Fishin' Reports

The big buzz this week is the opening of sockeye salmon fishing on Lake Wenatchee, which will kick off on Thursday, July 28th. This is one of the most popular fisheries in Central Washington, despite the long waits at the State Park every morning. It is typical to spend more time putting a boat in and taking it out than getting a limit of sockeye on the lake. I stopped by Tumwater Dam on Tuesday to check the count. The sign at the counting station said that over 42,000 sockeye had passed through the dam, and they were at least three days behind. That’s why we get to start the season with a four-fish limit. We already have 20,000 more fish than is needed for escapement. People like me are scrambling to get their boats ready. Lucky me I am moving mine to a dock on the lake. I have been busy tying leaders and making sure that the barbs have been pinched down. I plan to start with half the rods with hoochies on them and half with just three bare red hooks. I will know right away what the fish want. I am tying both 12-inch and 10-inch leaders.