[devonian]

Yesterday and today were absolutely dead.

We landed more fish on August 1st (3) than September 1st and 2nd combined.

I hope things turn around, soon.

 

[Bobber Downey Jr.]

Looks like we're not going to see a real cooldown until next week. I suspect things will remain a grind until at least that point. The fish are here, and in good numbers. They're being plenty cooperative down at B10. We just need this river water to drop a few more degrees and I'm not sure this week is going to be cool enough to do it.

 

[Jeffery]

I know river temps are up, though that doesn't explain the lack of interest from the salmons. 73 and even 74 degree temps weren't uncommon during August and early September over the last few years and the Dead Zone wasn't dead during that time.

 

[Stick'em]

The river is plugged with salmon. I beat dozens in the head with a one pound piece of lead this morning and couldn't get a sniff. Even made a couple extra passes. Not many boats up high and I know of only one fish boated. And it was a doozie URB by my fishing friend. Good work Ishie!!! Water temp bounced around 70.3 and 70.4. The 61 mud flat nailed a boat this morning but he was able to back out of the mess. And just so you know, the water is low. The Washougal Reef (Marker 49) has broken the surface in places. You might be mindful of that. Tomorrow is another day..

 

[jchris36]

The river is plugged with salmon. I beat dozens in the head with a one pound piece of lead this morning and couldn't get a sniff. Even made a couple extra passes. Not many boats up high and I know of only one fish boated. And it was a doozie URB by my fishing friend. Good work Ishie!!! Water temp bounced around 70.3 and 70.4. The 61 mud flat nailed a boat this morning but he was able to back out of the mess. And just so you know, the water is low. The Washougal Reef (Marker 49) has broken the surface in places. You might be mindful of that. Tomorrow is another day..

Are you saying you actually think you ran your lead into salmon, or is this hyperbole for how many fish you were marking under your boat?

 

[spey4steel]

Yeah, Dad's a little technologically challenged, and unfortunately his finger was in all three pictures he took despite me telling him beforehand to keep his fingers out of the lens. I had to use some 'eraser' feature to edit it out. It looks better than his finger, but still odd. Bummed me out, because otherwise it's a great picture.

Oh man, did not intend to take anything away from the photo! It's an awesome picture and a great fish. I thought you were attempting cover up a location with the backdrop edit, which I also totally respect given you mentioned you were getting fish away from the crowds. I did not think it was a finger removal edit! My mistake!!

I would normally now apologize for distracting from a report thread. But given how utterly dismal it has been, I will say you are all welcome for the pie-in-my-face distraction! 😂

 

[The Fall Guy]

Yesterday, 6am-1145am, Gleason down for a couple long passes. Two hours in I had a great chance but my mind and body weren't communicating properly and we lost a dandy at the boat. Picked ourselves back up and kept motoring away. Marks on the screen were consistent all morning. Back at it later this week.

 

[Stick'em]

In the est. ten mile section of river I fish, this morning was the fewest number of boats I’ve seen on it at this time of year in 20 years. Three passes for me and no bites. Plenty of fish around. They are on the move (see the dam count flatline). Water temp warmed from yesterday to est. 70.99 Grass was a PITA for me this morning. And #61 mud caught another boat this morning. Back at it in the morning.

 

[RiverJohn]

In the est. ten mile section of river I fish, this morning was the fewest number of boats I’ve seen on it at this time of year in 20 years. Three passes for me and no bites. Plenty of fish around. They are on the move (see the dam count flatline). Water temp warmed from yesterday to est. 70.99 Grass was a PITA for me this morning. And #61 mud caught another boat this morning. Back at it in the morning.

Same for us. I figured perhaps the warm temps? Saw very few boats and zero nets out.

 

[bfliflet]

Was out of CL Tuesday as I am sure quite a few others were. What I wanted to share was that I had no action until just around lunch. Pretty much all of the other boats had left when I spotted two fish surface within 30minutes. 10 minutes later rod tip went down around 1:30 on what was going to be my last pass of the day. Sadly, by myself and first trip of the season, I lost this hatchery king at the boat. It gave me too many chances. Need to shake the rust off my solo game. Only bite of the day but I thought it strange, all the fish activity had started in the early afternoon. Warm water effects?

 

[Larry K]

Was out of CL Tuesday as I am sure quite a few others were. What I wanted to share was that I had no action until just around lunch. Pretty much all of the other boats had left when I spotted two fish surface within 30minutes. 10 minutes later rod tip went down around 1:30 on what was going to be my last pass of the day. Sadly, by myself and first trip of the season, I lost this hatchery king at the boat. It gave me too many chances. Need to shake the rust off my solo game. Only bite of the day but I thought it strange, all the fish activity had started in the early afternoon. Warm water effects?

My bet is tide related. Low was at 11:30ish at the Sandy. If you pay attention to tides and bites you will see the pattern.
Two hours either side of a tide change is your friend.

 

[Bobber Downey Jr.]

My bet is tide related. Low was at 11:30ish at the Sandy. If you pay attention to tides and bites you will see the pattern.
Two hours either side of a tide change is your friend.

I'd typically agree. Hasn't produced for me like it should.

My effort has been admittedly light, but I always chase tide changes.

 

[InTheVault]

I find the best bite is usually around low tide slack

 

[Peter Linssen]

I started fishing at 10am (retired slacker with a freezer full of B10 salmon) and fished from I5 through Davis Bar and then bombed back to the RR bridge. Marked lots of non biters but got lucky just before going under the I5 bridge headed upstream about 2. A relative dink that escaped a sea lion.

 

[Gern Blanston]

Looks like we're not going to see a real cooldown until next week. I suspect things will remain a grind until at least that point. The fish are here, and in good numbers. They're being plenty cooperative down at B10. We just need this river water to drop a few more degrees and I'm not sure this week is going to be cool enough to do it.

It will cool down and there will be biters starting the 18th

 

[SteelheadDuck]

Water temp experts…

seems like it’s 72-73 now? Let’s say next week’s forecast comes true and we get 5 days of high of 75 and low of 58 with some rain for a few days. By end of next week would that drop the CR 2-3 degrees realistically? More?

 

[Denneroll]

Rooster Rock to Marker 50. No bites for 3 rods. Checker at ramp had 1 fish for 22 boats at 1:30. Some weeds, but very fishable.

 

[Gern Blanston]

Water temp experts…

seems like it’s 72-73 now? Let’s say next week’s forecast comes true and we get 5 days of high of 75 and low of 58 with some rain for a few days. By end of next week would that drop the CR 2-3 degrees realistically? More?

I think that is realistic and I'm counting on it.

 

[RodneyBenderfield]

9/3 - Davis Bar - 5pm to 7:30pm

2/3. All 3 in the last hour. She just destroyed them tonight. My rod was the miss. And her motto is “let em eat.” She doesn’t even move.

Starting to have some strong beliefs about tiny presentations. But then again, I am a complete moron.

 

[Wanabee]

So since there is a few people reading this thread who need some sort of optimism or realism or just something to read here's some facts to date.

Through 8/1 to 9/2 2025 cumulative chinook over Bonneville if I did the query right is 149 thousand and change.

Through 8/1 to 9/2 2024 cumulative chinook over Bonneville is 224 thousand and change.

So numbers are down from last year.

My theory on this is the thermal block down river held fish back. We'll see.... I base my optimism for better returns, on the original forecast for this year and reports downriver.

Oh and by the way the 10 year average for same time period above is 127 thousand and change.

I drove up and down the river today to play in a golf tournament in Hood River. I couldn't believe the lack of boats fishing. Speaks to the results.

Here's some positive things upcoming for this zone. When is shuts off downriver (assuming no reg changes) your going to start getting fish that haven't been beat on.

When the weather cools the river all good.

Regarding weeds avoid the hard outgoing. No guarantees.

I'll be fishing it. Last year we wacked in this time period. Good luck.