Author: Jerad

  • Early Springers Are in the Books

    Early Springers Are in the Books

    The first early Columbia River Spring Chinook Season is now wrapped up and we’re waiting for an extension. While the rumor mill is flying, the biologists from ODFW, WDFW, and the treaty tribes will have the (almost) final word as part of the Columbia River Compact process. To say this was a tough early season…

  • Why I fish Astoria in the off-season

    Why I fish Astoria in the off-season

    Fishing in Astoria Oregon is extremely popular. Buoy 10 and ocean salmon fishing typically get the headlines. The popular and “famous” fisheries really only cover the months of July and August though. Fishing for 2 months of the year sounds really great to most people. It doesn’t make for a good business model as a…

  • Spring Chinook Have Arrived!

    Spring Chinook Have Arrived!

    After much waiting, the Springers are here. It was just me in the boat today when I tied up on my favorite wing dam. Brad’s Plugs were the ticket along with a wrap of tuna belly. This guy measured in at 28 1/4 inches according to the ODFW Fish checker. Not a bad start for…

  • Picking the right Astoria Oregon Fishing Trip

    Picking the right Astoria Oregon Fishing Trip

    How to Choose your Fishing Charter Trip Astoria is blessed with lots of great fishing options. In my charter service alone I offer trips for bottom fish, sturgeon and salmon both in the river and the ocean. Others offer trips for tuna, halibut and other deep water species. With so many options to choose from,…

  • How I fish: Sturgeon Fishing Tips

    How I fish: Sturgeon Fishing Tips

    In my fishing career I’ve had the opportunity to hear a lot of stories from other fishermen about their experiences. They often talk about how “they got wrecked” or “that fish hit like a freight train”. Usually those superlatives are used to describe the fight with prime specimens of more common species. Salmon, steelhead, trout,…

  • A local’s guide to fishing Buoy 10

    A local’s guide to fishing Buoy 10

    Buoy 10 Salmon fishing is one of the most exciting experiences on the Columbia River. The fall Chinook and Coho fuel up on bait before entering the river. Warmer river water clashing with cool ocean water pushes the hammer down on their throttle. Hundreds of thousands of salmon rush into the mouth of the Columbia…

  • Spring Chinook Fishing: A Classic Columbia River Experience

    Spring Chinook Fishing: A Classic Columbia River Experience

    My first fishing memory was on my grandpa’s boat on the Rogue River. He was the best fishing guide for Spring Chinook that a kid could ask for. On that hand-built plywood boat I learned the basics of what I still use today. That river was my classroom. He was the teacher. The subjects were…