Mack Attack Magazine

There are salmon fisheries, and then there is Buoy 10. At the mouth of the Columbia River, where freshwater meets the Pacific, the Buoy 10 fishery brings together big water, powerful currents, changing tides, abundant salmon and anglers constantly trying to stay one step ahead of the fish.

For Brianna Bruce, Buoy 10 is more than just a place to catch salmon. It is an experience one that can be intimidating to newcomers but quickly becomes addictive once you learn to read the water. “It’s big water, and big fish with lots going on all at once,” Brianna says

“But it’s beautiful and fun and quickly addicting.”

Where the River Funnels the Fish

One of the things that makes Buoy 10 so unique is its position at the mouth of the Columbia. Salmon migrating upriver have to pass through this area, creating an incredible concentration of fish and a constantly changing fishing environment.

“All of the fish going up the entire length of the Columbia River have to swim through the Buoy 10 area,” Brianna explains.

That means anglers aren't simply waiting for salmon to find their bait. They are constantly trying to determine where the fish will be, how the river is moving and where the next opportunity might develop.

The tides are a major part of that equation. So are river current, weather and the daily movements of the fish. Successful anglers learn to put all those pieces together and make decisions throughout the day.

“There’s a lot of fish pushing through and you’re playing the tides and river and weather and trying to decide where the best spot to intercept the fish is going to be that day,” she says. That can mean moving frequently rather than anchoring down and waiting for the fish to come to you...