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Summer's First Sockeye Returns to Central Idaho by Associated Press Fox 12 News, July 25, 2008

BOISE, Idaho - The first sockeye salmon of the season arrived Friday in central Idaho, where state hatchery workers on the Salmon River caught it in a trap and are now saving it for artificial spawning.

Last year, just four endangered sockeye made the 900-mile return from the Pacific Ocean to the region that includes Redfish Lake.

While the 814 sockeye that have so far crossed Lower Granite Dam on the Snake River in eastern Washington bodes well for a stronger 2008 return, salmon advocacy groups say numbers will still be well short of the 2,000 fish targeted by federal fish recovery officials.

Amanda Peacher, salmon program coordinator for Idaho Rivers United, said more must be done to ensure longterm salmon survival. Her group advocates the removal of 4 dams on the lower Snake River.