By Bob Moffitt
The California Department of Fish and Game says there are nearly 730 thousand Fall Chinook in the Pacific Ocean. This is three times the number found a year ago.
Dan Bacher is the Editor of the "Fish Sniffer" magazine. He says conditions for the fish have been improving…. more rain and snow have helped raise river levels, cool the ocean where the fish live, and
"… has allowed more fish to get up into the system and avoid the delta pumps and avoid predators."
The Fish and Game's numbers are no guarantee. Its
estimates have been off substantially the past three years. And the
Pacific Fisheries Management Council may still vote to shorten the
season.
Delaying the start of ocean fishing for the fall chinook
would help protect the struggling winter chinook from being
accidentally fished.