The stage is now set for salmon fishing inland. The month of October has arrived and salmon are lurking at the door, but we have fallen into a weather pattern that is not conducive to moving fish.

It seems this is the case every year. No one in going to get too upset because it is always nice to have sunny days in October. However, when it comes to salmon fishing, anglers can get somewhat impatient and start begging for rain.

In the meantime, the hand that is dealt will have to be played. It simply means that those pursuing salmon will have to occupy water where these fish are holding.

It has been a relatively recent discovery that these fish could be caught from the banks of the Chehalis River in downtown Aberdeen. Add to the mix, the boat traffic on the Chehalis has been a dependable option.

Anglers have looked at the estuary water of all adjacent rivers to find fish. These include the Wishkah, Hoquiam, Humptulips, Wynooche and even the Satsop rivers. The boat approach varies on each of these rivers, but any available bank location is well-marked with evidence that anglers have already been there.

So the plan of attack is to target these holding sections of our local rivers until the fall rains come to move fish. The fish checkers at boat launches are indicating that some fish are being caught and anglers are having numerous “takedowns.” The present conclusion is that there should be more fish being caught. The hope in everyone’s mind is that the rain will fix this problem.

By now, most everyone who has been out knows what fish are retainable. For clarification, the Chehalis River currently allows for silvers of which one may be a wild fish. The release of adult Chinook is mandatory.

Until Oct. 15, anglers fishing the Humptulips River have to release all wild coho, but they are allowed to retain one wild Chinook. After that date until the end of October, anglers will have to release wild Chinook and wild coho, however hatchery coho and one hatchery Chinook may be kept. This daily allowance permits for the retention of up to two adult salmon.

The Hoquiam River gives anglers the opportunity to retain silvers with one being a wild fish. All Chinook must be released. This is also the case for the Wishkah, Wynooche and Satsop rivers.

Fishing the estuary water is going to be the name of the game for the time being. Some of the fish being caught will be dark while a fresh one may inhabit the region from time to time. Anglers are going to have to get used to this scenario until the weather pattern changes significantly.

In the meantime, it is also an area where anglers stack up as well. So, crowded fishing conditions will be common. As it looks now, this dynamic is not going to change anytime soon.