gearing up for the showdown.

Eating my fishing gear ready for the Chinook showdown. Since this will be my first time fishing the columbia and for springers I'm keeping it simple. Just running brads plug cuts, and kwik/killer fish. Should I be trying something different? What has been working this year? Thanks for the advice and tips in advance!

P.S.
Is there a group going to head out at a certain time from a certain place I could join in on?

I think the Columbia below Bonneville closes this Saturday, the Willamette will be open. 
I have seen Brads and herring used, I have used both, but then I have not caught anything in my two trips this spring.

Eating my fishing gear ready for the Chinook showdown. Since this will be my first time fishing the columbia and for springers I'm keeping it simple. Just running brads plug cuts, and kwik/killer fish. Should I be trying something different? What has been working this year? Thanks for the advice and tips in advance!

P.S.
Is there a group going to head out at a certain time from a certain place I could join in on?

I wouldn't recommend eating your gear, you'll wind up looking like these portlanders w metal in their face.
What's working? The tried & true herring & then some of the things you mentioned you're bringing. If I remember correctly there were only 4 fish caught last year out of 70+ that entered, I'm hoping to hear stories of a better bite this year. You will see a lot of guys on the water & I hope you have a blast. We really are blessed to have such an amazing fishery & a tight community that supports this sport.

I wouldn't recommend eating your gear, you'll wind up looking like these portlanders w metal in their face.

 

I think you're on the right track. A lot of guys use herring. There is a write-up on this very site about using prawn spinners, and other folks use Brad's cut plugs and similar devices.

IIRC, the Next Adventure springer tourney is a Willamette-only tourney, also like the poster above mentioned the Columbia is closing; always check the regs.

The Showdown info says "entire Columbia watershed".  Although the Columbia closes on Saturday, there is a decent chance it will re-open, as it does most years, on Saturday the 16th for the day or 2.  They will look at the run projections again and make the call sometime next week.

I know I'm gonna fish the Columbia if open!

Correct, the tournament is wherever you can legally keep a Springer in the Columbia watershed in a kayak. This includes the Willamette as well as tributaries of the Columbia. It would be nice if the Columbia opens for that weekend, but try not to plan for it.

So is there a general place where people are going to launch from?

So is there a general place where people are going to launch from?

Sellwood Park is a good one.