Fishing report 6-19

Salmon fishing all around the Northwest has started to become quite diverse. What we mean is that folks are chasing Spring Chinook in the tributaries. They are chasing Spring/Summer Chinook in the Columbia. The lower Willamette quietly still has fisherman chasing Soeing Chinook. In Tillamook anglers are finding success in Tillamook Bay chasing Springers and in the ocean both Chinook and Coho are getting caught. As you can see, there are many options at the moment. In tributaries folks are finding success back bouncing eggs/shrimp combos, bobberfishing these same baits as well as backtrolling divers and bait or smaller size plugs. In the Columbia, fisherman have been finding success in a number of ways from anchor fishing plugs, spin-n-glo’s and coon stripe shrimp as well as trolling 360 flashers and spinners near cold water tributary entrances. Again, lots of opportunity and your desired technique will be the deciding factor on where and what you use. In Tillamook bay the Spring Chinook that are being caught are by folks using 360 flashers with small spinners and hard plastic spinning baits like Spin-n-fish, Brads Superbaits, Hawken Hottails and many others. In the ocean it is also a trolling game with fresh anchovies and herring being your best bait options. 

Summer Steelhead fishing on the Columbia is river has been really good. We have had several Pro Staff members that are absolutely crushing it on the Columbia chasing Summer Steelhead. Josiah Darr is one of those Pro’s that has been finding

Boat limits almost daily by sitting on anchor with small spin-n-glo’s and Coonstripe shrimp. Finding a well used travel path and using quality bait will be two of the main reasons for good success to just book success. Small spinners and small Maglips, flatfish or kwikfish will also induce strikes from these highly acrobatic and delicious sea going trout. 

Catch and release Sturgeon fishing in Astoria is really starting to heat up. Pro, Chris Vertopoulos, has started running trips down there and the fishing has been killer. Who doesn’t love giant fish in shallow water? Anchovies, herring and Sandshrimp are three of the all time producing baits for this awesome estuary fishery. 

Bottom fishing and halibut fishing in the ocean is another fishery that was really good this past week. The ocean was a bit messy for several days but when it calmed down Pro, Ted Teufel, was able to find boat limits of Halibut and bottom fish with several days of good Salmon fishing as well. Vertical jigs, large herring, shrimp flys and large curly tail grubs have all been good producing baits. 

Smallmouth bass fishing is still really good with the majority of the fish being present in shallow water and some still spawning while some are now in the post spawn phase. Either way, the bass are aggressive and can create a very memorable day on the water. Tube baits, spinnerbaits, grubs, jigs and crankbaits all work well. 

Shad fishing is still going on and up near Bonneville dam the fishing has been stellar. Small bright colored jig heads, small spoons, beads and even a small bright colored Corkie will all produce strikes from the plentiful fish. 

Trout fishing locally has been good and should commute to be good until lakes really warm up. Once they do warm up, the time of day you are fishing will start to play a larger role in your success. Bottom fishing bait all day will still work, but trolling will become more succeful early in the morning and late in the day when the water temps are slightly lower. Locally Estacada Lake and Notth Fork reservoir both got stocked with thousands of fish, giving local anglers a great shot at a pile of Trout!