Guided Fishing Trip Frequently Asked Questions

Spring Chinook Salmon begin to enter the Columbia near Astoria in March. each year. The best time to target them in our area is from mid-April to mid-May. I offer Spring Chinook trips beginning in April.

Summer Chinook start coming into the Columbia River near Astoria in June. The seasons can be limited depending on the year’s run size. I typically fish for them as part of my Spring Salmon trips. We also catch Summer run Chinook during our Summer Ocean Salmon fishing.

The best time to fish for Ling Cod and Rock Fish in Astoria is in April, May, and June. Ling Cod are also generally available in July but we may need to travel farther to catch them. We do need good weather to fish in the ocean. You should plan on having flexible plans, especially if you are planning on fishing earlier in the year.

May and June are the best times to fish for Sturgeon near Astoria. Later in the summer the sturgeon move lower in the estuary and the population of crab and sculpins increases. These creatures steal bait and make it harder to catch sturgeon.

Coho Salmon fishing usually opens up in the Ocean near Astoria in July. They are usually quite plentiful from the beginning. It is not uncommon to have boat limits within a couple of hours. The fish tend to be smaller at this point, however they can approach 10 lbs by the end of July. Coho begin to enter the mouth of the Columbia in August. The peak fishing for the largest Coho happens in September and October. Coho are part of the extended Buoy 10 Salmon Season.

The local tradition says that crabbing is always best in months that end with “R” . This is when the crab are the most plentiful. This is also when they are likely to have the most meat in them. Crabbing can be done year round and we commonly catch keeper crab in combination with other ocean trips.

The Buoy 10 Salmon fishing season in Astoria starts on August 1st. The first week is usually very good. Many of the Chinook will be of the Tule variety during this time. These fish are very fun to catch and generally provide the hardest fights. Their eating quality is not as high as Upriver Bright fish caught later in the season. Strong runs of both Upriver Bright Chinook and Coho are present starting the third week of August. This generally kicks off the best time for Buoy 10 fishing. The season for Chinook usually ends after Labor Day weekend. Coho Salmon fishing is usually good through mid-October. and this is a great time to avoid the crowds.

Yes! Being there when someone catches that first fish is one of the best parts of being a guide. There are some restrictions though. Children must be a minimum of 33lbs in weight so that they fit in the life jackets. Additionally, please provide notification ahead of time so that the proper size life jacket can be provided. Children are required to have adult supervision on board with them.

For trips where the boat is not fully booked, well trained pets can be brought on board. If bringing a pet onboard you should be aware of the following rules

1. You must check in advance to determine if there is room for your pet onboard.
2. You are responsible for your pet’s behavior. If your pet causes a safety risk, we may return to port. If you do not have someone to care for your pet and cannot continue, you will not be refunded for the cost of the trip. Do not leave pets unattended in vehicles at the port. If your guide becomes aware that you intend to leave a pet unattended in a vehicle you may be left with your pet and not given a refund.
3. Fishing trips pose a risk of injury to pets. This can come from being snagged by hooks, swallowing baits with hooks in them, or becoming ill from eating bait or raw fish. Salmon and trout can carry a parasite that can cause dogs to become seriously ill or even die. Veterinary treatment for salmon poisoning or other injuries can be expensive. River Wanderer LLC cannot accept responsibility for this risk and you take it on your own.
4. You will be responsible for bringing any cleanup supplies and managing any messes or “presents” left by your pet on the deck.
5. You will be responsible for repairing any damage or replacing any equipment destroyed by your pet.

Service animals are allowed, and are limited to dogs and miniature horses. Service animals must meet federal ADA requirements (the animal must perform a task that supports the individual with the disability. That task cannot simply be the mere presence of the animal). If your animal is an emotional support animal, please see the policy for pets in the section above. Please notify us ahead of time if you are bringing a service animal so that we can make sure to be prepared to accommodate your needs. Service animals cannot pose a risk to the safety or operation of the vessel, crew, or passengers.

Please call to discuss what your specific challenges are. Some common accommodations are using a step stool to help you get in and out of the boat as well as arranging your fishing gear so that you can fish while seated. Unfortunately at this time there is not a guaranteed way to lift someone from a wheelchair into the boat, however your guide will be happy to do their best to assist a caretaker or other assistant in order to help you access a trip

If you have any medical issue which impairs your ability to stand on a boat please let your guide know. For many of our trips we can experience a lot of rocking so you may need to be assigned a spot that allows you to reel in a fish while seated

Alcohol is not allowed on board.

You may, however if your smoking device generates butts or other waste you will need to bring an appropriate container to store them in. You will also need to smoke on the downwind end of the boat so that the vapors, smoke or ashes do not impact others around you. Smoking is not allowed in any enclosed areas of the boat.

No. I am required to comply with federal regulations. These prohibit the possession or use of marijuana or any other federally prohibited substance while on board.

Absolutely! This is encouraged. Please be respectful of others who may have allergies. Any food will need to be cooked ahead of time.

You can bring a backpack for snacks, extra clothing, etc. Everything you bring should fit into a backpack approximately the size of one you would send a child to school with. Waterproof bags are recommended. Inexpensive and durable ones can be found on Amazon

Depending on the time of year, the boat may be equipped with a covered top and propane heater. This is typically through the months of October through May. Please verify ahead of time, however you should always dress for the weather.

There is limited ability to charge phones onboard, you may need to share the charging port with others

The boat carries first aid supplies in case of an emergency. There is also a able blanket if you get seriously cold. It is strongly recommended that you dress appropriately for the weather. Please bring your own supplies if you experience a condition that requires regular treatment such as diabetes. If you experience a medical emergency that cannot be resolved on the water I will provide appropriate first aid and return you to port.

A hand urinal is provided for those who can take care of business standing up. A bucket toilet and wipes are provided if you need to sit down. Please be aware that there is minimal to no privacy on board due to the size of the boat.

This can happen to the best of us. Meclizine (also called non-drowsy Dramamine™) is one of the more effective medications,. You should take it one hour before you depart. Have an additional dose available in case you get nauseous during your trip. In a worst case scenario you may be returned to port. If a return to port would significantly disrupt the trip for others on the boat, I may choose to continue the trip.

Yes! The following groups can access discount on their trip. Make sure to either bring or send a copy of your documentation ahead of time.

Veterans/Active Duty military and their dependents – 10% discount (Active Duty ID card, DD-214, VA medical card, VA benefits letter, CHAMPVA insurance card)

Members of Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) – 10% (Copy of Membership confirmation)

Foster Children – 1 free seat when a parent books a seat (Copy of current placement letter)

Disabled veterans should contact The Fallen Outdoors.

Every Child Oregon provides a resource request page for foster kids at

Your guide will notify you as soon as possible and give you the opportunity to re-book or receive a refund of your deposit. We cannot refund travel related expenses that you may have incurred.

I will do what I can to put you on fish. Fish are wild animals and do not listen to me (although I’m pretty good at figuring out what they want). We’ve tried to talk to them and you’d have better luck talking to a teenager with noise cancelling headphones on. What your trip provides is the opportunity to catch fish if the fish are willing to bite.

You are responsible for ensuring that you follow all federal and state laws and regulations. This includes laws that prohibit littering, polluting waterways, and harassing wildlife. You are also responsible for following all fishing regulations for the area that you are fishing in. If you intentionally violate the law you will be the one that receives and pays for the ticket. Fishing regulations can change on a daily basis. You should review the regulations at wdfw.wa.gov and myodfw.com. If you have a question about a regulation, each of these states has a hotline that lets you call and get your questions answered for free. I will operate under my understanding of the most current regulations. With that said, I am not a lawyer and cannot give legal advice.

Intentional violation of the law will result in the ending of your trip and you being returned to port without a refund. Insistence on retention of fish or shellfish that are not legal to retain will result in relevant wildlife authorities being notified.

Accidents happen. A big fish can break a pole, gear can get snagged and lost, sometimes things fall overboard. You are not responsible for any accidental loss or damage to equipment being used for the purpose of fishing. If you intentionally damage, destroy, or lose equipment you will be responsible for replacing that equipment.

You can be denied boarding or future booking if I judge that you are likely to pose a risk to the safety and operation of the vessel, others, or yourself. Willful destruction of equipment, harming others, or making realistic threats against others will result in being denied future booking.