Sockeye off to big start up Columbia River

FISHING – The 9,689 sockeye counted at Bonneville Dam through June 10 is a record since at least 1938 and outpacing the former record of 7,308 fish counted in 2012.

The 2012 total return to the Columbia was 521,00 fish.

At this time last year, the total sockeye count at Bonneville Dam was 5,128 fish.

The 2014 total sockeye return to the Columbia was a record  645,100 fish.

The 2015 pre-season forecast is 394,000 sockeye.

”We’re off to a great start but where will this year’s return rank in the record book?” said Joe Hymer, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife salmon specialist. ”Stay tuned.”