King of the Reach What to Expect

What To Expect

Thank you for your help to collect healthy, wild brood stock in a partnership between CCA, WDFW, and Grant PUD! The goal of this event is to collect wild, healthy, and viable brood stock for Grant PUD hatchery production to improve the fitness of our Hanford Reach salmon stocks following principles, standards, and recommendations of fisheries managers. The derby rules and event structure have been tailored to maximize healthy brood stock collection and minimize mortality of fish that would otherwise be utilized in the hatchery or spawn in the Reach. Without angler participation this event could not happen. Thank you again! Have fun. Stay Safe. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to contact us.

Pre-registration

  • All participants MUST pre-register by October 20th with the CCA and the WDFW Volunteer Program. Entry is limited to 80 boats
    • Boat numbers will be assigned numerically
    • Participant numbers will be assigned based on their primary (first day Captain) boat number followed by a letter
  • There is no limit on the number of participants per boat for the duration of the derby. However each boat must have a minimum of two participants (including the captain), and ALL on board musts be registered participants whether they are fishing or not
  • After registration with CCA, you will receive an email confirming your registration
    • You will be given instructions and links to complete mandatory WDFW volunteer training (if not a previous volunteer).
    • Boat captains will receive a fish transport permit which must be completed and kept on board while fishing in the derby
  • Please review the rules and note with emphasis on fish handling
  • All participants must sign the “Release, Hold Harmless, and Agreement Not to Sue”
  • Participants under 18 years old require guardian signature on Release/Hold Harmless and WDFW Release

Daily Check-in & Check-out

  • All boats and its participants are required to check-in and check-out each day they fish. Check In & Check Out will be transmitted via text message from the captain and/or participant to Todd Miller (509-619-2066), the WDFW volunteer coordinator. Check in can be completed by the captain for all participants aboard the vessel or by individual participants if arriving separately.

Check In text must include:

  • the captains last name & boat number
  • boat participant name(s) and/or assigned number(s)

Example: Johnson, Boat #1. Participants 1A, 1B, 1C, Vernita

Check out text should be completed as soon as you are off the water. Message should include:

  • the captains last name & boat number,
  • a list of all fish released including mortalities, jacks, hatchery chinook, post spawn females, and any other species caught and released (e.g., Steelhead).

Example: Johnson, Boat #1. Released 2 hatchery adult, 6 spawned females, 1 oversize sturgeon, 1 wild steelhead

  • WDFW will have loaner aerator pumps available each day if needed. You will need a 12v battery or power supply to power the aerator. The aerators use clamp connections. You may pick up the aerator at the Vernita or White Bluffs launch from WDFW. Please return the pump when you have completed fishing the derby.
    • Following check-in, we recommend that participants start fishing no earlier than 6:45 am. This ensures minimal fish holding time. Fish collection on shore begins at 7:00 am each day with shuttle boats collecting by 7:15 am.

Boat captains will receive a complimentary merchandise package (assembled by CCA) and other documents as listed below at Check-in:

  • Set of official rules, definitions of qualifying fish, and guidelines for handling fish
  • Shuttle boat signaling flag
  • A pack of fish tickets (additional tickets will be available at each launch and shuttle boat as needed).

Pre-registered Youth Participants will receive a complimentary merchandise package

Facilities

  • During the derby, CCA will provide sausages/buns/condiments for lunch Friday and Saturday at both launch sites
  • Primitive camping is currently available at Vernita, Jackson Creek Fish Camp, and Ringold Springs Fish Hatchery Access area
    • Derby Participant camping is not allowed at White Bluffs
  • Port-a-potties are available at Vernita and White Bluffs launch locations
  • Rest-stop at MP-43 on Highway 24 with water, rest rooms, and RV dump station
  • Unless otherwise amended by regulation at the time of the derby, propane fire pits are allowed
  • No wood fires are allowed on WDFW lands and access areas including Vernita and Ringold Springs. Violators are subject to immediate expulsion from the Derby and may be subject to criminal fines!

Links to the Columbia River flows are:

Questions – Should you have questions regarding event participation or volunteering, feel free to contact CCA Tri-Cities KOR Committee: