Fishing report 6-12
Spring chinook are getting caught daily in the Columbia from the lower river to the banks below Bonneville. We say Spring Chinook, but the reality is that there is a good mixture of Spring Chinook and Summer Chinook. These Summer Chinook are destined for the farthest reaches of the upper Columbia River so their fat reserves are large, and attitudes are mean. Many folks find their best success sitting on anchor, as these fish tend to have their nose to the bottom and heading straight up river. Pro, Eric Baird, has been doing tell well anchor fishing with VIP Outdoors Spinners and some kwikfish.
In Tillamook Pro’s, Tim Juarez and David Johnson, have been quietly having great success chasing Springers. Trolling herring or small spinners behind flashers has been producing well in the bay, while in the tributaries bobber fishing and backbouncing eggs has been the key to success.
Summer Steelhead fishing has been steadily picking up in the Columbia as well as in thesouthwest Washington tributaries. Anchor fisherman are doing well rigging up a spin-n-glo and fishing a small coon stripe shrimp or prawn behind it. In the tributaries back trolling coon stripe shrimp or bobberdogging eggs has been what has been working well for Pro, Brian Campbell.
Catch and release Sturgeon fishing in Astoria is picking up and Pro, Jim Nicol, is no stranger to this fishery. He has been fishing it for several decades and for good reason. Catching prehistoric giants in shallow water is about as exhilarating as it gets. Sometime shallow enough that you can see a sturgeons tail out of the water heading straight for your bait! Squid, herring, anchovies and sand shrimp are among the top baits this time of year.
Bottom fishing remains a fantastic option for folks. Pro, Ted Teufel, has been doing really well in the ocean keeping his clients happy by sending them home with full coolers and sore arms. Shrimp flies, vertical jigs, large curly tail jigs and farallon feathers have been doing the majority of the damage.
Kokanee fishing up at Lake Merwin has been stay good as the fish are slowly starting to drop down in the water Column. Staggering your rod depths will definitely help you pin point just what depth the biters are running at that day. Small spin-n-glos, small spinner blades, Brads Kokanee Cutplugs and Hawken Fishing Hottails have been working well for many anglers.
Trout fishing is continuing to be great everywhere around the Northwest. Many lakes received sizable plants this past week including Detroit Reservoir, Quartsville Creek and Trillium Lake all received over 2,000 legal Trout a piece. Trolling has been working really well for anglers using small Mag Lips, Flatfish, Hot Tails and Brad’s Kokanee Cutplugs. Fishing Powerbait, Nightcrawlers, Salmon eggs and Salad Shrimp.
Smallmouth Bass fishing remains an ex Ellen’s option with anglers finding great success in the middle Columbia and Willamette rivers. Lilpess crabkbaits, tube baits, jigs, senkos and spinner sits are all great bait options this time of year.
Shad fishing has picked up and the numbers keep climbing over Bonneville. Boat anglers are doing well anchor fishing Dick Nite Spoons, Baby Simon’s and flicker spinners. Bank anglers have done well casting bright colored lead head jigs, small bright colored grubs and even just a plain bead.