On Oregon’s N. Central Coast the prized “SPRING KINGS” start to show there shine bright selves in the later part of April and by the middle part of May there numbers are usually really starting to increase on most coastal streams. The run holds strong through the month of June with a few summer fish still showing into the month of July. The average size of the hatchery stock is around 20lbs. with the native stock reaching the 40lb. class. What an incredible fishery it is with lots of warm conditions and lots of fun rod bending action!!

With the fall Chinooks showing in the lower tidal regions in the month of August in some of the coastal watersheds, the season really starts to heat up after Labor Day weekend when the “BIG NOOKS” start nesting in the estuaries. They will hold here until the first fall rains come and the rivers rise. These fish will be the first part of the fall salmon migration. Then as these rains continue throughout the fall the fish will continue to filter in from the Pacific Ocean moving swiftly through the tidal region as they will head straight to the upper reaches of the river where they will partner up and begin to spawn in the reds. These salmon will then die after they have spawned and their remains will add to the system to nourish the other river organisms.

The techniques I use to target these fish are bobber fishing and plug fishing.