SALMON FISHING -- Here are the latest observations on upper Columbia salmon fishing from Anton Jones of Darrell & Dad's Family Guide Service.

• Chinook and sockeye salmon fishing below Wells is picking up.
• The sockeye salmon bite below Wells Dam on the Columbia River is good when releases from the dam allow safe navigation.
• Sockeye fishing can be great with Mack’s Lures hot colored mini Cha Cha Squidders behind chrome dodgers below Wells Dam. Try those Super Baits and Plug Cut Super Baits in Hot Tamale behind a big flasher.
• The Brewster Pool is still thin.We are concerned about the lack of a thermal barrier at the mouth of the Okanogan.

Safety Tip: Pay attention to safe boating practices below Wells Dam, Jones advises.

"There is a great variation in the amount of water being dumped from hour to hour. Sometimes it is safe to cross the river straight from the launch to the sockeye hole. Sometimes you need to hug the bank and go way downstream before crossing.Particularly the guys with shorter boats and lower freeboard need to heed that advice to avoid tragedy."