Outdoor Report 9/21

Salmon fishing on the Columbia River has been amazing the last few days. Folks targeting fall chinook have been having great success trolling as well as anchoring. A majority of those that are trolling have been using 360 flashers with either small size 3.5 spinners, Brads Super Baits, Brads Cut Plugs or a Yakima Bait Spin-n-Glo. These fishermen are predominantly targeting chinook on the incoming tide, once the tide switches a good portion of the fleet are dropping the anchor and fishing wobblers or spinners. Both tides have been producing fish, it is mainly your preferred way of targeting these fish that determines what time you need to show up to the launch. The closer you get to Bonneville Dam the tactics typically change a little bit. While trolling the 360 flashers as mentioned above is still preferred by most, some prefer to anchor or backtroll Kwikfish typically in sizes 15 or 16. The current can really get ripping up there so bring your “A” game. Once above Bonneville a lot of fishermen will start to target the mouths of tributaries, while some will continue to troll others will be hover fishing bait. Having good bait is a must in these fisheries and having a variety of scents can really pay off. Within the next few weeks there will be plenty of coho around to target. They will readily bite spinners and Super Baits fished behind 360 flashers, as well as bait. These fish can come into the river in big pushes and the action can be fast and furious. From the mouth of the Cowlitz all the way to Bonneville Dam can be productive when targeting coho. Tillamook has started to fish better the last few days as well. Fish are being caught consistently from the bubble, just outside the jaws, up to the Ghost Hole. Most fish have been caught on herring, but as more fish begin to push into the upper bay the spinner bite will start to take off. Local trout fishing has begun to improve with the cooler evenings, as the water temperatures start to drop in the lakes the trout will start to bite better. Bait will still be one of the most productive techniques, however, small flatfish, Rooster Tails or a slow trolled fly will also produce well. The recent rains and snow in higher elevations, should help the archery hunters in the field for the final weekend of Oregon general bow season which runs through Sunday Sept 24th. It is also going to help the rifle hunters heading into the field for the buck opener on September 30th. As always be sure to check your local regulations and be safe out there.