This is my last report for the year of 2011, and it has been a great year for reports. I have been able to announce some first-time-ever seasons on our local waters. This speaks well for recovery efforts on all of our species that make their way from the Pacific Ocean to their home waters here in Central Washington. To name a couple, we had the Wenatchee River open to summer run salmon and Coho salmon.

Another opener that was new to our area waters was the special season on triploids below Chief Joseph Dam on the Columbia River. I expect to see this special season repeated next year, but in a different time frame. It could open as early as May or June and have at least the same four fish limit, over even more. This was a tremendously popular fishery last year, due to the unusually high number of these fish available, and there are still lots of them in this stretch. I know I did my pat to help thin them out.

I have heard that we are expected to see exceptionally high returns of spring salmon and sockeye to our area next year. I'll keep an eye on these fisheries and as always keep you posted. Happy New Year!