News — Information & Reports

Why Salmon & Steelhead Are Disappearing | Part 2 - Dams

Posted March 22, 2017

Hydroelectric DamsPerhaps the most definitive barrier to fish migration and spawning is an actual barrier. Hydroelectric dams are beneficial to human development, but devastating to fish populations. Many dams have been built with zero allowances for fish passage. This completely cuts off all spawning and rearing habitat above the dam and changes the natural flow and substrate distribution of a river.Some dams upstream in the Columbia River did not have fish passage. This destroyed populations such as the famous "June-Hog" Chinook Salmon that migrated to the upper reaches of the Columbia. These fish were genetically built and adapted so that they...

Why Salmon & Steelhead are Disappearing - Part I - Spawning Streams

Posted March 18, 2017

There are so many hurdles facing salmon and steelhead, it's a wonder there are any left. Though they are a resilient species, they are not invincible. History shows us that great abundance was the norm before fish populations started getting decimated, river by river.Photo : Jon Mueller This is Part I in a series that will detail multiple factors.All photos used by permission submitted by members of the Fishing Addicts FB GroupLewis and Clark talked about the great salmon runs they encountered when headed west. There was talk of the fish being so thick that you could walk across the...

What's Happening in 2017 for Spring Chinook | Forecast

Posted February 17, 2017

The 2017 Spring Chinook Season Predications/Forecast in Columbia RiverThe Columbia River Spring Chinook Run is likely the most anticipated fishery in the Columbia River basin. Though the fall fishery usually has much higher numbers bound for many more rivers, the famous "Springer" is the most delicious of salmon, arguably in the world. Spring chinook also stay bright for much longer than their fall counterparts, based on the fact that they are meant to stay in the rivers for a much longer time before spawning. The first reported spring chinook was caught in mid-February this year. This is typical of the pilot...

Spring Chinook Secrets! FISHING SEMINAR

Posted February 23, 2016

Northwest Anglers ConventionUp your catch rate - hone your program.March 5th & 6thBuy tickets now - nwanglersconvention.com A much anticipated event - this seminar in Portland Oregon is a meeting of the minds on Spring Chinook tactics. As a guest of the seminar you will receive a grab-bag loaded with sponsor gifts and discounts. As a listener you will gain access to the many key elements that go into a successful spring chinook fishing trip. Each presenter will be discussing specific factors on bait & lure usage as well as giving crucial information on where to find the fish. They...

Chinook Fishing | "How To" Properly Tune A Salmon Plug By Brad's Killer Fishing Gear

Posted February 10, 2015

Tuning A Salmon Plug for Chinook salmon can be effective in the fall and the spring season. This awesome info graphic by Brad's Fishing shows you how to properly tune a plug and the different methods to use when fishing one of these plugs for Chinook. Read through the info graphic and feel free to comment if you have any questions.

Epic 2014 Fall Coho Returns | By the Numbers

Posted December 03, 2014

The Fall of 2014 has produced some of the best Coho Salmon fishing in recent years for Columbia River and OR/WA Coastal anglers. In todays guest article, author Kevin Gray gives an overview of 2014's coho run. Guide/Author Kevin Gray with a Client SW Washington Tributaries - Hatchery Trap CountsCowlitz: 49,909 adultsKalama: 21,588 adultsLewis: 43,967 adultsNW Oregon Tributaries & Columbia River - Hatchery Trap Counts and Dam CountsBig Creek: 18,278 adults (Highest return since 1967!)Eagle Creek: 14,525 adultsN.Fork Dam (Clackamas): 7,350 adultsSandy: 14,024 adults Bonneville Hatchery: 21,108 adultsBonneville Dam: 277,217 adultsWillamette Falls: 17,908 adultsHow do these numbers compare to last year?...