Oregon fishing update 12/22/06

Oregon Fishing Update

Willamette Valley/Metro - Sturgeon fishing continues to slow in the gorge as water temperatures begin a steady decline. This fishery will continue to slide until spring and keepers will become increasingly available from the mouth of the Willamette downstream. Smelt will remain the top bait and a few fresh smelt are being taken from commercial netters in the lower river.

Steelhead anglers are beginning to see a downturn in their fishery as summer run fish begin to feel the need to migrate to winter spawning grounds. Tributary fisheries like the John Day may linger for another few weeks with bobber and bait taking the majority of fish.

Precipitation pushed the Willamette River to over 90,000 cfs at the Falls on December 15th, increasing water temps to 48 degrees. As the water dropped, so did the temperature, back down to a chilly 42 degrees by Monday of this week. The visibility remains less than one foot. Sturgeon fishing has been fair in Portland Harbor and Multnomah Channel.

It's still early for reliable winter steelhead action on the Clackamas although fish have started entering the hatchery facility on Eagle Creek.

Water conditions are good on the Sandy which is typical when the freezing level is low. Since this river is 100% broodstock steelhead, the run is still a few weeks away.

The Molalla River is blocked by a log jam and impassable to driftboaters. The hatchery program ceased several years ago however a remnant wild run exists later in the season.
The North Santiam remains very high with trees and debris causing potentially dangerous situations at various locations. Check ahead and boat with care.

Huddleston Pond in Sheridan will receive 350 'Trophy Trout' (16 inches or better) this week. Scheduled to be planted with 'Catchable Sized' trout (eight to 10 inches) are Junction City Pond, Carmen Reservoir, Clear Lake, Leaburg Lake, upper McKenzie River, Quartzville Creek, Santiam River North Fork and Trail Bridge Reservoir.

Northwest – The Kilchis produced good catches of chinook on Sunday and Monday. Not many anglers are targeting hatchery steelhead with such a strong showing of late winter chinook. A downed tree will keep driftboaters from using the section of river from Kilchis Park to the logger bridge.

Flows are expected to remain relatively stable through the weekend making the Wilson River the best bet for late winter chinook and steelhead. Hatchery plants of steelhead were distributed further upstream giving bank anglers good opportunity above Mills Bridge. Lower river anglers should focus more on chinook until flows drop lower.

Only a handful of boats are targeting chinook in the Ghost Hole and a rare chinook was caught early in the week. Tillamook estuary anglers should focus their efforts on sturgeon at this point with a nice minus tide series currently underway. Unfortunately, the peak part of the tide is occurring after sunset.

The Trask and Nestucca Rivers have slowed for chinook and only a few steelhead are showing in Three Rivers.

Steelheading is slow on the Alsea according to pro guide Bill Kremers (541 754 6411) who goes on to predict that it'll be after Christmas before this one starts to produce.

Crabbing has picked up in the lower Tillamook Bay and remains good in Netarts Bay. Softer tides will allow for expanded crabbing opportunities by the middle of next week.

Southwest – The South coast has been blessed with an earlier-than-normal winter steelhead run this year and the forecast is for above average numbers of fish.

Winter steelheading has been fair to good on the mainstem Umpqua above Scottsburg. Warming conditions could get the sturgeon fishing underway below Reedsport. It's overdue.
Chinook fishing is expected to improve on the Coquille with waters dropping and clearing.

Coos River anglers are enjoying a winter steelhead run that is underway earlier than in seasons past.

The Elk has dropped and cleared since the last rain and is producing quality Chinook.

Winter steelhead are entering the lower Rogue in sufficient quantity to have created a worthwhile fishery. This run doesn't usually get underway until the last week of December but was jump-started by the recent heavy rains. Steelhead are running 8 to 15 pounds.

While over 30,000 cfs last week, the Chetco flow had moderated to 3680 cfs as of Tuesday this week. Many of the Chinook moved upstream with the freshet but winter steelhead catches are on the increase.

Eastern - Weather in Northeast Oregon has recently made the fishing opportunities spotty. Water levels became unmanageable a week ago, then cold weather arrived earlier this week and brought water levels into good fishing conditions. By midweek, water temperatures had dropped enough to create slush ice in the river. Not necessarily bad for catching, but it adds a new element and eliminates fly fishing and drift fishing bait. Catch rates have dropped from recent weeks due to volatile weather conditions.

Oregon fishing update

Oregon Fishing Update

Willamette Valley/Metro - As per usual for this time of year, sturgeon action seems to be slowing in the gorge for keepers and shakers. Although water temperatures stabilized last week, freezing levels and food supply should send them downstream for until early spring.
Flows at Willamette Falls have increased slightly with the water temperature rising to 42 degrees and the visibility currently unaffected but likely to color. Anglers have been hoping for river temps to increase as this should improve the sturgeon bite.

Winter steelhead are on the move at the Falls in modest numbers, jumping to double digits on December 10th and pushing the total over 170.

A couple of winter steelies have fallen to early optimists on the Clackamas but plunkers at Meldrum Bar below the mouth have a better chance of a hookup.

One lone hatchery winter steelhead has been confirmed form the Sandy River. The water is likely to be roiled by this weekend. Look for steelheading to start up here in January.
Fishing has been challenging in the high waters of the North Santiam, but the swift flows have caused hatchery summer steelhead to seek shelter near the smaller tributaries where anglers are catching a few.

Walling Pond and Walter Wirth Lake are scheduled to be planted with eight to 10 inch rainbows this week.

Northwest – North Coast anglers seized another good week of salmon and steelhead fishing in the Tillamook district. With the log jam on the Trask opened up for navigation, fishing was very good with bright fish in the high 30 pound class taken. Most streams have already begun to rise putting these fish in jeopardy through the weekend.

Although the action slowed after excellent success the week before, some fresh salmon were still being taken in the lower stretches including tidewater. Backbounced eggs and backtrolled plugs were the ticket.

Pro guide Jesse Zalonis (503-392-5808) reports, "The Nestucca also continued to put out bright chinook but this run should fade and winter steelhead fishing should be in full swing when flows drop." Pro guide Jim Nicol (503-550-3166) adds "Three Rivers will be a good option for bank anglers while boaters working the mainstem Nestucca below the entrance of Three Rivers should start to take steelhead as early as Sunday."

The North Fork Nehalem is getting steelhead back to the hatchery and should be a top option when the rains taper. It's neighbor the Necanicum is also a strong option but high winds and saturated streambanks will make this dynamic river a navigational hazard- be prepared.
Gnat Creek and Big Creek will also be options as they fish best when most other north coast rivers are too high for success. Bank access may be a problem however as some areas are well posted.

Crabbing is excellent on Netarts Bay and may remain that way through the weekend.
Razor clam digging may be an option by the beginning of next week. Clatsop area beaches will produce the best results.

On the Alsea, pro guide Bill Kremers (541 754 6411) reports, "The Alsea River went up to 10 feet today and suppose to go higher for the next couple of days. I spent the day fin clipping steelhead at the North Fork hatchery. Something like 55 steelhead showed up at the hatchery, so the run is on. Hopefully the river will drop by early next week with some good fishing."
Southwest – Steelheading is fair on the mainstem and North Fork of the Umpqua River.

Pro guide Jeff Jackson (541-268-6944) reports, "The Siuslaw fished good for chinook last week but has since blown out. When the flows recede, steelhead fishing should pick up with plunkers taking the first fish on spin-n-glos and small baits."

Siltcoos and Tahkenitch Lakes close on December 15th but the fishery has been productive.
The Coos River is delivering some decent winter steelhead fishing while the run has started up on the Coquille where fishing is fair and improving.

Anglers on the Sixes scored bright Chinook once again over the weekend as the run winds down and thoughts turn to winter steelhead.

Winter steelheading on the lower Rogue remains slow although a few half-pounders are being taken. Summer steelhead fishing is spotty on the upper river due to chilly water temperatures.
A series of days when the ocean was flat late last week allowed crossing out of Port Orford where anglers scored limits of rockfish and lingcod. The lings ranged from the low twenties to 35 pounds.

Fall Chinook fishing is holding up on the Chetco with winter steelhead coming on strong. Metalheads are ranging from 10 to 14 pounds with an 18 pound hatchery fish taken recently.
Ocean crabbers are taking large, firm Dungeness in 100 to 120 feet of water where the bottom is sandy. Following the lengthy ocean closure, December crabbing is always reliable. Tides will be soft over the weekend, favoring crabbers, but we will move into a series of late-day minus tides by mid-week.

Eastern - Pro guide Mac Huff (800-940-3688) reports, "Grande Ronde and Imnaha anglers are putting in about fours hours for each steelhead taken. Pressure is light. Upcoming winter storms may deter travelers but with the freezing level dropping, flows should stay relatively consistent."

Oregon fishing update

Oregon Fishing Update

Willamette Valley/Metro - With temperatures stabilizing, gorge anglers had fair to good fishing for keeper sturgeon in the Columbia River Gorge over the weekend. The best fishing remains in the gorge while Kelly Point Park is a distant second. Fishing downriver of the mouth of the Willamette is fair for shakers but keepers are scarce.

Despite a low prediction for returning smelt this winter, rumors of their presence are coming from downriver. Although this used to be an indicator for the winter sturgeon fishery in the lower Columbia, it is no longer a reliable factor.

It was slow going for sturgeon fishers on the Willamette during the last Thursday through Saturday opener, but a few keepers were caught on a variety of baits. Winter steelhead are falling in modest numbers to plunkers at Meldrum Bar. As a natural consequence, the number of anglers along the bank of the Willamette below the Clackamas River is increasing.

As the Clackamas drops and clears, a few early steelheaders are sure to give it a try. Steelhead are occasionally taken in late December, but the run will get underway in December and should be worth a trip in February. Sandy River steelhead are on a similar schedule.

Despite the fact that Detroit Reservoir is not yet down to winter low levels serving as flood protection, the levels of the North Santiam are fishable. Boaters should watch for debris, logs and changes in channels. The number of summer steelhead entering the trap at Foster Dam has dwindled to near-zero and no winter fish have entered.

While few trout plantings are on the schedule for the remainder of the year, the ODFW will periodically stock brood trout and steelhead in valley lakes and ponds in wintertime. So it was with the inadvertently unpublicized planting last week. Anglers will find brood trout in Walling Pond, Walter Wirth Lake, Junction City Pond, West Salish Pond and Sheridan Pond.
Oregon licenses and harvest cards became available on December 1st at license agents state wide.

Northwest – Large numbers of anglers are still trying for late winter chinook in Tillamook Bay. A great bite in the Ghost Hole was witnessed on Monday but it had tapered by Tuesday. There is still lots of wood debris floating in the bay but the water has good clarity.

The Wilson River has been very productive this week with a mixed bag of both dark and bright chinook. Catches have been excellent since the weekend but expect continued high effort. It is clear that the Wilson and Kilchis runs are strong this year. With so many chinook in the river, steelheaders are timid about using lighter gear. Steelhead have been taken on most north coast streams however.

The Nestucca also fished very well for both bright and dark chinook since the weekend. Fresher fish will be found in downstream drifts and although action should slow, persistent anglers are still likely to find success. According to Pro guide Kent Anderson (503-550-6303), "The Nestucca finally got green again and fished good for the past 5 days(Weds-Sun).

Smaller north coast streams like the Necanicum and North Fork Nehalem are likely to be too low for safe drifting. More rain is forecasted for early next week making these streams prime for the taking of steelhead.

Siletz winter steelhead hopefuls are trying with little success. This is another river with a successful broodstock run which will pick up in January and February
Crabbing in Yaquina Bay has improved, rewarding some folks with limits. Mid-day will be the best time to toss nets, rings and traps this weekend.

The Alsea recently produced good numbers of fresh and colored chinook and an occasional winter steelhead downstream of Five Rivers. The nearby Siuslaw should soon produce winter steelhead as well.

Extreme tides kept most crabbers from attaining easy limits. Tides will soften by the middle of next week.

Southwest – On the Umpqua, Sayers Rapids has rewarded steelheaders with a few bright winter fish over the weekend but sturgeon fishing has yet to take off in the estuary.

A few steelhead nave been taken on the Coos and Coquille, with prospects improving along with river conditions. The East Fork Coquille opened to steelheading on December 1st. Siltcoos and Tahkenitch Lakes have slowed for coho as temperatures have dropped below 45 degrees. These fisheries close on December 15th.

Winter steelheading is improving on the lower Rogue as the river recovers from heavy rains. The Grants Pass stretch is slow. Upper Rogue steelheaders continue to make fair to good catches of summer steelhead.

As Chinook fishing winds down on the South coast, only the Elk and Sixes continue to produce reliably. Levels and clarity were good over last weekend and nearly half the anglers trying scored chrome.

Winter steelhead have started entering the Chetco and several have been caught as Chinook fishing winds down here.

Eastern - The mid-40-degree water of the lower Deschutes is clearing with steelheading picking up a little this week. Pressure is very low, much like the air temperature on the East side.
The Grande Ronde River is producing decent steelhead catches although the Washington section has higher catch rates. With a warming trend, action should continue to pick up in the coming weeks.

Oregon fishing information

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Oregon fishing reports

Oregon Fishing Update

Willamette Valley/Metro - Although action is still fair for sturgeon anglers in the Columbia River Gorge, the bite is beginning to taper as temperatures drop. The cooling trend will further degrade opportunity river-wide for keepers and shakers. Downstream of the gorge, the best area is near the mouth of the Willamette. Boats downstream of the Willamette are reporting poor fishing.

The temperature of the Willamette is currently hovering in the mid-40s. An increase in water temps in the mainstem Columbia will improve the sturgeon fishing in the Portland Harbor. Water is high, swift and full of leaves from the last round of rain although it may fish by the weekend if flows moderate.

Clackamas anglers may find the occasional summer steelhead this weekend if the water clears but pickings are slim. The few coho remaining in Eagle Creek are dark.

The Sandy remains quite muddy. It would be wise to wait for winter steelhead which will arrive early next year.

There's hope for the North Santiam by this weekend, as Detroit is near winter-level low so drainage for flood control purposes is near completion. The river was off color at mid-week, however. If the water doesn't drop to a fishable level, a few decent summer steelhead are still being taken in the tributaries even when the river is high.

No trout planting took place this week in any Oregon waters.

Northwest – The Kilchis River continues to get the most pressure as it remains the only river in fishable condition reports pro guide Jim Nicol (503-550-3166). That should change however as dropping flows on other north coast rivers should enable them to clear by the weekend.

The Wilson hasn't fished all month but chinook should be plentiful from Mills bridge downstream. Flows will be low enough to cause fish to hold in traditional water versus tailouts and shallow runs. Anglers will likely come across a mix of both bright and dark chinook and a rare coho or steelhead.

The Trask remains debris dammed but authorities predict the log jam may break up in dropping flows. Know before you go. The Nestucca should produce a rare quality chinook and early winter steelhead reports pro guide Jesse Zalonis (503-392-5808). Lower floats are likely to produce the best results. Three Rivers may get a push of steelhead if early indicators are accurate.

The Ghost Hole has finally tapered off although a fair number of boats are still trying. With rivers clearing, they should be the better option.

Tillamook Bay sturgeon action should begin to improve but effort has been non-existent and cold weather may deter anglers.

Crabbing will remain best on Netarts Bay but the ocean opens on December 1st. Seas will likely be too rough for recreational crabbers however.

A good clam tide begins for north coast diggers beginning on Friday and lasting past the weekend. The surf is predicted to subside by Sunday.

Southwest – It's time for sturgeon on the Umpqua below Reedsport and anglers are starting to target them. Steelheading is slow on the mainstem, fair to good on the North Fork.

Trollers targeting wild coho in Siltcoos and Tahkenitch Lakes are still taking fair numbers of fish. Blue and Green Pirate colors have been working best and bank anglers can access the Siltcoos River through Tyee Campground reports pro guide Jeff Jackson (541-268-6944).

The Siuslaw remains high and turbid but plunkers are taking a few winter steelhead in the lower reaches.

Chinook fishing has been productive on the Elk and Sixes whenever they are in fishable shape. The fish are averaging about 25 pounds each.

Rogue steelheaders have been finding success on the upper river for summer fish while the Grants Pass stretch remains non-productive. Conditions on the high, roiled lower river were unfishable earlier this week.

Chinook anglers on the Chetco have been scoring large, chrome fish between blowouts. Backtrollers have had success with sardine-wrapped Kwikfish. When flows drop, back bounced eggs have been effective. The first winter steelhead of the season was taken here last week.
Eastern - Pro guide Mac Huff (800-940-3688) reports, "Action on the Grande Ronde River has improved dramatically. Although weather conditions may deter anglers, catch rates of 1 fish every 3 to 5 hours are being recorded.

Fair numbers of steelhead continue to enter the Deschutes, but slides upstream have kept the water flowing muddy.

Oregon fishing reports and more

Oregon fishing update

Oregon Fishing Update

Willamette Valley/Metro - Columbia River sturgeon fishing remains good and in the murky waters of the NW, is one of the better options. Keepers are still being taken with some regularity in the gorge for anglers using smelt and sand shrimp combinations. Sub-legal action is good from the gorge downstream to Rainier. Bank anglers are still doing well with higher flows pushing fish closer to the shore and good action should last until the end of the month when temperatures drop.

Steelheaders are coming into their prime season in the John Day area. The mainstem is picking up for both boaters and bank anglers. The John Day River itself is a viable option when trolling slows. Trollers are taking most of their fish in the morning.

Willamette sturgeon action is improving with a cooling Columbia. The stretch from the St. Johns Bridge to the mouth is producing best using smelt. Anglers still need to be wary of floating debris. Although limits are not the rule, some quality fish are available.

Thanksgiving usually brings out the first of the serious steelhead plunkers at Meldrum Bar just downstream of the mouth of the Clackamas. With turbid water conditions and high flows, fish will be hugging the shoreline. Anglers shouldn't get their hopes up too high however. Incidentally caught coho, hatchery or wild, must be released downstream of Willamette Falls.

The Sandy and Clackamas are quiet this time of year. Recent precipitation, a coho closure and the end of a stocking program that brought back earlier returning steelhead make these metro rivers a poor option until February.

Northwest – With the recent break in weather, anglers were out in force on Tillamook Bay and the Kilchis River. The Kilchis remained one of the few fishable rivers on the north coast but the Wilson showed signs of improvement on Monday. Forecasted weather will once again put the larger systems on hold.

Anglers working the Kilchis from Kilchis Park downstream were met with lots of competition. Patient anglers working the lower stretches were rewarded with a mix of dark and bright fish. With the consistently high water, fresh fish were moving all the time but very few anglers scored excellent results as is usually the case when we experience fewer rain freshets.

The Wilson and Nestucca had fair numbers of fish present but the Wilson never got much clearer than 10 inches of visibility. The water below Highway 101 produced the best catches on the Nestucca over the weekend. The Nestucca run will begin to fade fast while the Wilson will last into mid-December- if it ever clears again.

A large log jam exists on the Trask River at the Railroad Bridge about 2 miles upstream from Highway 101. It is impassable but hopefully the dropping flows will break it up.
Although unconfirmed reports of winter steelhead are coming from the north coast, Thanksgiving typically motivates anglers to try their luck on the Wilson, Kilchis, North Fork Nehalem or Necanicum Rivers in search of early success. These rivers will fish best in mid-December however.

Tillamook Bay is still producing good catches. The Ghost Hole is responsible for the bulk of the action and effort. Nearly 30 fish were estimated in Monday's catch. Crabbing is a poor option on Tillamook Bay but Netarts is yielding good catches of hard shelled Dungeness crab. Effort has not picked up for sturgeon although numbers should begin to increase later this month.

The lower Columbia River out of Hammond is producing excellent catches of keeper crab. The tides will be good over the holiday weekend and commercial pots are likely to enter in early December.

Southwest – The Chetco River is one of the best November options but high water will once again prevent productive opportunities for this south coast favorite. It may come back into shape late into the weekend.

The Elk and Sixes Rivers produced some of the best catches of the year over the weekend. Driftboaters backbouncing eggs and backtrolling plugs scored good numbers but forecasted weather may put many south coast streams out until the weekend. The Elk will be one of the first to clear when rains subside.

Summer steelhead in the upper reaches of the Rogue River is still the best option in this region. The quality of the summer fish will begin to fall after Thanksgiving and anxious plunkers working the lower reaches may score winter fish when flow stabilize.

Eastern - The Grande Ronde is likely to have some of the more stable flows in the state. Last week, anglers tallied 1 steelhead for every 15 hours fished. Catch rates should begin to improve as the month progresses.

The Umatilla won't get good until later in the year.

The Snake River is improving but fish are most congregated below Hells Canyon Dam.

Oregon fishing update

Oregon Fishing Update

Willamette Valley/Metro - Heavy rain will have anglers tying rigs, sharpening hooks and cleaning reels this week in the Willamette Valley.

Flow regulation on the Columbia River however gives desperate anglers a chance to participate safely in the sturgeon fishery. Gorge anglers are still taking good numbers of keepers- particularly near the deadline. Oversized fish are still being landed and but smelt tipped with shrimp or squid is taking the majority of biters.

Success for boat and bank anglers in the John Day Pool is gaining momentum and the action should continue to improve as the month progresses. Trollers take steelhead using plugs going with the theory that darker colors work best on dark days, metallic colors on bright days.
Daily counts of all anadromous fish at Willamette Falls were at or near zero at the end of October. As of November 1st all steelhead will be counted as winter-run fish. At this time last week, flows were just over 10,000 cfs at the falls.

Sturgeon like muddy water, but heavy wood debris coming downstream will make boating too dangerous to consider until it clears out.

Last week, we remarked that the Clackamas "doesn't fish well over 12.5 feet." At this writing, it's over 22 feet and rising.

The Sandy crested early Tuesday afternoon, and while muddy, will return to fishable color when the freezing level drops. Unfortunately, it won't offer any opportunities until winter steelhead start running.

The North Santiam is a raging torrent and will remain higher than normal as the level at Detroit Reservoir must be reduced over 40 feet in the next three weeks for flood control. No trout stocking is scheduled for Oregon waters this week.

Northwest – Chinook fishing in the Tillamook district was red-hot prior to the current weather system moving on shore. Unfortunately, it hit the day the North Coast Rendezvous began but anglers fishing in the fundraiser still did well on Thursday. Severe weather hit by Friday and success plummeted.

The Wilson River hit an all-time high on Monday evening, cresting nearly 23 feet. Trailers and vacant boats were swept downstream and all north coast streams and estuaries are too dangerous to navigate. Unbelievably, smaller streams like the Kilchis and Necanicum may reach fishable levels by Friday. When the north coast streams do clear, the fishing will be excellent for fall chinook. Fresh fish will be available in all reaches of floatable waters and bank anglers will have excellent access to fresh fish in all watersheds. Leafy debris may frustrate some anglers until flows drop further.

The Nestucca, Trask, Wilson, Kilchis and Necanicum should all produce excellent catches of chinook over the weekend barring any other major rain events. Wild coho will also be present in good numbers and have been running large this year. Caution should be taken to properly identify your catch before harvest.

Big numbers of bright chinook were in the upper reaches of Alsea tidewater late last week. Bobber fishers scored excellent results on Thursday but the rising river put fish off the bite by Friday. Driftboaters should score excellent results by the weekend.

The Siletz River crested at about 23 feet in the early morning hours of November 7th. It was 2.5 last week. Although the run was sub-par this fall, action for driftboaters working the lower stretches should prove productive for backbouncers and plug pullers.

Even with all the fresh water influx, lower Columbia River crabbing will remain productive. Tides will moderate this weekend and anglers should take advantage of the late afternoon incoming tides when crabbing.

Southwest – While bobber fishermen would argue to the contrary, rain was needed on the South coast. Chinook holding at the top of tidewater are running upstream with the freshet, salmon holding offshore are entering estuaries and rivers which are getting flushed of leaves. Certainly, this is a 'blowout' week. All Southwest rivers are over the banks with heaviest rainfall occurring the afternoon of November 7th and more on the way. The smaller, more volatile systems will fish first during even brief respites in precipitation. The Elk and Sixes rivers will drop and clear quickly when rain subsides. With an extended break or moderation, the larger systems will be fishable last. Chinook are on the move and fishing will be good when water conditions allow.

Eastern - Rain triggered a "glacial outburst flood" on the White River, which flows from Mt. Hood into the Deschutes, causing damage to Highway 35 bridge under which it flows. The Hood River, carrying large trees downstream, took out the bridge at Red Hill Road.

Grande Ronde steelheading is underway but success is not outstanding. It typically peaks closer to Thanksgiving and when the weather stabilizes, action should pick up.

The Guide's Forecast

Oregon fishing report

Oregon Fishing Update

Willamette Valley/Metro - After several weeks of catch and release fishing only, the Columbia River from the Wauna Powerlines to Bonneville Dam re-opened for catch and keep sturgeon 3 days per week. October 5th was the first of the 3-day opener and anglers did as well as could be expected. Large keepers were common and shaker action was fantastic for anglers using smelt and shad strips for bait. The fast water near the deadline produced the best results for keepers but anglers working downstream found ample opportunity to tangle with shaker sturgeon. This fishery will remain open for the 3 day per week retention period until December 31st or until the quota of 12,000 fish has been attained. Smelt is the top bait but with a small run last spring, finding the bait can be challenging.

Catch and release fishing for salmon in the Bonneville area remains very productive and effort if light. Cooler water temperatures and the presence of more resident spawners will make this fishery viable for another week or two. Backtrolled plugs takes the majority of fish but backbounced or backtrolled eggs will also produce results.

Steelhead passage is slowing at the lower Columbia impoundments indicating fish are moving into upper Columbia tributaries in preparation for over-wintering. The mouth of the Deschutes is slowing as a result.

Salmon anglers in the upper reaches of the Columbia are still finding a few bright Chinook and backtrolled plugs are taking fish in the Hanford Reach. Weekend crowds drew season highs for catch and effort.

Although daily salmon counts are declining, salmon continue to move up the Willamette with 1,776 Chinook and 3,668 coho having crossed the falls as of October 4th. The water temperature is down to 59 degrees while flows are increasing. Sturgeon fishing is finally improving with a few keepers coming from just below the Falls.

The Sandy River is at its lowest and is running crystal clear, offering little to anglers. There are plenty of Chinook and coho showing at the mouth that are ready to enter when precipitation hits.

Coho are numerous at the mouth of the Clackamas. There are good numbers in the river as well, but it will be slow fishing until it rains. Summer steelhead fishing is less frustrating and more productive. Eagle creek holds many mostly dark coho in the deeper holes. Report snaggers at 1-800-452-7888.

Steelhead are being caught on the North Santiam from Fishermen's Bend to Packsaddle Park. A few steelhead are being taken below Foster Dam on the South Santiam.

Detroit Reservoir, Walling Pond and Walter Wirth Lake are scheduled to be planted with trout.
Northwest – Tillamook continues to be one of the most consistent fisheries on the Oregon Coast. Although seaweed continues to hamper success, anglers can find biting fish near the tide changes- both high slack and low slack. Weed subsides long enough to effectively work spinners or herring. Fair bites have occurred on the upper and lower bay but softer tides will make the lower bay and ocean the best options. If ocean fishing is permitted, early morning is the best choice for the salt water angler.

Quality 5 year-old fish are still making a strong showing in the Tillamook catches. About every 3rd fish averages close to 30 pounds or larger. Tidewater anglers are posting sporadic results with the Trask tidewater one of the best options.

The Nestucca River remains a strong option with good numbers of fish present from the strong weekend tide series. Biters may be more challenging to find as tides weaken but moving around more and fishing effectively near the last part of outgoing tide should pay dividends.

The Salmon River near Lincoln City is fading but fish should still be available through the first significant rain.

Chinook fishing has been very slow in tidewater on the Siletz River.

It's slow going at the Yaquina River, but trollers are picking up a few on spinners or plug-cut herring.

Southwest – Alsea Chinook fishing is slow but a few are being taken daily.

Fall Chinook are available in Siuslaw tidewater where trollers are putting long days in an effort to take one.

The occasional sturgeon has been taken recently on the lower Umpqua by frustrated Chinook fishermen but it's slow this time of year. Spinners are taking both coho and Chinook in the spotty Winchester Bay fishery.

The bite has turned on in Rogue Bay with good catches of both coho and Chinook. Early mornings have been best with many boats limiting by lunchtime. Spinners have been the ticket, pink for coho, green for Chinook. The bay fishery will be over with the next decent rainfall so get there if you can. Summer steelheading is fair in the Agness area. Work started this week on the removal of Savage Rapids Dam which will aid in upriver fish passage.

Anglers are making decent Chinook catches out of Brookings with 30-pounders coming in daily. The occasional 40-pounder is being witnessed and one recently which scaled 51 pounds.
Eastern - Steelhead are moving upriver on the Deschutes with fish being taken up to Warm Springs as the run winds down. Numbers have definitely dropped this week however. Trout fishing on the lower river is improving seasonally. Great Caddis hatches are allowing effective fly fishing although nymphs are also taking good numbers.

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Oregon Fishing Update

Oregon Fishing Update

Willamette Valley/Metro - Today is re-opener of retention season for sturgeon from the Wauna Powerlines near Westport to Bonneville Dam. The season will last through December 31st but only on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Anglers are allowed one fish between 42 and 60 inches and the fishing is likely to be excellent in the Columbia River Gorge. Bank anglers should post some of the best results with smelt taking the bulk of the fish. The lower Willamette, including Multnomah Channel will also open to retention but won't produce good results until the winter months.

Salmon fishing from Bonneville Dam to the Highway 395 Bridge near Pasco reopened on September 30th. Anglers should have fair fishing although the quality of the salmon should begin to fade by mid-month. Catch and release fishing below Bonneville remains open and is producing good results.

A cooling Columbia is sending summer steelhead upriver destined for tributaries like the Grand Ronde, Imnaha and Snake Rivers. Better fishing is on the way.

Coho and chinook are crossing Willamette Falls in good numbers. Although a targeted fishery doesn't exist for salmon in this area, a few coho are being taken around Meldrum Bar. Willamette boaters are advised to use caution at the ramps in the lower water of this section.
Coho angling is spotty but summer steelheading is holding up on the Clackamas. Rain is needed to bring bright coho into Eagle Creek.

The Sandy River is giving up a few silvers. Trollers are catching some at the mouth with spinners and drift fishers are finding colored silvers below Cedar Creek. Fish are not moving fast in the low water of the Sandy.

Steelheading on the North and South Santiam remains fair to good.

Henry Hagg Lake, Mt. Hood Pond, Dexter Reservoir, and Foster Reservoir are scheduled to be planted with trout this week.

Northwest – Tillamook remains consistent for chinook although the best bite remains in the lower bay and ocean. Ocean conditions have allowed a heavy harvest just outside the bay entrance although the bite varies from day to day. Recently, the best bite has been near low slack in the late afternoon along the north jetty on the inside of the bay. Spinner trollers are taking fish but when the bulk of the biters are getting culled in the ocean, results aren't impressive.

Crabbing remains challenging on Tillamook Bay but fair on Netarts and Nestucca estuaries.
Pro guide Jesse Zalonis (503-392-5808) reports, "The Nestucca tidewater has a lot of fish present but sculpin and salmon smolts are eagerly taking baits fished for adult chinook. The Pacific City Boat Ramp is putting out consistent catches but conditions are crowded."

The Salmon River near Lincoln City is still producing fish but has passed its prime. Significant rain would increase catch rates coast wide but is nowhere in the forecast.

Fishing is slow on the Siletz with spinners and plugs out-producing bait.

Although October seems late for albacore, boaters have taken tuna out of Newport as recently as the 1st. The Yaquina River is giving up a few Chinook and coho. Crabbing is a solid option in the bay.

Southwest – Following a rough weekend, boaters launching out of Reedsport found a flat ocean and lots of Chinook. Winchester Bay has been spotty, but produced well late last week. Smallmouth bass fishing is slowing on the Umpqua as the water cools.

Coos and Coquille trollers have seen an increase in the Chinook catch rate over the last few days.
Chinook fishing has been slow on the Siuslaw.

Trollers in the Rogue estuary are seeing inconsistent results but when it's good, it's really good. Steelheading is fair in the upper river, flies-only section.

Bottom fishing out of Brookings remains phenomenal, with rockfish running very large and substantial numbers of ling cod in the mix. Chetco Bay is producing decent catches of adult Chinook and jacks. Ocean salmon anglers started fishing again on October 1st. The offshore Chinook fishery closes October 12th.

Eastern - Though steelhead counts at Bonneville exceed the 10-year average, they've been slow making it upriver. The Grande Ronde has yet to receive numbers sufficient to create better than a fair fishery. Imnaha anglers, on the other hand, are enjoying fine steelheading. Anglers in the lower Deschutes will find good numbers, light pressure and excellent water conditions.
The October Caddis hatch is in full swing on the Wallowa River with imitations taking scores of trout keyed on the large insects.

Waters stocked this week include the South Fork of the Crooked River and Taylor Lake.

Oregon fishing update

Oregon Fishing Update

Willamette Valley/Metro - The coho bite in the Meldrum Bar stretch has been hot or cold with hundreds of fish in the river now. Peak migration is just past its peak in this area but catchable numbers are still present.

Sturgeon retention on the Willamette and Columbia re-opens in October on Thursdays through Saturdays with the first opportunity October 5th. The Columbia River Gorge will offer the best opportunities- especially for bank anglers.

Scores of coho can be seen rolling on the Sandy which can be frustrating if they're off the bite. Good numbers of fish are moving through Cedar Creek although catches are spotty in crowded conditions. Pocket water fishing with small egg clusters will take some fish.

Lots of coho are showing in the Clackamas, particularly at the mouth, but few of these finicky fish are being hooked. Early morning spinner casters are likely to take the most fish. Some decent summer steelhead are still being taken upstream. Eagle Creek is extremely low.

The North Santiam is a little high but should remain stable at this level until the fall rains. Steelhead prospects are good.

Henry Hagg Lake, West Salish Pond and Detroit Reservoir are scheduled to be planted with trout.

Northwest – The ocean on the north coast has been extremely calm allowing anglers to target chinook in the seaweed free zone just outside of Tillamook Bay. Fishing was excellent on Saturday but has been spotty ever since. A 51½ pounder was weighed in at Garibaldi Marina over the weekend. High pressure should offer more calm seas over the weekend.

In Tillamook Bay, chinook catches have become more consistent but seaweed continues to be a problem. Catches have comprised of more 5 year-old fish than in years past. These larger fish have been going 30 to 40 pounds and have been oddly absent the last 2 years in this fishery.

Crabbing on Tillamook Bay is competitive so limits are hard to come by. Fresh bait will produce the best results. Netarts and Nestucca estuaries are producing more consistent results.

Nehalem Bay is relatively poor for this time of year. Seaweed is also a factor here.

The Nestucca and Salmon Rivers near Pacific City have plenty of chinook present but the bite has been sporadic. The combination of eggs and shrimp under a bobber in the tidewater sections are taking the majority of fish.

Crabbing out of Hammond on the lower Columbia is excellent. Salmon effort is non-existent.

Albacore tuna are still an option and good numbers were taken within 20 miles last weekend.

Incoming tide is bringing fresh fish and fall chinook action is starting to pick up on the Siletz.

Offshore tuna fishing has been fair to good this week out of Newport and Depoe Bay. Most boats are returning to port with albacore catches in the teens. Salmon are being hooked at the 30 to 65-foot depths with most chinook in the 20 pound range.

Chinook are being taken in the Yaquina River. Fishing is slow at the Alsea where increasing numbers of sea lions await the coming chinook. Crabbing is great out of Newport and Waldport.

Southwest – Pressure is on at Siuslaw tidewater where trolled spinners are effective in taking modest numbers of chinook.

Ocean chinook catches have slowed out of Winchester Bay. Crabbing is yielding limits. The mainstem and South Umpqua are still kicking out smallmouth bass by the score.

Crabbing is excellent in Coos bay while chinook fishing is fair but improving.
Trollers in the Rogue estuary have seen an improvement in hookups this week. The Grants Pass stretch remains slow. Summer steelhead continue to be taken on the upper river but they're getting fairly colorful.

All-depth halibut, closed September 17th off the central coast, remains open South of Humbug Mountain. Nearshore halibut fishing is closed coast-wide.
Chetco anglers are catching good numbers of Chinook, with some really large ones in the mix. Chinook stacking offshore should provide excellent fishing when the Chetco Terminal fishery opens October 1st through 12th.

Tuna runs 50 or so miles offshore out of Brookings are yielding only fair catches of tuna.

Eastern - The Deschutes is at its peak for steelhead now until the middle of October or so when flows will change with rainfall. Currently, the water is low and clear with fish well distributed in the lower river. Trout fishers may expect to see large Mayflies and October Caddis hatches. With cool nights moderating the water temperatures, fly rodders on the middle Deschutes are doing well with Blue-Winged Olive and Pale Morning Dun patterns. Nymphing remains effective all day. The October Ceddis hatch is just starting up on this stretch but will become the predominant pattern in the next couple of weeks.

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Oregon Fishing Update

Oregon Fishing Update

Willamette Valley/Metro - Portland area activity has come to an abrupt halt with the closing of the Columbia last week. Dam passage remains stable for Chinook but not the bump most were hoping for to enable sportanglers back into the river. Upriver fisheries closed well before peak opportunities existed.

Steelhead numbers are also starting to slow at Bonneville but The Dalles Dam is still reflecting good numbers where Deschutes River trollers are taking fish at the mouth in good numbers. The Columbia remains open to fin-clipped steelhead and coho.

Early catch and release statistics for Columbia River gorge sturgeon anglers indicate good numbers of keepers available for the October opener. This fishery will re-open on October 1st but anglers have to wait until the first Thursday to fish. Bank anglers will excel here.

Coho have started to move up the Willamette with recent rain showers lowering the temperature, increasing the flow and pushing counts into double digits for a total of 130 at the Falls as of September 14th.

Precipitation is putting salmon on the move but the bite remains sporadic. Good numbers of coho are in the Clackamas but the mouth has produced best with spinners or bobber and eggs catching most of the fish.

Sandy River anglers are taking a few coho in the lower river with fish entering after the rain. It's still low but the water has cleared. Upriver, only steelheaders are having any luck.

Steelheading on the North Santiam has improved with many of the fish being caught in the 10-pound class. The river level and flow has come up again.

Mt. Hood Pond, North Fork Reservoir, Small Fry Lake and Foster Reservoir are scheduled to be planted with trout.

Northwest – Effort is non-existent in the Buoy 10 fishery. Those that targeted coho did poorly over the weekend.

Tillamook anglers scored great results just prior to the weekend but fishing has slowed since. A few fish are being taken from the ocean to the upper bay. Tillamook and Trask River tidewater anglers are also picking up some nice Chinook. For the first time in 3 years, a noticeable component of the run is comprised of the larger 5-year old fish. Several fish over 30 pounds and some over 40 have been taken. Seaweed is still a problem for trollers. Coho are present in better numbers in the bay but are reluctant to bite.

The Nestucca and Salmon Rivers should be coming into their prime this week. Good incoming tides should stimulate action beginning this weekend.

Chinook fishing is still slow on the Siletz with trolled, plug-cut herring most effective over the weekend. About one in four boats are hooking up.

The Nehalem is producing sporadic results at best but seaweed is not as much an issue here as it is in Tillamook.

The Alsea has good numbers of fish but they are not responding well to bobber and bait. Trollers at the mouth are taking some fish on herring and spinners. Returns are expected to be large this year.

Crabbing is great in many north coast estuaries. There is still a mix of soft and hard shelled crabs but condition should improve as we move into the fall months.

Southwest – Fisheries managers have closed the all-depth Pacific halibut sport fishery off the Oregon central coast from Humbug Mountain to Cape Falcon after anglers met their quota. Anglers may continue to fish for Pacific halibut south of Humbug Mountain, but the nearshore waters inside 40 fathoms on the central coast are closed as of Thursday, Sept. 21.
Siuslaw Chinook anglers are pulling out a few in this spotty fishery.

Chinook are entering tidewater at the Coos and Coquille rivers and catch rates are improving.
Winchester Bay continues to dominate for offshore Chinook catches. A few coho have been taken in Umpqua tidewater. Smallmouth bass fishing remains worthwhile in the mainstem and South Umpqua.

On hot days last week, all the trollers in the Rogue estuary were hooking fish. Coho averaging 13 pounds are entering now and hatchery fish may be kept up to Hog Creek. Catches of Chinook and jacks were very good over the weekend at Gold Beach. The lower water levels have provided conditions for improved steelhead catches for fly-rodders in the upper river.

While a few Chinook have been taken in the Chetco estuary, this fishery will start to shine in October and November. Anglers have started bobber fishing for jacks here.

Good numbers of large rockfish are being reported from anglers launching out of Brookings.
Scheduled stocking of catchable-sized trout has wrapped up for the year.

Eastern - The best steelheading on the Deschutes remains below Shearers Falls. A mix of dries are taking fish on the middle Deschutes in the evenings but nymphs will take trout all day. The upper Deschutes will close for the season on October 1st.

Oregon fishing update

Willamette Valley/Metro - Metro salmon anglers are anxiously awaiting the arrival of fishable numbers of Chinook to the area. With water temperatures so warm, high numbers of fish must be present before respectable catches are witnessed. With Buoy 10 fishing so slow, anglers will be waiting at least another week before catches improve.

Anglers fishing the mouth of the Cowlitz are still faring well for summer steelhead. Although Chinook catches have gradually improved in deeper water, this fishery is still a few weeks away from peaking.

Gorge steelheaders are finding challenging conditions and numbers passing Bonneville has slightly decreased. Warm water has most fish on the move and seeking cooler tributaries upriver.
Water temperature at Willamette Falls was 71 degrees as of August 18th with salmon and steelhead counts dwindling.

Steelheaders have taken a few fish near McIver Park on the Clackamas River.
There's virtually no angling effort on the Sandy River as it has been non-productive. Cedar Creek remains too low for fish passage to the hatchery.

An estimated 6,500 steelhead have entered the North Santiam River. These fish are concentrated upstream above Stayton, as the lower river has become too warm to hold fish. Summer steelhead and spring Chinook continue to enter the trap on the South Santiam where recycling downstream is ongoing.

Faraday Lake, North Fork Reservoir, Small Fry Lake, Clear Lake, Leaburg Lake, and upper McKenzie River are scheduled to be stocked with trout.

Northwest – The Buoy 10 fishery, one of the regions most predictable, is stumping salmon fishers. Good numbers of Chinook and coho have yet to show and tides are dictating a late afternoon bite. Historically, this week is the peak for this fishery and the bulk of the run is overdue. Spinners are accounting for the majority of catch as large schools of anchovies are making it hard to compete using fresh baits. Size 6 and 7 brass with red spinners are producing consistent results fished anywhere from 18 to 35 feet below the surface.

Even more discouraging is poor ocean catches of Chinook and coho. Calm waters allowed even small recreational boats to fish from Tillamook Head to Long Beach early this week. Fish have been scarce but a 47-pound Chinook was weighed in over the weekend and coho have been running exceptionally large.

Some guides have been taking advantage of decent catch and release sturgeon opportunities in the estuary with the water above the Astoria/Megler Bridge producing the best results using fresh jigged anchovies.

Crabbing has improved in the lower Columbia but limits are still not common. The ocean crabbing closed last week.

Garibaldi crabbers are doing good in Tillamook Bay and tuna anglers were scoring 30 to 50 fish per boat- it's a 50-mile trek to productive tuna fishing however.

Nehalem Bay salmon anglers have yet to witness consistent results but a fair bite was reported at the jaws early in the week. Wheeler trollers will witness fish taken every day although numbers are low. Spinners will become more effective as fall approaches.

The ocean laid down and winds eased Sunday afternoon. On Monday this week, boats took scores of albacore out of Depoe Bay.

Limits of hard Dungeness have been easy to cull from softshells in Yaquina Bay. Mild tides favor this activity in the coming week.

Southwest – Winchester Bay was once again the top port last week for offshore Chinook catches. Over half of the cumulative total for the year has come from this location. Ocean catches have slowed in the past few days, however. A few have been taken in the bay and lower Umpqua. The North Umpqua may be fished only with unweighted flies and steelheading is fair to good. Smallmouth bass fishing is good on the mainstem and South Umpqua.

The troll fishery in the Rogue River estuary has improved. Chinook over 30 pounds are being taken daily along with jacks averaging seven to eight pounds. Early coho have been caught in the bay recently.

Since the ban on wild Chinook retention was lifted August 15th, anglers have been taking springers in the middle stretch. Dam passage has topped 11,000. Summer steelhead counts at Gold Ray Dam approached 5,600 as of August 15th. Steelheading is fair to good on the Grants Pass stretch and very good on the upper Rogue. Section 5 will be planted with trout again this week.

Bottomfishing out of Brookings remains excellent for anglers using sardines or herring rather than lures with baitfish thick offshore. The warmer tuna water has been 60 to 70 miles out. Surfperch fishing has picked up from a slump a week ago.

Eastern - Dam counts at The Dalles and John Day facilities should have Central and Eastern Oregon steelheaders excited. Fish will seek cooler tributaries like the Deschutes where trollers will have the best access to them.

Steelheading in the Grande Ronde is only fair but will improve in September. It's a little better in the Deschutes below Mack's Canyon but the water is still a little high. Fly angling for trout has been good with nymphs.

Trout will be planted in Badger Lake, Fall River, Shevlin Pond and Spring Creek.

Oregon fishing report

Oregon Fishing Update

Willamette Valley/Metro - The summer Chinook fishery on the lower Columbia River remains open for sportfishers. A run size update allowed for additional time but success has recently slowed. Anglers in the know were experiencing multiple opportunities when anchored in the right migration lane but dam passage has slowed and the bulk of the run has passed through the lower river. This fishery should remain viable through mid-July however.

Summer steelhead counts continue to rise and beach plunkers should have a good shot at shore-hugging fish on the upcoming minus tide series. Jones Beach near Westport and Rainier area beaches should produce fair results using hot colored spin-n-glos. Small plugs will take fish as well.

Shad counts have also passed their peak and catches have dropped off. Oversized sturgeon are still taking fresh shad but can be choosy with the large food source available to them.
Counts at Willamette Falls are nearing 35,000 spring Chinook and over 14,000 summer steelhead. Springer effort and catches are light in the river.

Steelhead remain the best bet for Santiam anglers. Chinook are present in small numbers but reluctant to bite.

A few keeper sturgeon have been taken by boat and bank anglers in the Gladstone/Oregon City stretch of the lower Willamette. Shad numbers are thinning but it's still possible to catch a few.
The Clackamas water level dropped again over the last week. Steelhead and salmon fishing is slow.

There are very few Chinook in the Sandy and flows continue to drop. Salmon fishing may be best at the mouth for trollers with some interception of Columbia River Chinook. The mouth of Cedar Creek may also produce some results for early morning casters.

Big Cliff Reservoir, Breitenbush River, Detroit Reservoir, Leaburg Lake, McKenzie River, Salt Creek, North Fork Santiam River. Faraday Lake, North Fork Reservoir and Trillium Lake are scheduled to be stocked with trout.

Northwest – The lower Columbia River estuary closed to retention of sturgeon beginning July 5th. Fishing for quality sized keepers was good out of Hammond prior to the closure for anglers using anchovies and sand shrimp. Catch and release is still a great option in this area but sand shrimp may be hard to find with demand dwindling.

The July 3rd opener for salmon, north of Cape Falcon proved productive for anglers getting an early jump start. Some boats took limits of hatchery coho and a few Chinook were in the catch. Most boats averaged 1 coho per rod. The CR Buoy was producing the best and waters south in 180 to 220 foot of water. The wild to hatchery ratio was nearly equal. The smaller sized coho seemed to respond best to anchovies. Fish to 8 pounds were caught.

The last minus tide series along Clatsop Beaches begins on Friday. The season closes on July 15th and will remain closed north of Tillamook Head through September 30th. Digging should be good although clams are on the smaller side.

Salmon fishing out of Garibaldi was once again possible with calming seas early in the week. Catches were improving and a few more Chinook are starting to show in the catches. Coho were being found north of the Tillamook Bay entrance in 280 to 320 feet of water. Ocean crabbing is much better than Tillamook, Netarts and Nehalem Bays.

Bottomfishing has dropped off but one boat landed 25 tuna approximately 60 miles west of Garibaldi. Another all depth-halibut opener runs July 6th – 8th from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain. 25,000 pounds remain on the quota.

Although spring Chinook in the Tillamook district has significantly slowed, 260 salmon were recycled from the Trask hatchery early this week. Even stealth tactics will have limited success on the low waters of the North Oregon Coast.

Three Rivers on the Nestucca system will remain open from the mouth upstream to the hatchery weir deadline through July 9 for adipose fin-clipped summer steelhead and adipose fin-clipped spring chinook. This area will close to all angling from July 10-Sept. 30.

Southwest - Razor clam digging remains open on all Southwest beaches to the California border. A series of minus tides will start Saturday, continuing through the week. Bailey Beach has been reliably producing limits of large razors.

Coho trollers out of Winchester Bay found fair fishing over the weekend when the bar and fog allowed safe crossing. Smallmouth bass fishing in the Umpqua River continues to improve. Anglers may easily catch scores of fish in a day.

Offshore salmon fishing turned on late last week, rewarding anglers with the best Chinook bite so far this year. Huge sardines are feeding the salmon and spurring their growth. Offshore Chinook may be taken through October, but coho closes July 31st North of Humbug Mountain and closed on July 4th south of that point.

Offshore bottom fishing has been phenomenal out of Brookings, yielding black rockfish up to six pounds. Limits are the rule on charter boats. Ling cod catches have been fair to good but should improve as the season progresses.

Catches remain good for ocean crabbers with most Dungeness still in good shape.
Section 5 of the Rogue River will be stocked with catchable-sized trout.

Eastern - The Salmonfly and Golden Hatch is done on the Deschutes with Caddis and Mayflies starting up. Trout fishing is good on the lower river. Caddis and Pale Morning Duns are hatching on the middle Deschutes.

Fly anglers will find excellent fishing at East Lake where Callibaetis patterns are producing fine catches.

Smallmouth bass fishing is great on the lower John Day River. Scheduled for planting this week in the Deschutes watershed are Badger Lake, Campbell Lake, Deadhorse Lake, Olallie Lake and Spring Creek.

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Oregon fishing report

Updated for June 30th, – July 6th, 2006
Oregon Fishing Update

Willamette Valley/Metro - Anglers versed in salmon techniques in the gorge are doing well for summer Chinook. Anchored in 10 – 16 feet of water, using spinners and small plugs, salmon fishers are averaging better than a fish per boat. Unmarked Chinook are making up the bulk of the catch. Although current passage indicates the run will be considerably larger than predicted, the sportfishery is nearing its salmon quota. A closure is nearing for anglers downstream of Priest Rapids Dam.

Beach plunkers caught more summer Chinook than steelhead in the weekend creel check between Portland and Longview. The lack of a minus tide series this week will likely slow the bite.

Sturgeon action in the gorge has slowed for oversized fish although dedicated anglers are still landing fish. Shad have saturated the river with over 3.5 million already past Bonneville Dam. Keepers are still hard to come by in the gorge.

Shad fishing remains phenomenal along Ives Island using small spoons or shad darts.
Retention of sturgeon will close to anglers between John Day and McNary Dams beginning July 1st.

As of June 23rd, over 32,000 spring Chinook had crossed at Willamette Falls. If the numbers continue as strong as they have been in recent weeks, the projection of 46,500 may actually be attained. A few are still being caught in the lower river.

Count on consistent, steady action for undersized sturgeon in the lower Willamette. Keepers have been rare here recently. Shad fishing has been winding down for a while although it still possible to catch a few from Willamette Falls to the mouth of the Clackamas. The Sandy River is running low and clear. A few springers were taken at the mouth over last weekend but a greater number of summer steelhead were hooked. Waters of the Clackamas are also low and clear. Upriver areas are producing the best results for summer steelhead.

Springers and steelhead are available throughout the North and South Santiam system but the bite is tough.

Springer fishing on the McKenzie is fair to good although numbers are down from past seasons. Fly fishing is good for large trout with the Caddis hatch underway.

Trout are scheduled to be planted in the Willamette Valley in Trillium Lake.

Northwest – Estuary sturgeon anglers are faring well out of the Astoria area. Anchovies have moved into the lower river and are working well for bait both above and below the Astoria/Megler Bridge. The deeper water on lower Desdemona Sands and the Washington side above the bridge should produce well in the upcoming softer tide series. Lower river anglers are nearing their keeper quota and the season is scheduled to close July 4th. Further, more restrictive opportunities may exist following the closure, only after fishery managers have a chance to review catch statistics.

The ocean north of Cape Falcon to Leadbetter Point in Washington opens on July 3rd for 2 salmon per day. Only 1 of the 2 salmon may be a Chinook and coho must have an adipose fin missing. Catches will likely be light.

Recreational boats have been restricted out of Garibaldi due to rough bar and ocean conditions. With the minus tide series out of the way and calmer seas predicted by the weekend, anglers may have some opportunity for hatchery coho, bottomfish and ocean crab.

Spring Chinook fishing has dropped off considerably on the North Coast but fishing remains viable for river fishermen on the Wilson, Trask and Nestucca Rivers. Bobber and bait will produce best at first light.

Summer Chinook should become an option on Nehalem Bay in the very near future although catches are generally light until early August.

Crabbing has been poor in Tillamook and Netarts Bays and many of the keeper sized crab are in a soft shell stage.

No trout will be planted until September.

Southwest - Rough seas recently have kept bars closed and recreational boaters trying to scratch out bottomfish along jetties inside the bays. The offshore hatchery coho season south of Humbug Mountain rewarded anglers with decent catches last week when they could get out. This ocean fishery will remain open through July 4th if the quota doesn't fill. Coast-wide through June 25th, about 250 coho and 84 Chinook have been retained.

Oversized sturgeon fishing is very good in the lower Umpqua. Although the shad run is winding down, anglers caught decent numbers over the weekend. Smallmouth bass fishing is improving.
With numbers down, springer fishing has gone from slow to slower on the Rogue River. Fewer fish were hooked over the weekend at the Hatchery Hole which has been the most productive spot.

Limits of razor clams were taken during the minus tide series at Bailey Beach.

Clearwater #2, Hemlock Lake, Herberts Pond, Lake of the Woods, Lemolo Reservoir, Fish Lake and Section 5 of the Rogue River will be planted with trout.

Eastern - The best fly fishing on the Deschutes is from Trout Creek to Maupin with the river above receiving lots of pressure. The Salmonfly hatch is a wrap but Pale Morning Duns and Caddis are active. The middle Deschutes is producing early and late in the day.

Pro Guide Mac Huff (800-940-3688) reports the trout fishing in Eastern Oregon is improving as the water levels drop and the weather warms up.

The Wallowa and Grande Ronde rivers are fishing well under stonefly hatches that are currently progressing up the system. Nymphs in the morning and dry-fly fun later in the day is the rule of thumb for abundant trout looking for egg-laying adults flying each day.

State-raised rainbows will be planted in Ana Reservoir Badger Lake, Campbell Lake, Century Gravel Pit, Big Cultus Lake, Deadhorse Lake, 2006 Deschutes River, Devils Lake, East Lake, Fall River, Horseshoe Lake, Lake of the Woods, Lost Lake, Ochoco Creek, Olallie Lake, Shevlin Pond, Sprague Gravel Pit, Spring Creek, Thompson Valley, Three Creeks Lake, North and South Twin Lake and Walton Lake.

Oregon fishing information

Oregon fishing report

Oregon Fishing Update

Willamette Valley/Metro - Oversize sturgeon fishing remains steady in the Columbia River Gorge with fresh shad readily available for sport and sturgeon bait. The keeper bite in the gorge continues to slow as fish migrate downstream to take advantage of better feeding conditions.

Salmon fishing in the gorge has also drawn the attention of experienced anglers. Multiple hook-ups are possible for anglers using spinners along the shallow gravel bars upstream of Beacon Rock reports pro guide Joe Salvey (503-349-1411). Summer Chinook passage is exploding at Bonneville Dam. Plugs are also a viable option but action remains best during the week when stable river flows bring a consistent bite.

Beach plunkers should be taking advantage of a predicted strong run of summer steelhead and an occasional fin-clipped summer Chinook on Sauvies Island and the lower Columbia Beaches. Favorable tides will run through the weekend.

Willamette Falls spring Chinook counts have picked up from fewer than 100 to over 300 a day, pushing the YTD total as of June 2nd to 25,739. This figure is still far short of the 46,500 projection. Steelhead counts are strong with over 9,000 having crossed.

Water temperature at the Falls was 61 degrees on June 12th with flows moderating. The lower river and Multnomah Channel have improved for those dragging spinners. Shad fishing remains good from the Falls to Oregon City. Sturgeon fishing is slow.

Clackamas springers are providing some entertainment now. Summer steelhead action is also picking up.

The Sandy River was fair for spring Chinook prior to the weekend but has slowed dramatically since. The fish are scattered but the upper river has been most productive recently.
North, South and mainstem Santiam anglers, whether targeting springers or steelhead, should see catches improves as the water levels moderate here.

Detroit Reservoir is producing limits of foot-long kokanee. Sheridan Pond will be planted with 2,500 trout for a youth fishing event on Saturday, June 17th from 9:30 AM to 2 PM.
Scheduled for stocking this week are Timothy Meadows, Big Cliff Reservoir, Blue River Above Reservoir, Blue River Reservoir, Breitenbush River, Detroit Reservoir, E. E. Wilson Pond, Fall Creek, Foster Reservoir, Hills Creek, Junction City Pond, Leaburg Lake, Upper McKenzie River, Middle Fork Willamette River, Salt Creek, North Santiam River, Sunnyside Park Pond, and Trail Bridge Reservoir.

Northwest – Sturgeon anglers did well on estuary sturgeon over the weekend. The best bite took place out of Hammond on the green buoy line. There are numerous oversized sturgeon in the area as well. Anchovies are fishing well in the deeper water and crab and sculpin are not the problem they have been in years past.

Anglers fishing near Tongue Point are also getting good results but larger fish seem to be available downriver. Shrimp are producing but the anchovy bite picked up here as well. Extreme tides open up more opportunity in the shallow water areas.

Extreme tides brought salmon success to upper Tillamook Bay spinner trollers this week. More success is likely through the weekend when anglers can take advantage of extended outgoing tides in the morning.

Limits of rockfish, cabezon and ling cod are being taken out of Depoe and Yaquina Bays. Offshore crabbing is fair but poor at Yaquina.

Scheduled for trout planting this week are Big Creek Reservoir # 1 & #2, Cape Mears Lake, Coffenbury Lake, Eckman Lake, Hebo Lake, Loren's Pond, Lost Lake (Clatsop County), Olalla Creek Reservoir, South Lake, Thissel Pond, Town Lake.

Southwest - Many coho have been hooked by offshore trollers targeting Chinook. The ocean coho fishery off the central and South coast opens Saturday, June 17th. Surf perch fishing remains excellent off Southern beaches.

With the waters of the North Umpqua dropping and warming, smallmouth bass and shad fishing is heating up. Spring Chinook fishing has shown slight improvement but remains only fair.

Rogue Chinook anglers are advised to ply the upper river for the limited number of fish available. Bottomfishing is good out of Brookings with limits of large rockfish the rule. Offshore salmon trollers have seen catches improve when ocean conditions allow safe passage.

Clearwater, Hemlock Lake, Lake of the Woods, Lemolo Reservoir and Section 5 of the Rogue River will be planted with hatchery trout this week.

Eastern - Fish dry Salmonfly and Golden Stone imitations near the banks from Warm Springs to Maupin on the lower Deschutes this week. Fishing is excellent with lots of insects in the air and trout keyed on them.

Fly fishers are doing very well on the Owyhee River now that levels have fallen to normal.
Crane Prairie is fair to good for largemouth. Davis Lake, a fly-fishing only resource, is producing jumbo largemouth bass to eight pounds.
Ana Reservoir, Lake of the Woods, Miller Lake, Olallie Lake and Spring Creek in the Deschutes Reservoir will be planted with rainbows this week.

Oregon fishing report

Oregon fishing report

Updated for June 2nd, – June 8th, 2006
Oregon Fishing Update

Willamette Valley/Metro - Angling for Columbia River spring Chinook continues to be a disappointment. High flows have slowed catch rates and migration-even for the prolific shad run. As flows subside, the fishing should improve, particularly in the gorge.

Although shad migration has slowed, success rates are still high. A quality fishery for beginner anglers, anglers anchoring safely in 10 to 12 feet of water continue to experience great action on small spoons and shad darts. Shad make great bait for the oversize sturgeon in the area but anglers need to respect the new deadline at Marker 85.

Success rates have slightly fallen on oversized and keeper sturgeon in the gorge but action for shakers remains great.

Estuary sturgeon fishers are still finding the best success upstream of Tongue Point but pockets of quality keepers are being taken downstream of the Astoria/Megler Bridge. Small crab remain a nuisance for sturgeon anglers in the lower river out of Hammond.

As of May 24th, counts of spring Chinook at Willamette Falls hit 23,337 with summer steelhead approaching 6,000. The water temperature had dropped to 56 degrees at the Falls on May 30th. High water combined with low temperatures has stalled Chinook action in the lower river and Multnomah Channel.

Shad fishing has been hit or miss on the lower Willamette but in the right slot with the right lure, it's possible to catch scores of them. The Clackamas is getting heavy angling pressure, particularly at the parks where bank access is available. Steelhead fishing has been very slow, however. A handful of springers are being taken daily.

Sandy River springer anglers were picking up fish in the upper river late last week before the level rose and water roiled over the weekend. Action had been fair to good on bait from Cedar Creek downstream. Conditions have shown improvement this week.

The South Santiam came up several inches over the weekend but had fallen back to low levels the first of the week. Springer fishing has improved. The North Santiam is finally dropping into fishable shape this week. Combined with a rise in water temperatures, fishing should finally pick up here.

Chinook fishing on the McKenzie has improved.

Faraday Lake, Harriet Lake, North Fork Reservoir, Small Fry Lake, Timothy Meadows, Detroit Reservoir, E. E. Wilson Pond, Junction City Pond, Leaburg Lake and upper McKenzie River will be stocked with trout this week.

Northwest – Despite the great tides, spring salmon action on Tillamook Bay was fair at best over the weekend. The low front that greeted holiday campers didn't help matters. The upper bay high slack bite is no longer but most fish are being found closer to low slack tide. The tide series shifts this week however making lower bay herring trolling a better option.

Seas were very calm early this week and ocean crabbers fishing fresh bait were rewarded with fair catches. Salmon action in the ocean remained slow but bottomfishers were rewarded with easy limits.

Sturgeon fishing remains an option on Tillamook Bay but effort has dropped with the opportunities on the Columbia. Sand shrimp remains the best bait but small crab robbing anglers of more baits in the upper bay as the spring progresses.

Locations scheduled to be stocked with trout this week include Alder Lake, Big Creek Reservoir # 1 and #2, Buck Lake, Cleawox Lake, Dune Lake, Erhart Lake, Georgia Lake, North Georgia Lake, Olalla Creek Reservoir, Perkins Lake and Thissel Pond.

Southwest - Springer fishing is still spotty on the North Umpqua but is expected to improve as the water warms. Shad have entered the river in good numbers. Smallmouth bass fishing is heating up.

Shad fishing was good on the Coos River over the weekend. A few stripers were taken in the Coos and the Coquille.

The only reliable springer action on the Rogue is the crowded hatchery hole where scores are being caught daily. The lower river, flowing fast with water in the mid-50s, is slow and the Grants Pass stretch is dead.

Several streams and rivers opened for trout on Saturday, May 27th. Fishing for sea-run cutthroat has been fair to good. Bait may be used for these fish only in tidewater. Above tidewater, only artificial lures and flies may be used.

South coast waters scheduled for trout stocking this week are Rogue River (Section 5), Willow Lake, and Fish Lake.

Eastern - On the Deschutes, flyfishing is improving with Golden Stones and Salmon flies in abundance now. These will be the dominant patterns through June.

Snow was common on the high lakes last weekend. Odell delivered kokanee to deep jiggers while Crane Prairie is slow but offers fine trout action. Fishing is good for kokanee at Paulina where a few brown trout are also being taken. Green Peter water is very low and at last report, getting lower.

Scheduled to be planted with rainbows this week in the Deschutes watershed week are Badger Lake, Clear Lake, Frog Lake, Lawrence Lake, Olallie Lake, Smock Prairie Reservoir and Spring Creek.

Washington fishing report

Oregon fishing report

The Guide's Forecast - volume 7 issue number 44
Northwest Oregon and Washington’s most complete and accurate fishing forecast
Forecasting for the fishing week of May 19th, – May 25th, 2006

Oregon Fisheries Update:

Willamette Valley/Metro- The latest Columbia River spring Chinook return on record continues to impress fishery managers- enough so that biologists agreed to re-open the entire lower Columbia, from Buoy 10 to Bonneville Dam to adipose fin-clipped Chinook. The run has been upgraded to 100,000 adults. The length of the salmon opener will be dictated on angler success and actual run size. The latest the season could go is June 15th. Steelhead and shad are also fair game to pursue in the same stretch of river and should remain open for the remainder of the year.

Salmon anglers fared ok on the May 17th opener although the fishing was not red hot by any means. Heavy flows kept most anglers at anchor in the shallower water or in the back channels near Bonneville and action will likely remain mediocre as the bulk of the run has certainly passed- or so we think.

Sturgeon fishing in the gorge remains excellent with smelt a top bait. Boat anglers averaged over 1 keeper per boat over the weekend and a few oversized sturgeon are being caught. Bank angler success is low due to the new deadline at Marker 85.

The opening of the estuary sturgeon fishery near Astoria was a disappointment on Saturday. Keepers were challenging to find and limits were extremely rare. Water temperatures may have something to do with the low success rates.

Spring Chinook counts at Willamette Falls remain low with the total nearing 13,000 fish though May 7th. The water temperature as of May 12th remained at 58 degrees. Springer action has been slow but steady with prawns and herring. Plain spinners are emerging as an effective favorite.

Boaters trolling with the current are taking Chinook in Multnomah Channel. Springers are being boated from the lower Willamette at various locations from the Clackamas River to the mouth.Pressure on the Willamette will moderate with the Columbia re-opening for Chinook.

The lower Willamette is turning on for smallmouth and largemouth bass. Bass are in pre-spawn stage in the Columbia and Willamette rivers and are likely to spawn in mid-June. The shad fishing is worthwhile and will continue to improve into June.

The Sandy is providing fair fishing for summer steelhead and slow but improving for springers. Chinook have fallen recently for bobber and egg combos.

A few springers have been taken in the lower Clackamas but steelheading has become challenging as smolts are taking baits and lures.Many of the springers and steelhead crossing Willamette Falls are now in the North Santiam. Anglers are seeing fish above Mehema now. Scheduled for planting this week are Timothy Meadows, Big Cliff Reservoir, Blue River Above Reservoir, Blue River Reservoir, Breitenbush River, Detroit Reservoir, E. E. Wilson Pond, Fall Creek, Foster Reservoir, Hills Creek, Junction City Pond, Leaburg Lake, McKenzie River Upper, Middle Fork Willamette River, Salt Creek, Santiam River North Fork, Sunnyside Park Pond and Trail Bridge Reservoir Northwest – Spring Chinook are being taken daily on Tillamook Bay.

Spinner trollers in the upper bay are taking fish and some success is coming from Trask tidewater anglers. Trollers were able to fish in the calm ocean early this week and forecasted seas may allow for additional opportunity into the weekend.

Offshore halibut and bottomfishing opportunities should be great over the weekend. 2005 regulations prohibit the possession of bottomfish with halibut on board. Halibut success was good on the last opener out of Garibaldi but fish were running smaller than usual.

Area rivers remain low and are forecasted to remain that way but lower stretches are producing some results. The Nestucca below Three Rivers remains a hit-or-miss opportunity but the fish are of quality size reports pro guide Jesse Zalonis (503-392-5808).

Cape Mears Lake, Coffenbury Lake, Hebo Lake, Lost Lake (Clatsop County) and Town Lake will be stocked with trout this week.

Southwest - The all-depth halibut fishery off the central Oregon coast was excellent during the last retention period. Most anglers are getting limits.

The ocean was smooth and bottom fishing remained excellent out of Newport and Reedsport over the weekend reports pro guide Bill Kremers (541-754-6411). Abundant rockfish and ling cod are available to anglers. The ODFW considers stocks of ling cod to be fully recovered, resulting in discussion to consider increasing the limit.

Anglers who are opting for sturgeon action in the lower Umpqua over the spotty springer fishing are being rewarded with fine results and oversized fish are present. Shad fishing is good around Sawyers Rapids and Elkton.

Perch fishing is excellent in bays and off beaches in many locations. The redtail surf perch found in ocean breakers is the better table fare.

Weekend effort for spring Chinook on the Rogue River saw little improvement in catch rates. Success remains slow despite great water conditions.

Ocean Chinook salmon season South of Humbug Mountain opened May 15th daily through July 4th.

Boat and bank anglers are doing well at Diamond Lake. The limit was increased May 13th to 20 trout per day and 40 in possession.Rainbows will be planted at Clearwater, Hemlock Lake, Lake of the Woods and Lemolo Reservoir this week.

Eastern - Fly fishing on the lower Deschutes on the Warm Springs stretch has improved now that the river level is stable. Nymphs are reliable and caddis are active. Golden Stone patterns are taking fish in the middle Deschutes.

Crooked River has come back into shape and the caddis hatch is on. The Crooked will offer fine fishing in the coming weeks.Ana Reservoir, Bikini Pond, Duncan Reservoir and Mud Lake in the Deschutes watershed will be stocked this week.

Southwest Washington- Returning adults are at a fraction of last years run on the Cowlitz and Kalama Rivers. The Lewis River, especially near the hatchery is producing excellent results for backbouncers.

The Wind River is still producing good catches although success is more sporadic recently. Drano Lake boat anglers averaged a fish for every 2 rods last week and bank anglers are taking some fish too.

Spring Chinook are present on the Klickitat and White Salmon Rivers.
Upriver, on the Columbia, pro guide Jeff Knotts (509-366-4052) reports steady action for spring Chinook near the mouth of the Umatilla River. "All the standard salmon gear is working including K-13 and K-15 Kwikfish. The action is good and the weather is beautiful!"

Soapbox Update – Our right to fish is under attack. Our salmon returns have drastically diminished because our dams are killing between 60%-90% of these salmon. And fishermen are unjustly taking the blame.

We need concerned river community citizens to speak out for our businesses and families. Please sign the petition to our members of Congress and governors urging them to implement real salmon solutions: http://www.salmonsolutions.org/

From Ilwaco, WA to Hood River, OR – this battle is about our communities, economies and livelihoods – no one is spared. The threat becomes more real everyday. This spring run is on course to be the worst ever – a recent count of chinook at the Bonneville Dam was 2,300 compared to an average of more than 80,000 at the same time over the past decade. We need to pressure our leaders to stop adopting short-term fixes that threaten our jobs and way of life and instead develop sustainable solutions for salmon recovery including:

Washing more water over the dams
Increasing the flow and speed of our rivers
Retiring obsolete dams

We have the solutions, now we need the voices. Sign the petition to your representative and governor TODAY.
http://www.salmonsolutions.org/

Please remember to spread the word to family, friends, colleagues – everyone you can think of in your area – urging them to sign the petition and stand up for our communities.

http://www.theguidesforecast.com/

Oregon fishing report

Oregon Fishing Report from TGF

Oregon's most complete and accurate fishing update.

Updated for April 21st, – April 27th, 2006

Oregon Fishing Update

Willamette Valley/Metro - To date, just over 200 adult spring Chinook have passed Bonneville Dam. Although managers remain hopeful, they are far from extending the sport season with passage so low. With the run mostly comprised of later returning 4 year-old fish, passage was forecasted to peak later than previous years.

On par with last year, sturgeon catch and effort is once again gaining momentum in the Columbia and the gorge is getting most of the attention. Boat anglers averaged good catches over the previous catch and keep opener and shaker action is picking up as well. Portland to Longview boats also showed improvement with better than 1 keeper per boat for the few anglers out there pursuing them. Smelt remains the top bait. The estuary fishery remains slow for sturgeon at this time.

Captain Jack LaFond (800-270-7962) reports, "Upriver, Walleye fishing below the John Day Dam has been fair to spotty, but now that the full moon is waning the bite should pick up. Water temps are good, spills at the dam are strong and that helps to concentrate the fish to known current breaks."

Chinook numbers at Willamette Falls are encouraging but not impressive. Springers are crossing in double digits with modest improvement as the total for the year as of April 12th reached 126. Water temperatures remain at 51 degrees as of the latest data on April 14th. Improvement is overdue.

The lower Willamette is running high at this writing. Catches were slow but steady last week for anchor fishers soaking prawn rigs and for trollers dragging plug-cut herring in the Portland Harbor.

Bait fishers are hooking numerous smolts in the Clackamas and fishing for steelhead remains the best bet on the river. Spring Chinook are present in low numbers however, the cool water is keeping them from making a big push into the river. Algae growth has started to be a problem here.

Sandy anglers are taking a few summer steelhead and fewer springers but prospects will improve later in the season. Late winter steelhead are still in the mix but the bulk of the catch are natives. The river was high and roiled over the weekend with conditions showing improvement this week.

Many anglers are geared in anticipation for the weekend trout opener. In preparation, many lakes have been stocked with catchable rainbows.

In the Northern Willamette watershed, Benson Lake, Bethany, Blue Lake, Commonwealth Lake, Dorman Pond, Haldeman Pond, Harriet Lake, Hartman Pond, Henry Hagg Lake, Mt. Hood Pond, Roslyn Lake, Salmonberry Lake and Trojan Pond will be planted with hatchery trout this week.

Scheduled to be stocked in the Southern Willamette watershed is Alton Baker Pond, Blue River Reservoir, Carmen Reservoir, Clear Lake, the Coast Fork of the Willamette River, Cottage Grove Reservoir, Detroit Reservoir, Dexter Reservoir, E. E. Wilson Pond, Fall Creek, Foster Reservoir, Green Peter Reservoir, Junction City Pond, Leaburg Lake, Upper McKenzie River, Middle Fork Willamette River, Roaring River Park Pond, Salmon Creek, Timber Linn Lake and Waverly Lake.

Northwest – Steelhead catches once again turned on for North Coast anglers over the weekend. The slight rise in river levels drew in good numbers of late winter run fish and the Nestucca and Wilson produced the best numbers. The Wilson rose just under a foot through the weekend and gave the necessary color to the river to stimulate a bite. Most anglers agree, it was one of the best winter steelhead seasons in a long time.

Chinook were rumored to have been hooked in the lower drifts of the Wilson but no confirmed catches were reported. As area rivers drop, the Trask and Wilson should be fair prospects for a short while longer when the river becomes too clear again.

In Tillamook Bay, sturgeon fishing has slowed but some fish remain in the west channel. Spring Chinook have been hooked in the upper and lower bay for the few boats participating in the fishery. These early fish tend to be the larger 5-year olds often exceeding 20 pounds.

Crabbing remains poor in the local estuaries.

The ocean remains volatile but a short break in the weather may afford some bottomfishing opportunity over the weekend. Afternoon winds from the NW may curtail effort but indicate a more typical weather pattern that produces the necessary upwelling effect for the out-migrating smolts that are now exiting coastal estuaries.

A pod of killer whales was witnessed at the mouth of Tillamook Bay earlier this week.

Alder Lake, Big Creek Reservoirs # 1 and # 2, Buck Lake, Cleawox Lake, Dune Lake, Elbow Lake, Erhart Lake, Georgia Lake, Hebo Lake, Lost Lake (Clatsop County), Lost Lake (Lane County), Mercer Lake, Munsel Lake, North Georgia Lake, Olalla Creek Reservoir, Perkins Lake, Siltcoos Lake, Spring Lake, Sutton Lake, Thissel Pond and Vernonia Pond will receive hatchery trout this week.

Southwest - Offshore bottom fishing was good over the weekend out of central and South coast ports. Ocean conditions this week are conducive to offshore bottomfishing. Surf perch fishing from ocean beaches is rewarding anglers with decent catches.

South coast spring Chinook are running a little late but offshore boats are marking salmon which should be entering rivers in the coming weeks.

Spring Chinook fishing has been slow in the lower Umpqua, but a few are being taken daily.

The lower Rogue River has been improving for Chinook with about every other boat landing fish last week. Levels increased, peaking on April 15th but the water will continue to drop into the coming weekend and with improving temperatures, prospects are good for springers.

South Ten Mile Lake, USFS Lake, Ben Irving Reservoir, Clearwater #2, Cooper Creek Reservoir, Galesville Reservoir, Hemlock Lake, Herbert's Pond, Lake of the Woods, Lemolo Reservoir, Loon Lake, and Plat I Reservoir will be stocked with trout for the weekend.

Diamond Lake, scheduled to receive 20,000 trout this week, will not be stocked until mid-May when the lake is expected to be free of ice. Rotenone will be used in September to rid the lake of trout-competitive tui chub.

Eastern - Although the Umatilla River opened April 16th for spring Chinook, no fish have currently passed Three Mile Dam. Steelhead fishing closed on eastern Oregon rivers on April 15th.

Pro guide Bill Kremers (541 754 6411) reports on trout fishing in detail for Central Oregon lakes in the full length version of our report. Bill cites excessive snow will delay the trout opener on many lakes but most reservoirs will enjoy ample water supply this season.

Century Gravel Pit, Fall River, Haystack Reservoir, Shevlin Pond and Sprague Gravel Pit will be planted with rainbow trout.

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Oregon fishing report

Oregon Fishing Update

Willamette Valley/Metro - Columbia River anglers will see their fishery close at midnight Thursday, April 13th. Although the recreational handle of spring Chinook may indicate the pre-season prediction was correct, Bonneville Dam passage needs to improve dramatically before further opportunities can be explored.

Success had dropped off for mainstem fishers and water releases that flush smolts downstream are partly to blame. Prior to the increase in flow, the river from Altoona to Westport had posted the best results.

Spring Chinook passage at Willamette Falls remains low with only 35 over as of April 7th. Summer steelhead counts are doing somewhat better with year-to-date totals nearing the 350 mark. While the lower Willamette level rose on Monday this week, the flow didn't increase significantly. The water temperature has yet to top 51 degrees at the Falls.

These conditions are reflected in the fishing. It's very slow. Multnomah Channel has produced modest catches recently. It is the route frequently taken by spring Chinook and the water is often a couple of degrees warmer than at the Falls. There have been recent signs of improvement at Oregon City but consistency is not the rule. Sellwood Bridge has also slowed.
Most of the summer steelhead heading up the Willamette are bound for the Santiam system and while there are too few this early to provide prime fishing, anglers are taking some along with a few late wild winter fish. Pro guide Bill Kremers (541-754- 6411) reports, "The McKenzie River is providing some great trout catches with size 14 dark caddis producing the best opportunities."
Low on the Clackamas offers the best chance of a spring Chinook or summer steelhead encounter. Success remains low however.

Recent rainfall may improve prospects on the Sandy for springers, but reports lately haven't been encouraging.

Haldeman Pond, Dorena Reservoir, East Freeway Lake, E. E. Wilson Pond, Foster Reservoir, Junction City Pond, Timber Linn Lake, Walling Pond and Walter Wirth Lake are scheduled to be stocked with trout this week.

Northwest – North Coast steelhead success remain dormant with water desperately needed for a fresh influx of fish reports pro guide Jesse Zalonis (503-392-5808). Area anglers are in hot pursuit of the first confirmed salmon harvested from the bay but rumors have circulated about a wild fish released early in the week.

Sturgeon effort has dropped off and so has the catch. Better tides begin this week however and a combination salmon/sturgeon trip is a viable option for Tillamook Bay anglers. Spinners in the upper bay for salmon and sand shrimp in the middle section could prove productive.

The ocean remains closed due to high swells and will likely remain that way into the weekend. Crabbing is slow on most north coast estuaries.

Waters planted this with hatchery trout include Battle Lake, Bay City Reservoir, Cape Meares Lake, Carter Lake, Cleawox Lake, Coffenbury Lake, Cullaby Lake, Devil's Lake, Lake Lytle, Smith Lake, South Lake, Tahoe Lake, Town Lake and Woahink Lake.

Southwest - With a calm ocean on Monday, April 10th, South coast bottom fishers had easy passage. Results were good with numerous ling cod taken up to 30 pounds along with good rockfish catches.

With the exception of the closure South of Florence, recreational ocean salmon fishing is open but no catches have been reported.

Surf perch fishing off the ocean beaches remains a productive pastime. Any rig capable of throwing sufficient weight to hold bottom will work. Clams, shrimp or mussels are effective baits.

Offshore halibut season opens seven days a week on May 1st but is restricted to waters inside the 40-fathom line from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain. The first all-depth fishery of the 2006 spring season will open May 11 through 13th with more days to follow. Halibut quotas, up 4% from last year, have doubled over the last decade.

It's been scratch fishing for springers on the mainstem Umpqua River over the last week. Any anglers landing a salmon considers himself very lucky. Sturgeon catches out of Reedsport are mostly oversized.

Rogue steelheaders are scoring fish in the upper river. It is hoped that warmer temperatures this week will take the chill off the water in the lower Rogue and improve the spring Chinook fishery.

Eel Lake, Upper and Lower Empire Lake, Emigrant Lake, Cole River, Howard Prairie, Hyatt Lake, Lost Creek Lake, Applegate Lake, Selmac Lake and Willow Lake will be planted with trout rainbow trout this week.

Eastern - Steelhead fishing is open from the northern boundary of the Warm Springs Reservation to the Columbia with the exception of Shears Falls downstream to Buckhollow Creek. Until 4/22, trout and steelhead fishing is closed from the northern boundary of the reservation upstream to the Pelton re-regulation dam. Trout fishing is holding up well on the lower Deschutes. The middle Deschutes (Sunriver Zone) and upper river are closed.

Many central Oregon lakes and rivers are currently closed or lack access until roads are opened. Some waters are scheduled to open April 22nd, others on May 26th. As always, call 511 for road conditions and check the regulations before making a cast.

Hatchery trout will be planted in the South Fork Crooked River, Pinehollow Reservoir, Rock Creek Reservoir and Taylor Lake this week.

Further east, steelheading has also dropped off significantly on the Grande Ronde and Umatilla. Most fish are in the process of spawning states pro guide Mac Huff (800-940-3688).

Oregon fishing reports

Oregon fishing guide