Salmon/sturgeon fishing questions for this weekend

Hey all,

I am probably going to be able to get out Sunday morning for a bit. I figured I would hit the Willamette either at George Rogers park or Willamette park in West Linn. I mostly plan on fishing for smallmouth, but I figured I might want to try out my new salmon/sturgeon rod for a bit as well. My questions are the following.

I figure that there should be reasonable numbers of coho heading upstream. Do coho swim near the top of the column or more along the bottom or at some other preferred depth? I was trying to figure out how deep I should fish and what depth water is holding water for coho. How will the cool snap and the rain affect the coho? I thought perhaps trolling a spinner would make sense, but I am not sure if this the right thing to do that far upriver or if that is only a good technique closer to the ocean. I read about mooching and back bouncing as well. Not sure if mooching works in rivers, but it seems like an interesting way to strain the depths.

If I end up sturgeon fishing (C&R) I know that there is a deep hole just upstream from GR and I see people who look to be sturgeon fishing there. I know that this hole bottoms out at over 100' deep. Do people fish the bottom of the hole of along the edge or lip? I have never sturgeon fished so any general advice would be appreciated. I would be happy to catch a shaker! How will the cool snap and the rain affect the sturgeon? I have read that sand shrimp and nightcrawlers are a good bait choice. Is that true for this time of the year? Should I but some smelly stuff to put on the bait as well? If I bought herring could I use it for both salmon and sturgeon? When you fish for sturgeon do you cast a little bit away from the yak or just lower your bait down?

Finally, if anyone has a better suggestion other than my 2 launch ideas or fishing techniques please do not hesitate to give me advice. I have fished for bass and trout my whole life but have only banked it for salmon a couple of times. I have never caught a sturgeon. I may end up only bass fishing but I would like to spend a bit of time exploring other opportunities.

Thanks in advance for any input.

GR is a great place to launch for sturgeon. Sand shrimp and night crawler combo should do just fine.  I have used herring for sturgeon, but I seem to do better with the sand shrimp night crawler combo. I do add shrimp oil to my bait.   I figure a little extra scent can't hurt.   There is a good 100' hole there.  I have a tip I will pm you.  It is nothing too earth shattering and everyone I know that yak fishes for sturgeon there is well aware of it.

As for your salmon questions, those would be best answered by someone that knows.

I have always done best on the edges of a hole, not the deepest spot. +1 on the shrimp/worm combo. I wrap mine in spawn netting.

Disclaimer: all my sturgeon fishing has been from a boat or bank. I hope to change that tomorrow though.

I would love to hear that tip too if you want to pm me too! :-)

I wouldn't bother chasing the salmon, they tend to shoot right through that stretch of the river.  Trollling plugs like a bright orange wiggle wart would be you best bet if you want to roll the dice for coho.

Thanks Craig and thanks Pelagic. I think I will likely fish GR and give the sturgeon a try. I was thinking that at Willamette park in West Linn that the Coho that were going up the Tualatin might stack up out around the deep hole out from the ramp. Maybe if I get out next weekend I will test that theory

Thanks Craig and thanks Pelagic. I think I will likely fish GR and give the sturgeon a try. I was thinking that at Willamette park in West Linn that the Coho that were going up the Tualatin might stack up out around the deep hole out from the ramp. Maybe if I get out next weekend I will test that theory

They do and as the water temp drops more they bite better.  Fish have been caught there this week