How do I book a fishing trip with Tony?
Call (503) 381-0868. Tony picks up most days between 6 AM and 9 PM. He'll confirm the date, target species, group size, and meet location on the phone.
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FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED.
Most calls to Tony are the same six questions. They're answered below in plain language — same as if you called him. Skip ahead if you've got one specific, or jump to all guided trips or the veteran rate page.
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Booking & payment
What forms of payment does Tony accept?
Cash, Venmo, or card. There's a 3% fee on card payments — it keeps the veteran discount from getting double-stacked.
What does a fishing trip cost?
$250 per person standard rate. $200 per person for veterans, active-duty military, retired military, first responders, and their dependents. Same pricing on every trip type — salmon, sturgeon, walleye, and Buoy 10.
Do I need to book the whole boat or can I share it with strangers?
Tony runs private trips only — your group books the whole boat, even if you're 1 or 2 people. The per-person rate is what each person in your group pays. Or book the whole boat for $1,500 flat.
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Veteran, military & first-responder rate
Who qualifies for the veteran fishing trip rate?
Veterans (any branch, any era), active-duty military, retired military, first responders (police, fire, EMS, dispatch), and any of their dependents — spouse, kid, parent. Tony doesn't ask for proof. If you say you qualify, you qualify.
How much is the veteran discount?
$50 off per person on every trip type. $250 standard goes to $200 for veterans, active-duty military, retired military, first responders, and their dependents.
Can I book the full boat for a unit, VFW post, or veteran group trip?
Yes — this is one of Tony's favorite trips to run. Full boat is a flat $1,500 for any trip type. Call Tony to coordinate.
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Trips, seasons & species
What fish does Tony guide for?
Chinook salmon, coho salmon, white sturgeon, walleye, and kokanee. The trips are Columbia River salmon (Mar–Oct), Columbia sturgeon (year-round), Buoy 10 salmon at the Columbia estuary (Aug–Sep), and Eastern Oregon walleye (Mar–Jul).
When is the best time to fish the Columbia River?
Spring Chinook salmon: April–May. Summer Chinook: June–July. Fall Chinook and coho: August–October. Buoy 10: August–mid-September. Sturgeon: any time of year, with seasonal keeper windows. Walleye: May–June.
Where do trips launch from?
Columbia salmon and sturgeon: boat ramps around Portland, Gresham, Vancouver WA, or Cascade Locks depending on where the fish are. Buoy 10: Hammond Marina or East Mooring Basin (Astoria). Walleye: Tony launches from Irrigon, Oregon on the John Day Pool — lodging available for veterans making the drive.
Can I keep the fish I catch?
Salmon — yes, subject to ODFW retention rules that change weekly. Sturgeon — mostly catch-and-release, with short seasonal keeper windows. Walleye — yes, 10 fish per day in Oregon. Tony tracks all the current regulations.
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The salmon runs
What are the salmon runs on the Columbia River?
Five distinct runs each year: spring Chinook (April–May), summer Chinook (June–July), fall Chinook (August–October), coho (September–October), and the Buoy 10 estuary run (early August through mid-September) where the fall fish stage before heading upriver. Tony fishes all of them.
When is the spring Chinook run on the Columbia?
Late March through early June, peaking late April through mid-May. Spring Chinook are the prized eating fish of the year — the highest fat content, the best on the grill. Limits are usually one fish per angler per day during the open window. Spring kings get filled fast — book 4–6 weeks ahead for weekends.
When is the summer Chinook run?
Mid-June through July. Summer kings are bigger on average than spring fish (20–30 lb is common, 40+ shows up) and the bite is steady when the water hits the high 50s. Tony runs them on the mainstem Columbia and lower Willamette.
When is the fall Chinook run?
August through mid-October. This is the highest-volume run of the year — hundreds of thousands of fish pushing through the Columbia. The fish stage at Buoy 10 in the estuary first (August through mid-September), then move upriver through the gorge and beyond. Coho mix in starting late August.
When is the coho salmon run?
Late August through October, peaking in September. Coho are smaller than Chinook (6–12 lb typically) but aggressive — fun on lighter gear. They often outnumber Chinook in the lower Columbia by mid-September.
When does the Buoy 10 fall run hit?
Early August through mid-September. This is when the fall Chinook stage in the Columbia River estuary at the mouth, near Astoria. Six weeks. Hundreds of thousands of fish. The trip books out a season ahead — Tony's Buoy 10 dates fill in May and June for the August window.
Which run produces the biggest Chinook?
Fall Chinook on average. Tagged URB and tule stocks at Buoy 10 push 25–40 lb regularly, with 50+ lb fish landed every season. Summer Chinook are next. Spring kings are smaller (15–25 lb typical) but eat the best.
What about steelhead runs?
Tony doesn't currently run dedicated steelhead trips — the Columbia steelhead runs (summer steelhead June–September, winter steelhead November–March) overlap with the salmon seasons and the salmon trips are what most clients ask for. Ask Tony when you call — he'll tell you what's biting.
When does sturgeon keeper season open?
Short windows, set by ODFW and WDFW each year. Typically 1–2 weeks in spring (May or June) and again 1–2 weeks in late summer. Slot limits apply (currently 44–50 inch fork length on the lower Columbia). Tony tracks the announcements and tells you what's legal the morning of your trip. Outside the keeper windows, sturgeon is catch-and-release year-round.
When is the walleye run on the Columbia?
Late March through early July, with peak fishing in May and June. Walleye aren't a 'run' in the migratory salmon sense — they hold in pools and structure year-round — but the post-spawn bite in spring puts them on the feed and that's when Tony runs his Eastern Oregon trips out of the John Day Pool.
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Licensing & regulations
Do I need a fishing license for a guided trip?
Yes. Oregon or Washington fishing license — the Columbia is joint waters, so either one works. Every angler 12+ needs one. You can buy online from ODFW or WDFW or at any sporting goods store. Tony confirms what you need when you book.
Does Tony provide the fishing license?
No. You'll buy your own from ODFW or WDFW. It's faster and cheaper than going through a guide service.
What licensing does Tony hold?
Tony is licensed and insured as an Oregon Outfitter and Guide. The boat meets Coast Guard safety standards. Tony is CPR and First Aid certified.
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What to bring & what to expect
What should I bring on a guided fishing trip?
Your Oregon or Washington fishing license. Sun protection. Lunch and lots of water. Proper clothing for the weather. Cash, Venmo, or card for trip payment. Tony provides everything else.
What's included in the trip price?
All rods, reels, terminal tackle, and bait. Boat fuel and ramp fees. Fish cleaning and bagging of your fillets. Coolers and ice for taking your fish home. On-water guidance and instruction.
Can I bring kids?
Yes. Tony runs family trips often. Kids 12 and up need their own fishing license. Walleye and salmon are usually best for first-time young anglers; sturgeon is fine for older kids who can handle a heavy rod.
I've never fished before. Is that okay?
Yes. Most first-timers on Tony's boat didn't grow up fishing. Tony will set up the gear, walk you through the technique, and put you on fish. No prior experience required.
How long is a typical trip?
About 8 hours on the water, sometimes longer if the bite is on. Tony meets you pre-dawn at the ramp and is back at the takeout by mid-to-late afternoon for most trips. Buoy 10 trips run on tide windows that vary by day.
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Weather, cancellations & safety
What happens if the weather is bad?
Tony calls weather on the morning of your trip. If he cancels for safety reasons, you pay nothing — no rescheduling fee, no cancellation fee. He'll work with you to find another date.
What's the cancellation policy if I need to cancel?
If you cancel more than 48 hours out, no penalty — just call and let Tony know. Within 48 hours, please be straight with him — he often turns down other trips to hold your date, and a late cancellation costs him a day's income.
Is the boat safe?
Yes. The Alumaweld is a six-person commercial guide boat. It meets Coast Guard safety standards and passes annual Oregon State Marine Board inspection. Tony carries commercial liability insurance, USCG-required life jackets for every passenger, and is CPR and First Aid certified.
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