Here’s some more good news for steelhead anglers, particularly those of you that live in the Columbia Basin. The stretch of the Columbia River from the Vernita Bridge to Priest Rapids Dam has been re-opened for steelhead fishing. We have had such a good return of steelhead this season that there are plenty available to anglers here. The limit is two fish per day, and of course all wild fish must be carefully released while still in the water. This is the main stem Columbia, so bait is allowed, but hooks must be barbless. There is good bank access along this stretch of river, and some excellent water can be reached by boat. The steelhead being taken this year on the upper Columbia are very good sized, with an average of at least 8 to 10 pounds. In this stretch is not uncommon to take fish that have strayed from the Snake River, and these can be quite large. It is important to note that is a “conservation-based” fishery, and all hatchery steelhead landed must be retained. This is the basis for our sport fisheries on steelhead. Angling is an essential management tool, and that is why we are able to fish steelhead, which are still listed under the Endangered Species Act.