Chinook salmon season open from Bonneville Dam to Priest Rapids Dam

     Sport fishery for summer chinook salmon is open from Bonneville Dam to Priest Rapids Dam through July 31. As in past years, anglers must release any steelhead not marked as a hatchery-reared fish by a clipped adipose fin.
     “A lot of anglers are anxious for an opportunity to fish for salmon and steelhead on the Columbia River,” said Cindy LeFleur, Columbia River policy coordinator for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). “They’re finally going to get that opportunity.”
     Approximately 52,000 summer chinook salmon are expected to return to the Columbia River this season – up from 37,200 last year, said Joe Hymer, a WDFW fish biologist. The forecast for upriver summer steelhead is about 325,000, similar to last year, he said.
      Hymer noted that summer chinook salmon are distinct from spring chinook, which returned to the Columbia River in much lower numbers than predicted this year. To conserve spring chinook, fishery managers closed fishing early in some areas and delayed the hatchery steelhead season in the lower river to prevent the incidental catch of spring chinook in that fishery.
     “Summer chinook and spring chinook are completely different critters,” Hymer said. “For one thing, summer chinook are a lot bigger – sometimes running to 40 and even 50 pounds. Spring chinook generally average between 12 to 20 pounds.”
     The daily limit from the Bonneville Dam to McNary Dam is six with retention of two adults. Sockeye salmon must be released. Trout season, which includes steelhead, runs from June 16 through Mar. 31. The daily limit is two fish, minimum 12 inches long. Catch record cards must be in your possession for retained steelhead, salmon and sturgeon.

Volunteers welcome help at Gorge Games

     Gorge Games is just around the corner and organizers are looking for volunteers. The event, which is being revived this year includes 10 events and plenty of associated activities, mostly in and around Hood River. Log onto www.gorgegames.net to access the section on volunteering.
     The games run from July 17-20 with kiteboarding and sailing among the earliest events. Kiteboarding starts at 9 a.m. on July 17, at the Port of Hood River. It includes Pro and Outlaw divisions in freestyle and course racing.
     The events hit the water again on July 19, for big air and more course racing. Sailing competition will be at Marina Park, in Cascade Locks, with 505 North American championships on July 17, and junior sailing on July 19.
     Entries are open for the sailing events. The July 17 event is for international 505 class sail boats. The junior event is in the O’Pen BIC dingy, and participants must have completed sailing lessons within the past year.
     Entry information for all events is at the Gorge Games 2008 web site: www.gorgegames.net

Wrestling tournament open to public entry

     Goldendale High School gym will be the site of a wrestling tournament, open to all comers, June 28, with weigh in from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.
     The tournament will use folk style rules and bracket entrees using USA wrestling classes for age and weight. Medals will be awarded. Entry fee is $10, but the public is welcome to attend at no charge.
     Beginners are encouraged to attend. In addition to age and weight, matches will be made with consideration to skill level.
     Proceeds support the Goldendale Wrestling Club, which was formed this spring. There are 53 current members of the group, which was organized by Goldendale High School assistant wrestling coach, Matt Dumolt. Questions can be directed to Dumolt at 509-773-0411.