Every spring, anglers across the Pacific Northwest start watching river gauges, checking fish counts, and rigging up gear in anticipation of one of the most exciting fishing seasons of the year — springer season. Spring Chinook salmon, affectionately known as springers, are widely considered the best eating salmon in the world and one of the hardest fighting fish in any river.
If you’re gearing up for springer season this year here’s everything you need to know to put more fish in the boat.
What Are Springer Salmon?
Springer salmon are spring run Chinook salmon that enter Pacific Northwest rivers between March and June. Unlike their fall run cousins, springers enter rivers with high fat content making them exceptionally rich and flavorful. They are also incredibly powerful fighters — a fresh springer in fast current is a force of nature.
Key springer rivers in the Pacific Northwest include the Columbia River, Willamette River, Sandy River, Clackamas River, and the Cowlitz River among others. Ocean springer fishing off the Oregon and Washington coast is also exceptional in the spring months.
River Fishing for Springers
River fishing for spring Chinook is a Pacific Northwest tradition. Here are the most productive techniques:
Back Bouncing Back bouncing is one of the deadliest springer techniques on big rivers like the Columbia and Willamette. Drop your bait to the bottom and slowly work it downstream with the current through deep river holes where springers like to rest. Fresh prawns, sand shrimp, and cured eggs are all proven back bouncing baits.
Trolling Plugs Pulling diving plugs like Kwikfish and Flatfish from an anchored boat is a time honored Columbia River springer tradition. Wrap your plug with a thin layer of sardine fillet for extra scent and attraction. Position your boat above a known holding hole and let the plug work in the current.
Bank Fishing Not everyone has a boat and that’s perfectly fine. Many of the best springer holes on the Columbia, Willamette, and Sandy Rivers are accessible from the bank. Plunking with a heavy sinker and fresh bait is a great bank fishing technique — cast out, set your rod in a holder, and wait for that reel to scream.
Flasher Trolling Trolling a Shortbus Flasher with a hoochie or bait behind a downrigger is a deadly springer technique both in the ocean and in the deeper tidal sections of the Columbia River. The flash and vibration of a quality flasher draws springers in from a distance and triggers strikes that other presentations simply can’t match.
Ocean Fishing for Springers
Ocean springer fishing off the Oregon and Washington coast typically kicks off in April and runs through June depending on regulations. Here’s how to target them offshore:
Troll your Shortbus Flasher with a hoochie or whole anchovy at depths between 50 and 150 feet depending on where bait is showing on your fish finder. Keep your boat speed between 2 and 3 mph and cover water until you find actively feeding fish. Popular ocean springer destinations include the waters off Astoria, Ilwaco, Westport, and the mouth of the Columbia River.
Best Gear for Springer Season
Spring Chinook are big powerful fish that require solid gear. Here’s what to have ready:
A heavy action 8 to 9 foot rod paired with a quality level wind reel spooled with 30-40lb braided line and a 20-25lb fluorocarbon leader is the standard springer setup for most river techniques. For flasher trolling a medium heavy trolling rod with a good downrigger reel works perfectly.
Shortbus Flashers are a go-to choice for springer season — their proven flash and vibration patterns have been dialed in specifically for the big powerful Chinook that push into Northwest rivers and coastal waters every spring. Whether you’re trolling the tidal Columbia or running offshore out of Astoria, a Shortbus Flasher in your spread is a smart move.
Springer Season Regulations
Always check current ODFW and WDFW regulations before heading out. Springer seasons, bag limits, and retention rules change year to year and vary by river section and ocean zone. The Columbia River in particular has complex regulations that change frequently so check the latest rules at myodfw.com or wdfw.wa.gov before every trip.
Final Thoughts
Springer season is short, precious, and absolutely worth chasing. Whether you’re pulling plugs on the Columbia, back bouncing the Willamette, or running flashers offshore out of Astoria — spring Chinook fishing is as good as it gets in the Pacific Northwest.
Gear up, check the regulations, and get out there. The springers are running!
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