03/06/07 2007 Salmon Season

Time marches on, but some things remain consistent, for instance the inconstancy of the Pacific Northwest Salmon runs. In reviewing an archived program dated July 2003, I reported on the fact that activist groups were becoming quite vocal about removing damns on the Columbia and Snake River to save salmon in the midst of the highest return of salmon since 1960. Just three years latter the numbers of fish were back down and the federal government was raising the ire the commercial fishing industries by limiting the ocean salmon season. Thankfully for those who's livihoods depends on commercial fishing (including the coastal tourist industry) 2007 is looking to be a better year for the Chinook. It is projected that will be five times more Klamath River salmon then last year, with one small caveat being the fact many Klamath River salmon will be just 3 year olds and under the 27 inch limit. Unless the Pacific Fishery Council determines differently this week salmon traditionally opens March 15.