How to read the Big C Tides?

How important are the tides when fishing the big C for fall Chinooks? Could someone run me through how to determine what times to fish? I think the outgoing tide is the best time to fish but is fishing during a low tide or incoming tide a waste of time or should you just change tactics from sitting on anchor to trolling? 

So reading this I would think the best time to fish would be between 9:00 to 4:00, but could fishing from 4:00 to 7:00 be productive still? Or is it better to just wait for the next outgoing tide. Thanks in advance!
http://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/get_predictions.cgi?year=2011&stn=1038%20Astoria&secstn=Vancouver,%20Wash.&thh=+5&thm=45&tlh=+7&tlm=38&hh=*0.00&hl=*0.00&size=small

Although I'm not a huge fan of the Ifish website I do find their tide table function helpful http://www.ifishnorthwest.com/tides.html  I like tables that not only have the numerical data but also a graph.  For Columbia fall nooks like you are interested in targeting the optimum time to fish them is when a high tide (preferably the "bigger" high tide of the day) occurs in the morning.  Best fishing is generally during the outgoing tide.  The bigger the tide exchange generally the better.  Fish movement both upstream and in the water column is directly related to tidal current.  Can you fish other times?  Sure!  As long as you have enough current to work your gear correctly you are in the game.  Like I always say "you'll never catch em sitting on the couch"  They are here now!  here's todays fish...

For the Portland area, IMO, either tide is the way to go.  Specifically an hour before and an hour after.  I definitely like sitting on anchor, and and outgoing tide is best for that as it helps get the water moving.  A major incoming can almost make the river feel flat, in which case you need to start trolling.  If the current isn't enough to move your wobbler or kick the quikfish, then you need to start trolling. 

If you're fishing Astoria, like your chart would suggest, then you really want to fish the incoming tide.  Chinook prefer the colder water that comes into the estuary on the flood, opposed to the warmer water of the river.

Fish have been caught at all levels of current and tides.  If you're sitting here reading, and not fishing, then you're not going to catch anything.

Issac have you caught many fish trolling in the section of the river between Warrior Rock and the Dam?

Thanks guys. My chart above is actually for the Vancouver area, which is where I planned on fishing. I'd love to be out on the river right now but I'm stuck behind my computer at work, with breaks thinking about going fishing! I'm trying to squeeze in one weeknight of fishing this week but wanted to pick the day with the most optimal tide around the time I get off work.

Many? no. Hell, I can't even put one on the kayak.
But it's worked for me before, especially between CL and Sandy, and a great WW fish further up river that wishes to remain spotless.

So if Noah and I hit the Big C at 4:00 pmish when the tide starts coming in what would the best bet be?  Trolling with a flasher with a cut plug herring, or use some other tackle (kwik fish etc...)? 

I normally would not care if I catch something or not. Although, the preference is usually for catching fish.  I just love getting the stress relief paddling and fishing provides.  But, Pelagic Paddler had to go and  throw that jack on the Traeger, take a picture, post it, and make me crave some fresh salmon.

Here's my 2cents... (for the stretch between Warrior Rock and Camas) I have fished the Columbia for URB's (up river brights) for over 20years and I have never trolled for them, ever.  Could you troll for them?  sure, could you catch one? anythings possible.. the phrase "once in a blue moon comes to mind".   If there is not enough current to fish wobblers then try smaller spinners if there is not enough current to run spinners I go home and mow the lawn. Don't bother with herring, the water was 73 yesterday, its a hardware show 100%.   Its all about current, location, and presentation.    Like I said before.. If you can go out and anchor in enough current to make your gear work correctly (wobble you wobbler, spin your spinner) you are not wasting your time.  Could there be more optimum times? sure but at least your fishing.  If you can't find these conditions I'd save your "time on the water" for latter and go earn some points with the fam. 

Holy sh!t Pelagic, I'm guessing your freezer is as big as my entire house.

You are a slayer. There is a village of Pygmies somewhere that could subsist just on the blood you spill.

Here's my 2cents... (for the stretch between Warrior Rock and Camas) I have fished the Columbia for URB's (up river brights) for over 20years and I have never trolled for them, ever.  Could you troll for them?  sure, could you catch one? anythings possible.. the phrase "once in a blue moon comes to mind".   If there is not enough current to fish wobblers then try smaller spinners if there is not enough current to run spinners I go home and mow the lawn. Don't bother with herring, the water was 73 yesterday, its a hardware show 100%.   Its all about current, location, and presentation.    Like I said before.. If you can go out and anchor in enough current to make your gear work correctly (wobble you wobbler, spin your spinner) you are not wasting your time.  Could there be more optimum times? sure but at least your fishing.  If you can't find these conditions I'd save your "time on the water" for latter and go earn some points with the fam. 

Thanks for the tips. 

For the Portland area, IMO, either tide is the way to go.

Dude you've got some virtual huevos for trying to say anything that counters a guy who just posted multiple trips limiting out. Do yourself a favor and post some fish. We don't want to see you go the way of Jself.

Even though it was not the best time of the day, as Pelagic said, "you'll never catch em sitting on the couch", Noah and I went out late yesterday afternoon.  I hate mowing the lawn, so I ignored that advice.  Sorry Ron. 

Anyways, the fish checker had 6 chinook, 2 coho, and a steelhead come past him yesterday afternoon.  Another fisherman pointed out some boats that were still out that had not yet been counted. One of which had 3 chinook.  I figured it would at least be a good test of my new Columbia River anchor (15 pound boat anchor) and trolley. 

Noah and I anchored up and we each got two.  I had a Moose Drool and an IPA he provided and He latched on to an IPA and a Black Butte Porter I provided.  So, no couch sitting, good beer, and good company. Therefore, it was mostly successful.   Being a cup half full kinda guy that I am: at least I didn't have to clean any fish. 

-Craig

Mooooooose droooooooool...... mmmmmmmm.......

I had to try some since andyjade speaks so highly of it.  It's pretty good. I see more in my future.

It was good fishing/drinking with you Craig. What did you think of the IPA? Laugintas is probably my favorite IPA. I'll have to grab some of their seasonals next time. Their Hairy Eyeball and Brown Sugga is pretty amazing.

Hey Ron, do you wash your wobblers? That sounds dirty, but I was reading something about lemon soap on ifish?