Columbia River - Vancouver - Washington
Fly Fishing River Report & Conditions
Columbia River – Vancouver - Water Flow Chart
Columbia River – Vancouver - Weather report & radar
Columbia River – Vancouver - General hatch chart
| Month | Hatch | Time of Day | Recommended Fly Sizes | Popular Fly Patterns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Winter Stoneflies | Morning/Afternoon | 12 | Black Stonefly Nymph |
| February | Winter Steelhead | All Day | 6 | Pink Worm, Green Butt Skunk |
| Winter Stoneflies | Morning/Afternoon | 12-14 | Black Stonefly Nymph | |
| March | Winter Steelhead | All Day | 6 | Pink Worm, Green Butt Skunk |
| April | Spring Chinook Salmon | All Day | 4-6 | Clouser Minnow, Comet |
| May | Spring Chinook Salmon | All Day | 4-6 | Clouser Minnow, Comet |
| Blue Winged Olives | Afternoon/Evening | 16-18 | Adams, Pheasant Tail Nymph | |
| June | Summer Steelhead | All Day | 6-8 | Max Canyon, Street Walker |
| Caddis | Evening/Night | 12-16 | Elk Hair Caddis, X Caddis | |
| July | Summer Steelhead | All Day | 6-8 | Max Canyon, Street Walker |
| August | Fall Chinook Salmon | All Day | 4-6 | Clouser Minnow, Alpha Intruder |
| Summer Steelhead | All Day | 6-8 | Max Canyon, Street Walker | |
| September | Fall Chinook Salmon | All Day | 4-6 | Clouser Minnow, Alpha Intruder |
| October | Fall Steelhead | All Day | 6-8 | Max Canyon, Street Walker |
| November | Fall Steelhead | All Day | 6-8 | Max Canyon, Street Walker |
| December | Winter Steelhead | All Day | 6 | Pink Worm, Green Butt Skunk |
Columbia River – Vancouver Access Points
The Columbia River in Vancouver, known for its impressive fish populations, is an ideal spot for fly fishing. The best access points for flyfishing on this river include:
- Giles French Park: Conveniently located near The Dalles.
- Rooster Rock State Park: Easily accessible via I-84 in Corbett.
- Steamboat Landing Park: Based in Washougal, offers comfortable fishing platforms.
- Columbia Park Fishing Pond: Perfect for beginners, with a variety of fish species available.
- Astoria Waterfront: Known for catchable Salmon, it provides a fine dining view of fishing.
Ensure to have your fishing license and abide by season restrictions for particular fish types. Additionally, make sure to bring your own gear, as rentals may not always be available at these access points.
Columbia River – Vancouver Fishing Spots
The Columbia River in Vancouver offers an array of spectacular spots for fly fishing, each providing unique challenges and opportunities:
- North Bonneville: Located in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge, this spot boasts exceptional salmon and steelhead opportunities.
- Drano Lake: This spot off Little White Salmon River is known for its spring and fall Chinook runs, as well as its summer steelhead.
- The Dalles Pool: Offering diverse species like Walleye and Smallmouth Bass, this spot has a calm, still setting, making it ideal for beginners.
- Wind River: Known for its spring Chinook salmon, the fisheries here are robust and popular among fly fishers.
- John Day River: This tributary of the Columbia is particularly famous for its Smallmouth Bass, providing a fantastic option for fly fishers wanting to snag bass.
Columbia River – Vancouver Local Fish Species
- Chinook Salmon: Also known as King Salmon, these fish are the largest of the Pacific salmon species and make for thrilling fly fishing targets during their spawning runs.
- Coho Salmon: These silver salmon are particularly aggressive, making them a fun challenge on the fly rod.
- Steelhead Trout: A sea-going variant of Rainbow Trout, these fish return to the river to spawn, providing excellent fly fishing opportunities.
- Sockeye Salmon: Known for their striking red hue during spawning, these fish require finesse and skill to catch on a fly.
- Chum Salmon: Fly fishing for these salmon can be an exciting exercise in skill and patience as they are noted for their strength and endurance.
- Pink Salmon: These are the smallest of the salmon family but are renowned for their abundance, making them ideal for novice fly fishermen/women.
- Sturgeon: Although more commonly targeted through bait fishing, some adventurous fly fishers will try their hand at these colossal fish.
- Shad: An East Coast native, these fish were introduced to the Columbia River and have since exploded in population, offering abundant fly fishing opportunities.
About the Columbia River – Vancouver
Marvel at the Columbia River, a striking natural wonder winding its way through Vancouver. Formed about 15 to 17 million years ago during the Miocene Epoch, this majestic river spans over 1,243 miles, making it the fourth largest river in the United States!
Our unique river has played an integral part in both natural and human history. This includes serving as:
- A path for migrating salmon – Its fertile waters give life to diverse species, most notably the prolific salmon population.
- A travel route for the indigenous people – Native American tribes have long utilized the river as a source of sustenance and transportation.
- A conduit for commerce and exploration – in 1805, the famed Lewis and Clark Expedition journeyed down this river to the Pacific Ocean.
Today, the river remains a vital waterway for trade and is a beloved recreation spot for locals and visitors alike.
Community Contributions
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