Anglers this year can chase fall-run Chinook salmon on three Central Valley Rivers, for the first time since 2007. The California Fish and Game Commission set the narrow seasons this Thursday, which may not include times when salmon populations are thickest as they migrate upstream.

David Scatena of Stockton shared that he feels guilty for salmon that he caught before 2008, as salmon that are taken are salmon that won't generate.

Scatena said, “I'm sure there are a lot of fishermen that are happy as clams. But I think the salmon runs are still in serious jeopardy. I just can't believe that they have recovered completely”.

Salmon fishing will not be allowed on the San Joaquin River or its tributaries, but fishing can be done on the Sacramento, American and Feather rivers.

The anglers enjoyed in the past six-month seasons, but this year will offer little less opportunity than that. Dick Pool, a fish advocate and gear distributor based in Concord opined that a wide-open season will damage a whole year's class of fish and that the commission did the right thing.

The year 2010 is going to be another economic disaster" for fishing guides and suppliers”, as anglers won't be able to fish when the salmon are most plentiful.