COOS BAY — RV parks, tackle shops, boat dealers, fuel suppliers — these are just a few businesses that stand to do well throughout the summer months provided predictions of a decent salmon season hold true.

The hope among local entrepreneurs is that sport fishermen will be eager to hook Chinook and coho, and spend a lot of green to do so.

Travel-generated spending from visiting fishermen pumped more than $12.2 million into the local economy in 2008, according to Portland-based Dean Ryan Associates, who did an economic impact study for the state Department of Fish & Wildlife.

That dollar amount doesn’t include what locals spent on fishing, which came to another $2.5 million.

It must be noted, though, that the millions of dollars visitors spent reflects the nearly $4-a-gallon fuel cost the county experienced at the time.

Still, it’s a hefty sum.

And remember, 2008 wasn’t a great year for salmon fishing, explained Jerry Freehill, an employee at Stockade Market & Tackle Shop in Winchester Bay.

“When we have a good season, we really crank it out,” Freehill said. But “the last couple of years, it’s been a little slow.”

Earlier this year, the Pacific Marine Management Council announced an estimated 245,000 fall-run Chinook were expected to return to the Sacramento River — signaling the return of a fishery sorely missed. That news was “the first positive Oregon and California has had in at least four years,” said Scott Lancaster, owner of Y Marina in Coos Bay.

Outside of travel expenses, serious anglers also spend money on big ticket items — boats.

During a full salmon season, Lancaster said he can sell up to 150 boats. The last time he did that was 2007.

“This could possibly be really good,” he said.

Of course, people who have boats need fuel. That’s where Curtis Russell comes in. The owner of Russell’s Marine Fuel & Supply in Charleston is counting on salmon to lure sport fishermen to the marina.

“There is a whole lot of sport boats that come from all over to fish and they go for salmon in a big way,” he said, adding that a salmon season could kick up revenue by 30 percent.

And those without boats can use charter services. Margery Whitmer, who owns Betty Kay Charters in Charleston with her husband, Bill, said groundfish have kept business clipping along, but the prospect of plucking salmon from the sea will drive sales higher.

She remembers 2006 as the last year salmon was bountiful.

“We had happy customers and a good year for business,” Whitmer said.

Fishermen also need a place to stay. Maxine Alex, manager of Oceanside RV Park in Charleston, said many of the fishermen she hosts are out-of-state businessmen who stay for as long as a month.

Get a park full of them, and that can amount to a nice revenue booster.

“Whenever there is something going on, we get pretty full,” Alex said.

Likewise, Judy Hants, owner of Mystic Woods Mobile & RV Park, is keeping her fingers crossed for solid bookings.

Several years of little to zero salmon for sport and commercial anglers has been hard on her business, Hants said.

“We’re praying this comes about,” she added.

(Business Editor Nate Traylor can be reached by calling 541-269-1222, ext. 236; or by e-mailing to biz@theworldlink.com.)