Typically the early salmon season starts below Wanapum Dam, but this year things are different.

Fish are not only showing up earlier that usual they are flying up stream on the main stem Columbia River.

On the July 1st opener technicians checked 44 boats with hardly any fish. I talked to some anglers on Thursday and they had great fishing in Wenatchee.

The pair released or lost several kings and had two keeper Chinook and two jacks in the cooler.

Sockeye fishing is already going strong below Wells Dam and at Brewster. Kings are also being taken at Chelan Falls and at Brewster in good numbers.

We're off to a good start, but fish are moving up the river quickly. They will be stalled when they reach the mouth of the Okanogan River, though. Fishing will be very good here this season for weeks to come.

If you want to learn from the experts on how to catch these early arriving fish, attend the seminar in Pateros on Friday, July 10.

There is an optional dinner and two guides giving presentations. For all the details call Howard's on the River at 509-923-9555.