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Fish and Wildlife Stocking Adult Chinook in the Powder River by Henry Miller Statesman Journal, June 10, 2014

This isn't so much a salmon run as a salmon drive.

Because of the strong run of spring Chinook on the Snake River, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife on Wednesday will release 200 of the adult fish into the Powder River to create a unique fishing opportunity.

The Chinook were trapped at the base of Hells Canyon Dam on the Snake River and trucked to the release site.

According to Nick Myatt, the manager for the department's Grande Ronde Watershed District,, the "bonus" stockings below Mason Dam, which creates Phillips Reservoir, have been going on annually since 2008 with the exceptions of 2011 and 2013.

Fishing will continue through Sept. 1 in the open area from the dam to the Hughes Lane Bridge near Baker City. The daily bag limit is two spring Chinook.

Fishery managers have determined there will be more fish returning than are needed to meet Snake River fishing opportunities and hatchery brood stock needs. That allows the department to truck some of the fish to nearby tributaries.

Salmon smolts are released at Hells Canyon Dam for the express purpose of providing fishing in the Snake River.

While the fish are available, much of the land on the stretch of the Powder River that is open to fishing is private, and anglers need to ask for permission to gain access.