Here’s an opportunity to try fishing some beautiful water while supporting a worthy cause. The Knights of Columbus in Richland, WA are proud to host the 12th annual KC/Tri-Cities Prep Salmon Derby. For only $25 (adults) or $10 (children 12 and under) you can support Tri-Cities Prep, the Catholic high school in Pasco, WA—while catching Chinook salmon, in either the Columbia or Yakima rivers.

As usual, the big weekend – October 6-7, 2007—includes some great prizes including $1000 cash for the biggest fish, plus cash and merchandise prizes for the 2nd through 5th largest fish, a randomly selected “mystery fish”, and the highest total “tournament weight” for the two days. Special prizes are also available for the kids. But the big news is that again this year, you can enter early and win some great weekly prizes too! Starting September 15th, prizes for the biggest fish caught by adults and children will be given for each of the three weeks leading up to the main event… all for the same low entry price that qualifies you for the big derby weekend. We especially hope that anyone participating in our early prize contest also joins the Jeff Johansen memorial benefit derby to be held September 29th. Remember that persons who have entered both derbies are eligible for both prizes.

You can enter by visiting local sporting goods stores in the Tri-Cities, Yakima or Desert Aire, Washington… or by mailing entry information – name, address, and phone (and age of any children entrants) along with the entry fee – to KC/TCP Salmon Derby, 1957 Marshall Ave, Richland, WA 99354. For more information you can visit the derby website at www.kc3307.org/derby.htm

If you have questions about fishing the Hanford Reach feel free to post a question and I’ll respond to everyone. Thanks for your support… all proceeds go to benefit the school.

Okay i have one for ya and sorry if this sounds silly but i have never fished out there so are there areas that u can fish from the bank?

Yes-- probably the best place for bank fishing is on the Yakima River. Either at Horn Rapids or Prosser are probably best bets but I have to confess that I haven't fished either-- I usually take my boat in the Reach. Most fish are caught on either bobber eggs or a Vibrax spinner.

I also have a buddy who has caught several salmon off the bank at Ringold in the fall, plunking a baitwrapped kwikfish. Spinners off the bank at Ringold can also produce.

I was surprised to discover yesterday morning that the bite is already happening. We fished Vernita and managed to score three adults and two jacks. We got a 17, 34, and 30 lb hens and had a great day on the water. The checker had eight boats with six fish before we came in so we weren't the only ones catching.
We got one on a downrigger/K16, one on a jet diver/K15, two jacks on herring, and the last adult on a magnum wiggle wart.

Well, I guess I got a little overconfident... Friday I fished the Priest Rapids hatchert deadline, N reactor, and K reactor for a half day trip and we god skunked. I had two drivebys on a chartreuse mag wart at the reactors, and we long-distance released about a 9' sturgeon on a kwikfish at N reactor, but nothing for the box.

Thanks for the report, Starfish. I gotta get out there...

A little better action yesterday but still tough with the low water... we got two nice salmon, 31 and 23 pounds, both on kwiks in deep water. One on a downrigger/K16 and one on a diver/K15.

The action in the Reach is getting a lot more consistent. Not what I'd call easy pickings but we got two adults and a jack Saturday, five adults and a jack Sunday, and three adults and a jack Wednesday. Most were on diver/K15s or downrigged K16s, with a couple on mag warts. We missed a few other chances yesterday with one breakoff and one long distance release and one driveby.

Thanks for the report Starfish