It should be considerably higher than 2,200 if IDF&G's DNA sampling from lower Granite plays true!!!
Last Wednesday a group of us met with IDF&G Fisheries Dept, including Ed Shriver (Head of IF&G Fisheries), Pete Hassemer (Head of the Andromous Fisheries), and Tom Crrent (Salmon Region Fisheries Director).
Our concern was that after a wonderful pre-season forecast, otherwise known as a SWAG, the realization of a record run never materialized. Based upon PIT data, our upper River run looked pretty dismal. However, several weeks ago the counts over Lower Granite indicated that the data didn't add up to the number of fish pouring into the State. F&G biologists coducted several tissue samples (DNA) at Lower Granite, and discovered that there were many more fish headed fpr the upper River than once thought!!
This new data prompted the IDF&G to approach the Commission with a new request to extend the upper Salmon River fishery boundry, which they did. Even though we don't get to fish below the Pahsimeroi, the extension did open another 35 miles of River to fishing! This is a great thing!!!
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THANK YOU for your awesome insights and explanation. You have provided by far the best explanation for what's going on during this season. I really appreciate your taking time to put up your post. THANKS! jp
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