Trolling stickbaits off bottom walkers in deep water is popular in this stretch (particularly at dusk and at night). Also try roundhead jigs, blade baits, worm harnesses and crankbaits. There's a range of depths here, from five feet near shore to 60 feet in the main river. Look for humps, underwater rock formations, shelves and flats, and especially look for deep rock in current where summertime 'eyes wait to ambush food. Pay particular attention to the long shelves and flats along the Oregon side -- perfect structure for trolling crankbaits and worm harnesses.

Another hotspot is the north side of Miller Island, which splits the river. The incoming Deschutes River is on the south side of this split.

There's a significant channel on the north side of the island, and the sloping bottom as that channel begins to come up to form the island can hold concentrations of walleyes. Trolling deep-diving stickbaits and crankbaits and digging up mud along the slope is the ticket.

For conditions, tackle and lodging, contact Jim Stroud with Dinty's Market in Biggs, (541) 739-2236.

MOVING DOWNRIVER
Fishing is slightly different on the Columbia as you move closer to the Portland/Vancouver area. Walleye activity here tends to run later than upstream sections because snowmelt and hard, cold currents from upriver dams keep water temperatures down. Summer fishing doesn't really get rocking until the end of June, and sometimes not until July. Then fishing can be ferocious. Lower river walleyes aren't as big on average as east-side walleyes, but you can catch 30 to 40 fish per outing.

One of the most popular spots is Ough Reef, just upriver from the public boat ramp at Camas. This is an extensive flat adjoined by deep water. It can be tough to fish, with strong currents, twisting current seams and lots of tackle-grabbing rock on the bottom. Also be prepared for a stiff westerly wind. Successfully fished, this long shelf can hold excellent numbers of walleyes that fall to vertical jigging and roundhead jigs.

Upriver from Ough Reef is lengthy Reed Island, which can be accessed by launching at Crown Point or Sundial on the Oregon side, or by running upriver from the Camas ramp on the Washington side. Extensive flats and shallows surround the island. Trolling worm harnesses in only a few feet of water during summer will result in big numbers of fish, as will tossing the crankbaits around the island's shallow edges.

Downriver, you'll want to fish at the I-205 bridge, both sides of Government Island and the railroad bridge near I-5 with blades baits and roundhead jigs with night crawlers.

For information and tackle on the lower Columbia, call Larry McClintock at Critter Gitter Custom Walleye Tackle in Portland, (503) 257-0553.

CURRENTS & MOON PHASES
Moon phases are important for walleye fishing. Portland-area walleye expert McClintock swears by the three days on both sides of either a full or new moon. "Those tend to be the best days of the month in the summer," he points out.

Washington-Oregon Game & Fish carries Dan Barnett's Feeding Times, which includes moon phases, within the front pages of each issue.

It can't be said enough: River walleye are current creatures. Where they are and what they're doing is a consequence of current or the lack of one. Be sure to fish current breaks, current seams and deep-water holding places out of the current. Fish close to structure and to the sides of the river during periods of heavy flow, and more to the center and mid-river shelves during lighter flows.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Columbia River walleye guides: