Outdoor Report 8/10

Fall chinook and coho fishing for the Buoy 10 / Astoria fishery, started off with a bang! Last week we had a big tide set so it slowed the fishing down just a little. The ocean is still pumping out limits for those headed out there though. The coho have been on the bigger side and are munching on just about any sort of bait you put in front of them. Herring and anchovies are typically the go-to baits, but there are days that a hoochie spinner, or Super Bait will be the deal breaker. We had great reports all week of new coho and chinook entering the river. Look for this next week to really get going. We have small tide exchanges this week so the chinook fishing will pick right back up. Brined herring and fresh anchovies have been some of the best baits, but there are fishermen that religiously fish spinners and are doing very well on them. Size 6 1/2 is one of the more popular spinner sizes. Although, there are times that the smaller spinners like 3.5 or 4 will really get the bite going. As the chinook start working their way up river, the bite in the Cowlitz / St. Helens area will get going first. Most people tend to anchor and run out wobblers or spinners on an outgoing tide. As the tide starts to flip around and slack up, the new rage is to troll 360° flashers with either small size 3.5 spinners or Brad’s Super Baits or Cut Plugs. Stuffing the Super Baits with canned tuna or Pro Cure's new Fish Nip Tuna blend is still the most popular scent, but herring, anchovy or sardines are all great options. You can bring along a few of your favorite scents as well. As the fish move up the river below the dam, Bonneville will start to become productive. Most people will target the chinook either backtrolling Kwikfish or anchoring Kwikfish. The current can be extreme at times, so please anchor with caution. Bottom fishing remains stellar as does the crabbing. Most folks are getting their black bass, without a problem, on either shrimp flies or curly tail grubs. Crabbing has been phenomenal with lots of big males. Most folks are using shad, or salmon / tuna carcasses for bait. However, they will eat just about anything. Trout fishing remains consistent with the best times to target them being in the early morning and late evening. Plunking bait on the bottom has still been the most consistent way to catch them. Before heading out always check the regulations. Good luck and be safe!