Washington State fishing map feature
By Joel Shangle
Fishing and Hunting News
DESERT AIRE, Wash. — There's something surreal about landing a 40-pound king Salmon in the middle of a desert. The great gonzo journalist Dr. Hunter S. Thompson would likely appreciate the irony of pulling a thrashing, flopping, ocean-run Chinook out of a stretch of water that slashes through the sage and scrub brush of the hottest, most arid piece of dirt in the Evergreen State. While coyote watch.
But then again, nine out of 10 of the most wily Salmon veterans on the Vernita/Hanford Reach king fishery could care less what Hunter S., coyotes or anybody else think — they're too busy tweaking their plugs, massaging their downriggers and customizing their spinners to give themselves the extra edge on a fishery that changes its face more frequently than Michael Jackson.
Chameleon fishery
A gazillion kings
Oh, and the fish: big, brawny, beefy, toothy kings ranging from 20 to 50 pounds. So what if the "bright" in them is closer to a pale shade of red than the neon-nickel kings in the Humptulips or Sol Duc? These fish have more than 300 miles and umpteen dams of the Columbia to swim up before they reach the Vernita fishery. And there'll be a gazillion of 'em this year.
Timing is everything
The Vernita Bridge launch in late August resembles Farmer Yasgur's Roosevelt County, N.Y., pasture in the week before Richie Havens launched Woodstock with "Minstrel of Gault": There are bodies and vehicles and interest and a general low hum of activity, but it's nothing like the madhouse explosion of Hendrix-like cacophony that hits the place in late September.
That's not to say that early September represents a piscatorial wasteland below Priest Rapids. Salmon numbers will gradually build from the end of August into an early October peak, and other finned foes will keep you from falling asleep at the tiller until the heat of the URB fishery comes on.
Ah, but it's kings we're after, and once the joint starts jumping later this month, here's what you want to do:
Fish deep water: Expect low water this year and be prepared to seek out the deepest holes and slots available, because that's where fish will stack up. If conditions change, adjust accordingly.
Deepwater holes
King Hole: Falling from 30 feet to just over 60 feet at it deepest, this hole is located roughly 1 1/2 miles above the Vernita Bridge. It's prime downrigger water, perfect for a tight-spinning cut-plug herring.
K Reactor Hole: Actually a trench stretching out below Coyote Rapids, the K Reactor site will see its share of daily traffic.
Fish bait off of 'riggers or backtroll K-14 and K-15 bait-wrapped Kwikfish or big FlatFish or Mag Warts.
Best methods include downrigger, bait diver and plug techniques, but also add back-bounced/drifted roe, drifted spinners (No. 5 or 6 blue, green or pink Vibrax) and jigs.
At a glance
What: Vernita/Hanford Reach Salmon.
When: Season got under way Aug. 16. Peak of the fishery is in early October, but fishing should be excellent from mid-September into the Oct. 22 closure.
Where: Between the Old Hanford townsite and Priest Rapids Dam.
Launch: Best launches for this fishery are the Vernita Bridge launch (off Highway 24) and the White Bluffs.
Directions: From Spokane, take I-90 to Highway 395 to 26 to 24 and Vernita Bridge.
Techniques: Fish herring off a downrigger in deep water. Also back-troll plugs, back-bounce roe, drift spinners and jig with Point Wilson Darts.
Information: Hot Shot Guide Service (206-469-0567)
Excerpts from Fishing and Hunting News