Columbia River springers spotty, but a few around
NW Outdoor Show: Segment 3 Columbia River Springer Report- As March progresses we should expect to see a few more springers being caught up and down the Columbia River. For the most part the bite has been spotty, but the guys putting in the time are running across a few fish.
Anglers in the lower Columbia around Puget Island and the Clifton Channel have been putting a few springers in the boat. This past week the fishermen that trolled down there did a bit better than the guys that hooked up to the pilings and fished plugs. The tides right now are pretty big, and that can make for a tough bite off the pilings. By the end of the week the tides will soften.
Surprisingly, fishermen are finding the fish a bit deeper than typical. Instead of locating springers in the usual 10 to 12 feet of water, a lot of guys are finding them as deep as 20 feet or more. This may have something to do with the current water temperatures. Those fish are seeking the areas where they feel comfortable.
Fishermen in the Longview area seemed to do a bit better than the folks downstream. It’s still not hot, but once again, a few fish are caught each day. Decent, but spotty is a good way to describe it. There are plenty of places from the Cowlitz to the Kalama that are good for intercepting spring Chinook.
With the conditions and weather as they are the Portland area should produce some springers this week. It should be a good time to hit the usual Portland hotspots, like Sauvie Island, the Davis Bar, and the I-5 reach.
Even though the bite has been deeper so far, it’s never a bad idea to look to shallow water when fishing for spring salmon. Strong flows and sometimes dirty water are a usual condition of spring, and although it isn’t too bad this year, all that current and color pushes the fish into shallow water. Once again, the fish are looking to stay comfortable, and the currents are less near shore.
Look for a decent Columbia springer bite in the Portland area this coming week.
For more, check out the show segment below.
Looking to do some fishing? Call me at 503.680.6809 or send me an email for more info or to book a trip.