I will again be providing buoy 10 fishing reports for the 2024 salmon fishing season right here, based on my own success as well as how my many guide friends are doing.
I’ll be fishing the Buoy 10 fishery through the salmon season from August into September. In fact, I’ll also be booking salmon trips out on the ocean, which opens in July, so keep checking back here to see how the fishing is. I moor my boat in the Hammond Marina, right in the thick of the action.
Another way to quickly see how the salmon are biting at Buoy 10 is to follow my Marvin’s Guide Service page on Facebook.
If you are interested in fishing at Buoy 10 this year, book your trip before the best dates slip away. Just give me a call or text at 503-314-5087 or email [email protected].
Check out last year’s reports to get a feel for the types of up-to-date information I’ll be providing in 2024…
My Latest Buoy 10 Fishing Report
Saturday, September 30
I got another day to fish the Buoy 10 area and soak some crab pots.
We found enough salmon but just not the right ones today. We landed four jacks as well as a wild coho. All of those have to be released in the Buoy 10 area.
I know other boats got some keepers in their mix of fish. I also believe there are still fresh coho coming in off the ocean. I think the next week or two will still fish down here before it’s time to hang up the salmon fishing at the mouth. I’ve been mixing in some upriver trips myself.
And the crabbing? See my separate Oregon Crabbing Reports page for details.
Previous Buoy 10 Fishing Reports
Tuesday, September 19
We had a half dozen shots at salmon while fishing the river today but couldn’t quite seal the deal. Fishing is a little hit or miss in the Buoy 10 area, with fish being caught but anglers having to work for it.
Monday, September 11
Today we had to go over deep water (300 feet) to find the coho out in the ocean.
The reports I got for the river were that it was slow today.
Sunday, September 10
We did get out on the ocean today, but admittedly, it was a bumpy and windy ride. Then it took about an hour to find the salmon.
However, once we did, the fishing was excellent, and we landed all coho.
The boats I know that stayed in the river are having to scratch out a few here and there. There are a lot of jacks in the river right now, and we can’t keep those in the Buoy 10 area.
Today we tried dropping some crab pots in the river and came up with 12 keepers.
Saturday, September 9
Ocean fishing was crazy good this morning. We managed to land a triple and had our limits of coho by 8 a.m.
Not much else to say other than you should’ve been down here!
Although the forecast is calling for the wind to pick up and make for a rougher ocean for the next few days, so there’s a good chance I’ll be fishing in the river.
Friday, September 8
Today, fishing on the ocean was awesome. We came home with three Chinook and three coho in less than three hours.
We also were able to drop a couple of crab pots on this trip and ended up pulling in 25 keepers. Check out our new Oregon Crabbing Report page.
Thursday, September 7
Ocean fishing was crazy good again today.
Unfortunately, I don’t have a current report for the river because I don’t know anybody who fished it today. However, fisheries managers decided today that the Buoy 10 area will reopen for Chinook tomorrow. The limit will be three salmon, but only one maximum may be a Chinook.
I’m starting to think they underestimated this run. That’s just my opinion and we’ll see how it shakes out, but I think it’s going to be bigger than predicted.
Wednesday, September 6
The ocean was on fire today. My clients brought in early limits (seven coho and one Chinook).
Not many boats went out on the big pond today, so there wasn’t much pressure and tons of salmon to go around.
I’ve talked to a few guys fishing in the river today, and they are struggling to get keepers.
According to the forecast, the ocean is looking good in the next few days.
Happy clients with limits all around from a hot morning bite on the Pacific Ocean west of Astoria, aboard the Marvin’s Guide Service boat.
Tuesday, September 5
The ocean was the better bet today for anyone wanting salmon for dinner. Catches were fast for both coho and Chinook and it doesn’t matter whether they are fin-clipped or not. The harvest rules are still wide-open on the Pacific.
There was a different story in the river’s Buoy 10 area today, where friends reported lots of action but most of the coho they caught had too many fins. Chinook are now off-limits at Buoy 10 and must be released even if they are hatchery marked.
Monday, September 4
This morning started out wild. In the first hour, there were fish everywhere, especially coho. We had doubles and triples on.
I think the river is going to be excellent the next few days for coho, but Chinook must be released in the Buoy 10 area going forward.
A reminder that the ocean also is looking good this week and is still open for Chinook and even wild coho may be kept in that offshore fishery.
Sunday, September 3
Today’s weather was wet and windy, but the coho fishing got pretty wild. There were lots of coho caught, and even quite a few Chinook landed as well.
Looking forward to those three-coho limits starting Tuesday!
Saturday, September 2
We definitely had a coho rodeo in the river today. The silvers have shown up in force, and there are still some Chinook hanging around. We released a few wild kings today.
Monday is the final day we can keep hatchery Chinook in the Buoy 10 area, but then on Tuesday, we shift to a three-coho limit in that same area. Prospects currently look promising for hitting those bigger limits.
A second option, when conditions allow, is that the ocean remain open for harvest of any salmon.
Friday, September 1
Lots of coho moved into the river today. That rain definitely helped get the fish moving. I’m getting excited about the three-coho limits that start Sept. 5.
Anglers also are still seeing Chinook in the Buoy 10 area.
The action is good. Today’s clients reeled in a dozen salmon and had some more bites that didn’t stick. Seven of the 12 we got into the net had unclipped fins and went back in.
Thursday, August 31
I didn’t get a report up yesterday, but we were able to get on the ocean again, and once we found the fish, we made short work of limits that included some hefty coho.
Today was a bit of a different story with the rains coming in, the ocean rough, and the bar closed for boats under 30 feet in length at the start of our morning.
We stayed in the river and started fishing on the Washington side below the bridge. We saw some quick action with four fish in the net, but only one was a keeper (fin-clipped Chinook). We released two wild Chinook and one wild coho.
When the fishing slowed for us and everyone around us, we picked up and moved to the Oregon side of the Columbia River near Hammond for the incoming tide. Fishing was far from red hot for anyone there as well, but we managed a few more bites and put a fin-clipped coho in the box.
Today Brad’s Super Bait got a bit more action than the Yakima Bait SpinFish, although on other days, the SpinFish has been the hot ticket. I fill the bait chambers of both lures with my top-secret tuna mix.
Tuesday, August 29
It was another great day in the ocean today, with limits before breakfast.
There are still a lot of coho and Chinook around to catch, and the Buoy 10 area will reopen Wednesday. I think with this rain we’re having down here in Hammond (near Astoria), the river will fish very well tomorrow.
I’m looking forward to the limit of coho jumping to three on September 5. Chinook retention is open in the estuary tomorrow through Labor Day (this coming Monday, Sept. 4), after which it’ll be an all-coho show at Buoy 10.
Monday, August 28
While Buoy 10 was closed, as planned before the season started, there was a red hot bite out on the ocean first thing this morning for groups ready to leave the docks at daybreak.
My small group was ready a bit later, at 7 a.m., and we managed to get four and lost a few more in the process.
The boats that went out later struggled to tag fish. It’s not for lack of fish, but they were definitely more cooperative in the earliest part of the day.
Sunday, August 27
Today’s report is simple: The ocean was on FIRE! I can say first-hand that there are quite a few coho being taken out there, and there also are coho in the river.
Today, four clients ended the day with limits consisting of two Chinook and six coho.
And the ocean’s looking good for Monday, the first of a two-day planned closure in the Buoy 10 area.
Saturday, August 26
Salmon fishing on the ocean today was totally awesome, with lots of Chinook caught. And there’s definitely some coho in the catches as well.
Anglers fishing in the river also did very, very well.
Simply put, there are fish everywhere. I expect the next few days to be on fire.
I do have Tuesday open if anyone wants to get in on the fantastic fishing on the ocean. Just give me a call at 503-314-5087.
Friday, August 25
Fishing down here is simply excellent, and the coho are finally in the river in a big way.
Lots of fish are being caught right out in front of Hammond, where I keep my boat. Another hot spot is on the Washington side, above the Astoria-Megler Bridge.
We got ours in short order this morning.
Starting Saturday (August 26), we will be able to keep either fin-clipped or unclipped coho on the ocean off of the Columbia River instead of just the hatchery-marked coho we’ve been allowed prior to that. That area is north of Cape Falcon, Oregon, to Leadbetter Point, Washington. That additional opportunity is scheduled to last through September 30.
Only one of your two-salmon limit can be a Chinook.
Here’s ODFW’s news release explaining the new ocean rules in our fishing area.
Thursday, August 24
Today we started fishing at 6 a.m., and by 6:05 a.m., we had released a wild Chinook salmon. Five minutes later, we kept a hatchery coho that was close to 10 pounds.
The action stayed hot, and we released a few more wild Chinook before finishing off with three fin-clipped Chinook.
We had the clients’ fish, so we headed back to the Hammond Marina early. Later I checked in at the docks and heard that some more coho did come in with incoming tide in the afternoon.
If you don’t have your trip planned, now’s the time. It’s awesome down here in the Astoria area.
Happy clients holding up the salmon they caught fishing in the Buoy 10 area with Marvin’s Guide Service.
Sunday, August 20
We started with an excellent bite first for Chinook in the morning, even with an outgoing tide. When the tide started coming in, we started seeing coho as well.
The best bite was definitely on the Washington side of the river.
While we caught quite a few salmon today, we didn’t fare well in the hatchery fish lottery and had to let a LOT of wild fish go.
The Buoy 10 area is closed Monday through Wednesday as part of this year’s season set earlier. There’s one more short closure, but Chinook fishing will be open through Labor Day under the regs.
The ocean is open to fishing, but the forecast was too rough for Monday’s planned trip.
I expect the fishing to be red hot at Buoy 10 later this week when the river reopens. Do let me know if you want to get out there, as I have some spots and likely could work you in.
Saturday, August 19
Today started slow on an outgoing tide, but the bite turned around with the incoming tide heading toward high tide in the afternoon.
We are still catching mostly Chinook, but coho are showing up in the Buoy 10 catches as well.
At this writing, I still have availability for this coming Thursday, right in the heart of the Buoy 10 season. Give me a call sooner rather than later if you are interested.
Friday, August 18
Fishing was definitely tough today, with the wind blowing and very few Chinook caught in the Buoy 10 area of the Columbia River.
We managed a really nice keeper (in the photo) and released a wild Chinook as well. My clients had to quit fishing before high tide. We might have had more shots at high slack, which can offer some of the best fishing down here.
While there were a few coho around yesterday, I didn’t hear of any caught today.
A happy customer with a large Chnook salmon caught in the Columbia River near Astoria (Buoy 10).
Tuesday, August 15
Fishing was a grind today compared to yesterday, but many of us who stuck it out in the river got results.
We were able to keep two Chinook salmon and also released a few wild ones.
I heard about very few coho caught in the Buoy 10 area today compared to yesterday.
The best bite was definitely on the incoming tide right before high tide.
Monday, August 14
Fishing in the river has definitely picked up.
We caught quite a few Chinook today, but we had to let all but one ‘nook go because the rest were wild fish. We also caught and released a couple of wild coho.
We’re definitely seeing more salmon in the river now, both Chinook and coho. Things are looking good!
Friday, August 11
The river was slow for Chinook today, with catches few and far between. The ocean was fishing better for Chinook, but we’re still waiting for more coho to stack up off the mouth of the Columbia and start coming into Buoy 10.
Given that more wind is in the forecast, which will impact the ocean the most, it’s likely more of us will be fishing the river tomorrow.
Wednesday, August 9
We stayed in the river (Buoy 10 area) today because it was windy and rainy.
It was definitely slower fishing overall, but we found one keeper and released two wild fish, all Chinook. We are seeing very few coho so far.
Guides are mixed on what baits they’re using. Brad’s Super Baits have been catching for me, but I know lots of guys are trolling anchovies as well. I don’t think that has mattered as much as just getting it in front of the fish.
Monday, August 7
I only had two people on the boat today, and we had a keeper, Chinook, on board in the first five minutes of fishing.
Ten minutes later, we lost one, then instantly had another takedown that didn’t hook up. And then, about 30 minutes later, we caught another keeper, and the clients had salmon limits by breakfast.
So it was a quick day.
Interestingly, I was all by myself, not another boat in sight. Most boats went out to the ocean, but I decided to stay in the river for a couple of hours, and it worked!
Saturday, August 5
We fished the river in the Buoy 10 area today because the ocean was too windy.
Within five minutes, we had a fish on, but we lost this one near the boat. We let the lines back out, and we quickly got another one on. This one we landed, but it was wild and released.
We also saw a few other salmon caught first thing in the morning, but it went dead for a few hours. However, the bite turned back on when the tide changed, and we found some more very good fishing.
All of the fish we caught today were Chinook.
Friday, August 4
Fishing today wasn’t as fast and furious as some of the days we’ve had this year, but we worked at it and scrapped out some coho.
I did hear that some anglers who went way up north of the Columbia River mouth did get into some Chinook.
Thursday, August 3
Coho were hard to find on the ocean today. I believe they likely moved out to deep water with the big tides we’ve been having.
However, the Chinook fishing was very, very good. We got three nice bright ones and we also let a number of tules go. (Tules are a lower Columbia River strain of Chinook salmon that are protected, and we harvest upriver bright Chinook, a healthy run and better-eating salmon.)
Yakima Bait SpinFish lures were the best producers today.
A happy Marvin’s Guide Service customer holds Chinook salmon his party caught fishing on the Pacific Ocean west of Astoria, Oregon.
Tuesday, August 1
The Buoy 10 fishery into the Columbia River estuary opened today.
And while some boats stayed inside and reported catching some hatchery Chinook, most boats still went out on the ocean and overall found better fishing for Chinook as well as coho.
Remember that anglers can keep a wild Chinook caught in the ocean, while all coho and Chinook must be fin-clipped to retain in the Buoy 10 area.
As August continues, better fishing is likely to shift toward the river, although it can vary from day to day and tide to tide. Fortunately, my 27-foot Alumaweld fishes well in both locations.
Sunday, July 30
Boats that fished today did quite well, with the coho bite picking up and some very nice-sized Chinook in the mix.
Opening day for Buoy 10 itself is just days away. Fingers crossed, recent catches in the ocean plus strong tides bode well for it to get off to a quick start for kings.
Saturday, July 29
Most of the boats out on the ocean today were struggling, but with some work and sticking it out, we found some fish.
Despite the grind, we kept at it and came back to the docks with some nice, bright coho.
We didn’t connect with any Chinook today, and in fact, I only know of a few caught among all of the boats. Silvers are definitely making up most of the catch for now. The Buoy 10 area opens up next week.
A happy client holding up three coho salmon caught today on the ocean with Marvin’s Guide Service.
Thursday, July 27
I’ve been taking care of some things back in Portland, but I checked in with friends in Hammond today to find out how the salmon fishing has been.
In a word: Great. Most of the boats were back in port by 8 o’clock this morning, with limits. Not only that, some of those salmon were Chinook mixed in with the coho.
The only down side to report is that the ocean was a little “sporty” this morning, but boats that got out on the Pacific did great in short order.
Sunday, July 23
short report today because there’s not much to say.
No, that doesn’t mean we didn’t do well. The opposite, in fact: We limited out on coho by 8:30 a.m.
Today the salmon didn’t want to play with spin-fish lures. No matter, a spinner with chunk bait was on fire and quickly filled the fish box. I always carry a variety of bait and lure options on board, so we can always switch things up until we find that day’s winning ticket.
Saturday, July 22
Today started slow, but boy, did we turn it around when the bite picked up in the afternoon.
We ended the day tagging seven coho and one Chinook fishing out on the Pacific Ocean.
Yakima Bait SpinFish and Brad’s Super Bait lures were the hot tickets today.
The icing on the cake: The Big Pond was FLAT.
What a great day to be a salmon angler. Maybe it is not such a good day to be a salmon swimming behind my boat.
Anglers with eight salmon they caught on the Pacific Ocean west of Astoria while fishing with Marvin’s Guide Service on July 22, 2023.
Friday, July 21
Coho fishing wasn’t as hot out on the ocean on Friday as I’d hoped. We put a couple in the box and said goodbye to a number of wild salmon. But limits of hatchery coho were rare for everyone I talked with today compared to those who fished Thursday.
We caught our fish on SpinFish lures, one of my go-to’s for this fishery.
We’ll be back at it tomorrow. Watch this space for my next report.
Oh, we did catch quite a smile on Friday with this first-ever salmon:
The smile says it all for this client’s first salmon, caught in the Pacific Ocean with Marvin’s Guide Service.
Thursday, July 20
I have fully transitioned from a great season of chasing gigantic sturgeon near The Dalles and am itching to get out on my first guided salmon trip tomorrow. Many of my guide friends who got out yesterday came back to the docks with limits of hatchery coho salmon. That’s a good sign for the start of the season. I haven’t heard of many chinook salmon (kings) caught yet.
In July, the Buoy 10 area inside the estuary is still closed, but there’s excellent salmon fishing just offshore as salmon stack up and feed aggressively before heading upriver in the next few months. As long as ocean conditions allow, it’s a quick trip in my 27-foot Alumaweld Intruder to the best fishing grounds.
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