My Grandpa and I both just got boats, though they're a little different. He has a 28' Bayliner and I have a 14' aluminum boat. Neither of us have taken our boats out yet. We both want to go salmon fishing. Could I get any tips and pointers on how to fish the Columbia for salmon? What kind of gear is needed?
Thanks,
Joe

Tons of good info over on the salmon/steelhead board. Check it out!!

Tip number one. Get a bigger boat.
I have seen waves half the size of your boat.

Dear Fishboy5

There are alot of options here. The 14' will work for Spring chinook at Cathlamet on slack tides in Clifton Channel trolling large plug cut herring (blue pack) w/4/0 - 5/0 hooks on 20# leader attached to a slider and a 18" drop w/5oz ball. When the tide picks up you have to zig zag the channel. I know this may sound somewhat technical so I'd suggest a simple red magwort w/ 40' of line out at Drano Lake w/your 14' (during the week) after April 15th or when the Bonneville Spring chinook count hits over 1,200 a day (late April or May).

Now, about that Bayliner, August 1st or thereafter (check w/WDFW) go for the Wally World of Salmon Fisheries--------Buoy 10! Nah, only pulling your line.......launch at Chinook and fish Baker Bay (inside of Buoy 10). It will be good (or at least that's what WDFW is forcasting for the Chinook fishery). The technique here is best learned by simply getting a good guide. A good guide can really show you the ropes. I suggest you talk to Bob (our Webmaster here) for references.

The aforementioned are only a couple options that come to mind. The Columbia River fishery for salmon, sturgeon, shad, walleye are limit less. Go out there and enjoy and be safe!

5000D

Thanks a lot 5000D. I'll definately try to get up to Kathlamet.
What does your name mean, anyway?

A 5000D was a fairly simple, straight forward direct drive reel (kinda like me)that was manufactured in the early to mid - 70's by Garcia. I have several of 'em and use them exclusively for steelhead.

Fishboy5 as far as information on the Columbia I'd look at both the salmon/steelhead page as well as Ifish.net. Both have lots of recent reports and tips on what you're looking for. Also, I fished the whole South sound area from age 15 to early 20s out a 12 footer. I wished I had something bigger, but I didn't. I just kept my eye on the weather and watched out for waves. It always seems to shut em up when you're bringin' in the fish anyway.