The annual “King of the Reach” live salmon capture derby on the Columbia River near the Hanford National Monument was this past weekend, with some modifications to ensure for social distancing. This derby is unique because participants hand their catches over to WDFW- alive- to be used for brood stock for the production of fall Chinook to be incubated, reared, and released at Priest Rapids Hatchery. WDFW partners with  Grant PUD and the Coastal Conservation Association each year for this event. In these photos, WDFW employees and derby volunteers show some of the estimated 648 males and 527 females caught this year. Rather than prizes and recognition that come with many fishing derbies, most participants say they sign up for the King of the Reach purely for the conservation aspect of increasing the number of fish spawned from wild salmon. #FishWashington #FallChinook #Fishing #Conservation #ColumbiaRiver #Columbia #Salmon