Chris Nordling's Fishing Guide Service

02/12/2025

Today I'm hanging with the great guys and gals at Fisherman's Marine & Outdoor in their giant booth at the Sportsman's Show. I'll be there from 3-8, and wandering around before that. Come out and say hi and let's talk fishing! Hope to see you there.

Captain Chris

01/09/2025

Dylan kicks off our 2025 steelhead season with this dandy hatchery fish. The fish nabbed a 16mm bead in some fast water and created chaos for the next 5 minutes. Jumping over the anchor, oar, and almost jumped in the boat 2 other times before i could net her. His dad wanted to get him out before he headed back to college in a week. They picked a perfect day for weather and for fish. Congrats Dylan!

I have dates available throughout the season. Let's get you and yours out for some good times and fun fishy adventures. With an encouraging amount of fish around early, it will should be a fun year. This is hands on fishing at it's finest!

Capt. Chris
503 866 0971

Fisherman's Marine & Outdoor ClackaCraft Drift Boats
Hatchery Wild Coexist

12/30/2024

Happy holidays! Don't forget to purchase your 2025 fishing and hunting tags. There will be a lot to do in the upcoming year, and we want to make sure you're ready to go!

I'm starting to fill up 2025 dates, so now is the time to start asking me about getting you on the calendar for your favorite fisheries.

I'm sure after this high water recedes we're going to be out chasing winter steelhead, this will be going on for the next 4 months. After that will be spring Chinook, and before you know it we'll be back in Astoria.

I can't thank everyone enough for their continued support over the years. Without you, I wouldn't be able to live my dreams of helping you make memories to last a lifetime. You have helped me the last 23 years of guiding, that is something pretty amazing and special. Let's keep it going in 25!

Capt. Chris Nordling
503 866 0971

12/16/2024

We finished up the fall Chinook season last month with a couple of first timers landing their first ever Chinook. This father and son team flew in from Atlanta just before Thanksgiving and added fresh fish to their holiday menu. Cheers fellas!

On to winter steelhead fishing. There are some early fish around, and that's a good sign for what is on tap the next 4 months.

I have seats open this month if you are looking to tag a final fish of 24. There's a storm brewing, and if we get a nice drop after, there should be fish to catch.

We'll have a bloody good time for sure!

Be sure to reach out early for steelhead days, I want to get everyone that has asked this year out at least once. I think it's gonna be a great winter to get after 'em. Not too cold and good numbers of fish. When they come early, it's often a great sign of a great run of fish for the season.

Let's make sure you and yours are a part of it!

Chris
503 866 0971

10/27/2024

It's drift boat time at the coast for Fall Chinook ! I have TUE and THU open this week. Next week also has some potential, but I'm holding off booking it until I see a forecast. Other than that, there are a handful of days left to fish towards the middle of the November until it closes 11/30. Often that is a very productive time of year to fish, especially after we get a rainstorm or two. Please reach out and let me know if you want to try your hand at taming these Fall Kings. They are superb fighting fish!

Captain Chris
(503) 866-0971

**The pic is an older pic, but a special one. Tom and I won the "BIG FISH" award that year at the North Coast Salmon Rendezvous with this fish. We just finished another great event, raising nearly $118,000 for the fish this past Friday. While Tom has passed on, the memory of this day lives on for me. **

09/19/2024

Hey Fishy Friends. If you have a moment, please leave me a review on Google. I just added my business listing and could use your help. I appreciate you all so much!

Ps a few more open dates on the Columbia in Astoria(crabbing too) and near Portland, before we move to other fisheries like tributary coho near Portland and Estuary and river Chinook at the coast. Trips to the gorge for Chinook and coho are also on the menu.

Here's the Google review link. Please click on the link below and leave a 5 star review. It really helps me out.

Post a review to our profile on Google

09/11/2024

It's official! The limit has been upped to 3 fish in Astoria, and one can be a Chinook (King). Ends 9/22 and starts this Thursday the 12th. Who can help fill the boat and your freezer? Did I mention crab too?

Fishing is borderline silly right now. Doubles, triples and quads happen daily. Can we get a 5 piece?

Text, call or Message me on FB to get into the action.

Let's Goooooo!
(503)866-0971

Captain Chris

09/10/2024

Listening to a meeting regarding our fishery this fall. We could be looking at a Chinook retention period from Thursday 9/12-9/20. Updates when it's official. I do have open seats and open boats available and crabbing for the next few days as well (tomorrow thru Sunday)

Chris

09/10/2024

Father and daughter trips are pretty cool. Hard fighting coho and limits of crabs for all!

Fishing is wide open, and crab is getting going better each day.

Openings this week to get you right in the action. Starting tomorrow morning. Use a little sick time from work and let's go visit my playground. You will be glad you did.

Capt. Chris
(503)866-0971

09/05/2024

Coho madness is in full swing! Doubles, triples, quads, Oh My ! Come visit us in Astoria, and see what all the rave is. This year is reminding me a lot of 2014, and that year was epic all the way to November. These fish will only get larger as time goes on.

Adding crabbing to the next week of trips. You pay the cooking fee and I'll help you clean them. I have openings this week, so reach out and let's get you signed up today! I can be reached by text, messenger, or good ol' phone calls.

Captain Chris
(503)866-0971

08/27/2024

Spoiler alert: Heaviest keeper of the year taken today on my boat. 26.75 pounds for Lucky angler Jed Alger.

Backstory: Half of yesterday's guests stuck around Astoria and wanted to try their luck again after such a great day of fishing. Well, today for me wasn't fast and furious, but once we found them it was pretty good fishing. Jed started with a nice keeper coho. Larry followed with a another solid keeper. As we moved towards "the barn" to end kur half day Jed struck Paydirt after missing a few solid takedowns prior. Battling this Chinook like a seasoned pro, the beast was tamed and high fives exchanged. We were close to our half day being over, and I suggested one last pass for long time guest Larry. Shortly into our troll, his rod folds over with our final Chinook keeper. Thanks to Shortbus Flashers for the super series flasher that enticed the beast.

If you want to come join the fun, opportunities are available in the coming weeks. Crabbing too!

Captain Chris
(503)866-0971

08/26/2024

Sunny weather. ✅
First salmon ✅
Land a double ✅
Limits for all ✅

Open boat and open seats sprinkled between now thru the 6th of September. Let's go enjoy some quality river time. It's also a great time to get on my calendar for the rest of the fall season. Crabs, Kings, Coho, Chum we are in for a great next few months.

Capt. Chris
503 866 0971

08/25/2024

Fishing is about as good as it gets right now in Astoria. These fish are aggressive and biting well and are really putting up some great battles. It's starting to resemble some of the 'Good Old Days' of old. The action can be intense and fast paced!

I have open seats on Monday Tuesday and Wednesday. If I had to make a prediction, I would guess those three days are going to be extremely productive. The tides are right, the fish are here, it's creating The perfect Storm of insanity.

Let's Go Crazy!

(503) 866 0971

Captain Chris

08/21/2024

Almost famous but not quite there yet Kenny is by himself tomorrow. Unless, someone wants to step up and watch me throw his fish back to the waters (late start, so you can call/msg/txt late). Thursday has one seat with Kenny and crew, and Friday is WIDE open for a group. I also have days/seats next week, and also during the non select season.

Now is also a great time to secure your September and beyond dates. Crabbing/coho in Astoria, Columbia gorge Chinook/coho, Bay Chinook and Coho (non select certain days), tributary coho drift trips, and so much more. Absolutely love this time of year!!

Capt. Chris
503-866-0971