Fishing Report – 8/8

Astoria – Ocean & River Salmon 

Astoria is off to a phenomenal start! Pro Staff fishing both in the ocean and river have been filling coolers. In the ocean, Mitch Brooks and Bill Monroe Jr. have been finding piles of silvers and chinook. Trolling Spin-N-Fish behind flashers, along with fresh herring and anchovies, has been the key to their success.
In the river, Pro Terry Mulkey has been producing limits of chinook with a few silvers mixed in while trolling spinners and bait. The chinook run is building daily, and coho will begin mixing in shortly. Having both spinners and bait on board will greatly improve your chances of limiting out. 

Techniques & Baits: Trolling Spin-N-Fish behind flashers, fresh herring, anchovies, spinners, bait. 

 Tillamook – Salmon 

Salmon fishing out of Tillamook has also been strong. Pro David Johnson has been splitting his time between Astoria and Tillamook with great success. Trolling hard-spinning baits like Spin-N-Fish and fresh herring has been producing fish. This fishery will continue to improve as fall chinook move into the bay, offering more options for anglers. 

Techniques & Baits: Spin-N-Fish, fresh herring, trolling. 

Tillamook – Bottom Fishing 

While salmon action often overshadows it, bottom fishing out of Tillamook is producing excellent results. Last week, Pro Ted Teufel found limits of lingcod, rockfish, and salmon. Shrimp flies, vertical jigs, and large curly-tail grubs have been the top producers. 

Techniques & Baits: Shrimp flies, vertical jigs, large curly-tail grubs. 

Oregon Coast – Tuna 

Tuna fishing has been excellent when the ocean allows. Rough seas have slowed access the past few days, but calm conditions will give anglers the chance to intercept large schools offshore. Trolling tuna clones, X-Rap plugs, and cedar plugs is effective for locating fish. Once found, vertical jigs and live bait will keep the bite going directly under the boat. 

Techniques & Baits: Tuna clones, X-Rap plugs, cedar plugs, vertical jigs, live bait. 

Columbia River – Chinook 

Chinook fishing from the mouth up to Bonneville Dam is just getting started. This fishery is typically dominated by anchor anglers during outgoing tides, fishing wobblers in the current. As the tide shifts to slack and then incoming, anglers switch to trolling 360 flashers with small spinners, Spin-N-Fish, Spindawgs, Superbaits, and Cutplugs. 

Techniques & Baits: Wobblers (anchored), 360 flashers with small spinners, Spin-N-Fish, Spindawgs, Superbaits, Cutplugs. 

Columbia River – Walleye 

Although salmon fishing takes center stage, walleye fishing can be excellent in early fall. The most popular method remains trolling worm harness rigs with bottom walkers, though trolling long Rapalas is also productive. 

Techniques & Baits: Worm harness rigs with bottom walkers, long Rapalas. 

Trout 

August trout fishing often gets overlooked, but it’s still a great family activity. High-mountain lakes and colder cascade-fed rivers are prime spots, especially those with glacial influence. While stocking has slowed in many areas, rivers like the Breitenbush and North Fork Santiam have recently received fish. Spinners, Kastmasters, and flies work well, along with bait where legal. 

Techniques & Baits: Spinners, Kastmasters, flies, bait (where legal).