Well to those who are waiting for the Eagle Creek natives they are still a no show. Recent conversations with the hatchery staff have led me to beleive that if the natives do show it will not be until April. The run came early this year and that was that!!!  Gene, at the hatchery said that around 35 fish entered the trap at the hatchery since the 10th of the month. The good news is that the fish that are arriving seem to be in good shape still, leaving me to hope that there are still groups in the Clackams River just waiting to shoot up. The cold water may be the biggest factor in the late arrival of the natives. With warming waters will bring new fish in and the natives will show up then also. On the other hand, this is the year of the return of the Chinook into the creek. Five years ago there were 60 thousand smolt dumped in at the Eagle Fern park just above the first ladder. Since then the number of smolts released has increased, and the dump site has been pushed up the creek to a private landowners property just below the hatchery. So eventhough all the Chinook may not return all the way to the hatchery this year, you can bet on a good run next year, since the number of smolts has gone up to 200,000 for the last 3 years.

So look for the big boys to return soon.

Flymstr;