SALMON FISHING -- Western Washington anglers are starting to get pink fever for the big run of humpies that pours into coastal waters on odd-numbered years.

Returns are expected to be huge, and the first short at the front end of the runs starts Saturday on the Nooksack River near Bellingham.

West Side outdoor writers already are giving anglers details on when, where an how to hook their share of the bounty.

Check here for a column by Bellingham Herald writer Doug Huddle regarding the early opportunity.

Prime time in the rest of Pugest Sound is in August and September. 

"The earliest the Skagit opens for the odd-year salmon is Aug. 1 while it’s Aug. 16 on the Snohomish, Skykomish and Puyallup, Aug. 20 on the Duwamish, and Sept. 1 on the Stillaguamish and Carbon," reports Andy Walgamott in Northwest Sporstman Magazine. "Some runs stay worthwhile into early October."