Tigard Man Who Caught Year's 1st Spring Chinook Salmon Wins Store's Prize

Mike McMahon of Tigard caught this year's first spring chinook salmon on Saturday at Multnomah Channel. The 19-pound fish was his personal best!

McMahon had his first rodeo experience and said he plans on returning. Daskalos has had some good fortune lately with her pink reel.

Mike McMahon

Mike McMahon of Tigard recently caught the first spring Chinook salmon of the year - a 33-pound fish caught using a fly rod.

McMahon's first victory in the annual spring derby held by the State of Environmental Protection Agency's Tigard-Tualatin River Basin Watershed Management Authority (Tigard-Tualatin WRMA) marked her first triumph. This fishing competition offered $43,350 in cash prizes, including $150 for each of three catches of giant Chinook salmon.

This year's derby attracted an impressive 2,700 participants, beginning May 11 and concluding on Sunday. Anglers caught their salmon in the Tualatin river basin - a prime fishing spot for both salmon and trout alike.

Bill Taylor of STEP reported several notable catches this weekend, some weighing in at more than 30 pounds. Terry Fibler from Bend had the biggest fish at 34 pounds and David Lyon from Bend had another 29.1-pound Chinook on his hands.

On the Tualatin River during minus tides from March into April, a spring chinook run will be active. These changes in water levels bring more fish closer to shore and encourage them to make their way closer.

Bank fishing can also be highly productive during morning and afternoon tides in mid-March, the end of March, and early April due to spring run-off.

Additionally, salmon will be more inclined to run toward the coast during this time of year due to warmer water that keeps them deeper. This makes it easier for them to swim along banks, so it's wise to find places where these fish tend to congregate.

Living in Tigard, Oregon provides you with plenty of outdoor activities such as hiking, biking and canoeing. Plus you're close to several wineries, parks and the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge. If shopping is your thing then Tigard boasts several premier retail centers featuring an impressive selection of shops and restaurants. Plus if live music is your thing then there are plenty of concerts and shows held here throughout the year.

Reedsport

Mike McMahon of Tigard, Oregon Coast Aquarium and owner of an impressive 19 pound spring chinook salmon was the star of the show with this big fish that weighed 19 pounds! Caught off Multnomah Channel near Port of Portland during what has been considered a good year for salmon farming, McMahon also set an aquarium record by releasing 854 fish during one brisk week that included both a full moon and dark winter days.

Winchester Bay

Winchester Bay is a picturesque seaside village along the Umpqua River that serves as an excellent starting point for exploring Oregon's Southern Coast and famed Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. Not only is it popular for dune riding, whale watching, crabbing and lake fishing enthusiasts; but it's also great place to stay in between activities due to its many restaurants and boutiques.

Dockside Gifts, a unique fudge shop located in Portland, offers an assortment of novelty gifts and freshly made fudge daily.

On Saturday morning in Multnomah Channel, Mike McMahon of Tigard caught the first spring chinook salmon of the year: a 19-pounder which is believed to be the biggest in five years.

McMahon says this is his first salmon catch, and he hopes to return for more. He feels confident that this marks the start of an excellent fishing season.

McMahon not only caught the first spring chinook of the year, but he also took top honors in a local fishing competition on Sunday. His prize fish weighed 20 pounds, 5 ounces and earned him $200 for its capture.

Terry Fibler of Portland tied for second with a 29.1 pound salmon that also marked his first. David Lyon of Reedsport weighed in with 28.5 pounds to take third place overall.

Another notable winner was a Cortland angler who brought in the 28-pound, 10-ounce fish at K&G Lodge in Oswego.

McMahon's salmon division may not have been as impressive, but the STEP program's 16th annual salmon derby still saw victory. The competition raised $43,350 for STEP which helps boost Snake River salmon populations by raising and releasing fin clipped Chinook.

The spring Chinook season officially commences on March 1 and lasts through May 31. Bank anglers should target the minus tides during mid-March (Morning tides) and late-March (Af-ternoon tides). When water flows are high, bank anglers may find shore-hugging Chinook in shallow water; plugs, herring or plug-cut baits can be most successful here.

Tigard

Tigard's Shining Stars Community Awards Celebration, now in its 49th year, recognizes and honors citizens who demonstrate excellence and leadership within business, volunteer activities and educational achievement. This virtual event serves as a fun way for Tigard's diverse community to come together and honor those who make our city great!

Ron Royse of Tigard, Oregon has had an illustrious life. He grew up in Corvallis but moved to Tigard as a teenager and opened a plumbing and electrical supply store that remains his own today. Aside from running his business, Ron has also been active with several local organizations; serving as city planning commission representative for 10 years and currently president of the Tigard homeowners association.

He has been an integral part of the Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration for more than 30 years, helping organize it. Additionally, he played a significant role in saving John Tigard House - located at SW Pacific Hwy and SW Gaarde St. - as a historic landmark.

Although spring Chinook salmon numbers on the Willamette River are not as abundant as those found elsewhere on coastal waters, anglers can still catch plenty of fish during this season. The fishery consists of 85% hatchery fish and 15% wild ones; anglers have a two-day limit on keeping two per day.

The Willamette River hosts three distinct runs of salmon, but only the spring Chinook run attracts serious anglers. These fish can be more challenging to catch than their summer counterparts due to warm water temperatures which inhibit their appetites; thus, anglers who wish to target Chinook often opt for other fisheries instead of the Willamette.

Unfortunately, this year has been one of the toughest spring Chinook seasons for Monroe and other local guides. As of May 10, only 9,792 adult Chinook had passed over Willamette Falls, compared to 6,679 last year and 3,168 in 2017.

Overall, fishing along the Willamette River has not been particularly good, however anglers have had difficulty spotting fish that may be present. This is unfortunate as the Willamette River plays a significant role for anglers in Oregon and serves as an excellent starting point for summer fishing trips. Plus, you get to experience all of its unique wildlife up close and personal!