CatchWindow fishing intelligence

St Helens, OR Daily Water Report — October 4, 2026

St Helens gets a clear green light for most on-water plans, with sailing the standout and boating, fishing, and diving all solidly favorable. The marine forecast holds wave height, swell, and wind waves at 0.0 m, while dry weather, clear skies, stable pressure near 1015 hPa, and generally modest northwest wind make this a notably orderly October day. Orderly is not the same as consequence-free, of course: the wind is forecast to build enough to gust 17.3 knots around 7 PM, so smaller craft will find the earlier hours more forgiving. For anglers, the best overlap comes around the morning solunar major period from 7:10 to 9:10 AM, closely aligned with the 7:54 AM low tide. Fishing rates 7.3/10, helped by the stable pressure and manageable wind. A second major period runs 7:10 to 9:10 PM, but that comes with the day’s strongest gust potential and after sunset at 6:49 PM. The early-afternoon high tide at 1:03 PM and minor solunar period from 1:40 to 2:40 PM offer another reasonable option, especially for those preferring warmer air. Sailing earns 8.4/10: enough breeze for purpose without forecast waves complicating the picture, though the evening gust spread deserves respect. Boating scores 7.6/10 and diving matches it at 7.6/10, supported by the flat marine forecast; atmospheric visibility is forecast at 21.8 km, but that should not be mistaken for an underwater-visibility reading. Kayaking is more moderate at 6.2/10, reflecting the wind sensitivity of small craft despite the calm water forecast. Wildlife scores 7.1/10, with the morning low tide and lighter early conditions the better fit. Compared with the reconstructed recent CatchWindow record, fishing improves from yesterday’s 6.0/10, while sailing eases from 8.9/10 but remains excellent. Diving stays unchanged at 7.6/10. The next several days remain dry and flat, with peak winds around 11 knots Monday and Tuesday, then 8 knots or less Wednesday through Friday. Best bet: launch early, work the 7:10–9:10 AM window, and be off the water before the evening northwest gusts decide to add punctuation.