When the warm water hit and the rivers in our area rose, it did affect the fishing on the Icicle River for a couple of days. It was hard to keep a drift boat in place in the river, even with a 35-pound anchor. However, the Icicle is a short, small river and its back in fishing shape and producing spring salmon at a good clip. When I checked in with Shane Magnuson, of Upper Columbia Guide Services last week, he had boat 27 springers in nine days of fishing. His big fish so far this season weighed in at 19 pounds. The Icicle has been better than usual this year and there are a large number of jacks in the river. This drives success numbers up, but overall fish size down. Walleye fishing in the region is really hitting its stride on area lakes and reservoirs. From Potholes Reservoir to Lake Roosevelt anglers are boating the season’s best numbers of walleye now that our summer weather has arrived. Smallmouth bass fishing is also at the season’s best on many of the lakes and reservoirs. Largemouth are on the beds in some of the lakes, too, which makes for excellent fishing.