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Columbia River Fishing Trips: Trophy Fishing at Its Best!
from: Maxx Sports GuidesCatching a 60 pound, 5 foot sturgeon is possible when enjoying a Columbia River fishing trip. So is hauling in a whipping fighting Steelhead or seeing your grandson lands his first American shad. So, what kind of fishing adventure are you looking for?
Columbia River fishing trips offer something for everyone, from the novice angler to the diehard fly fisherman.
The Columbia River's pristine fast-flowing waters wind over 1200 miles through North America's Pacific Northwest. Emptying into the Pacific Ocean, the Columbia has been the backdrop for several Hollywood movies including Free Willy, Maverick and Bend in the River with Jimmy Stewart.
The Columbia River, nicknamed the "Mighty Columbia," was cut by glacial action 10 thousand years ago, is the 4th largest river (by volume) in North America. In 1792, the river was named after the Columbia Rediviva, a ship sailed by fur trader, Captain Robert Gray.
Since then, the Columbia River has drawn the attention of many thousands of fishermen from all over the world. Attracted to the salmon and sturgeon fish populations, anglers on Columbia River fishing trips are also seeking walleye, steelhead and shad.
Fly fishermen flock in droves to the Columbia River from Memorial Day through June, when American shad, the "poor man's salmon," are running. Considered to be one of the world's best game fish because of its fight, anglers can land as many as 40 shad in a day.
Sand shrimp, fresh anchovies and smelt is the bait you'll need if you expect to land these wild fighting fish. One Columbia River fishing trip guide, Kevin Newell, describes fighting and hauling in an oversized 5-foot sturgeon, "is like using a fishing pole and reel to stop a Volkswagen as it's going 60 mph down the freeway."
Your best chance to land your first sturgeon? Time your visit to the Columbia River for May through early June out of Astoria, Oregon.
If it's Chinook salmon (large Chinook salmon) or King salmon you're after, head for Tillamook Bay on Oregon's North coast in the fall. Coho salmon run in July and August while the very tasty Spring Chinook salmon start their run in late January. However, the best time to fish Spring Chinook is mid-March to mid-May.
Many Columbia River fishing trips guide services are available, like the "Bite Me Guide Service" out of Keizer, Oregon or "Erik's World Class Fishing Adventures" that has been guiding for 3 generations on the Columbia.
Don't forget to ask about their guarantee. Columbia River fishing trips may offer a "fish catch" guarantee. Established fishing guides easily offer the guarantee since they know the Columbia waters, where the fish are, when they're running and how to catch them.
The veteran guides are pretty sure you won't need their guarantee, but it's there, just in case.
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