Washington Fishing Report
Pro guide Bob Barthlow (509-697-7125) reports the Cowlitz has been putting out excellent catches of summer steelhead. Small drifted baits are taking near limits for most boat guides. It’s about time we got some good news from this river.
Jeff at JB's GUIDE SERVICE (509-547-7450) states the oversized sturgeon are still present although finding good bait for them below McNary has been challenging. The walleye action has been fair but there aren’t many big fish present.
The return of sockeye salmon to Lake Wenatchee is not strong enough to allow a summer recreational fishery in the lake. But WDF&W throws its anglers a bone by opening up the ocean sportfishery in the Cape Falcon to Marine area 4 (Neah Bay) will open up 7 days/week for salmon fishing. Neah Bay has attained almost half of their Chinook quota.
Sportfishing in Puget Sound is fair in the north with about a Chinook every 10 boats. Further south, some of the best checks are coming from Olson’s Resort where anglers are checking about a Chinook every 3 boats. The few anglers fishing out of Port Angeles tallied a Chinook/boat last weekend.
Tuna have been reported out of Westport but with cooler water temperatures, they are likely to head further out to sea.
Pat Long (509-751-0410)of Snake River Guide Service reports that the Snake River has warmed to about 72 deg. in the past week or so and with the warming the fishing is falling into the summer pattern-early and late are the prime times for all species. Clearwater steelhead fishing is so-so, the fish are stalling below the lower dams and not too many fresh fish are moving in on a daily basis.
Friday, July 29, 2005
Oregon Fishing Report
Oregon Fishing Report
A bulletin from the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife on July 26th announced the ocean salmon season will expand to seven days a week starting Friday, July 29th, from Cape Falcon (near Manzanita) North into Washington State.
And not so good news for Columbia River anglers, the Departments released in-river gillnet season dates for fall fish. They are as follows:
NON-INDIAN COMMERCIAL SALMON FISHERY
DATES:
7 PM Thursday August 4 to 7AM Wednesday August 5 (12 hours)
7 PM Sunday August 7 to 7 AM Monday August 8 (12 hours)
7 PM Tuesday August 9 to 7 AM Wednesday August 10 (12 hours)
7 PM Thursday August 11 to 7 AM Friday August 12 (12 hours)
AREA: Zones 1 –5
SANCTUARIES: Grays River, Elokomin-A, Cowlitz River, Kalama-A, Lewis-A, Washougal and Sandy Rivers.
GEAR: 8" minimum and 9 3/4 maximum mesh size restrictions.
ALLOWABLE SALE: Salmon and sturgeon. A maximum of five white or green sturgeon may be possessed or sold by each participation vessel during each calendar week (Sunday through Saturday), that the fishery is open. The five sturgeon possession and sales limit includes both mainstem and Select Area fisheries. Now do you know why I am not so excited to start my guided fishing trips until the 15th of August?
Since conditions offshore have prevented many anglers from trying, the catches have been light, prompting the all-day, every-day fishery. Two coho or chinook may be retained per angler per day although coho must be of hatchery origin to keep. Chinook must measure 24 inches or better while fin-clipped coho over 16 inches may be kept. Anglers are allowed to retain 2 salmon- either 2 fin-clipped coho or 2 Chinook or 1 of each!The Cape Falcon to Tillamook Head area closes to salmon fishing on August 1st. Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain just north of Gold Beach closes to fin-clipped coho on July 31st. It remains open to Chinook however.Summer chinook are starting to show at Nehalem Bay with a few caught over the last week or so. In a week or two the conga line of trollers will be catching decent numbers of fish.
Sturgeon fishing was good last week at Tillamook Bay with many keepers taken. There's another minus tide series the first week of August which should offer additional opportunities in the early morning hours. Use mud shrimp if available, sand shrimp otherwise. See Marie at Tillamook bait for additional tips on taking these rod-benders.
Anchor fishermen on the Columbia, hopeful for summer chinook, are taking a surprising number of summer steelhead. While the majority of these are wild, there are fair numbers of hatchery fish in the mix. Salmon fishing, however, is slow. Algae continues to foul gear, requiring frequent cleaning.New rules effecting lower Columbia River salmon fishermen start on August 1st, just as the Fall chinook fishery gets underway.
Anglers from Buoy 10 to Tongue Point may keep two fish per day of which one may be a chinook. Wild coho must be released unharmed. Chinook must be at least 24 inches in length to retain, while hatchery coho have to be 16 inches or better to keep.From Tongue Pont to Bonneville, the limit is six jacks over 12 inches and two adults with the same restrictions as above.
Another season which was recently been expanded is that for retaining sturgeon in the Columbia estuary where retention remains open seven days a week through August 15th for gators measuring 45 to 60 inches. While fishing has been spotty and bait-stealers numerous, the rewards of keeper-sized fish has been worth the trip.
The Salmon, Tillamook, Trask, Wilson, Alsea, Yaquina Coos, Coquille, Rogue, and Umpqua Rivers open for fin-clipped coho on August 1st. It is quite early for any numbers of fish here and forecasts aren’t all that encouraging anyway.
Chinook fishing is fair out of Depoe Bay but the coho are not to be found. Bottom fishing remains great. All-depth halibut is open July 28th, 29th and 30th.Steelheading is improving on the Umpqua.
Fall chinook trollers on Rogue Bay saw some improvement this week.The Clackamas and Sandy Rivers are low, warm and very slow.
North Santiam steelheaders are finding great water levels, good numbers of fish but a tough bite in cold water.
Trout have been planted this week in the Willamette Zone at Breitenbush River, Carmen Reservoir, Leaburg Lake, Upper McKenzie River Upper, Quartzville Creek and the North Fork Santiam River. In the Deschutes watershed, Badger Lake, Three Creeks Lake, Fall River, Shevlin Pond and Spring Creek were stocked.
A bulletin from the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife on July 26th announced the ocean salmon season will expand to seven days a week starting Friday, July 29th, from Cape Falcon (near Manzanita) North into Washington State.
And not so good news for Columbia River anglers, the Departments released in-river gillnet season dates for fall fish. They are as follows:
NON-INDIAN COMMERCIAL SALMON FISHERY
DATES:
7 PM Thursday August 4 to 7AM Wednesday August 5 (12 hours)
7 PM Sunday August 7 to 7 AM Monday August 8 (12 hours)
7 PM Tuesday August 9 to 7 AM Wednesday August 10 (12 hours)
7 PM Thursday August 11 to 7 AM Friday August 12 (12 hours)
AREA: Zones 1 –5
SANCTUARIES: Grays River, Elokomin-A, Cowlitz River, Kalama-A, Lewis-A, Washougal and Sandy Rivers.
GEAR: 8" minimum and 9 3/4 maximum mesh size restrictions.
ALLOWABLE SALE: Salmon and sturgeon. A maximum of five white or green sturgeon may be possessed or sold by each participation vessel during each calendar week (Sunday through Saturday), that the fishery is open. The five sturgeon possession and sales limit includes both mainstem and Select Area fisheries. Now do you know why I am not so excited to start my guided fishing trips until the 15th of August?
Since conditions offshore have prevented many anglers from trying, the catches have been light, prompting the all-day, every-day fishery. Two coho or chinook may be retained per angler per day although coho must be of hatchery origin to keep. Chinook must measure 24 inches or better while fin-clipped coho over 16 inches may be kept. Anglers are allowed to retain 2 salmon- either 2 fin-clipped coho or 2 Chinook or 1 of each!The Cape Falcon to Tillamook Head area closes to salmon fishing on August 1st. Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain just north of Gold Beach closes to fin-clipped coho on July 31st. It remains open to Chinook however.Summer chinook are starting to show at Nehalem Bay with a few caught over the last week or so. In a week or two the conga line of trollers will be catching decent numbers of fish.
Sturgeon fishing was good last week at Tillamook Bay with many keepers taken. There's another minus tide series the first week of August which should offer additional opportunities in the early morning hours. Use mud shrimp if available, sand shrimp otherwise. See Marie at Tillamook bait for additional tips on taking these rod-benders.
Anchor fishermen on the Columbia, hopeful for summer chinook, are taking a surprising number of summer steelhead. While the majority of these are wild, there are fair numbers of hatchery fish in the mix. Salmon fishing, however, is slow. Algae continues to foul gear, requiring frequent cleaning.New rules effecting lower Columbia River salmon fishermen start on August 1st, just as the Fall chinook fishery gets underway.
Anglers from Buoy 10 to Tongue Point may keep two fish per day of which one may be a chinook. Wild coho must be released unharmed. Chinook must be at least 24 inches in length to retain, while hatchery coho have to be 16 inches or better to keep.From Tongue Pont to Bonneville, the limit is six jacks over 12 inches and two adults with the same restrictions as above.
Another season which was recently been expanded is that for retaining sturgeon in the Columbia estuary where retention remains open seven days a week through August 15th for gators measuring 45 to 60 inches. While fishing has been spotty and bait-stealers numerous, the rewards of keeper-sized fish has been worth the trip.
The Salmon, Tillamook, Trask, Wilson, Alsea, Yaquina Coos, Coquille, Rogue, and Umpqua Rivers open for fin-clipped coho on August 1st. It is quite early for any numbers of fish here and forecasts aren’t all that encouraging anyway.
Chinook fishing is fair out of Depoe Bay but the coho are not to be found. Bottom fishing remains great. All-depth halibut is open July 28th, 29th and 30th.Steelheading is improving on the Umpqua.
Fall chinook trollers on Rogue Bay saw some improvement this week.The Clackamas and Sandy Rivers are low, warm and very slow.
North Santiam steelheaders are finding great water levels, good numbers of fish but a tough bite in cold water.
Trout have been planted this week in the Willamette Zone at Breitenbush River, Carmen Reservoir, Leaburg Lake, Upper McKenzie River Upper, Quartzville Creek and the North Fork Santiam River. In the Deschutes watershed, Badger Lake, Three Creeks Lake, Fall River, Shevlin Pond and Spring Creek were stocked.
Sunday, July 17, 2005
Oregon Fishing Report
Updated for for the week of July 15th รข€“ July 21st, 2005
Columbia River sturgeon fishing in the estuary came to a close on the 10th of July. It will re-open from the 15th through the 17th for fish in the 45 to 60 inch range. Best fishing will be above the Astoria/Megler Bridge and the tides (incoming) will work in the favor of fishermen. Sturgeon fishing in the Bonneville area continues to be challenging for keepers but the oversize fishery remains fair to good for anglers using floater shad for bait.
Columbia River salmon fishing is poor in the gorge and only fair for down-river plunkers. Poor tides will limit success this week on the lower river. The bulk of the summer run Chinook have passed Bonneville Dam and the temperature is running around 65 degrees.
Ocean fishing out of Astoria/Illwaco has been fair for those anglers willing to travel several miles offshore to get these salmon. A mix of fin-clipped coho and a few Chinook are present but be prepared to fish the 280 to 320 foot water SW of the CR Buoy to get into fish.
Ocean fishing out of Garibaldi has slowed from the previous week but the storm front could be to blame for scattered fish. Chinook may be as equal an opportunity as coho but you will have to modify your technique to target them. Details in the full-length version of this newsletter. Some summer steelhead and sea-run cutthroat may be willing after the cool down and cloud cover from previously in the week. Bottom fishing is strong when the seas are friendly.
Chinook fishing remains fair with coho catches very low out of Depoe Bay. Bottom fishing is excellent, which has led to this:
Beginning Saturday, July 15th, the bag limit for rockfish will be five instead of eight fish per day according to an ODFW release dated July 13, 2005. This decision was made to protect the groundfish species and avoid a total closure.
Salmon trollers using downriggers have been most successful as the fish have been running deep out of Winchester Bay for chinook averaging in the teens with a few topping the 20-pound mark. Tuna are being caught far offshore.
A few Fall fish have been taken by trollers in Rogue Bay but it's still early for this fishery.
The lower Willamette is drawing less angler interest as steelhead and chinook counts at the Falls dwindle. The shad run is just about over.
The Sandy is slow for steelhead. A few springers remain available in the system. The occasional spring chinook has been taken from the nether regions of the Clackamas River but fish upstream remain reluctant to take bait or lure. North Santiam steelheaders are encountering fine river conditions and catching summer steelhead in many places.
Bass fishing is good for those trying very early or late in the day.
Kokanee fishing is good at Odell and Green Peter for those using the right techniques.
Trout have been planted in the following locations this week: Breitenbush River, Carmen Reservoir, Clear Lake, Leaburg Lake, Upper McKenzie River, Quartzville Creek, Salt Creek, North Fork Santiam River, Badger Lake, Lake of the Woods, Fall River, Shevlin Pond and Spring Creek.
Columbia River sturgeon fishing in the estuary came to a close on the 10th of July. It will re-open from the 15th through the 17th for fish in the 45 to 60 inch range. Best fishing will be above the Astoria/Megler Bridge and the tides (incoming) will work in the favor of fishermen. Sturgeon fishing in the Bonneville area continues to be challenging for keepers but the oversize fishery remains fair to good for anglers using floater shad for bait.
Columbia River salmon fishing is poor in the gorge and only fair for down-river plunkers. Poor tides will limit success this week on the lower river. The bulk of the summer run Chinook have passed Bonneville Dam and the temperature is running around 65 degrees.
Ocean fishing out of Astoria/Illwaco has been fair for those anglers willing to travel several miles offshore to get these salmon. A mix of fin-clipped coho and a few Chinook are present but be prepared to fish the 280 to 320 foot water SW of the CR Buoy to get into fish.
Ocean fishing out of Garibaldi has slowed from the previous week but the storm front could be to blame for scattered fish. Chinook may be as equal an opportunity as coho but you will have to modify your technique to target them. Details in the full-length version of this newsletter. Some summer steelhead and sea-run cutthroat may be willing after the cool down and cloud cover from previously in the week. Bottom fishing is strong when the seas are friendly.
Chinook fishing remains fair with coho catches very low out of Depoe Bay. Bottom fishing is excellent, which has led to this:
Beginning Saturday, July 15th, the bag limit for rockfish will be five instead of eight fish per day according to an ODFW release dated July 13, 2005. This decision was made to protect the groundfish species and avoid a total closure.
Salmon trollers using downriggers have been most successful as the fish have been running deep out of Winchester Bay for chinook averaging in the teens with a few topping the 20-pound mark. Tuna are being caught far offshore.
A few Fall fish have been taken by trollers in Rogue Bay but it's still early for this fishery.
The lower Willamette is drawing less angler interest as steelhead and chinook counts at the Falls dwindle. The shad run is just about over.
The Sandy is slow for steelhead. A few springers remain available in the system. The occasional spring chinook has been taken from the nether regions of the Clackamas River but fish upstream remain reluctant to take bait or lure. North Santiam steelheaders are encountering fine river conditions and catching summer steelhead in many places.
Bass fishing is good for those trying very early or late in the day.
Kokanee fishing is good at Odell and Green Peter for those using the right techniques.
Trout have been planted in the following locations this week: Breitenbush River, Carmen Reservoir, Clear Lake, Leaburg Lake, Upper McKenzie River, Quartzville Creek, Salt Creek, North Fork Santiam River, Badger Lake, Lake of the Woods, Fall River, Shevlin Pond and Spring Creek.
Saturday, July 02, 2005
Washington Fishing Report
Washington Fishing Report
Updated for for the week of July 1st – July 7th, 2005
Washington Fisheries Update: In the mid-river, sturgeon fishing for oversize remains good using fresh shad. Walleye fishing is picking up below McNary dam, using worm harness'. Bass fishing is slowing down considerably as they are going deep, 25ft to 30ft.
Snake River sturgeon have been running large but bass fishing is slowing down as well.
Olympic Peninsula salmon fishing is dropping off although Hoh River fishing should begin to pick up as the summer Chinook begin running in July.
NW Washington – Charter Captain Mike Jamboretz (425.788.5955) has continued to catch his boat's limit of halibut daily in Canadian waters and catching lingcod as well. Some halibut have been in the 40 pound range and the fishing continues to be consistently good. Fishing for salmon starts tomorrow (7/1/05).
Cowlitz – Pro Guide Bob Barthlow (509.697.7125) tells us that he fished the mouth of the Cowlitz, inside the dredge on 2 days this week. We were anchored up with red bead w/ brass blade spinners and red U-20 Flatfish off a dropper. On the out going tide the 2 days we boated 4 Summer Chinook, w/ 3 keepers 12#-22# and 3 hatchery steelhead 6#-11#.
More at http://www.theguidesforecast.com/
Updated for for the week of July 1st – July 7th, 2005
Washington Fisheries Update: In the mid-river, sturgeon fishing for oversize remains good using fresh shad. Walleye fishing is picking up below McNary dam, using worm harness'. Bass fishing is slowing down considerably as they are going deep, 25ft to 30ft.
Snake River sturgeon have been running large but bass fishing is slowing down as well.
Olympic Peninsula salmon fishing is dropping off although Hoh River fishing should begin to pick up as the summer Chinook begin running in July.
NW Washington – Charter Captain Mike Jamboretz (425.788.5955) has continued to catch his boat's limit of halibut daily in Canadian waters and catching lingcod as well. Some halibut have been in the 40 pound range and the fishing continues to be consistently good. Fishing for salmon starts tomorrow (7/1/05).
Cowlitz – Pro Guide Bob Barthlow (509.697.7125) tells us that he fished the mouth of the Cowlitz, inside the dredge on 2 days this week. We were anchored up with red bead w/ brass blade spinners and red U-20 Flatfish off a dropper. On the out going tide the 2 days we boated 4 Summer Chinook, w/ 3 keepers 12#-22# and 3 hatchery steelhead 6#-11#.
More at http://www.theguidesforecast.com/
Oregon Fishing Report
Oregon Fishing Report
Updated for for the week of July 1st – July 7th, 2005
The sturgeon fishing in the lower Columbia remains challenging for most anglers. The recent gillnet opener coupled with warmer water temperatures is having a profound effect on angler success rates. It likely won't get any better over the 3 day holiday weekend. The best fishing remains upstream of Tongue Point although anglers willing to battle crab and trash fish are finding a few more large keepers below the bridge.
Keeper fishing in the gorge is slowing down and so is oversize fishing. The shad run is winding down but it still remains the best bait for the oversized fish.
Salmon fishing in the gorge has recently picked up as we enter the peak week of fishing in this area. Fewer gillnets are working this water allowing for better opportunities for deep water spinner plunkers. Bank anglers are catching fish in this area as well.
With a decent run of summer chinook following the disappointing springer showing, the decision to allow sports anglers to keep chinook, fin-clipped or not, from the Columbia starting July 1st is official.
Poor tides this week for lower river salmon and steelhead plunkers. Fishing shouldn't be any good.
Chinook continues to wind down on the North Coast but Three Rivers on the Nestucca system will remain open to salmon through July 10th. Although the run was running a bit late this year, it appears to have been a good one for north coast anglers.
Bottom fishing is excellent out of central and southern ports. Offshore coho is spotty but chinook trollers in the ocean have been doing well on the South coast.
Umpqua anglers are taking springers and summer steelhead. Shad and smallmouth fishing is good.
The lower Rogue is producing some springers as the season winds down and thoughts arise of Fall fish in the Bay.
The Lower Willamette continues to reward shad anglers but this run will wrap up in July. The Clackamas River remains slow, the Sandy fair. North Santiam steelheaders are hopeful for a good season but it hasn't started yet.
Ocean salmon fishing north of Cape Falcon opens on July 3rd. Results are not expected to be very impressive with the low prediction of hatchery coho this year. Anglers will likely have to search for fish and limits are not very likely. A light westerly breeze is forecasted for the weekend.
The entire Oregon coast remains closed to razor clams due to high levels of the naturally-occurring biotoxin, demoic acid.
Trout were stocked this week in Trillium Lake, Estacada Lake, Faraday Lake, North Fork Reservoir, Blue River, Breitenbush River, Carmen Reservoir, Badger Lake, Horseshoe Lake, Lost Lake, Olallie Lake, Campbell Lake, Big Cultus Lake Deadhorse Lake, East Lake, North and South Twin Lakes, Century Gravel Pit, Deschutes River, Lake of the Woods, Ochoco Creek, Sprague Gravel Pit, Three Creeks Lake, Walton Lake, Devils Lake, Fall River, Shevlin Pond and Spring Creek.
More at http://www.theguidesforecast.com/
Updated for for the week of July 1st – July 7th, 2005
The sturgeon fishing in the lower Columbia remains challenging for most anglers. The recent gillnet opener coupled with warmer water temperatures is having a profound effect on angler success rates. It likely won't get any better over the 3 day holiday weekend. The best fishing remains upstream of Tongue Point although anglers willing to battle crab and trash fish are finding a few more large keepers below the bridge.
Keeper fishing in the gorge is slowing down and so is oversize fishing. The shad run is winding down but it still remains the best bait for the oversized fish.
Salmon fishing in the gorge has recently picked up as we enter the peak week of fishing in this area. Fewer gillnets are working this water allowing for better opportunities for deep water spinner plunkers. Bank anglers are catching fish in this area as well.
With a decent run of summer chinook following the disappointing springer showing, the decision to allow sports anglers to keep chinook, fin-clipped or not, from the Columbia starting July 1st is official.
Poor tides this week for lower river salmon and steelhead plunkers. Fishing shouldn't be any good.
Chinook continues to wind down on the North Coast but Three Rivers on the Nestucca system will remain open to salmon through July 10th. Although the run was running a bit late this year, it appears to have been a good one for north coast anglers.
Bottom fishing is excellent out of central and southern ports. Offshore coho is spotty but chinook trollers in the ocean have been doing well on the South coast.
Umpqua anglers are taking springers and summer steelhead. Shad and smallmouth fishing is good.
The lower Rogue is producing some springers as the season winds down and thoughts arise of Fall fish in the Bay.
The Lower Willamette continues to reward shad anglers but this run will wrap up in July. The Clackamas River remains slow, the Sandy fair. North Santiam steelheaders are hopeful for a good season but it hasn't started yet.
Ocean salmon fishing north of Cape Falcon opens on July 3rd. Results are not expected to be very impressive with the low prediction of hatchery coho this year. Anglers will likely have to search for fish and limits are not very likely. A light westerly breeze is forecasted for the weekend.
The entire Oregon coast remains closed to razor clams due to high levels of the naturally-occurring biotoxin, demoic acid.
Trout were stocked this week in Trillium Lake, Estacada Lake, Faraday Lake, North Fork Reservoir, Blue River, Breitenbush River, Carmen Reservoir, Badger Lake, Horseshoe Lake, Lost Lake, Olallie Lake, Campbell Lake, Big Cultus Lake Deadhorse Lake, East Lake, North and South Twin Lakes, Century Gravel Pit, Deschutes River, Lake of the Woods, Ochoco Creek, Sprague Gravel Pit, Three Creeks Lake, Walton Lake, Devils Lake, Fall River, Shevlin Pond and Spring Creek.
More at http://www.theguidesforecast.com/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)