Boats Swarm For Sockeye Salmon on the Columbia River

Honestly it’s amazing that more fights don’t break out. This section of the Columbia River is absolutely loaded with boats, trolling for Sockeye Salmon. Certain areas were like a gauntlet, left... right... slow down.... speed up... “one coming up on the left”. I am telling you it was a fine display of organized chaos. The good thing is when trolling for Sockeye you don’t have much line out. They were being caught in the top 15 feet of water.

100 F weather didn’t keep anglers from Washington, Oregon, and Idaho (possibly others) from spending the day on the water. A quick dunk in the 67 F water will cool you off for a bit. I looked around and looked at all the boats and thought l, “Dang, there is a lot of money in boats floating in the water! Let alone the trucks pulling them and all their equipment.”

We did really well and caught limits for 5 people by noon. My Dad, 2 of my Brothers, my 6 year old Nephew, and I had a great time fishing as a family. Plus no one got a sunburn. So I call that a big win win!!