Fishing report 7-17
Chinook fishing in the Ocean has been killer! Fisherman’s Pro, Bill Monroe jr., has been lighting them up trolling Spin-n-fish with a hoochie hanging off of the back. These ultra bright Fall Chinook are definitely starting to stage just outside of the Columbia River waiting to make their journey into the river over the next month. The Coho fishing has been ridiculous as well. Pro, Brandon Glass, reports that the fishing has been absolutely lights out using Spin-n-fish as well. His clients have been having doubles, triples and even quads at times!
Buoy 10 is right around the corner! This world renowned, iconic fishery is well known for fast paced action, lots of people and grade A quality fish. Trolling is always the name of the game and over the last few years it’s starting to become a 50/50 split between triangle flashers and 360 flashers. Small 3.5 size spinners work well behind 360 flashers while larger spinners will work well behind triangle flashers. Fresh herring and anchovies are a must have as the tides switch aggressively and the bait can show up in a blink of an eye. This is when “matching the hatch” can be imperative. Spin-n-fish, Superbaits, Spindawgs and Super Cutplugs are also great bait options. What ever you decide , make sure to have extras on board as this fishery is very fast paced and being able to switch gear quickly can be the difference between a few fish or a boat limit!
Summer Steelhead fishing has also continued to be super productive. We have had reports of fresh fish being caught all over. Pro, Robert Kratzer, has been having a hay day in Southwest Washington backtrolling coonstripe shrimp or bobberdogging eggs. The size of fish has been on the larger size and we haven’t even touched the beginning of the B-Run fish yet.
Bottom fishing along the whole coast line has been good. Pro, Andy Martin, has been doing quite well chasing bottomfish along with ocean Salmon. Trolling Fish Flash Flashers and herring have been accounting for most of his ocean Salmon success. For bottomfish he has been using shrimp flies and Farallon Feathers to limit his boat on a Regular basis. Pro, Ted Teufel, has been lighting up the bottomfish as well. Lingcod and nearshore Halibut have been flying over the gunnels of his ocean boat lately. And once he fills up the bottomfish coolers, the Ocean Salmon fishing has been stellar out of Garibaldi as well!
Catch and release Sturgeon fishing in the Columbia River estuary has continued to be great. Pro, Jim Nicol, has quietly been reeling them in hand over fist all throughout the Astoria area. Squid, herring, anchovies and Samd shrimp have all been top producing baits.
Trout fishing has been good for those waking up early, trying to beat some of the heat. These Trout don’t like to be up shallow feeding during the heat of the day so starting very early or spending the last few hours of light fishing will be your best bet. Some of the higher mountain lakes don’t get as affected by the heat as they are directly fed by glaciers or ice cold mountain springs. But still, early morning hours will be your best option to find biters. Casting spinners and kastmasters is always a sure fire way to find aggressive fish, as well as trolling small Mag Lips or Flatfish. Once the heat comes, switching to bait is a good bet. Powerbait, nightcrawlers, salad shrimp and salmon eggs are all solid bait options.