The number of upriver Brights heading for the Hanford Reach continues to increase. Checking the counts at McNary Dam recently, I see that they are passing over this dam on their way to Priest Rapids at over 5,000 a day. The fishing below Priest Rapids got off to a slower start than usual, due to the late arrival of this year’s run, but things are looking up. There are some fall fish going over Priest Rapids to the upper Columbia, but not nearly the number that we have seen in recent years. Due to the very low return of steelhead to the upper Columbia this year, which is only 3,000 fish so far, there probably will not be a fall fishery for salmon above Priest Rapids Dam. It is important that every steelhead reach their home stream this year, and risking incidental catches by salmon anglers wouldn’t be a good idea. I will be fishing at Potholes Reservoir and am really looking forward to it. Walleye fishing isn’t really great, but the water is coming up in the reservoir and the water temperature is dropping. Both of these conditions should contribute to better walleye fishing this fall.