My plan for the opening day of the upper Columbia River salmon fishing season was to run down to Wanapum Dam. This is where many anglers start their salmon fishing season. There’s a boat launch right on the edge of “bowl” where they troll in a large circle to catch Chinook, and this year will encounter a very large number of sockeye salmon. Over 100,000 sockeye salmon have passed over Priest Rapids Dam, and they will be swarming at the upper edge of this bowl. Success should be very high for anglers trolling with dodgers and two-hook rigs, baited with a shrimp. They will also be within reach of shore anglers that cast bobbers from the rip rap. The return of Chinook had been lagging behind last year’s return but are making a surge, passing last year's numbers with over 2,000 a day passing over Priest Rapids earlier this week. I will see how anglers are doing at Wanapum and check with WDFW fish checkers at some other popular opening day fishing areas, like Chelan Falls. Visit my website and Facebook page to see what I learn. I will keep you updated as best I can throughout the season.