2011 Columbia River Fall Chinook Preseason Forecast!!

[Salmonhawk]

Sharpen your hooks, change the line on your reels, and hold on, it's going to be a great year! Read all about it.

http://blog.theoutdoorline.com/post/201 ... sts!!.aspx

I've got a legislative update in there for you as well.

[Nelly]

Huge numbers of huge chinook! It's gonna be....Great!!!

[Bod]

Thats great news. I'm going to do my best to stop as many as I can before they past our neck of the woods

[NW Fishing Guides]

Buoy 10 should be off the hook this year can't wait.

[Dan Carney]

Buoy 10 should be off the hook this year can't wait.

I haven't fished the lower C river before, I usually fish around the mouth of the Deschutes. Last year in the fall wasn't so good and I am looking to move lower. As I do my research, I have been looking at using the Willow Grove launch near Long Beach, and staying in the Willow Grove campground just up the street.
Any Comments on this area? I have been looking at NOAA charts of the river, and trying to get prepared. Any comments on how good this area is and what the best time might be?
Thanks.
Dan

[FatBear]

I know most of the fish have gone past the dams (it is October 19th, 2011) but I'm wondering if there is still a chance in the St. Helens area? ODF says they are seeing 0.5 fish per boat between Longview and Portland. My 81 year old dad would like to give it a try, but we're stuck going out of Scappoose because that's where my boat is moored. St Helens is closer/easier, but we could also go down to the mainstem Willamette and up to the Columbia. He's not up to a longer trip than that. Can anyone recommend a good place to give it a try in either of those areas?

Thanks.

[Nelly]

Hey 'bear,
There is still chinook opportunity up at Bonneville and in the Hanford Reach. Lower Columbia... not so much.
You'll see coho staging of the mouth of the Klickitat and lower tribs as well such as the Cowlitz and Lewis.
Good luck fishin' with your dad!
By the way, great screen name!!!