Fishing Report 10-17

Coastal Chinook & Coho 

The coast has been consistently kicking out Chinook and Coho for many anglers recently. Fish have been in the bays and are just starting to enter rivers with the last rain event. As we get closer to the end of October, and more rain falls, most coastal rivers will rise up and have plenty of water flowing through them for drift boat fishermen to have a shot at catching them. The bays will continue to produce fish well into November, but the tributary guys are definitely chomping at the bit waiting for some more heavy rains. Once they come, it will be game on! 

Techniques & Baits: Bobber fishing, backtrolling plugs, backbouncing, drift fishing, twitching jigs, casting spinners, multiple scent options, egg cures, and bait additives like herring, sardine, tuna, and sand shrimp. 

 Tributary Coho – Portland Metro & Southwest Washington 

Tributary Coho fishermen are finding success in the Portland Metro area, as well as in Southwest Washington. The Sandy, Clackamas and Eagle Creek fisheries are in full swing and will start to slow down as we near November. In Southwest Washington, the current A-run Coho will soon be replaced by their big, badder, angrier cousins—the B-run Coho. These chrome-bright, aggressive fish often come in after heavy rain events when rivers are higher, cooler, and the bite is much stronger. 

Techniques & Baits: Spinners, bait, jigs, beads, and plugs. Always bring multiple lure choices since fish preferences can change throughout the day. 

 Bottomfishing 

Bottomfishing remains a stellar option and continues to be one of the best-kept secrets in the Northwest. You can typically fish for and catch them year-round. They bite well, taste great, and often multiple species are caught in a single trip. As we move into fall and winter, be more selective on days to head over the bar. Keep a close watch on wind and wave advisories and always check the weather before heading out. 

Techniques & Baits: Vertical jigs, shrimp flies, and large curly tail grubs are top producers. 

 Crabbing 

Crabbing has closed in many ocean areas, but the bays are still open. October and November are typically the best months to find full crab pots. Pro Andy Martin has been absolutely crushing it lately—dropping pots in the morning, fishing all day, and pulling limits by evening. Many trips end with sending back keepers after filling limits early. 

 Razor Clamming – Washington Coast 

Razor Clamming in Washington is in full swing. WDFW just announced another 7 days of open Clamming at select beaches, with more tentative dates coming soon. 

 Trout Fishing 

Trout fishing in the fall often gets overlooked because of all the salmon and steelhead opportunities, but it shouldn’t. As water cools, trout feed heavily to bulk up for winter. This can make for excellent action. 

Techniques & Baits: Spinners, Kastmasters, flies, plugs, and bait will all produce well in the fall.