In the last week, there have been some second- and third-hand reports that some spring chinook are making their way into the Cowlitz River.

Well, we now have official confirmation.

Joe Hymer, a state fish biologist, just sent an e-mail saying a hatchery adult spring chinook returned to Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery earlier this week.

State officials have also reported seeing more and more boat and bank anglers in the Columbia River in the last two weeks. Still nowhere near the 2,000 boats that can be counted during the peak of the springer run, but it’s evidence more fish are entering the river.