His 36-pounder caught May 22 on the Clearwater River is a glimpse at the run's heavily weighted component of fish that spent three or more years in saltwater before making the long return up the Columbia and Snake systems to Idaho hatcheries or spawning areas.

Thompson's fish measured 40 inches long. Girth was 27.5 inches at its pectoral fins, 26 inches at its dorsal fin and 20 inches at its scarred-over adipose fin, according to a Lewiston Tribune story by Eric Barker. 

The salmon weighed 35 pounds and 15 ounces-- after it had been bled and stored in the boat four hours.

"It's not a state record, not even close," Barker points out. "That belongs to Merrold Gold, who caught a 54-pounder from the Salmon River in 1954.

But it's as big a fish as most people can recall coming from the Clearwater River in the past decade or so.

"I've been salmon fishing for 20 years in this area and it's the biggest fish I ever caught," Thompson said.

The fillets alone were 14 pounds each.

Fish and Game officials are seeing some large fish in this year's run. Chinook in the 25- to 30-pound range have spent three years in the ocean and are well represented in this year's run. Ed Schriever, the department's fisheries chief, said all of the fish are in good condition this year.

"These fish obviously are heavy for their length. They are in good condition. They are plump. They are well fed," he told the Tribune.