It’s hard to believe but we’ll be fishing for summer-run salmon in just two weeks here on the Upper Columbia River. The summer-runs are showing up in the counts on the Fish Passage Center web site now, and it is hoped that the fish will put on some speed and be here in good numbers by the July 1st opening day. Years ago the season didn’t open until the 15th of July, but typically there were so many fish around by then that they moved the opener up two weeks. Most salmon returns have been later than normal this year, but there are fish are on way. I plan to be fishing below Wanapum with Dam with Shane Magnuson again this year on July 1st. There will be plenty of boats out in the Wenatchee area, but our plan is to short-stop a bunch of fish a little lower in the river. It has worked well for us the past couple of years. If the forecasts hold up, we’re in for a great season for salmon on the upper Columbia. Last year the forecast was for 52,000 over Priest Rapids Dam, and we actually got 55,000. The forecast for the ’09 season is for 70,700 fish, so if you haven’t ever give salmon fishing a try, this would be a good year to give it a go.