2012 Spring Salmon Season Set!

It's mid-February and the springer juices are finally starting to flow.  I recently read that this year's Columbia River spring salmon run is expected to be the 4th largest ever and the Willamette River is expected to have a strong run as well with a forecast above its 10 year average.  To help fuel the anticipation, rumor has it that a large percentage of the run this year is expected to be larger, 5yr. old fish in the 20 to 30lb range.  (a "normal" springer is in the low/mid teens)

Although I haven't posted anything new since November, I have done a few preparations for 2012 fishing this winter.  My bait supplier was worried about a herring shortage late last year so I actually stocked up with a case of green label, Puget Sound herring in early December instead of January.

That's 420 herring ready to spin like a drill bit!

Oregon and Washington partnered earlier than usual this year and set the spring salmon fishing season in late January.  Generally, they don't get around to it until February.  Here's a snapshot of what we're looking at for 2012:

• Columbia River - 1 fish per person limit - March 1st through April 6th
• Willamette River - 2 fish per person limit - open all year round

Generally, the peak of the run doesn't occur until around the start of April so I expect to start my 2012 campaign in mid-March... more to follow - Happy 2012!