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.
