Field Reports: Sockeye surge flies in face of Columbia forecast

FISHING –Sockeye salmon have been surging into the Columbia River in record numbers, and that has fisheries biologists scratching their heads. The overall forecast for this year is less than a fifth of last year’s return.

“Will this year’s actual return beat the preseason forecast?” ponders Joe Hymer, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife salmon specialist in Vancouver. “Will we set a new record? Typical peak counts at Bonneville Dam are around July 1.”

Through Monday, a total of 33,496 sockeye were counted at Bonneville Dam, the highest count through that date since at least 1938, Hymer said. The previous record was set last year with 24,728 fish by June 13.

The single-day counts at Bonneville Dam reached 12,243 on Thursday.

Last year’s total return of 512,500 fish was the third largest run since at least 1938. The record is 648,361 fish in 2014.

The recent 10-year average through June 13 is 10,728 fish.

This year’s preseason forecast of just 101,600 sockeye to return to the mouth of the Columbia is below the recent 10-year average of 290,200 sockeye. The forecast is weak, but the early returns are hot.

“Stay tuned,” Hymer suggests.

Future sockeye returns to the Columbia are even more questionable.

While last year’s sockeye returned in near-record numbers, about 250,000 perished before spawning because of the unusually low flows and warm water temperatures caused by a state-wide drought and extremely hot summer.

Scotchman advocates

lobby Congress

WILDERNESS – Advocates for the proposed Scotchman Peaks Wilderness, including a county commissioner and a timber industry representative, have been in Washington, D.C., this week lobbying Congress.

The 88,000-acre area northeast of Lake Pend Oreille has received widespread support, including an endorsement by the Bonner County Commission.

Phil Hough of the Friends of the Scotchman Peak Wilderness was in the nation’s capital with commissioner Cary Kelly of Sandpoint and Bob Boeh, Idaho Forest Group’s vice president of government affairs.

The U.S. Forest Service has recommended the area for wilderness protection.

Hough said the group met with Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch and Rep. Raul Labrador, all R-Idaho, urging the lawmakers that the time is right to introduce legislation.

Wolf pups killed;

Idaho offers reward

PREDATORS – A reward is offered for information on the killing of wolf pups at their North Idaho den.

The incident occurred in Kootenai County, about 15 miles from Coeur d’Alene, in the Sage Creek drainage, says Phil Cooper, Idaho Fish and Game Department spokesman. The incident likely occurred during the week of May 16.

“There was no open season for wolves in the area when the juvenile wolves were killed,” he said.

Fish and Game officers collected evidence at the scene and are following leads.

“A reward is available for anyone providing information that leads to criminal prosecution of the case,” he said, noting that callers can remain anonymous.

Call Citizens Against Poaching Hotline, (800) 632-5999.

Agency website hacked

INTERNET – Hackers inserted links to violent images on the Washington Fish and Wildlife Department’s website on Monday forcing the site to be take offline for several days.

Department officials said the hackers probably didn’t access confidential customer information such as credit card numbers, which do not sit on the agency’s site at wdfw.wa.gov.

“It appears the intent was to use our website to display a message,” agency spokesman Darren Friedel said.

Report collared moose

CRITTERS – If you see a moose wearing a radio collar in Eastern Washington report the sighting to state wildlife researchers to boost a multiyear study of their population.

Report time and location of sighting, color of collar, number of moose in group and whether calves were present.

Email james.goerz@umontana.edu or report online, wdfw.wa.gov/viewing/moose.