If you’re going to cast a line in Portland, look no further than True North Outdoors. Captain Hugh will be your guide, bringing aboard years of knowledge and experience.

Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Lingcod, Black Rockfish, and more are seasonally targeted species throughout the year. You can expect to do some spinning, trolling, jigging, bottom fishing, or maybe something more seasonally fishing from Oregon’s coast waters to Portland’s Willamette Valley.
The fish caught are yours to harvest, provided they’re legal to retain. Plus, you will have your catch cleaned and packaged honoring your harvest for the highest quality table fare. Make sure you have a cooler ready in the car!

Children and all ages are welcome, so get them outside and onto the water! Child-sized life vests are available when we are notified in advance, otherwise, you should bring your own. Snacks are also a good idea so that nobody gets grumpy on an empty stomach!

You’ll be dropping lines from a 26’ River Wild aluminum fishing boat with room for 6 passengers. It has all the essentials no fishing machine can run without. We provide the best gear, rods, reels, and tackle waiting for you, as well as custom tied lures.

People in your group will need to purchase a local fishing license and salmon tag before the trip. This information is available online at ODFW, or you can ask the captain. Some species may be off-limits or require a special tag, so make sure you know what to expect.

Some essentials you’ll want to bring are a waterproof layers, warm clothing, hat, sunglasses, bottled water, and sunblock (non-spray). If you’d like to bring other drinks, just ask. 

Go ahead and treat yourself to a day on the water with True North Outdoors.



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Shared trip
    8 Hour Trip – Buoy 10 Astoria
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 5:30 AM
    Seasonal trip Aug 1 - Sep 10
    Price for 2 persons
    US $500
    August - September An impressive time fishing for fresh ocean Chinook and Coho Salmon entering into the estuary at the mouth of the Columbia River, commonly known as the Buoy 10 Fishery (“The Super Bowl of Salmon Fishing”). This is the most anticipated fishery of the year in the PNW. Book your trips and accommodations well in advance as prime dates fill fast.
    Targeted fish
    Salmon (Chinook)
    Chinook Salmon
    Salmon (Coho)
    Coho Salmon
  • Shared trip
    8 Hour Trip – Fall Salmon
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 5:30 AM
    Seasonal trip Sep 10 - Oct 31
    Price for 2 persons
    US $500
    September - October I will typically follow the large anadromous Salmon run up the scenic lower and mid-Columbia River. This is a productive time of year fishing for big fall fish with a variety of techniques. I may also target these fish in the North Coast bays and rivers with favorable timing and conditions for their return.
    Targeted fish
    Salmon (Chinook)
    Chinook Salmon
    Salmon (Coho)
    Coho Salmon
  • Shared trip
    8 Hour Trip – Spring Salmon
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Mar 1 - Jul 31
    Price for 2 persons
    US $500
    March - July Spring Salmon are consistently known for their exceptional quality, flavor, and nutritional value. This time of year is an exciting occasion for locals and visitors to pursue these celebrated fish in our home waters of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers. March through summer I offer trips out of the Portland Metro area.
    Targeted fish
    Salmon (Chinook)
    Chinook Salmon
  • Shared trip
    8 Hour Trip – Ocean Salmon&Rockfish
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 5:30 AM
    Seasonal trip Jun 15 - Aug 31
    Price for 2 persons
    US $600
    June - August Ocean trips for salmon and potentially bottom fish on the Oregon coast when favorable wind, weather and conditions permit. Salmon and bottom fish (Lingcod & Rockfish) combo trips are available during the summer months and are an exciting adventure with aggressive fighting fish, deploying a variety of tactics, with an opportunity to boat a bounty of succulent seafood. It’s common to experience diverse marine wildlife from a front row seat while fishing.
    Targeted fish
    Lingcod
    Lingcod
    Salmon (Chinook)
    Chinook Salmon
    Salmon (Coho)
    Coho Salmon
    Black Rockfish
    Black Rockfish
  • Private trip
    8 Hour Trip – Buoy 10 Astoria
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 5:30 AM
    Seasonal trip Aug 1 - Sep 10
    Price for up to 4 persons
    US $1,000
    August - September An impressive time fishing for fresh ocean Chinook and Coho Salmon entering into the estuary at the mouth of the Columbia River, commonly known as the Buoy 10 Fishery (“The Super Bowl of Salmon Fishing”). This is the most anticipated fishery of the year in the PNW. Book your trips and accommodations well in advance as prime dates fill fast.
    Targeted fish
    Salmon (Chinook)
    Chinook Salmon
    Salmon (Coho)
    Coho Salmon
  • Private trip
    8 Hour Trip – Fall Salmon
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 5:30 AM
    Seasonal trip Sep 10 - Oct 31
    Price for up to 4 persons
    US $1,000
    September - October I will typically follow the large anadromous Salmon run up the scenic lower and mid-Columbia River. This is a productive time of year fishing for big fall fish with a variety of techniques. I may also target these fish in the North Coast bays and rivers with favorable timing and conditions for their return.
    Targeted fish
    Salmon (Chinook)
    Chinook Salmon
    Salmon (Coho)
    Coho Salmon
  • Private trip
    8 Hour Trip – Ocean Salmon&Rockfish
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 5:30 AM
    Seasonal trip Jun 15 - Aug 31
    Price for up to 4 persons
    US $1,000
    June - August Ocean trips for salmon and potentially bottom fish on the Oregon coast when favorable wind, weather and conditions permit. Salmon and bottom fish (Lingcod & Rockfish) combo trips are available during the summer months and are an exciting adventure with aggressive fighting fish, deploying a variety of tactics, with an opportunity to boat a bounty of succulent seafood. It’s common to experience diverse marine wildlife from a front row seat while fishing.
    Targeted fish
    Lingcod
    Lingcod
    Salmon (Chinook)
    Chinook Salmon
    Salmon (Coho)
    Coho Salmon
    Black Rockfish
    Black Rockfish
  • Private trip
    8 Hour Trip – Spring Salmon
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Mar 1 - Jul 31
    Price for up to 6 persons
    US $1,000
    March - July Spring Salmon are consistently known for their exceptional quality, flavor, and nutritional value. This time of year is an exciting occasion for locals and visitors to pursue these celebrated fish in our home waters of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers. March through summer I offer trips out of the Portland Metro area.
    Targeted fish
    Salmon (Chinook)
    Chinook Salmon
There are 18 people looking at this charter.

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
5.0 / 5
out of 5 stars from 3 reviews
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (6)
100% Recommend!
Epic trip with Capt. Hugh
Epic trip with Capt. Hugh
+3
Angler rating
3
0
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
100%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
33%
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Featured  
Showing:
3 of 3 reviews
Matt E.
Porter, TX
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Epic trip with Capt. Hugh

VERIFIED   8 Hour Trip – Spring Salmon on June 26, 2023
Capt. Hugh got us on the fish early and kept us on them all day. Very friendly, knowledgeable, professional and patient. Planning...
Matt E. recommends True North Outdoors
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Hugh Harris Captain replied

Danielle H.
Portland, OR
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Spring Salmon Fishing

VERIFIED   8 Hour Trip – Spring Salmon on June 9, 2023
Had a great time on the river. Hugh was very well prepared, and did everything in his power to make sure we caught a fish....
Danielle H. recommends True North Outdoors
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Hugh Harris Captain replied

Theresa A.
San Antonio, TX
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

100% Recommend!

VERIFIED   8 Hour Trip – Spring Salmon on July 2, 2023
Great experience all around! Great guide, great gear, clean and comfortable boat. The day we went fishing only one other boat...
Theresa A. recommends True North Outdoors
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Hugh Harris Captain replied

FAQs about True North Outdoors

True North Outdoors offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $250 per person - 8 Hour Trip – Buoy 10 Astoria (8 hours)
  • US $250 per person - 8 Hour Trip – Fall Salmon (8 hours)
  • US $250 per person - 8 Hour Trip – Spring Salmon (8 hours)
  • US $300 per person - 8 Hour Trip – Ocean Salmon&Rockfish (8 hours)
  • US $1,000 per group, additional US $100 per person after 4 guests - 8 Hour Trip – Buoy 10 Astoria (8 hours)
  • US $1,000 per group, additional US $100 per person after 4 guests - 8 Hour Trip – Fall Salmon (8 hours)
  • US $1,000 per group, additional US $100 per person after 4 guests - 8 Hour Trip – Ocean Salmon&Rockfish (8 hours)
  • US $1,000 per group - 8 Hour Trip – Spring Salmon (8 hours)

When you book a trip with True North Outdoors, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Wireless Trolling Motor
  • Ice Box

Trips booked with True North Outdoors include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting

True North Outdoors offers the following types of fishing:
  • River Fishing
  • Inshore Fishing
  • Nearshore Fishing

True North Outdoors offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Bottom Fishing
  • Trolling
  • Spinning
  • Jigging

Top targeted fish species with True North Outdoors include:
  • Black Rockfish
  • Lingcod
  • Salmon (Chinook)
  • Salmon (Coho)

Meet the Captain

Hugh Harris
Portland, Oregon, United States
2 Fishing Reports
ID & license verified
5 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since March 2023
From an early age a passion for the outdoors, hard work, and an incessant curiosity for adventure in fishing was instilled in him by his father, a fisheries biologist. Fishing is a way of life that offers Hugh endless joy through a creative pursuit of the elusive and challenging, but attainable. There’s peace in connecting with the rhythm of a tide and the seasons of nature. Fishing provides that connection with the whole living world and a deeper immersion into it. Hugh is excited to share with you the knowledge and skills to achieve these rewarding life experiences. Hugh is honored to have been a featured author for Salmon & Steelhead Journal, as well as a host of fishing seminars in the PNW community.

About this listing

Targeted species

Black Rockfish Black Rockfish
Lingcod Lingcod
Salmon (Chinook) Chinook Salmon
Salmon (Coho) Coho Salmon

Boat specs

Boat Image
Boat category
Skiffs and flats boats
Capacity
6 persons
Boat length
26 ft
Year built
2021
Boat manufacturer
River Wild
Boat type
Aluminum fishing

Engine model
Yamaha
Powered by
2 x 250HP
Max cruising speed
40 knots

Types of fishing

River Fishing
Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Trolling
Spinning
Jigging

Amenities

GPS
Fishfinder
Wireless Trolling Motor
Ice Box

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 7 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 7 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.

Listing policies

Pickup agreed upon reservation
Transfer to/from departure site may be available and included in price depending on your location and distance from the dock.
Child Friendly
You Keep Catch
Following State & Federal Guidelines
Catch and Release Allowed

Payment

Pay online in full

Pay online in full through FishingBooker and save on credit card fees at the dock.

No additional fees.
Book with 10% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 10% deposit to guarantee your reservation.

The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:

Cash
Visa
Mastercard
American Express
PayPal
Checks
Bank Transfer

Portland Fishing Calendar

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