Épisodes

  • Winter Steelhead Bite Chilled on the Columbia and Willamette Arms

    Winter Steelhead Bite Chilled on the Columbia and Willamette Arms
    Jan 26 2026
    Hey folks, Artificial Lure here, your go-to guy for all things rod and reel on the mighty Columbia River around Portland. It's Monday morning, January 26th, 2026, and we're kickin' off with a chill in the air—cold snap hittin' hard after that winter storm blew through, leavin' waters clear and low, temps hoverin' in the low 30s with light winds from the east. NOAA tide predictions got low tide around 5:47 AM at 0.43 feet, high pushin' 8:45 PM, so fish the outgoing early and slack water for best bites. Sunrise fired up at 7:18 AM, sunset droppin' at 5:41 PM—plenty of daylight to chase 'em.

    Winter steelhead are the stars right now, but that cold, clear water's slowed the frenzy on the Columbia and Willamette arms, per theguidesforecast.com reports from Meldrum Bar. Still, locals pulled a handful of wild brights yesterday—hatchery clips too, 8-12 pounders mostly, with a few sturgeon stirrin' below Bonneville. Sturgeon limits hit quick, 10 tagged fish reported last week. Perch and walleye holdin' steady in the shallows, small catches of 1-3 pounders.

    For lures, go subtle: small spinners like Blue Fox #3 in silver or pink, or yarn flies drifted under a float—steelhead love 'em in this clarity. Jigs with maggots or prawn tails for perch. Bait-wise, fresh roe clusters or cured prawns rule for steelhead; nightcrawlers or shrimp for bottom feeders. Work the slower currents, 2-4 feet deep.

    Hot spots? Hit the Washington side near Beacon Rock for steelhead drifts, or Multnomah Channel sloughs for perch—less pressure, more action. Bundle up, watch for ice on ramps, and check regs.

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    2 min
  • Winter Bites on the Columbia: Sturgeon, Steelhead, and More

    Winter Bites on the Columbia: Sturgeon, Steelhead, and More
    Jan 25 2026
    Hey folks, this is Artificial Lure, your go-to guy for all things fishin' on the mighty Columbia River around Portland. It's Sunday mornin', January 25th, and we're lookin' at a classic winter setup out here.

    Tide-forecast.com has the scoop for Vancouver on the Columbia: low tide at 4:56 AM hittin' 0.6 feet, high at 10:34 AM pushin' 3.09 feet, then low again at 6:34 PM at 1.22 feet, and evenin' high at 10:57 PM at 2.08 feet. Fish the incomin' tide mid-mornin' when the current picks up—that's when the bite turns on. Sunrise at 7:39 AM, sunset 5:07 PM, givin' ya about 9.5 hours of light.

    Weather's comin' from National Weather Service: south winds around 15 knots near the bar, seas 12-13 feet with a chance of rain. Bundle up, stay safe if you're headin' seaward, but inside the river it's calmer—expect cloudy skies, temps in the low 40s.

    Fish activity's solid this time of year. Locals report steady catches of sturgeon and steelhead in the deep holes; a few shad still hangin' but windin' down. Last week's ODFW creel checks showed limits of starry flounder and perch from the banks near Portland, plus some nice coho jacks for the trollers. Amounts ain't huge—maybe 5-10 fish per rod for dedicated anglers—but quality over quantity.

    Best lures? Spin-N-Glo yarn spinners in pink or chartreuse for steelhead, or heavy jigheads with curly tail grubs for perch. Bait-wise, fresh prawn or cut herring for sturgeon, worms or sand shrimp for bottom dwellers. Troll slow at 1.5 mph.

    Hot spots: Try the drop-off below Bonneville Dam for steelies, or bank fish Cathedral Park for perch and flounder where the Willamette meets the Columbia.

    Get out there safe, measure twice before keepin' any.

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    2 min
  • Columbia River Fishing Report: Winter Steelhead, Tides, and Lures for Portland Area

    Columbia River Fishing Report: Winter Steelhead, Tides, and Lures for Portland Area
    Jan 24 2026
    Hey folks, this is Artificial Lure, your go-to guy for all things Columbia River fishin' right here around Portland. It's a crisp winter mornin' on the water today, with overcast skies hangin' low and winds light outta the southwest at 5-10 knots—perfect for keepin' things steady without freezin' ya out. Sunrise hit around 7:40 AM, sunset's callin' it at 5:06 PM, givin' us a solid 9+ hours of daylight to chase bites.

    Tides are playin' nice per Tide-Forecast.com: low around 5:50 AM at 1 foot, high at 9:59 AM pushin' 9 feet, droppin' back to low 6:43 PM at nearly 2 feet, then evenin' high at 10:17 PM near 7 feet. Fish the outgoing after that mornin' high for best drifts—currents'll pull your offerings right into the feedin' zones.

    Action's been quiet on the mainstem lately, like The Guide's Forecast reported January 22—no big runs of salmon or sturgeon yet, but winter steelhead are tricklin' in slow from the Willamette and lower tribs. Meldrum Bar plunkers nabbed a handful of hatchery steelies last week amid droppin' flows, and early birds on the Lewis and Elochoman are pullin' nice ones too. Chinook whispers from yesterday's Columbia River Fishing Update on Spreaker, but nothin' steady—patience is key this shoulder season. Limits? Nah, it's singles and doubles if you're dialed in.

    For lures, go with yarn balls tipped with shrimp or cured eggs under a float—steelhead can't resist 'em in this clear water. Spin-n-Glo's in chartreuse or pink are killin' it drifted deep, and small spinners like Mepps for swingin' banks. Live bait? Sand shrimp or nightcrawlers on a single hook for bottom bouncin'.

    Hot spots: Hit Meldrum Bar on the Willamette for plunkin' steelies, or slide down to the lower Columbia near St. Helens for tide-rippin' drifts. Bundle up, check regs, and stay safe out there.

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    2 min
  • Columbia River Fishing Update: Winter Steelhead, Chinook, and More

    Columbia River Fishing Update: Winter Steelhead, Chinook, and More
    Jan 23 2026
    # Columbia River Fishing Report – January 23rd

    Hey everyone, this is Artificial Lure with your Friday morning fishing update for the lower Columbia.

    **Tides and Conditions**

    Right now at the North Jetty, we're sitting at a high tide of 7.71 feet that hit early this morning around 3:28 AM. Low tide came in at 9:20 AM at 2.1 feet. If you're heading out to Vancouver or Portland, expect a high at 9:05 AM hitting 2.67 feet with another low around 4:20 PM. Sun's up at 7:41 this morning and sets at 5:04 PM, so you've got a decent window to work with.

    **What's Biting**

    According to the latest fishing reports, the mainstem has been pretty quiet mid-river, but don't sleep on the Lower Columbia tributaries. Gnat Creek and Big Creek are still producing solid numbers of hatchery winter steelhead right now. The Klaskanine hatchery has recycled fish downstream, and they're actively being caught. These runs are peaking, so if you want hatchery steelhead, now's the time.

    Down in the estuary, fall Chinook catches are going very well. Those fish are moving upstream and should hit the Portland reach within days. According to recent reports, early springer Chinook were spotted on the Lewis River too—still early season, but it's happening.

    **Best Tactics and Lures**

    With low flows and clear water right now, go light on your line and use dark colors. For steelhead, small spoons and spinners are enticing territorial bites in these conditions. Drift fishing with roe or shrimp near the bottom works for Chinook in deeper channels, while plunking with heavy weights and bait is solid from shore in slower pools.

    **Hot Spots**

    Target the **Lower Columbia below I-5** for hatchery-marked Chinook and steelhead—that's your main open zone through March 31st. The **Big Creek and Gnat Creek systems** are your best bets for steelhead right now with fresh hatchery fish recycled downstream. Remember, wild salmon and steelhead must be released.

    Thanks for tuning in, and don't forget to subscribe for your next fishing forecast. This has been a Quiet Please production—for more, check out quietplease.ai.

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    2 min
  • Columbia River Fishing: Tides, Bites, and Hot Spots for a Solid Day on the Water

    Columbia River Fishing: Tides, Bites, and Hot Spots for a Solid Day on the Water
    Jan 21 2026
    # Columbia River Fishing Report – Wednesday Morning

    Hey folks, this is Artificial Lure coming to you live from the Pacific Northwest, and let me tell you, conditions are shaping up nicely for a solid day on the water.

    **Tidal Window**

    We're looking at a prime fishing window right now. The Columbia River entrance just saw a high tide at 2:30 AM, and we've got a low tide coming in at 7:54 AM. That mid-tide transition is when fish get aggressive, so if you're heading out this morning, you're timing it perfectly. Up at Vancouver on the Columbia, we've got another low at 3:07 AM and high tide at 7:53 AM. That activity keeps the fish feeding.

    **Light & Weather**

    Sunrise was at 7:43 AM, and we won't see sunset until 5:01 PM, giving us a solid nine-hour window. The ocean conditions can be hit or miss in January, but winter months typically deliver fantastic fishing if things cooperate—and based on recent reports, we're in good shape.

    **What's Biting**

    Bottom fishing for rock cod and ling cod is absolutely stellar right now. According to local guides, this is always open and typically excellent. Salmon fishing has been outstanding too—coho have been running big and strong. If you're into crabs, word from the docks is that limits are being pulled consistently.

    **Your Arsenal**

    Bring live bait if you can get it—salmon carcasses have been working magic for crab, and fresh herring or sand eels will get the bottom dwellers interested. For salmon, go with smaller spoons and plugs that mimic baitfish. Don't sleep on jigging for ling cod either—they'll hammer artificials in the current breaks.

    **Hot Spots**

    Target the deeper channels near the Columbia River entrance where current flows hard. The North Jetty area around the entrance is producing consistently. If you're inland, stick closer to Vancouver where those tidal movements concentrate fish in predictable zones.

    Thanks for tuning in, and please subscribe for daily reports. This has been Artificial Lure, a Quiet Please production. For more, check out quietplease.ai.

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    2 min
  • Winter Fishing on the Columbia River - Sturgeon, Walleye, and Steelhead Bites

    Winter Fishing on the Columbia River - Sturgeon, Walleye, and Steelhead Bites
    Jan 19 2026
    Hey folks, this is Artificial Lure, your go-to guy for all things fishing on the mighty Columbia River around Portland. It's Monday morning, January 19th, 2026, and we're lookin' at a solid day to wet a line despite the winter chill.

    Sunrise hits at 7:44 AM, sunset around 4:59 PM, givin' us about 9 hours of light. Tides on the Willamette River arm of the Columbia are fishin' friendly: low at 3:27 AM (-0.3 ft), high 7:22 AM (7.8-7.9 ft), low 3:13 PM (3.5-3.6 ft), and high 6:19 PM (9.2-9.3 ft), per Tides.net and MyForecast data. Fish bite windows peak around those highs—hit 'em from 6-8 AM and 2-4 PM, like FishingReminder suggests for nearby Oregon City.

    Weather's typical PNW winter: expect cloudy skies, temps in the low 40s, light winds, and maybe some drizzle near the river mouth where waves are runnin' 4 ft according to USHarbors. Bundle up!

    Fish activity's steady for winter. Sturgeon are holdin' in the deeper holes, with recent reports of keepers up to 5-6 ft caught on sand shrimp or cut bait near Bonneville Dam. Walleye are active too, limits comin' in on nightcrawlers or small jigs. Steelhead runs are pickin' up in the tributaries—anglers pulled a few hatchery fish on yarn and roe. Salmon? Mostly done, but watch for stray kokanee, though low water risks upstream got folks cautious after that Green Peter mess last year. No big hauls reported this week, but consistent 10-20 fish days for bank boys.

    Best lures: Go with **Buzz Bomb spoons** or **Kwikfish divers** in chartreuse for steelhead; **1/4-oz jigheads with curly tail grubs** in white or green for walleye. Live bait shines—**sand shrimp** or **nightcrawlers** on a slip sinker rig for sturgeon, roe sacs for steelies.

    Hot spots: Cathedral Park under the St. Johns Bridge for easy access and current breaks, or Kelley Point Park where Columbia meets Willamette—prime for drifting bait.

    Get out there safe, check regs, and tight lines!

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    2 min
  • Columbia River Fishing Report: Winter Steelhead Surge, Outgoing Slack a Hot Bite

    Columbia River Fishing Report: Winter Steelhead Surge, Outgoing Slack a Hot Bite
    Jan 18 2026
    Hey folks, this is Artificial Lure comin' at ya with your Columbia River fishin' report for Sunday, January 18th around Portland. Water's still runnin' a bit high and colored from recent rains, but conditions are shapin' up nice accordin' to Mike Roberson at Fisherman's Marine in Oregon City. Sunrise hits at 7:44 AM, sunset's 4:57 PM, givin' ya about 9 hours of light.

    Tides today at Hammond on the Columbia show high at 1:19 AM (7.31 ft), low at 6:18 AM (4.08 ft), then high around 8.9 ft later—perfect for workin' the outgoing slack for steelhead. Weather's cool and overcast, mid-40s, light winds—bundle up but get out there.

    Winter steelhead action's surgin' statewide per The Guide's Forecast Oregon report from January 17th. Up and down the river, it's spotty but improvin', with fish pushin' up to Dog Creek already—plenty caught, though lots of wilds mixed in. Boat traffic's heavy with higher flows; sleds pullin' plugs at Coffee Hole and Riverside are hookin' 'em. Mag-Lip 3.5's are hot right now. Plunkers at Meldrum Bar on the Willamette nabbed some as it drops. Early spring Chinook? Still a unicorn, but eyes on the Willamette.

    Best lures: Mag-Lip 3.5 plugs, Spin-N-Glo setups, soft beads for bobber doggin' or side-driftin'. Bait-wise, roe cures and worms on jigs or bottom bouncers are killin' it—tip those jigs for stubborn fish.

    Hit these hot spots: Dog Creek for fresh steelies, and Meldrum Bar if you're bank-bound. Boat guys, troll Coffee Hole slow.

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    2 min
  • Columbia River Winter Steelhead Report - Jigs, Yarn, and Screamin' Lows [140 characters]

    Columbia River Winter Steelhead Report - Jigs, Yarn, and Screamin' Lows [140 characters]
    Jan 17 2026
    Hey folks, Artificial Lure here with your Columbia River fishing report for Saturday, January 17th around Portland. Winter's got her claws in deep—chilly days in the low 40s, overcast skies, light winds from the west, perfect for bundling up and chasing bites. Sunrise hits at 7:52 AM, sunset 4:59 PM, so get out early.

    Tides at Hammond on the Columbia show high at 12:41 AM at 7.09 feet, low 5:34 AM at 4.32 feet, high 11:29 AM at 8.79 feet, and a screamin' low 6:38 PM at -0.34 feet—Tide-Forecast.com nails it. Fish the outgoing tide hard, especially that evening minus low for steelhead staging up.

    Reports from yesterday's Columbia River Winter Steelhead episode say promising bites despite the cold—steelhead are keying in on jigs and yarn, with some fresh brights pushing through. Locals pulled a handful of 8-12 pound hens and bucks near the mouth, plus resident trout hitting small spinners. Sturgeon are sluggish but showing on sand shrimp below Bonneville.

    Best lures? Go Buzz Bombs in chartreuse or pink for steelhead, or blue Foxes—my go-tos in this murk. For bait, cured eggs or prawn tails on a bobber dog setup. Steelhead love 'em when water's 42-45 degrees.

    Hot spots: Try the Washougal riffles for swingin' flies, or Eagles Cliff holes for boat jiggin'. Bankies, hit Frenchman’s Bar on the outgoing.

    Stay safe out there, check regs. Thanks for tuning in—subscribe for daily updates! This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.

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    2 min