Fishing Report 9-9
Columbia River Salmon Fishing
Salmon fishing in the Columbia has been downright amazing lately, with fish spread all the way from Astoria to nearly Pasco. The opportunities are endless.
Chinook fishing above the mouth of the Lewis has been just as good as anybody can remember in recent history. These fish have been getting caught by folks trolling as well as those sitting on anchor with wobblers.
Trolling 360 flashers with small spinners or hard-spinning baits has been a go-to technique for the majority of folks who were fishing the slack and incoming tides. But donât count out the wobbler bite that happens when the tide flips and starts to charge out.
This is when sitting on anchor with heavy lead and a well-tuned wobbler can lead to limits in short order.
Lower Columbia Coho Fishing
On Saturday, the 11th of September, the Coho limit for the lower Columbia is jumping up to three fish per person, per day. Heavy fish boxes and killer memories are right around the corner.
Astoria has been pumping out limits of Coho for several of our Pro Staff members, and with a majority of anglers following the Chinook upriver, the Astoria area has had very light angling pressure.
With that three-Coho limit, the fishing is going to be crazy good for the next several weeks in Astoria as more and more Coho continue to pile in on every tide.
Trolling traditional triangle flashers with bait or small spinners has always been a go-to technique. However, trolling 360 flashers with small spinners or hard-spinning baits works just as well, if not better, at times.
Bring both options and you will be dialed in for whatever the fish decide they want that day.
Lower Columbia River Tributaries
Lower Columbia River tributaries have been putting out a lot of fish this past week. It seems as though many rivers have received their first few pushes of A-run Coho, and they have been biting extremely well.
Spinners, plugs, twitching jigs, as well as bait, have all been putting fish in the box.
With the rain we had last week and the forecasted rain over the next week, these fisheries could stay pretty good for a while.
Bottom Fishing
Bottom fishing remains stellar, and again, with all the salmon fishermen around, the bottom fishing isnât getting the love that it deserves.
For those looking for full fish boxes and some delicious fillets to put in the freezer throughout the winter, bottom fishing is the way to go.
Vertical jigs, swimbaits, shrimp flies, and Farallon feathers have all been working equally well for these delicious buggers.
Mid to South Coast Salmon Fishing
Salmon fisheries along the mid to south coast have been good, with Pro Staff finding quality Chinook and Coho from Tillamook south.
Trolling in the ocean has been good, with both bait and hard-spinning baits working equally well.
As we get a little bit more rain over the next few weeks, look for some of these fish to start pushing into estuaries like Tillamook, Nestucca, Chetco, and others.
Youâll find folks using several different techniques in these estuary fisheries. However, itâs typically a trolling show with triangle flashers and herring, a straight lead and spinner in some of the shallow-water areas, or trolling 360 flashers with small spinners or hard-spinning baits.
Whichever you fancy is likely to put fish in the box.
Walleye Fishing
Walleye fishing is still going on but typically takes a back seat to the almighty King Salmon.
These delicious fish are being taken by trolling bottom walkers and worm harness rigs.
Trout Fishing
Trout fishermen tend to love the early fall months. These fish are actively trying to pack on the calories to last through the cold winter months.
ODFW is still planting trout as well. Locally, next week both Foster Reservoir and North Fork Reservoir are slated to receive over 3,000 legal trout each!
Fishing bait off the bottom or under a bobber is a surefire way to find success.
Casting spinners, spoons, or Kastmasters is also a very fun and interactive way to find limits of trout.
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