No real big days number-wise but we did manage to limit three rods by 10:30am one day, and went the whole season (with the exception of a September 1 wishful trip) without a skunk while fishing three days a week. Two decent sized fish in my boat, a 43 pounder caught by my friend Mark (which earned him a $100 weekly prize in the salmon derby) and a 42 pounder caught by yours truly a week later, proof that timing is everything because it earned me $1000 worth of prizes in the Jeff Johansen derby. I've had years where I caught more total fish for the season, but that was in years where I hit it hard in mid October when you can get double digit days pretty easily. This year I pulled off the Reach and did some hunting and some other fisheries a little earlier than usual. So my overall assessment is that this was a great year!

Well JimmyD is was a memorable Reach season for me. I've only fished the reach a few times before but never caught anything 'till this season so even though I only tagged a few, it was a few more than previous seasons! The Mrs caught a couple dandy fish in mid-september--they're sure in great shape then. My most memorable skunk was going 0 for 0 while Starfish caught his 6 in about 6 passes, and then I proceeded to go 0 for 0 the rest of the afternoon after Starfish loaned me the same Kwicks he just used for his catching clinic. Sheesh! I sure hope I didn't curse your Kwickfish Don!

We fished on Sat 10-11. 4 poles with guide. You could tell the guides were not too happy with the flow of the river even before we took off. Basically the river was low and there was little flow. Of course, the day before the river was high and running wild and they caught 6 million fish.

We had a long day and caught 3. Missed one. 2 jacks and a 16lb adult. Cooked it up that night. Dinner was great.

If anyone can tell me how to time the river flow I would appreciate it. Are week days better? We'll be back in October but I am thinking of booking the trip on Friday if it even matters.

Happy New Year- Cheers!

We fished on Sat 10-11. 4 poles with guide. You could tell the guides were not too happy with the flow of the river even before we took off. Basically the river was low and there was little flow. Of course, the day before the river was high and running wild and they caught 6 million fish.

We had a long day and caught 3. Missed one. 2 jacks and a 16lb adult. Cooked it up that night. Dinner was great.

If anyone can tell me how to time the river flow I would appreciate it. Are week days better? We'll be back in October but I am thinking of booking the trip on Friday if it even matters.

Happy New Year- Cheers!

Typically river flows during fall salmon season are low on Sundays, high on weekdays, and anybody's guess on Saturdays. But in recent years I've seen less predictability on water flows except Sundays.

Actually low water can still be productive, you just need to change locations and presentations. I can't remember whether my last day on the Reach this year was Saturday the 11th or Sunday the 12th but the water was low and we were tagged out by 1030am. But it's certainly true that high water is generally better than low water, and I've had tough days in both conditions before.

Would you mind sharing some low water tips? I might need to try them next year. We fished mainly with eggs and spin-glo back bouncing. The guid tried a few Kwiks as well. The three we got were on the eggs.

I think we fished Coyote Rapids and the bluffs and a run about 10 minutes down.

Thanks.

My favorite technique for low water is downrigger and kwikfish in deep water. You can use a cannonball and kwik if you don't have a downrigger. The hard part is finding enough current to make the plugs work in low water; sometimes you have to troll upstream which isn't my favorite, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

Thanks. Have you ever tried the summer run at Reach? I have a place in Desert Aire and will try there this year. Ever tried above Priest Rapids?

I've never had luck on summers in the Reach. My best luck for summers has been at Brewster and Wells.

how is brewster right now
? iwanttogo out thu morning.
sny tips?

Last weekend I spoke with a salmon and walleye guide in the Tri-Cities area. He was headed to Brewster on his next string of days off.

Hmmm. . . .

Fished Brewster last week. Lots a fish on the finder but very few bites. 1 jack from 8:00am to noon. Could not get out any ealier. I fished spoons and Superbait/tuna. Looking foward to Hanford 09'.