Fishing Report July 6, 2026

Ocean Coho

July is an incredible time to hit the ocean for salmon and crabbing when conditions allow. Coho fishing is fast-paced and action-packed—we like to call it the "Coho Rodeo!" Crossing the Columbia River Bar adds to the adventure, and the ocean is alive with schools of baitfish, whales, dolphins, and seals.

If you'd like to experience one of the most exciting fisheries of the year, reach out to get on our call list for the next weather window. It's truly a one-of-a-kind adventure.

Fall Salmon

Fall Chinook are beginning to gather in the ocean, and anglers are already finding fish each day while the ocean quota remains open. After that, the legendary Buoy 10 fishery—the "Super Bowl" of salmon fishing—begins.

Bright, ocean-fresh king salmon flood into the Columbia River, giving anglers an opportunity to catch the largest salmon species in the Pacific Northwest. These powerful fish commonly weigh 20–30 pounds, make blistering runs, and provide an unforgettable fight.

King salmon can be targeted in both the ocean and the Columbia River from July through September.

As fall rains arrive, typically from September through October, drift boat trips become a favorite. These trips offer a more technical, hands-on experience for anglers who enjoy casting and a more active style of fishing.

On the upper Columbia, salmon can be targeted using several techniques, including trolling, pitching jigs, and fishing bobber and bait—my personal favorite—from September through October.

Upper Columbia coho provide incredible action from September through November. They're aggressive, acrobatic, and one of the most fun salmon species you'll ever catch.

Willamette River

Summer Chinook are still being caught daily in small numbers on the Willamette River. If you're looking for an opportunity to catch a delicious, hard-fighting salmon without traveling far from the city, this fishery remains a great option through July.

New Developments

We've had an exciting past few months with several upgrades that will help us provide even better experiences on the water.

We (Josh and Ryce) recently swapped the prop on the 23’ River Wild sled to a jet, allowing us to safely access more rivers and expand our winter steelhead opportunities. We're excited to begin offering jet sled trips on smaller tributaries like the Cowlitz, Lewis, and Sandy Rivers.

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Last winter's steelhead season was an absolute blast, and these upgrades will help us put clients on even more fish while exploring some of the most beautiful rivers in the Pacific Northwest. For the upcoming fall salmon season, we've switched back to the prop lower unit to better handle larger water, and before winter arrives, we'll convert back to the jet.

Another exciting addition is our LiveScope on the River Wild. This incredible technology lets us see fish in real time, helping us make immediate adjustments and fish more efficiently. It's an amazing tool that has already changed the way we approach many situations on the water.

We've been incredibly blessed to build this business together. From installing the jet and LiveScope, curing bait, tying leaders, to spending our days on the water with all of you.

None of this would be possible without the support of our families and our wonderful clients. Even our nine-month-old son, JJ, has already gotten to spend some time out on the water with us!

We're looking forward to another incredible fall and winter season and can't wait to fish with both returning and new clients. Thank you for being part of the Reel Wild Outdoors family—we'll see you on the water!