Columbia steelhead catch sets record 8/16

Anglers have caught a record number of summer steelhead this month in lower Columbia River with two weeks still remaining.

Through Sunday, 11,639 steelhead had been handled (kept or released) between Bonneville Dam and the ocean. That tops 11,049 in August of 2009, said Joe Hymer of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

He said the improved catch is likely due to cooler temperatures and a high streamflow in the Columbia River. Use of dyed prawns as bait also might be adding to the catch rate.