Fishing Report 9-12
Astoria
Astoria is absolutely going strong with waves of Coho showing up daily. This time of year the fishing can be phenomenal, and the angling pressure is far lighter than in August. Many folks are busy chasing Chinook upriver while those in the know are super content landing limits of ocean-fresh Coho. Trolling both bait or spinners has been productive, and it pays to have both anchovies and herring on board as fish can show preference day to day. Hard spinning baits like Spin-n-fish, Stuffer Baits, and Superbaits have all been highly effective.
Techniques/Baits: Anchovies, Herring, Spinners, Spin-n-fish, Stuffer Baits, Superbaits
Ocean – South of Cape Falcon
The ocean bite for Chinook and Coho has been phenomenal. Pro Terry Mulkey has switched operations to Tillamook and has been putting clients on fish trolling Spin-n-fish and herring. Just recently, one of his clients landed a 35-pound Chinook on a Double Trouble Spin-n-fish. With both Chinook and Coho in the mix, the non-select Coho season has produced fast limits.
Techniques/Baits: Spin-n-fish (Double Trouble color), Herring
Bottom Fishing
Bottom fishing remains excellent, especially as most anglers focus on the robust salmon runs. Shrimp flies and vertical jigs have been the most productive methods for filling limits.
Techniques/Baits: Shrimp Flies, Vertical Jigs
Columbia River – Above Tongue Point
Chinook fishing has stayed red-hot with this run seemingly endless. The mouths of the Cowlitz and Lewis rivers have been standout spots. Anglers are finding success on wobblers during outgoing tides and on 360 flashers paired with small spinners or hard spinning baits during the incoming tide.
Techniques/Baits: Wobblers, 360 Flashers, Small Spinners, Hard Spinning Baits
Bonneville Dam
Fishing is heating up daily with counts showing over 10,000 Chinook and 4,000 Coho crossing the dam each day. Anchor fishing or backtrolling K15–K16 Kwikfish continues to produce, while trolling 360 flashers with small spinners has also become increasingly popular.
Techniques/Baits: Kwikfish (K15–K16), 360 Flashers, Small Spinners
Tributaries – SW Washington
Tributary fishing for Chinook and Coho has been solid, and will only improve with the next rains. Early mornings and evenings have been the most productive. Bait fishing has been strong, but casting spinners, twitching jigs, and backtrolling plugs or bait have all produced fish.
Techniques/Baits: Bait, Spinners, Twitching Jigs, Backtrolling Plugs
Tuna
Albacore tuna action remains strong whenever ocean conditions allow. Boats are filling coolers with large, fatty tuna by trolling Tuna Clones, Cedar Plugs, X-Rap plugs, and swimbaits. Once schools are located, vertical jigs, swimbaits, and live bait have been very effective.
Techniques/Baits: Tuna Clones, Cedar Plugs, X-Raps, Swimbaits, Vertical Jigs, Live Bait
Walleye – Upper Columbia
Walleye fishing continues to be good and remains underrated in the fall. The majority of anglers are trolling bottom walkers rigged with worm harnesses, which continue to be the most reliable method.
Techniques/Baits: Bottom Walkers, Worm Harness Rigs