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Hanford Reach Chinooks Still Delivering Record Catches for Anglers Rich Landers Spokesman Review, September 21, 2015

FISHING -- Chalk up another record-setting week for salmon fishing in the Hanford Reach of the Columbia.

Here's the report for last week just posted by Paul Hoffarth, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife biologist in the Tri-Cities:

Harvest for the week was estimated at 5,022 fall chinook, 4,768 adults and 254 jacks. We continue to set records this year for the numbers of fish harvested each week. (See last week's report.) This weeks' numbers just slightly edged out last years' numbers. WDFW estimates there were 7,700 anglers fishing in the Hanford Reach this past week (1,800+ boats).

Fish were harvested throughout the Hanford Reach with the best catch per effort at Ringold (2.3 fish/boat), followed closely by White Bluffs and Vernita.

Fish continue to move into the Hanford Reach in good numbers with more than 20,000 adult chinook per day counted at Bonneville this past week and 10,000+ over McNary each day.

WDFW staff interviewed 1,837 anglers from 735 boats and 75 bank anglers fishing for fall chinook in the Hanford Reach. Anglers averaged better than 1.5 fish per boat for the week. Bank anglers at the Ringold Springs Access area harvested 23 adult chinook this week.