The Springer Challenge

By Cameron Walker

Springers aren’t just any salmon; they’re the pinnacle of Pacific Northwest angling. These fish are notoriously difficult to catch, not only because of their incredible strength and stamina but also due to their finicky nature. Success in this fishery belongs to those who are well-equipped and meticulously prepared.

As I look back on previous years, the takeaway is how important every detail of my set up is, more so than other times of the year. Let me begin with the rod and reel set up. We often troll for spring chinook above Bonneville Dam, in places like Drano Lake and the Wind River. These fisheries have primarily become what we call “360 fisheries”. Flasher Fishing, using flashers with agitator fins, has revolutionized salmon fishing. These flashers create an aggressive rotation that imparts erratic action to your bait or lure, triggering strikes from even the most reluctant springers.

The ScentFlash UV Paddle Flasher has become a top choice for attracting spring chinook due to its scent release system, high visibility, and adaptability in spring water conditions. It works particularly well with the cautious feeding behavior of springers.

Fishing 360 rotating flashers requires a heavy action rod that can handle up to 16 ounces of lead. I personally outfit my boat with the Okuma Guide Select Classic rods. They’re soft, durable, have plenty of backbone, and receive the thump of your flasher rotation extremely well.

Here are my go-to’s from Okuma Guide Select Classic Rods:

• 10’6” Heavy action
• 10’6” Extra Heavy action
• 9’3” Heavy action

The number of anglers that are on board is how I determine which rods I will use. These rods are all paired with the Coldwater SS Low Profile reels, which feature a very accurate line counter, a crucial aspect of targeting these springers.

Lures That Land Lunkers

One could go on all day about the rod and reel, but what I really want to talk about is how effective the Mack’s Lure products have been for me. In areas such as Drano and the Wind River, there is very little current. These fish are seeking refugee from the often-high flows of the Columbia River in springtime. They will pull in, sniff around, and rest.

The Smile Blade Shrimp Rig and Wedding Ring Prawn Rig are my top producers.

These lures are very effective for several reasons. The Wedding Ring Prawn Rig comes standard with some very critical parts, including a trailing 2/0 slider hook. This is ultra-important when fishing shrimp behind 360 flashers because springers are slowly trying to eat your bait.

This is very different from say fall time, when salmon are biting or swiping your presentation out of pure aggression and warmer water temps. The trailing slider hook can be nestled precisely into or slightly behind the whiskers of your shrimp to maximize efficacy and keep those tasty springers pinned on your line.

Pro Tip: Wedding Ring Prawn Rig: This rig comes standard with a trailing 2/0 slider hook – a critical feature when fishing shrimp behind 360 flashers. Unlike fall salmon that aggressively strike out of pure instinct, springers are more deliberate eaters. The slider hook allows me to precisely position my hook slightly behind the shrimp’s whiskers, maximizing my chances of a solid hookup.

The Smile Blade Shrimp Rig comes with a treble trailer hook which can lead to better hook to land ratios at times, especially when trolling much slower speeds. Springers are really trying to chomp the bait, and having the treble hook dangling works well. The Cha Cha Float in between the blade and hooks creates more of a fluttery presentation.

Pro Tip:  Smile Blade Shrimp Rig: The trailing treble trailer hook has improved my hook-to-land ratios, especially when trolling at slower speeds. The Cha Cha Float positioned between the blade and hooks creates a tantalizing presentation that springers find irresistible.

In the confines of say the toilet bowl area of Drano Lake for example, it’s rare to be trolling at speeds of much greater than 1.8 mph. Oftentimes I will be working at a trolling speed of 1.2-1.5 if not slower.

Pro Tip:  The Smile Blade maintains fantastic rotation at down to a quarter mile per hour, and often reigns supreme in these early season, slow trolling fisheries. Pay attention to how the bend of the blade translates in the water. Sometimes tuning the blade to a tighter “v” gets their attention better.

Mastering the Art of Springer Fishing

Location, Location, Location

Success in spring chinook fishing hinges on two key factors: location and timing. I’ve learned to read the river and the fish, adapting my approach as the season progresses. As water conditions change, so do the fish’s behavior. In high water, springers often seek refuge in shallower areas, typically 10-20 feet deep. During low water periods, focus your efforts in the 25-45 foot range.

The 2025 spring Chinook fishing season on the Columbia River has been set as follows:

Lower Columbia River (Below Bonneville Dam)

March 1 through April 6 (37 days): Open from the Buoy 10 line upstream to Beacon Rock, including bank fishing from Beacon Rock to the Bonneville Dam deadline.

Above Bonneville Dam

April 1 through April 26 (26 days): Open from the Tower Island power lines (approximately six miles below The Dalles Dam) upstream to the Washington/Oregon border, including bank fishing from Bonneville Dam to the Tower Island power lines.

Regulations

Daily limit: Six fish, including no more than two adults, of which only one may be an adult Chinook.

• All wild steelhead and non-hatchery Chinook must be released.
  
  
• Salmon must be at least 12 inches to keep.

Additional Information

• The 2025 forecast predicts a return of 122,500 spring Chinook to the Columbia River mouth, which is below the 10-year average but slightly higher than the 2024 actual return.
  
  
• Fishery managers will monitor the season closely and may make adjustments based on catch rates and run size updates.
  
  
• A run size update is expected in mid-May, which could potentially lead to additional fishing opportunities if the run is stronger than forecasted.

Anglers should check for updates and regulations before fishing, as changes may occur based on in-season data.

Here are some of the best locations for spring chinook fishing:

Columbia River

The Columbia River offers excellent opportunities for spring chinook fishing, with several prime locations:

• Astoria to Portland: This stretch sees the largest waves of fish moving through.
  
  
• Portland area: Fishing near the Portland airport is particularly productive.
  
  
• Bonneville Dam area: Both boat and bank anglers can find success here.

Willamette River

The Willamette River provides a longer season, and less fishing pressure compared to the Columbia. Key areas include:

• Oregon City
  
  
• Sellwood
  
  
• Downtown Portland

Other Productive Areas

• Drano Lake and Wind River: These locations above Bonneville Dam are popular for “360 fisheries” using rotating flashers.
  
  
• St. Helens, Oregon: Located downstream from the Multnomah Channel mouth, this is a top spot for spring chinook.

The Ultimate Prize

With store prices for Spring Chinook reaching up to $40 per pound, many anglers find that a guided trip is not only an exciting adventure but also a cost-effective way to fill their freezers with this prized catch. When it comes to spring chinook, those who are best prepared are the ones who’ll be celebrating with a cooler full of the Pacific Northwest’s most coveted prize.