As of October 1, 2024, the Columbia River around Portland is gearing up for what promises to be an exceptional month of fishing. Here’s what you need to know to make the most of your day on the water.
### Conditions
- **Tide:** Today's tide cycle starts with a low tide at around 5:30 AM and a high tide at 11:30 AM. The tide will be low again by 5:30 PM, making the early morning and late afternoon prime times for fishing.
- **Weather:** Expect a mild day with temperatures ranging from the mid-50s to mid-60s Fahrenheit. There might be some light rain, which is typical for this time of year in the Pacific Northwest.
- **Sunrise and Sunset:** Sunrise is at 7:07 AM, and sunset will be at 6:33 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to fish.
### Fish Activity
The fall chinook run has been phenomenal this year, and while the chinook fishing is closed until October 13, the "B" run coho salmon are now entering the river. Yesterday, anglers were catching a good number of hatchery coho, especially in areas like Buoy 10 and the lower Columbia River up to the west end of Puget Island.
### Catch Reports
Yesterday saw a significant number of hatchery coho being caught, with many anglers limiting out on two coho per day. The fish are larger and more aggressive, making for exciting catches. There were 834 salmonid boats and 44 Oregon bank anglers counted from Bonneville Dam to Tongue Point, with many reporting successful catches.
### Best Lures and Bait
For coho salmon, using spinners, spoons, and plugs is highly effective. The Blue Fox Vibrax spinner and the Luhr-Jensen Krocodile spoon are local favorites. When it comes to bait, herring and anchovies are top choices, especially when used with a bobber or downrigger setup.
### Hot Spots
- **Buoy 10:** This area has been producing well, especially during the low slack tide. The estuary near the Astoria-Megler Bridge is a hotspot for coho and occasionally chinook.
- **West Puget Island to Warrior Rock:** This stretch of the river is now open for hatchery coho only and has seen a lot of activity in recent days.
With the perfect weather and the peak of the coho run, today is an excellent day to get out on the Columbia River. Make sure to check the latest regulations, as they can change, and enjoy the fantastic fishing that October has to offer.
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
