Fishing Report: 8/22/25

Astoria 

Astoria continues to be red hot! The Chinook and Coho bite has remained on fire, with many anglers still reporting 20–25 bites a day. Trolling triangle flashers with fresh anchovies or herring has been a consistent producer, while the 360 flasher crowd is doing equally well on Spin-n-fish, Spindawgs, Superbaits, and small spinners. Some anglers are even fishing bait behind their 360 flashers on the oncoming and slack tides with great results. With the ocean now closed due to quota being reached, expect the river bite to keep charging forward strong. 

Techniques: Triangle flashers with bait, 360 flashers with Spin-n-fish, Spindawgs, Superbaits, spinners, bait behind 360s 

Southern Oregon Coast Salmon 

Fishing down south has been improving quickly. Pro Staffer Mikey Kelly and others have been finding some solid Chinook lately. Trolling 360 flashers with Spin-n-fish or Brad’s Super Cutplugs has been the ticket, and fish size has been impressive. 

Techniques: 360 flashers, Spin-n-fish, Brad’s Super Cutplugs 

Columbia River (Longview Area) 

Moving upriver, the wobbler anchor fishery is kicking off around Longview. Heavy outgoing currents often demand as much as 20 ounces of lead, but the payoff is incredible takedowns. As tides shift to slack and incoming, the 360 flasher crowd takes over again with hard-spinning baits and small spinners. Color and scent changes are key—having options can save the day. 

Techniques: Wobblers on anchor, heavy lead for current, 360 flashers with hard-spinning baits, spinners, scent/color variety 

Bottom Fishing 

While salmon has been the main focus lately, bottom fishing up and down the coast is still producing. Anglers targeting rockfish and lingcod are finding quick limits. Shrimp flies, vertical jigs, and twin-tail scampis remain highly effective for filling coolers with “swimming fish tacos.” 

Techniques: Shrimp flies, vertical jigs, twin-tail scampis 

Lower Columbia Tributaries 

Some tributaries are already seeing early pushes of Chinook and Coho. These fish will bite eggs, twitching jigs, and spinners, though anglers should keep several scent options handy with water temps still warm. 

Techniques: Eggs, twitching jigs, spinners, scent changes 

Walleye (Columbia Gorge) 

The gorge walleye bite continues strong, with schools stacking up and making for fast action once located. Trolling worm harness rigs behind a bottom walker is still the top producing technique. 

Techniques: Worm harness rigs behind bottom walkers 

Trout 

The heat has slowed trout fishing, but the bite is still there during early mornings and late evenings. Estacada Lake and Faraday Lake both received over 1,000 legal trout last week, giving local anglers new opportunities. Trout are hugging the bottom in search of cooler water, so bait fishing off the bottom is one of the most effective methods right now. 

Techniques: Bait fishing off bottom, target early mornings/late evenings