Columbia River and Oregon Coast Fall Chinook Salmon Fishing Guide
As a professional salmon fishing guide, I can tell you that nothing compares to catching large, bright salmon fresh out of the salt waters of the Pacific Ocean. Fall Chinook salmon are the largest of all the salmon we fish for in Oregon. As a result, catching a 30+ pound fall Chinook salmon is not uncommon. Beautiful early fall weather and fast action combine for very fun days on the river for everyone of all ages. Beginning in early September we target fresh Chinook and Coho salmon on the Columbia River from Astoria to St Helens, Oregon. Later in the season we’ll shift to the Tillamook area and fish the bays and lower river until the fall rains allow us upriver in the drift boat.
Columbia River Fall Chinook Fishing – Early Season
We begin our fall Chinook and Coho season on the Lower Columbia River just upriver of Astoria, Oregon in September. We’ll launch our boat from Clatskanie, Westport, and John Day County Park boat ramps at the beginning of the season. A large portion of the season we are fishing near Scappoose and Saint Helens, Oregon as fish migrate further upriver. This is especially nice for folks who live in or are visiting the Portland area since it’s very convenient fishing.
Oregon Coast Fall Chinook Fishing – Late Season
Around early October the Columbia River fall Chinook and Coho season starts winding down. We’ll then switch gears and head down the Oregon Coast to the Nehalem and Tillamook Estuaries. We’ll start off fishing in Tillamook Bay, Nehalem Bay, and tide water of the Nehalem, Trask, Wilson, and Tillamook Rivers. Once the fall rains arrive and the rivers swell with water we will chase the fish upriver with our custom built 18’ Willie aluminum drift boat.
How We Catch Fall Chinook and Coho Salmon
On the Columbia River anchor fishing and trolling are the techniques utilized the most during the Fall Chinook fishing season. When we troll Tillamook and Nehalem Bays we often use small baits of herring or anchovies and spinners. Bobber fishing, back bouncing and back trolling plugs are preferred fishing methods for upriver on the Wilson, Trask and Nehalem. Upriver fishing is a more hands-on approach for people who enjoy casting, having a fishing rod in their hand throughout the day and hooking their own fish.
Booking with a Fishing Guide for Fall Chinook and Coho Salmon
Our launch location, time, and hours on the water will be determined by many factors. The timing of tides, recent rain, current river levels, fishing conditions and reports all effect where we decide to fish on any given day. We will arrange where to meet and go over the plan for fishing a day or two before your trip. All you need to arrive with is your Oregon fishing license and species tags, layered clothing for all weather types and lunch and snacks for the day. We provide everything else you need to catch monster fish, such as, rods, reels, tackle, bait and safety equipment. We’ll even fillet and package your fish for you to take home and enjoy!
Fall Chinook Fishing Charters are Great for Everyone!
Taking our clients on a guided fishing trip is a memorable experience perfect for families, friends, and corporate outings. We accommodate up to 6 people in the early part of the season on our 22′ Wild River aluminum power boat. Likewise, our custom built 18′ Willie Drift Boat is comfortable to fish 2 people (3 if one guest is under 10 years old). Small children as young as 4 enjoy fishing the early parts of this season and drift boat fishing is more appropriate for older children 6 and up.
Remember booking a guided fishing trip several times a year costs much less than your typical boat ownership and gear investment. Save some cash!!
