by Dave Graybill, August 17, 2013

The sockeye fishery on Lake Wenatchee has provided a lot of anglers a ton of fun over the past couple of weeks. Pressure has been lighter than in past years, but people have had terrific success in taking these prized fish. The sockeye have been large, much bigger than those running up the Columbia, and it appears that this season may be nearing its end.

According to Travis Maitland with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s office in Wenatchee, anglers had harvested over 3,200 fish as of last week. Between 350 and 450 sockeye were being taken per day during the season that opened on August 3rd. Both participation and the catch rate fell off this past week. The allowed catch of sockeye is still being reached at a good pace, and anglers can expect to see the fishery closing in the next week or so.

This year’s season, the sixth in the past five years was more typical of previous seasons as it turned out. Many anglers remember last year’s season when over 60,000 sockeye turned up at the lake. Even with a bonus limit anglers didn’t come close to the allowed harvest. This is a very special fishery. Not only are these prized fish fun to catch, they are the best eating off all. It is something special to be out on the lake catching fish with the view of Glacier Peak in the background.

On the subject of Lake Wenatchee sockeye, I met recently with Keith Truscott, Director of Natural Resources with the Chelan County PUD, and Alene Underwood, their Hatchery Program Manager. They explained that the sockeye hatchery program at Lake Wenatchee was being discontinued. At first I was surprised that a sockeye program would be stopped, due to the popularity of the Lake Wenatchee fishery. However, they were quick to point out that hatchery released sockeye on the lake have returned in very poor numbers. In fact the numbers are so low that they were never a factor in whether we would have a sockeye season on Lake Wenatchee or not. Wild sockeye have always and continue to sustain the Lake Wenatchee sockeye fishery.

The program, in which the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the tribes all contributed expertise, never proved successful. Release timing, size of smolt released and other methods were tried without good results. Many people may not realize that sockeye spend more time in their home stream and in Lake Wenatchee than any other species, spending over a year in the lake proper. Large populations of pike minnows and protected bull trout both feed on these small sockeye. The thought is that the hatchery sockeye don’t have the same instincts to avoid predators as wild stocks, and few survive.

The good news is that if we continue to see good ocean conditions and other favorable factors we should see good returns of sockeye to the lake. But wait, there’s more! The PUD will not abandon the net pen operation on the lake, but will raise and release the same number of steelhead. This will increase the number of steelhead being released into the Wenatchee River. This represents 60,000 smolts to be released in Lake Wenatchee, in addition to the 50,000 that are currently being acclimated at Blackbird Island in Leavenworth. This brings their production of steelhead to 250,000. The potential of the steelhead release on Lake Wenatchee is far more likely to be a factor in having consistent steelhead seasons on the Wenatchee River than the sockeye program ever offered for the lake.

If you visit my web site you have probably seen the announcement about a new trip I have put together. In April of this year I hosted a group to Belize to fish for bonefish, permit and tarpon, and it was a huge success. Everyone had a fabulous time and it inspired me to do another trip this year, to Costa Rica. I have always wanted to fish down there and have learned of the terrific fly fishing for marlin and sail fish, and they also catch roosterfish to 100 pounds. I chose Golfito as my destination, and learned from my contact there that this is the place, and that it is the only place where he will guarantee roosterfish on a fly. I have arranged for the top charter services and guides and premium rods and reels. The lodging is the best available and have also scheduled a trip to one of the amazing wildlife parks while we are there. I would encourage you to contact the folks at Journey Travel and Tours in Wenatchee to get the details. This truly will be a trip of a lifetime to experience the fishing that Costa Rica has to offer. Space is limited and we are getting deposits on the trip already, so if you have an interest, contact Shari Werner right away. Give her a call at 509-662-7775, or toll free at 877-335-1153.

I have mentioned that I have been having a great time fly fishing on the Icicle River. Well, the storms that have rolled through the area turned the normally crystal clear waters of this stream to the color of chocolate milk. I am going to wait until all these thunder storms are through before I try fishing this stream or any other small stream in the region. Not only does it take a while for these streams to clear, I certainly don’t want to get caught out in one of the torrential rains that come with the thunder storms.

While I wait for the small streams to clear I am going to get back out on the Columbia and try for kings. I know there are still a few sockeye available below Wells Dam and off the mouth of the Okanogan at Brewster, but I am interested in kings. I have a few Lake Wenatchee sockeye and some Columbia sockeye in the freezer, but not enough kings. It is time to get after them while they are still in prime condition.

By Dave Graybill

FishingMagician.com