Spring Chinook Fishing – Cowlitz and Columbia
Private Trip
River Fishing
Target prized Spring Chinook on Columbia, Kalama, or Cowlitz RiversEighthour guided trips accommodate up to five guests comfortablyAll fishing equipment and tackle provided by experienced guides
When it comes to world-class salmon fishing in Washington, nothing beats the rush of hooking into a chrome-bright Spring Chinook. These legendary fish are the crown jewel of Pacific Northwest angling, and our 8-hour guided trips put you right in the heart of the action on three of the region's most productive waters. Whether we're trolling the mighty Columbia River or working lighter tackle on the Kalama and Cowlitz Rivers, you'll be targeting some of the most prized salmon that swim these waters. Our top-rated guide service has been putting anglers on fish for years, and we know exactly where these kings like to hang out during their spring run.
Your day starts early – that's when the fish are most active and the water's at its best. We'll launch from one of our preferred ramps depending on current conditions and where the fish are biting. The 21-foot Alumaweld SuperVee Pro is built for these waters, giving you a stable platform and smooth ride even when conditions get a little choppy. This boat comfortably handles up to 2 guests, so you'll have plenty of room to fight your fish without getting tangled up. River conditions dictate our game plan – when the Columbia's running right, we'll troll the main stem targeting fish in 15 to 40 feet of water. If the smaller rivers are fishing better, we'll switch gears and work the Kalama or Cowlitz with lighter setups. Your guide reads the water daily and knows which spots are producing, so you're always fishing where the action is hottest. We provide all the rods, reels, and tackle – from downriggers and flashers to the exact lures that have been working. All you need is your valid Washington fishing license, salmon catch card, and you're set for the day.
Spring Chinook fishing is all about presentation and being in the right place at the right time. On the Columbia, we're typically trolling with downriggers, running our gear 20 to 35 feet down where these fish cruise. We'll pull everything from cut-plug herring to proven spinners like Blue Fox and Worden's, adjusting our speed and depth based on what the fish are telling us. The key is covering water efficiently while keeping your bait in the strike zone. When we hit the Kalama or Cowlitz, it's a completely different game. These rivers let us fish lighter tackle – think casting spinners, drifting roe, or working back-bouncing setups through the deeper holes. The technique depends on water levels and clarity, but your guide has decades of experience reading these conditions. You'll learn proper rod handling, how to detect those subtle takes that Chinook are famous for, and the right way to play a fish in current. These salmon are powerful, and knowing how to use the river's flow to your advantage makes all the difference between landing your fish and telling a story about the one that got away.
Spring Chinook are the fish that built reputations around here. These aren't your average salmon – we're talking about fish that average 15 to 25 pounds, with plenty of 30-pounders mixed in to keep things interesting. What makes them special isn't just their size, it's their fight and their table quality. Fresh from the ocean, these fish are absolute rockets when they feel the hook. They'll make long runs, jump clear of the water, and test every knot in your system. The rich, red meat is what separates Spring Chinook from other salmon species – it's firm, flaky, and has that perfect balance of flavor that makes them the customer favorite at fish markets and restaurants. These fish spend years in the ocean building up that incredible muscle and fat content, and you can taste the difference. Our guests regularly boat fish that would be the trip of a lifetime on most waters, but that's just another day on these renowned Washington rivers.
Chinook Salmon are the undisputed kings of the Pacific, and the spring run fish we target are the cream of the crop. These fish start showing up in our rivers in late March and early April, with the peak bite typically running through May and into early June. What makes spring Chinook so special is their life cycle – they've been feeding heavily in the ocean for 3 to 5 years, building up incredible size and strength before making their spawning run. Unlike fall Chinook that stop feeding once they hit fresh water, spring fish are still aggressive and willing to bite, making them perfect targets for sport fishing. They're also called "springers" by longtime anglers, and for good reason – they represent the start of our best salmon season. These fish average 18 pounds but regularly push into the 30 and 40-pound range. Their behavior is what keeps guides like us coming back year after year. They're smart, strong, and unpredictable. One minute you're marking fish on the sonar but can't buy a bite, the next minute you're doubled up with screaming drags. Water temperature plays a huge role in their activity – they prefer that 50 to 55-degree sweet spot, and when conditions align, the fishing can be absolutely phenomenal.
This is the trip that serious salmon anglers dream about, and the spring season doesn't last forever. These fish move through our rivers on nature's schedule, and the best fishing typically happens over a 6 to 8-week window. Our calendar fills up fast with repeat customers who know what they're after, so don't wait until the last minute to secure your dates. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to add a trophy spring Chinook to your list or someone who's never felt the pull of a 20-pound salmon, this trip delivers the goods. We've got the experience, the equipment, and the local knowledge to put you on fish when they're biting. Pack your camera, bring your appetite
The 21' Alumaweld SuperVee Pro cuts through Washington's river currents like it was built for this exact purpose. This workhorse handles the Columbia's rolling waters and navigates the tighter bends of the Kalama and Cowlitz with equal confidence. When you're targeting those prized Spring Chinook, having a solid platform beneath your feet makes all the difference between landing fish and losing them. Seating five comfortably, the boat gives everyone room to work their lines without bumping elbows. The fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools, so you spend more time with bent rods and less time wondering where the salmon are holding. Whether you're trolling deeper sections of the Columbia or working lighter tackle in the tributaries, this aluminum hull delivers the stability you need when that big Chinook decides to make a run. The reliable outboard pushes you between fishing spots efficiently, and the SuperVee design cuts wake chop that would bounce smaller boats around. Perfect for those long spring days when the salmon are moving and you want to stay on the water from dawn to dusk.
Cowlitz River