View Full Version : Tides in the Columbia
How do you figure out when the outgoing tide is going to be strong enough to make your lure work? All the standard internet tide charts don't seem to address the Portland area of the Columbia.
fish_on
08-31-2002, 07:28 PM
As long as the tide is not coming in there is enough current to make your lure work. in some cases even on incoming tide you can still get action.
Grits
08-31-2002, 07:29 PM
http://www.co-ops.nos.noaa.gov/tab2wc1b.html#133
Try this sight out. Tides for the Portland area in the Columbia plus the Willamette.
WheresMyBobber
08-31-2002, 07:32 PM
There are lots of places to find out the tides for the Columbia, (internet, coastal tide books, newspaper) but most of them require some adding or subtracting of time for different locations.
What I do every January is load up on the "pre-adjusted" tide books that are put out by the Assn. of Northwest Steelheaders for the areas I know I'll be fishing. I've found these to be very accurate over the years. They have adjusted tide books for MANY popular fishing locations, including the Portland area's of the Willamette and Columbia. Plus, the money goes to a good cause.
Go to GI Joes, or FM and pick up the book for Kelly Point Park. Using that book will dial you in for the mouth of the Willamette, and if you add an hour you'll be accurate for the Chinook Landing area.
fishbait
08-31-2002, 07:59 PM
Keep track of the total flow from bonnevile, it can affect the tide/flow in the kelly point area almost as much as the tides.......... soft tied + lots of flow = run out almost all day , get a book and keep your own adjustments....
Hogmaster
08-31-2002, 08:35 PM
Thanks to Husker,. I saved this one:
http://www.fishingworks.com/tide_prediction_interval.cfm
It is real purty and shows graphs and all!
Just be careful. The tides for Washougal are WRONG right now. A few weeks ago it was Ellsworth that was wrong. It seems the ocasionally decide one or the other is near Astoria. If you check a few surrounding spots you can tell if they have one goofed up because it will be hours different from the next closest one.
But as long as your lure is working, it is working! Just because the Alvin is barely wobblin' or the spinner is barely turning, don't think you can't catch fish. You can.
Once they stop it is time to pull anchor.
Thanks! Good info and good website too.