The fishing season is off to a thrilling start with a major announcement and a remarkable catch!
The Columbia River spring chinook season is set to begin, with an extended duration compared to last year, exciting anglers across the region. But here's where it gets interesting: the first Willamette River spring chinook salmon of the year has already been caught, just a day before the season's approval!
On February 19, 2026, Oregon and Washington authorities approved an early spring season for the lower Columbia River, running from March 1 to April 8, with an additional two days of fishing compared to 2025. Anglers will have the opportunity to target a single hatchery spring chinook in this prime fishing spot, from Bonneville Dam down to Buoy 10. And for those further upriver, fishing will be permitted from April 1 to 26, with a special single-day opening on May 2.
The spring run typically peaks from mid-April to May, but the early birds are already making their appearance. These early catches are carefully managed, with biologists monitoring the run closely using Bonneville Dam counts before allowing more fishing days.
In other news, sturgeon fishing enthusiasts will be delighted to know that additional retention fishing days have been approved for The Dalles reservoir up to John Day Dam. However, the Bonneville pool has reached its limit, according to biologists, who stated that no more retention fishing can be permitted between Bonneville and The Dalles dams.
Now, for a remarkable catch story: Dave Pyle, a professional fishing guide from West Linn, reeled in a 14-pound hatchery chinook salmon upriver from the Sellwood Bridge. Pyle was invited as a guest on a boat operated by the renowned John Shmilenko, known as 'The Sultan of Sellwood.' This catch marked the seventh time the year's first springer was caught in Shmilenko's boat, earning Pyle some well-deserved prizes.
And that's not all! Smelt dipping in Washington's Cowlitz River has been so successful that a second season has been authorized. The excitement continues to build as anglers gear up for another round of fishing.
Lastly, the fishing community mourns the loss of Marcia Hartman, a dedicated secretary and past president of the Oregon Bass and Panfish Club. Marcia and her husband, Bud, were instrumental in growing the club and fostering a love for warmwater angling among countless enthusiasts.
As the fishing season unfolds, stay tuned for more updates and share your thoughts: Do you think the early spring season is a fair decision? Are you excited about the additional sturgeon fishing days? And what's your take on the remarkable catch by Dave Pyle? Let's discuss!
