Ocean to Idaho

Mile 292: Sport Fishing

We’ve already looked at commercial fishing and tribal fishing. This week, it’s sport fishing as we follow salmon migration 850 miles from the ocean to Idaho.

Kyle Jones, owner of Jones Sport Fishing for 12 years, guides anglers in Idaho, Washington and Oregon. One of his hot spots is below McNary Dam, the last dam right before the Columbia River and Snake River meet at the Oregon-Washington border.

Jones is from Idaho, but works throughout the entire Columbia River Basin out of necessity. He used to fish for salmon and steelhead year round. Five years ago, he lost that option due to low fish returns. Now he’s targeting walleye, a predator fish. They’re in the same fishing holes salmon used to be in.