds from all over the state when schools of them appear in the lower basin of Lake Chelan. The fishing can be red hot and makes for a real fishing party. As I mentioned, the fish being taken now represent the leading edge of what should be a great fishery again this year, and the early fish are running 12 to 14 inches! These are large kokanee for Chelan. I did fish in the vicinity of Lakeside Park and there was quite a pack of boats there on Saturday, and less than half the number on Sunday. This is an indicator of the kind of action available right now. It’s about to bust loose, though and I will keep an eye on it. Jerrod Gibbons of Upper Columbia Guide Service just called to let me know that the king fishing is worth the effort on Lake Chelan. He hooked two fish early this past weekend and didn’t have to dredge the depths to hook up.