A typical Sandy River springer caught with guide Josh Leach (www.guidejoshleach.com)
Though the summer’s flying by, it’s not too late to catch Spring Chinook. Oregon’s Sandy River looks like a good place to be in the upcoming weeks as a healthy return of spring kings is expected.
“We have a good return of spring Chinook this year and fishing conditions are excellent,” said Todd Alsbury, fish biologist for ODFW’s North Willamette Watershed District. Alsbury said an estimated 6,000 spring chinook are expected to return to the Sandy River basin this year and many are still yet to arrive. Of the total, approximately 4,000 are hatchery fish, identified by clipped adipose fins, and are available for harvest. Wild fish must be immediately released unharmed under state fishing regulations.
The Sandy is open for fishing from its confluence with the Columbia near Troutdale approximately 35 miles upstream with its confluence with the Salmon River near Brightwood. Public access to the river is available at the following locations:
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Buddy Shaw jetted up the Clearwater River from Lewiston, ID last Wednesday with his 4-year-old son and they teamed up for this sweet 26-pound spring Chinook.
Buddy said that he got his plunking rig (a Spin-N-Glo and a tuna ball) out into the water and then had to help Jr. with the Call of Nature in the woods. When they came back, the rod was pegged and he set up on the nice king. After a 20-minute battle, dad realized that he was going to have a tough time fighting and netting the fish at the same time so he talked the little man through the process. Obviously, the kid did a great job!
Good stuff!
For his efforts, Buddy is entered into our Hawg of the Month of the Contest, in which he has a shot at winning some Pautzke’s gear. Should he advance to the Hawg Bowl Playoffs later this year, Buddy could win a fishing trip for two with Bill Swanny Swann of Swanny’s Fishing. For his work with the net, Jr. better be invited on that trip!
HSU's in da house!
Though spring Chinook salmon fishing on the Columbia River has been a bit spotty of late due to stained water conditions, Craig Hultgren of Kelso, Washington (and fellow Humboldt State grad) was able to put this fine piece of barbecue fodder in the box recently.
Craig is now entered into our March Hawg of the Month Contest in which he has a chance to win some cool new headgear from the
Pautzke Bait Co. If he advances, he will get to compete in the Hawg Bowl Playoffs at the end of the year and maybe, just maybe win a trip with Bill Swann of
Swanny’s Guided Fishing. Click to
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There are springers in the Columbia...let the games begin!
The arrival of spring Chinook salmon in the Columbia River is one of the most eagerly anticipated events of the year in the Pacific Northwest. While it’s early yet, there are definitely some fish around, as proven by this one caught Weds near I-5 by Buzz Ramsey (r) and friend/guide Eric Linde.
They hooked a second fish, too, but it was grabbed by a marauding sea lion. Both fish were hooked using a Fish Flash (chartreuse) and plug-cut herring combination on the downstream troll.
by JD on February 2, 2010
The first of (hopefully) many!
There’s always a race to be the one to catch the first Chinook salmon of the year on the Columbia River…and, well, guys…hate to break it to ya, but you’re too late. This 16-pound hatchery king was taken Feb. 1 while trolling downstream with a green label cut-plug herring with Larry Kesch Jr. of Hook’Em Up Guide Service. [click to continue…]
