Any Columbia River salmon chasers?

[Antlershed]

A buddy and I fished the “horrific storm”  and went 0-4. Lost one at the boat, lost one to a Sea Lion, and had two other bites that didn’t stick.

[Blacklab]

99 salmon over the wall

[The Marquis]

First post. 

I'm actually just getting into Salmon fishing for the first time in my 38 years of life.  I'm quite excited, but I'm having difficulty navigating the particulars of bank fishing (I haven't a boat).  Any recommendations on bank fishing for salmon on the Columbia or tributaries in SW that anybody would be kind enough to share would be amazing.  I'm a true beginner to it, but have many years of experience fishing lakes.

[Ghost Hunter]

A buddy and I fished the “horrific storm”  and went 0-4. Lost one at the boat, lost one to a Sea Lion, and had two other bites that didn’t stick.

Did you save that for the fish counter?

[Blacklab]

That’s funny Ghost hunter 

[hike2hunt]

First post. 

I'm actually just getting into Salmon fishing for the first time in my 38 years of life.  I'm quite excited, but I'm having difficulty navigating the particulars of bank fishing (I haven't a boat).  Any recommendations on bank fishing for salmon on the Columbia or tributaries in SW that anybody would be kind enough to share would be amazing.  I'm a true beginner to it, but have many years of experience fishing lakes.

Plenty of places from Vancouver up to Woodland, Frenchman's Bar, the mouth of the Lewis, some of the state beach parks up on Dike rd near Woodland

[ASHQUACK]

First post. 

I'm actually just getting into Salmon fishing for the first time in my 38 years of life.  I'm quite excited, but I'm having difficulty navigating the particulars of bank fishing (I haven't a boat).  Any recommendations on bank fishing for salmon on the Columbia or tributaries in SW that anybody would be kind enough to share would be amazing.  I'm a true beginner to it, but have many years of experience fishing lakes.

There are tons of bank spots both on the Oregon side and Washington side. Most of the big river (Columbia) fishing is plunking. From what I see most guys are using a dropper with a spin and glo to bait or a wobbler. I also see guys plunking plugs just not as many. Another good place to go is the barrier dam on the Cowlitz. Lots of room and lots of guys fishing. You might want to take a day and just go watch and chat with a few guys before trying it though. There is a steep learning curve there.

[ASHQUACK]

Wooooohooooo, 1 more day to get after em. They announced a 1 day extension Sat the 14th. Get after boys!

[Mfowl]

Wooooohooooo, 1 more day to get after em. They announced a 1 day extension Sat the 14th. Get after boys!

See you all on Saturday! Get to the ramp early and good luck!

[Antlershed]

A buddy and I fished the “horrific storm”  and went 0-4. Lost one at the boat, lost one to a Sea Lion, and had two other bites that didn’t stick.

Did you save that for the fish counter?

What fish counter? Haven’t seen one of those in 5+ years where we launch on the Columbia.

But no, we tossed it overboard.

[WSU]

Fish head soup!

[ASHQUACK]

20 foot dark grey super vee with Yamaha 105 jet . Tall fat guy running the boat. Swing by and say hi if ya see me.

[The Marquis]

Thanks for the advice.  I have one follow up question, when starting out on the Columbia, would it be easier to start out plunking or drifting?  Are these even a decent way to go from the bank?  Thanks again.

[Mfowl]

Thanks for the advice.  I have one follow up question, when starting out on the Columbia, would it be easier to start out plunking or drifting?  Are these even a decent way to go from the bank?  Thanks again.

Plunking is the only way to salmon fish on the Columbia from shore at least below Bonneville Dam. Keep in mind that you cannot fish Oregon beaches with a Wa license. You can launch a boat in Oregon and fish the main stem of the Columbia with a Wa license but you need an Oregon license to fish from shore.