by David Johnson

It started back in late August and early September.  The first of this year’s fall Chinook started to trickle into Tillamook Bay.  So did the anglers.

And now it’s the first of October.  The ground swell that’s been building in this fishery is about to break.

For years Tillamook has been known for its outstanding runs of salmon and as well as it’s trophy Chinook known as “Hogs”.

Since Tillamook Bay is also the second largest bay on the Oregon coast it has a lot of different locations to fish and with them lots of different techniques to use.  This is what I like about fishing it.

The most popular thing in the shallow upper bay is trolling spinners but bait wrapped salmon plugs can be deadly when fished on a strong flood tide.

Mid way through the bay spinners are still used but some prefer to use herring as well.  The Bay City piling is the most popular but there are also smaller pockets and channels that hold fish in this area.

In the lower bay, including the Ghost Hole, Coast Guard Hole and along the N jetty, herring can be seen on the end of almost every body’s line.  I love to fish with herring; cut plugging them is my specialty.

And there are the tidewater sections of the rivers who feed Tillamook Bay.  The Trask and Tillamook Rivers have the most access and are the most popular.  Boats troll spinners, anchor fish with bait wrapped plugs or cast slip bobber rigs baited with shrimp and salmon eggs.  Bank anglers also cast bobber and eggs.

Fishing in these areas will continue all through October and into November.  Once we get enough rain for the water levels in the rivers to raise these fish will move inland.

Bank anglers and drift boaters will show up in force to follow these fish.  Again, eggs and bait wrapped plugs will be deployed.  Expect Chinook to continue to return to the rives through December.

David Johnson is a renowned Northwest fishing guide. To book a trip with Dave call 503-201-4292 or visit Dave at www.davidjohnsonfishing.com