Fishing In Tillamook

the Land of many waters image. David Johnson offers both guided fishing trips for large and small groups. Always a great day out!

Tillamook Valley was known to its first inhabitants as “The land of many waters”. And for good reason. Tillamook County has over eight rivers, three bays and the Pacific Ocean that offer some of the Northwest’s best Salmon and Steelhead fishing anywhere.

David Johnson’s Guide Service is based in Tillamook County and we pride ourselves in showing of our home rivers and bays and their fish. We fish spring, summer and fall Chinook salmon and winter steelhead giving us almost year round opportunities.

Natural beauty and wildlife abound, making it worth the trip just so see.

Tillamook is a great place to take photograhs. The scenic pictures you can capture in tillamook are breathtaking. Skyscapes, wildlife, fish, you name it , they have it!

There are all kinds of recreational opportunities here too .In Tillamook County there is crabbing, clamming, hiking, ATV riding and golf. The beaches are nice and the scenic drives along the coast are outstanding.

The famous Tillamook Cheese Factory, with their great ice-cream and free cheese samples, is rarely passed by without a quick stop.

David Johnson's
Guide Service

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Fall Chinook- Also known as “Hogs” this is a very large strain of Chinook that range in size from 20 to 50 pounds and sometime even bigger! We start fishing for fall Chinook in the bays and ocean in September and October moving inland with the fish as they make their migration. By following the movement of these fish David Johnson’s Guide Service stays with the “Bite” giving us a very long peak that starts in early September and lasts until mid December with some of these fish available until the first of the New Year (season closes Dec. 31)

Summer Chinook- There is an early species of fall Chinook that is classed as a summer run that enters Nehalem Bay in the months of July and August. If you want to enjoy some uncrowded fishing with nice weather and chrome bright salmon consider fishing with David Johnson’s Guide Service in the summer months on Nehalem Bay.

Off-Shore Salmon- During the summer months of July and August off-shore salmon can be red hot, sometime with dozens of fish caught in a few hours. Some Chinook are caught but most of the fish are coho salmon.

This fishery is dependent on ocean conditions and can be canceled if the seas are too high.

Spring Chinook- Tillamook Bay is very well known for its huge fall Chinook but it also has some real nice “springers” too. This is a trophy fishery, we might only get a couple a day but they are worth it!

Most rivers have spring Chinook that average 12 to 16 pounds but in Tillamook 20 pounders are common and fish that break 30 aren’t surprising. If you’ve ever eaten “springer” then you know why they are the most sought after. They are the finest tasting salmon in the world and one fresh from the sea like the ones in Tillamook are even better.

Winter Steelhead- One of my favorites. Steelhead are at the top of the list for game fish. In December our winter steelhead start entering the rivers and peak from January through April. David Johnson is an expert at putting clients into exceptional steelhead fishing with multiple fish days the norm. We use cutting edge techniques on light gear to give you the maximum amount of fun. The rivers we fish are so beautiful just floating down them is worth the price of admission.

Food and accommodations are available locally and many of our clients prefer to spend the night before their trip here to make up for the early morning meeting times. If you need any assistance just ask us and we’d be glad to help. Some hotels offer discounts for those who are fishing with us. We also know a great little B&B that is close to the action.

There are also many beach homes for rent in the area, perfect for larger groups or families.