NEWPORT, Ore. -- The precipitous drop in salmon returns to the Sacramento River System last fall and winter may have short-circuited this year's salmon fishing seasons off the Oregon coast.

But one scientist says things appear to be turning around.

William Peterson is an oceanographer with NOAA (Noah) Fisheries and works at the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport.

He says this year is shaping up to be "one of the best years we've seen in probably 20 years."

He says the upwelling that brings tiny creatures from the bottom to the surface, where fish can easily feed, started early this year

Unfortunately, he says, it won't show up in increased fish runs for two to three years.