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Fishing Guide in NW Oregon: Steelhead, Chinook, Sturgeon

Month: May 2015

Final May Update

It’s been a  couple of weeks since my last update, so I thought I’d share….

Spent last weekend in Rockaway Oregon and got to fish a day on Tillamook Bay fishing for springers as well as crabbing with the kids.  Started the day out fishing  by myself and headed right for the backside of the south jetty.  Didn’t seen a fish hooked and didn’t mark much so I headed out to a little deeper water and finally marked a fish and it instantly started to chew on my plug cut herring.  This fish fought like a 30lbs fish and only ended up being around 15lbs.  You gotta love springers in the ocean!  Ocean started to lump up so I headed inside of Tillamook Bay and started fishing along the north jetty.  Tide was running out hard, so trolled with the tide and nailed my second fish, which weighed close to 20lbs.  Again, fought like a beast…  Tip when fishing by yourself, PATIENCE……  It’s hard enough to net a fish for someone else, so when you’re by yourself you better have that fish worn out before you even think of netting it.

Crabbing was slow inside the bay and we just threw rings to keep the kids busy.  They had a great time and only one pinch drew blood, ha!!

Fished closer to Portland, Oregon yesterday with two buddies and we put on a clinic hooking 10 spring chinooks and putting 6 in the boat!  Fishing has been great, now I just need to start putting customers in the boat.  It’s been frustrating with fishing this good….  Tip for this time of year with the water temp in the mid 60s, troll faster than normal.  These fish are active and trolling fast really helps trigger a reaction…

What’s upcoming???  June catch and release sturgeon in Astoria.  I know, you don’t get to take meat home, but you have to trust me when I say hooking these hard fighters one after another will quickly make you forget all about not taking meat home.  I’ll bring the bbq out as well just to make sure you’re fed and have the energy…

Another option closer to Portland would be summer steelhead fishing on the Columbia.  These fish are aggressive and are incredible fighters.

And of course, the best for last….  Astoria fall chinooks and coho, aka Buoy 10!  Seats will fill up quickly, so get ahold of me ASAP.

Until Next Time,

Todd Findlay

 

Spring Chinook Fishing Continues to Roll

May 17th

Went out springer fishing yesterday with Troy and what a great day!  We missed an early bite, however we continued to grind it out and had five chances and should have gone home with two limits.  The season is not over yet!  If you check out my Facebook site (facebook.com/findlaysguideservice) you’ll see pictures of our three keepers.  It’s interesting to see how these fish shut down and how a tide change can totally turn things around  to make you feel like you can’t get your bait in the water fast enough as the bite turns on.  I love the challenge of fishing for springers, due to the fact that you had better have things dialed in in order to be rewarded.

I started booking my first Buoy 10 trips last week and can’t wait for August!  With the third largest run of 900,000 fall chinooks forecasted this year make sure you don’t miss out and call me at 503-468-6353!  Oh yeah, lets not forget a massive coho run a well.

Before I end this week’s update if you’re interested in a great catch and release Astoria sturgeon fishery let me know.  These fish are big and aggressive, so make sure you’re ready to do battle.  These trips would make for a great Father’s Day gift…..

 

Thanks,

Todd Findlay

 

Great upcoming fisheries!

The 2015 spring chinook season continues to be strong with multiple chances each trip. If you don’t have the time to spend all day out on the water I do offer 1/2 day afternoon trips. It’s a great way to relax after a morning at work.
Upcoming fisheries to reserve your seats now include June/July catch and release sturgeon fishing. It’s a lot of fun fighting these fish in shallow water. Just make sure you’re ready to hook up all day long.
And right around the corner is the famous Buoy 10 fishery. These seats will go fast, so don’t wait to get the prime seats now. I’ll be down there every weekend starting in August thru September as well as an extended stay from 8/15 through 8/30.