Category: Fishing Reports

  • 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…

  • What’s up with Sturgeon in the Lower Columbia

    What’s up with Sturgeon in the Lower Columbia

    I’ll admit it, I was a late bloomer when it came to sturgeon fishing. I had unsuccessfully tried fishing for them on the Rogue when I was a teenager. I eventually became too distracted by other things and moved on. Sturgeon fishing in Oregon eventually shut down almost everywhere. The few limited retention days that…

  • What I plan to fish for in Astoria in 2026

    What I plan to fish for in Astoria in 2026

    2026 is looking like it will be another good year for fishing near Astoria. Salmon, Sturgeon and Ling Cod all have good prospects. Here’s what I’m planning to fish for and when. I also announce an exciting new way for you to bring your memories home!

  • Fall Coho: An Early Thanksgiving on the Columbia

    Fall Coho: An Early Thanksgiving on the Columbia

    Yesterday’s trip was a great reminder of how amazing fall fishing can be. We left the dock from Hammond at 7 and the clouds were getting light. The water was relatively calm, but a cool wind coming from the southeast kept things chilly. It was definitely October. I double checked the bar report. After getting…

  • Buoy 10 Surprises and More to Come!

    Buoy 10 Surprises and More to Come!

    The fish are still in Astoria and the Buoy 10 surprises keep on coming! Chinook Retention ends on the 6th but the Coho encore is about to start. The soft tides have shifted the bite away from the mouth of the river and up towards Tongue Point. That’s where we picked up this beautiful 20lb…

  • Smoked Salmon when the fishing is smoking hot!

    Smoked Salmon when the fishing is smoking hot!

    The ocean fishing has been awesome this year. Buoy 10 is firing up. This means one thing: Smoked Salmon time! We now have two people consistently bringing home limits, and the fridge was getting full. It was time to mix up some brine and start up the smoker. With the freezers already near bursting, I…

  • Buoy 10 and Beyond

    Buoy 10 and Beyond

    We had a fun non-traditional day on the Buoy 10 opener!