Saturday, December 02, 2006

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