Willamette Valley/Metro- Mainstem Columbia sturgeon fishing remains poor with water temperatures continuing to drop. This fishery, including the Willamette River and Multnomah Channel, will go to a 4-day per week fishery (Thursday – Sunday) beginning January 1st.
Water temperatures have continued to rise at Willamette Falls along with the water level and the winter steelhead count. Sturgeon fishing has been fair for keeper-sized fish with shaker action all day long. The lower Willamette River is producing the best results with squid and sand shrimp the top baits.
Rain has pushed the Santiam system too high to fish.
Heavy rain over the weekend has the waters of the Clackamas too high to fish as of Monday this week. Plunkers picked up a few winters before the rain hit but Eagle Creek will be the only possibility for a while and is giving up a few fish.
The upper Sandy is reasonably clear but the lower river is off color. Steelheading has been fair but it's early for this river to be posting big numbers. Pontoon drifters experienced some good action from Dodge Park to Oxbow just over a week ago but warned that rock hazards make this stretch treacherous. The bulk of the fish being caught were wild. Low snow levels may keep the Sandy in fishable shape.
Northwest – Most steelheaders are still waiting for good conditions to search for coastal winters. The smaller streams offered up the best opportunities with the Necanicum and North Fork of the Nehalem producing best when in shape. Drifted bait has been working best in the higher water conditions.
Boaters must still be aware of downed trees. The smaller streams are the more technical to drift- especially as the rivers recede.
More precipitation is in the forecast which will keep the larger river systems like the Nestucca and Trask out of shape. Mudslides have kept the Wilson River from running clear since mid-November.
Three Rivers does have fish present with the hatchery hole producing a few fish.
Gnat and Big Creeks will also be strong options this week as returns peak and river levels remain high.
Lacey DeWeert of Woodland, WA and her 5 crabbers had no trouble taking their 72 keeper limit on Sunday out of Hammond. The group used frozen shad between buoys 20 and 22 in about 35 feet of water. The strong incoming tide countered the large run-off and despite the large numbers of commercial pots present, there were plenty of sport-legal crabs available.
Rough surf has kept Clatsop area beaches from being productive for clam diggers this week. Large swells will continue to hit coastal beaches through the weekend so fishing is not an option.
The Alsea produced fair numbers if steelhead over the weekend but was under very heavy pressure.
The Siletz has been off to a good start with large natives and some quality broodstock fish available as well. It will likely be in good shape again after the weekend.
Southwest – Mild tides this weekend would encourage crabbing in bays and estuaries but fresh water has pushed Dungeness out to the ocean. While ocean crabbing is open, wind and wave action will prevent crossing the bars.
South coast rivers which were dropping through December 23rd, though not necessarily to fishable levels, are again on the rise.
The North Umpqua is high but fishable above Elkton. Fair numbers of steelhead were reported by side-drifters this week. The water is muddy below that point.
The Elk River was dropping and clearing over the weekend, but will probably rise again with rain this week. It is getting close to the end of the salmon run here.
The Rogue is too high to fish well this week and is forecast to remain that way for a while.
Plunkers on the Chetco River are the first to score winter steelhead and there have been some big ones in the mix this year. Over the past week, a 20 pound hatchery fish was landed. Rain is in the forecast daily for the coming week, however, which may keep the Chetco above acceptable 6,000 to 8,000 cfs levels, even for plunkers. Drift boaters require a friendlier 4,000 cfs or less.
Eastern – The Deschutes has continued to fish well for a mix of hatchery and native steelhead. The area bordered by the Indian reservation closes on December 31st but the Deschutes will remain open from above Maupin to the mouth.
Trout fishing has been rewarding for anglers at Green Peter.
Cold temperatures have Grande Ronde anglers wary of icy conditions. If temperatures moderate, summer steelhead will be available. The John Day River remains an option as well.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Oregon fishing reports
Willamette Valley/Metro- Fewer than 100 winter steelhead have crossed at Willamette Falls although plunkers at Meldrum Bar have had some good days. Sturgeon fishing has continued to deliver lots of shakers and a fair number of keeper-sized fish. The stretch from St. Johns Bridge to the lower Multnomah Channel have been most productive. This will be the last full week of a 7-day per week fishery in the Willamette and Columbia River from Wauna Powerlines to Bonneville.
Pro guide Joe Salvey (503-349-1411) reports a good sturgeon bite in the lower Willamette and Multnomah Channel with sand shrimp and smelt top baits.
While the North Santiam is high, the water has cleared. A few wild steelhead have been caught and released.
Clackamas steelheaders have been taking a few very early fresh winters at the mouth, from Eagle Creek and in the stretch below the creek.
A brace of hatchery winter steelhead were taken at the Sandy River by a pair of anglers on December 15th. It's still early but the season has officially started. Wild fish are most prevalent in the catches but more broodstock fish will become available in the new year.
Pro guide Brandon Glass (503-260-8285) reports that catching on the Sandy has picked up from Oxbow up to Cedar Creek.
Pro guide Trevor Storlie (503-695-6515) reports that the majority of steelhead present are natives but hatchery fish will be entering after the first of the year.
Huddleston Pond (Willamina) and Sheridan Pond are scheduled to be stocked with rainbows 16-inches or better.
Northwest – Monday produced well for North Fork Nehalem anglers fishing near the hatchery. The run overall has been disappointing although river levels have cooperated for much of the season. Navigational hazards will be an ongoing issue as high winds will once again sweep the north coast mid-week.
The Necanicum, a late December staple, remains accessible from the gravel pit to the Relief Pitcher take-out. This leaves the rest of the river open to bank anglers and fish are available but private property dominates the bank so be aware of where you are fishing.
Favorite rivers along Highway 30 include Gnat Creek and Big Creek. These rivers are good choices when other north coast streams are too high to fish. Friday and Saturday should be productive on these rivers.
Most Tillamook area rivers remain troublesome for driftboaters. The Wilson has yet to clear due to mudslides near Lee’s Camp and the Trask still has a log jam at the Railroad Bridge downstream of Loren’s Drift. On the Trask, bank anglers often find success at the Dam Hole in high water conditions. The Kilchis, one of the best options, still has boating hazards downstream of Kilchis Park.
The Nestucca was in good shape early in the week but scheduled to rise again at mid-week. It may drop back in shape by the weekend with wild and hatchery fish well distributed from 4th bridge to Cloverdale. There were a few chinook still in the system late last week but the quality of fish is on the decline.
Hatchery winter steelhead have been taken from the Siletz and Alsea rivers over the past week. The Alsea typically receives hatchery fish earlier in the season while Siletz fish return in higher numbers starting in late January.
Sturgeon anglers will find favorable tides beginning today but by the weekend, low slack will occur after sunset. Sand shrimp will be a top bait but storms may prevent pumpers from attaining adequate supplies for the weekend needs. Check availability before planning a trip.
It’s already clear that the ocean crab harvest will be down from previous years. Low success rates amongst the commercial fleet is an indicator that sport crabbing in the estuaries will be more challenging this year.
Southwest – Whale watching officially kicks off on December 26th. Watch for "Whale Watching Spoken Here" signs to find trained volunteers.
A strong tidal series is forecast for the coming weekend with the exchange predicted to exceed ten feet although low tides will occur after sundown.
South coast rivers are on the rise this week with heavy rainfall. This will have a detrimental effect on winter steelheading on the mainstem Umpqua which had improved as the water here was dropping and clearing. Over the weekend, steelheaders fishing above Elkton took fish to 16 pounds although averaging several pounds smaller.
Coquille anglers caught hatchery steelhead with the largest scaling 18 pounds over the past weekend.
Anglers will experience good results for Chinook on the Elk and Sixes when precipitation moderates and these volatile rivers are on the drop.
Steelhead fishing was fair to good on the lower Rogue prior to the water rising and will deliver again once the river starts to drop. This fishery lasts into springtime.
The Chetco rose from 2.6 to over six feet from December 16th to the morning of December 18th with the flow approaching 6,000 cfs. Regular readers know this river fishes best around 4,000 cfs and dropping. Fresh winter steelhead are entering now.
Eastern – John Day anglers continue to catch a mix of hatchery and wild fish in the John Day Pool itself. Trollers are taking the bulk of the summer runs but bank anglers are also taking a few.
Anglers fishing the Grande Ronde and lower Imnaha Rivers are landing steelhead at an average of 1 fish for every 9 or 10 hours recreating. These catch rates should remain stable if temperatures don’t fluctuate too much in the coming week. Cold temperatures may cause icing however.
Pro guide Joe Salvey (503-349-1411) reports a good sturgeon bite in the lower Willamette and Multnomah Channel with sand shrimp and smelt top baits.
While the North Santiam is high, the water has cleared. A few wild steelhead have been caught and released.
Clackamas steelheaders have been taking a few very early fresh winters at the mouth, from Eagle Creek and in the stretch below the creek.
A brace of hatchery winter steelhead were taken at the Sandy River by a pair of anglers on December 15th. It's still early but the season has officially started. Wild fish are most prevalent in the catches but more broodstock fish will become available in the new year.
Pro guide Brandon Glass (503-260-8285) reports that catching on the Sandy has picked up from Oxbow up to Cedar Creek.
Pro guide Trevor Storlie (503-695-6515) reports that the majority of steelhead present are natives but hatchery fish will be entering after the first of the year.
Huddleston Pond (Willamina) and Sheridan Pond are scheduled to be stocked with rainbows 16-inches or better.
Northwest – Monday produced well for North Fork Nehalem anglers fishing near the hatchery. The run overall has been disappointing although river levels have cooperated for much of the season. Navigational hazards will be an ongoing issue as high winds will once again sweep the north coast mid-week.
The Necanicum, a late December staple, remains accessible from the gravel pit to the Relief Pitcher take-out. This leaves the rest of the river open to bank anglers and fish are available but private property dominates the bank so be aware of where you are fishing.
Favorite rivers along Highway 30 include Gnat Creek and Big Creek. These rivers are good choices when other north coast streams are too high to fish. Friday and Saturday should be productive on these rivers.
Most Tillamook area rivers remain troublesome for driftboaters. The Wilson has yet to clear due to mudslides near Lee’s Camp and the Trask still has a log jam at the Railroad Bridge downstream of Loren’s Drift. On the Trask, bank anglers often find success at the Dam Hole in high water conditions. The Kilchis, one of the best options, still has boating hazards downstream of Kilchis Park.
The Nestucca was in good shape early in the week but scheduled to rise again at mid-week. It may drop back in shape by the weekend with wild and hatchery fish well distributed from 4th bridge to Cloverdale. There were a few chinook still in the system late last week but the quality of fish is on the decline.
Hatchery winter steelhead have been taken from the Siletz and Alsea rivers over the past week. The Alsea typically receives hatchery fish earlier in the season while Siletz fish return in higher numbers starting in late January.
Sturgeon anglers will find favorable tides beginning today but by the weekend, low slack will occur after sunset. Sand shrimp will be a top bait but storms may prevent pumpers from attaining adequate supplies for the weekend needs. Check availability before planning a trip.
It’s already clear that the ocean crab harvest will be down from previous years. Low success rates amongst the commercial fleet is an indicator that sport crabbing in the estuaries will be more challenging this year.
Southwest – Whale watching officially kicks off on December 26th. Watch for "Whale Watching Spoken Here" signs to find trained volunteers.
A strong tidal series is forecast for the coming weekend with the exchange predicted to exceed ten feet although low tides will occur after sundown.
South coast rivers are on the rise this week with heavy rainfall. This will have a detrimental effect on winter steelheading on the mainstem Umpqua which had improved as the water here was dropping and clearing. Over the weekend, steelheaders fishing above Elkton took fish to 16 pounds although averaging several pounds smaller.
Coquille anglers caught hatchery steelhead with the largest scaling 18 pounds over the past weekend.
Anglers will experience good results for Chinook on the Elk and Sixes when precipitation moderates and these volatile rivers are on the drop.
Steelhead fishing was fair to good on the lower Rogue prior to the water rising and will deliver again once the river starts to drop. This fishery lasts into springtime.
The Chetco rose from 2.6 to over six feet from December 16th to the morning of December 18th with the flow approaching 6,000 cfs. Regular readers know this river fishes best around 4,000 cfs and dropping. Fresh winter steelhead are entering now.
Eastern – John Day anglers continue to catch a mix of hatchery and wild fish in the John Day Pool itself. Trollers are taking the bulk of the summer runs but bank anglers are also taking a few.
Anglers fishing the Grande Ronde and lower Imnaha Rivers are landing steelhead at an average of 1 fish for every 9 or 10 hours recreating. These catch rates should remain stable if temperatures don’t fluctuate too much in the coming week. Cold temperatures may cause icing however.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Oregon fishing
Willamette Valley/Metro- Willamette water temperatures rose with the tropical storm early this month but cold weather is causing the temps to drop again. Water visibility remains less than one foot. Sturgeon fishing is slow for keepers, good for shakers.
The forecast for Willamette spring chinook in 2008 was released this week and is a disappointing 29,000 hatchery fish. Managers will be discussing season options but with only about 6,000 harvestable fish, a compromise in the Columbia fishery below I-5 or the Willamette itself is likely.
From Portland to Bonneville Dam, sturgeon fishing was poor. With dropping temperatures, sturgeon success will continue to drop. Anglers are hopeful that a winter smelt run will stimulate the bite but another poor return is predicted which will restrict sport dippers in pursuit of the favored sturgeon bait.
The Clackamas turned green over the past weekend and is now quite fishable. A few winter steelhead are trickling in but numbers will be low until mid-January.
The water at the Sandy River has cleared but sand has once again become problematic. When the Sandy River opens on the first of January, 2008, the new deadline will be at Salmon River. There will be no bait or lure restrictions.
Pro guide Brandon Glass (503-260-8285) wrote to say that the Clackamas is probably a better bet than the Sandy this early in the season.
Water at the North Santiam is running too high to fish and will remain that way due to snowmelt and the reduction of the water level at Detroit.
Trout fishing is slow to fair on the McKenzie, but the reward is fat, feisty fish to 20 inches.
Walling Pond and Walter Wirth Lake are scheduled to be planted with catchable-sized and larger rainbows.
Northwest – Following last weeks devastating storm, rivers are now starting to recover but options are limited due to damage inflicted by high winds and saturated river banks.
The bridge to the put-in at the largest Sitka Spruce tree on the Necanicum River is compromised and the road is closed. Portland angler John Weed reported that section of the river “looked like an air raid took place”, referencing the large number of downed trees blocking safe boat passage on this north coast favorite. His crew picked up two fresh steelhead in the downstream stretch from Johnson’s gravel pit to the take out at the Relief Pitcher. They were driftfishing roe.
The North Fork Nehalem is reported as poor for steelhead. Sweeper logs are reported across the upper drift from the hatchery to the county line. A sweeper log took the life of Jim Erickson in this same stretch almost a year ago.
End-of-season chinook hopefuls are still waiting for the Wilson to clear from numerous slides still silting the river. It is on the mend but by the time it clears, the river will likely be too low to fish with any success. With few steelhead present and well scattered, anglers will find it challenging to find fish. The winter broodstock collection is underway but to participate, you have to register with STEP biologist Tracy Crews at (503) 842-2741 in the Tillamook office.
The Kilchis River, another December favorite for chinook, yielded poor results last week as it cleared quickly. Steelhead were reported in the tailouts of the upper drift.
The Trask River still has a remnant winter chinook run but like most area streams, it too was affected by the recent storm. A large log jam prevents passage at the railroad bridge about 1.5 miles above the highway 101 takeout.
Steelhead were reported in Three Rivers and the Nestucca was on the mend and is currently fishable. Catches are expected to be light.
Pro guide Bill Kremers (541-754-6411) fished the Alsea on Monday, catching jack salmon and coho but no steelhead, On Tuesday, he took one 12-pound steelhead on the Siletz.
The ocean allowed recreational boats to cross the bar out of Newport Sunday and Monday this week where anglers scored rockfish and lingcod and enjoyed good crabbing.
The Alsea and Siuslaw Rivers have cleared of debris and should have a few winter steelhead present. These rivers will be low and clear by the weekend.
Southwest – Wind and wave action is forecast to prevent recreational boaters from crossing into the ocean this weekend.
The Umpqua was at good level and color at mid-week. Fishing this weekend should be worthwhile for steelhead and coho.
Coos anglers have hooked chinook and coho over the past week but failed to locate and find fresh winter steelhead.
Anglers on the Elk and Sixes have done well for chinook over the past week but action is slowing as these rivers are getting skinny. The Elk is at the four-foot level this week.
With the Rogue River back in shape, anglers should find fresh winter steelhead around Agness.
The Chetco had fallen below four feet and was running at 2,200 cfs at Brookings on Tuesday. Fresh, bright winter steelhead are available, but fishing has become challenging in the low, clear water.
Eastern – Deschutes anglers should expect to fish higher flows through the remainder of the steelhead season but braving the cold may be worthwhile with B-run fish in the river now.
The forecast for Willamette spring chinook in 2008 was released this week and is a disappointing 29,000 hatchery fish. Managers will be discussing season options but with only about 6,000 harvestable fish, a compromise in the Columbia fishery below I-5 or the Willamette itself is likely.
From Portland to Bonneville Dam, sturgeon fishing was poor. With dropping temperatures, sturgeon success will continue to drop. Anglers are hopeful that a winter smelt run will stimulate the bite but another poor return is predicted which will restrict sport dippers in pursuit of the favored sturgeon bait.
The Clackamas turned green over the past weekend and is now quite fishable. A few winter steelhead are trickling in but numbers will be low until mid-January.
The water at the Sandy River has cleared but sand has once again become problematic. When the Sandy River opens on the first of January, 2008, the new deadline will be at Salmon River. There will be no bait or lure restrictions.
Pro guide Brandon Glass (503-260-8285) wrote to say that the Clackamas is probably a better bet than the Sandy this early in the season.
Water at the North Santiam is running too high to fish and will remain that way due to snowmelt and the reduction of the water level at Detroit.
Trout fishing is slow to fair on the McKenzie, but the reward is fat, feisty fish to 20 inches.
Walling Pond and Walter Wirth Lake are scheduled to be planted with catchable-sized and larger rainbows.
Northwest – Following last weeks devastating storm, rivers are now starting to recover but options are limited due to damage inflicted by high winds and saturated river banks.
The bridge to the put-in at the largest Sitka Spruce tree on the Necanicum River is compromised and the road is closed. Portland angler John Weed reported that section of the river “looked like an air raid took place”, referencing the large number of downed trees blocking safe boat passage on this north coast favorite. His crew picked up two fresh steelhead in the downstream stretch from Johnson’s gravel pit to the take out at the Relief Pitcher. They were driftfishing roe.
The North Fork Nehalem is reported as poor for steelhead. Sweeper logs are reported across the upper drift from the hatchery to the county line. A sweeper log took the life of Jim Erickson in this same stretch almost a year ago.
End-of-season chinook hopefuls are still waiting for the Wilson to clear from numerous slides still silting the river. It is on the mend but by the time it clears, the river will likely be too low to fish with any success. With few steelhead present and well scattered, anglers will find it challenging to find fish. The winter broodstock collection is underway but to participate, you have to register with STEP biologist Tracy Crews at (503) 842-2741 in the Tillamook office.
The Kilchis River, another December favorite for chinook, yielded poor results last week as it cleared quickly. Steelhead were reported in the tailouts of the upper drift.
The Trask River still has a remnant winter chinook run but like most area streams, it too was affected by the recent storm. A large log jam prevents passage at the railroad bridge about 1.5 miles above the highway 101 takeout.
Steelhead were reported in Three Rivers and the Nestucca was on the mend and is currently fishable. Catches are expected to be light.
Pro guide Bill Kremers (541-754-6411) fished the Alsea on Monday, catching jack salmon and coho but no steelhead, On Tuesday, he took one 12-pound steelhead on the Siletz.
The ocean allowed recreational boats to cross the bar out of Newport Sunday and Monday this week where anglers scored rockfish and lingcod and enjoyed good crabbing.
The Alsea and Siuslaw Rivers have cleared of debris and should have a few winter steelhead present. These rivers will be low and clear by the weekend.
Southwest – Wind and wave action is forecast to prevent recreational boaters from crossing into the ocean this weekend.
The Umpqua was at good level and color at mid-week. Fishing this weekend should be worthwhile for steelhead and coho.
Coos anglers have hooked chinook and coho over the past week but failed to locate and find fresh winter steelhead.
Anglers on the Elk and Sixes have done well for chinook over the past week but action is slowing as these rivers are getting skinny. The Elk is at the four-foot level this week.
With the Rogue River back in shape, anglers should find fresh winter steelhead around Agness.
The Chetco had fallen below four feet and was running at 2,200 cfs at Brookings on Tuesday. Fresh, bright winter steelhead are available, but fishing has become challenging in the low, clear water.
Eastern – Deschutes anglers should expect to fish higher flows through the remainder of the steelhead season but braving the cold may be worthwhile with B-run fish in the river now.
Saturday, December 08, 2007
Oregon fishing update
Willamette Valley/Metro- The winter sturgeon fishery in the gorge remained inaccessible during the inclement weather but warmer temperatures may improve the bite slightly. Smelt and shrimp will be the best offering. With the stabilizing weather pattern, the stretch from the mouth of the Willamette to the mouth of the Cowlitz should also improve this week.
The tropical storm which hammered the area early this week has raised water temperatures which were dropping to near 40 degrees late last week. The impact to the lower Willamette sturgeon fishery is a recent improvement. With temperatures remaining somewhat stable, the fishery is likely to continue improving this week. Winter steelhead were caught at Meldrum Bar before the storm passed.
Waters of the North Santiam are high and muddy. It won't fish this week.
A few Eagle Creek stock winter steelhead have entered the Clackamas although the deluge has the water up and roiled. At 24.5 last week, it is predicted to drop from high mid-week levels to 28 feet at Oregon City by the weekend.
The Sandy is not fishable following the torrential rain. Once the river falls into a fishable state, the winter steelhead fishery will be underway. Like the Clackamas, the bulk of the winter steelhead are later returning broodstock or native run although steelhead have already been caught prior to the storm.
Blue-winged olives (a typical winter pattern) will be effective for trout on the McKenzie when it drops back into shape.
Junction City Pond is scheduled to be stocked with 12-inch trout. West Salish Pond was planted with brood trout last week.
Northwest – Northwest Oregon rivers were just falling below flood level late Tuesday and will likely be fishable again by the weekend. For fall chinook, most area rivers are done but the Wilson will likely hold another late shot of quality chinook destined for the Little North Fork of the Wilson when the river recedes.
The Kilchis also typically receives a December run of chinook but if the November run on this river is any indication, anglers shouldn’t expect much. This river will clear before any other in Tillamook County. It could fish as early as Thursday.
Winter steelhead have been caught on the Kilchis, Nestucca, Wilson and North Fork of the Nehalem Rivers. A mix of both Alsea stock and broodstock steelhead were retained. For anglers specifically seeking early returning steelhead, the Necanicum, North Fork Nehalem, Three Rivers, Kilchis, Wilson and Nestucca Rivers in that order, should produce light catches well into the weekend.
Drift clusters of eggs or sand shrimp in higher flows and pull plugs as the rivers drop and fish begin to hold. Chinook are also likely to be found in the tailouts in higher flows and likely to take backtrolled plugs. Wild coho will also be present, are likely to be mis-identified as steelhead or small chinook and must be released unharmed. Male chinook will make the best tablefare as hens, even though they may be bright, often have pale flesh as they are so close to the end of the spawning season.
Record setting winds and heavy precipitation have toppled scores of trees along our riverbanks. Driftboaters must exercise extreme caution when drifting. The smaller streams will have accumulated the most obstacles but no river is immune to hazards of navigation. It will be a critical week to wear lifevests.
Bay crabbing is shot in most estuaries but Tillamook and Nehalem Bay sturgeon fishing may be worth a try. Sturgeon were observed in Tillamook Bay at the end of November and with most crabs back at sea, the action could pick up. Softer minus tides in the late afternoon make for ideal conditions for those using sand shrimp. Debris from the recent flood however may hinder success.
Southwest – Heavy rain is likely to have chased Dungeness out of local estuaries. While the ocean is open and forecast to lie down in the coming weekend, winds may prevent crossing of bars. A series of mild minus tides late in the day is predicted for Saturday and Sunday.
Angers hoping for warm rain to improve coho and steelhead fishing on the North Umpqua got it in spades. There should be fish available when levels drop.
The Elk will drop rapidly, as usual, and will provide a decent prospect for chinook to anglers who time it right.
The Rogue was heading for the nine-foot level and over 19,000 cfs at Agness on Tuesday this week. It'll be a while before this river will fish but fresh steelhead are coming in.
At Brookings, the Chetco topped 21,000 cfs and nearly 15 feet earlier this week but was dropping and should be fishable by the weekend. It remains to be seen if any of those late chinook which showed last weekend will remain but there will be winter steelhead available.
Eastern – As steelhead are settling into their winter holding pattern and with little effect from the storm, fishing has shown some improvement on the lower Deschutes.
Crooked River fly fishers are taking a mix of trout and whitefish in cold-weather conditions.
The tropical storm which hammered the area early this week has raised water temperatures which were dropping to near 40 degrees late last week. The impact to the lower Willamette sturgeon fishery is a recent improvement. With temperatures remaining somewhat stable, the fishery is likely to continue improving this week. Winter steelhead were caught at Meldrum Bar before the storm passed.
Waters of the North Santiam are high and muddy. It won't fish this week.
A few Eagle Creek stock winter steelhead have entered the Clackamas although the deluge has the water up and roiled. At 24.5 last week, it is predicted to drop from high mid-week levels to 28 feet at Oregon City by the weekend.
The Sandy is not fishable following the torrential rain. Once the river falls into a fishable state, the winter steelhead fishery will be underway. Like the Clackamas, the bulk of the winter steelhead are later returning broodstock or native run although steelhead have already been caught prior to the storm.
Blue-winged olives (a typical winter pattern) will be effective for trout on the McKenzie when it drops back into shape.
Junction City Pond is scheduled to be stocked with 12-inch trout. West Salish Pond was planted with brood trout last week.
Northwest – Northwest Oregon rivers were just falling below flood level late Tuesday and will likely be fishable again by the weekend. For fall chinook, most area rivers are done but the Wilson will likely hold another late shot of quality chinook destined for the Little North Fork of the Wilson when the river recedes.
The Kilchis also typically receives a December run of chinook but if the November run on this river is any indication, anglers shouldn’t expect much. This river will clear before any other in Tillamook County. It could fish as early as Thursday.
Winter steelhead have been caught on the Kilchis, Nestucca, Wilson and North Fork of the Nehalem Rivers. A mix of both Alsea stock and broodstock steelhead were retained. For anglers specifically seeking early returning steelhead, the Necanicum, North Fork Nehalem, Three Rivers, Kilchis, Wilson and Nestucca Rivers in that order, should produce light catches well into the weekend.
Drift clusters of eggs or sand shrimp in higher flows and pull plugs as the rivers drop and fish begin to hold. Chinook are also likely to be found in the tailouts in higher flows and likely to take backtrolled plugs. Wild coho will also be present, are likely to be mis-identified as steelhead or small chinook and must be released unharmed. Male chinook will make the best tablefare as hens, even though they may be bright, often have pale flesh as they are so close to the end of the spawning season.
Record setting winds and heavy precipitation have toppled scores of trees along our riverbanks. Driftboaters must exercise extreme caution when drifting. The smaller streams will have accumulated the most obstacles but no river is immune to hazards of navigation. It will be a critical week to wear lifevests.
Bay crabbing is shot in most estuaries but Tillamook and Nehalem Bay sturgeon fishing may be worth a try. Sturgeon were observed in Tillamook Bay at the end of November and with most crabs back at sea, the action could pick up. Softer minus tides in the late afternoon make for ideal conditions for those using sand shrimp. Debris from the recent flood however may hinder success.
Southwest – Heavy rain is likely to have chased Dungeness out of local estuaries. While the ocean is open and forecast to lie down in the coming weekend, winds may prevent crossing of bars. A series of mild minus tides late in the day is predicted for Saturday and Sunday.
Angers hoping for warm rain to improve coho and steelhead fishing on the North Umpqua got it in spades. There should be fish available when levels drop.
The Elk will drop rapidly, as usual, and will provide a decent prospect for chinook to anglers who time it right.
The Rogue was heading for the nine-foot level and over 19,000 cfs at Agness on Tuesday this week. It'll be a while before this river will fish but fresh steelhead are coming in.
At Brookings, the Chetco topped 21,000 cfs and nearly 15 feet earlier this week but was dropping and should be fishable by the weekend. It remains to be seen if any of those late chinook which showed last weekend will remain but there will be winter steelhead available.
Eastern – As steelhead are settling into their winter holding pattern and with little effect from the storm, fishing has shown some improvement on the lower Deschutes.
Crooked River fly fishers are taking a mix of trout and whitefish in cold-weather conditions.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Oregon fishing
Willamette Valley/Metro- Dropping water temperatures and a relentless east wind sank catch rates and effort for the gorge fishery last week. The fish seem to be present but reluctant to bite. Sportanglers caught up on their unused quota late in the season and managers are considering a year-round, 4-day per week season in 2008.
Water temperature is down to a chilly 46 degrees at Willamette Falls. This doesn't bode well for sturgeon fishing in the lower Willamette, which relies on water warmer than the Columbia to attract sturgeon and provide good winter fishing. Sturgeon catches have been poor recently.
Summer steelhead fishing is holding up well on the Clackamas with hardware drawing strikes recently. There are still some bright fish available. It's too early to seriously consider winter fish here.
A few winter steelhead are being caught at the Sandy River but these early fish are natives and must be released. Look for hatchery steelhead to start entering around Christmas.
Rains in mid-November, snowmelt and the need to lower the water level of Detroit Reservoir have combined to push the North Santiam high and swift. In addition, trees have fallen into the river recently. Only experienced boaters with familiarity with the river should try it.
Snow is causing closures of several roads including Old McKenzie Pass and Cascade Lakes Highway. Be certain to check with ODOT before heading out this winter season.
Northwest – Trollers were out in force over the Thanksgiving holiday last weekend but results varied. Most of the effort took place in the Ghost Hole and some fair catches were reported on some days. The west channel was still producing some fish but effort is likely to drop significantly with incoming weather changes and the tapering of the run.
River levels are forecasted to remain stable making for good water conditions for late run chinook on the Wilson River but mountain passes will become treacherous so be cautious when traveling. Other area streams like the Nestucca, Kilchis and Nehalem Rivers witnessed poor returns so anglers will be looking to these systems for early arriving winter steelhead.
The Necanicum, North Fork Nehalem, Wilson, Kilchis and Nestucca Rivers all get returns of winter steelhead this time of year and catches should begin to build. The period from Christmas to New Years is the peak week however.
Pro guide Jesse Zalonis (503-392-5808) reports slow fishing on a low return of Chinook this year on the Nestucca but is optimistic about the winter steelhead run to come.
Crabbers continue to do poor in Tillamook Bay but the lower Columbia is still producing great results. Commercial crabbers have begun to place their pots in the lower Columbia so keepers may become increasingly hard to find although sport-crabbers have a larger retention slot to work from.
Crabbing has been slow to fair out of Newport and Waldport. Ling cod fishing has been good offshore out of Yaquina Bay.
Southwest – Commercial crabbing will commence on schedule in the ocean on December 1st. The crabs are of high quality but rough seas will keep most sport crabbers inside of estuaries.
The next good deluge should bring winter steelhead into southern Oregon coastal streams.
Tides are moderating this week and will be soft for the weekend, which should make for decent Dungeness catches.
Another rough offshore forecast for the coming weekend will probably prevent recreational boaters from venturing out into the ocean.
It's been a disappointing chinook run this season, with most data indicating low numbers. While most rivers experience declining numbers at this time of year, the Elk and Sixes will provide good chinook fishing for another three to four weeks. Providing, that is, that sufficient precipitation keeps the water at fishable levels. It will take a decent amount of rain to fire up the action on the Elk and Sixes as they are low and clear at this time although numbers of chinook have been caught as recently as Monday this week.
The Rogue has been running cold, but steelheading on the upper river has been fair to good.
The Chetco flow was 1,470 cfs as of Tuesday this week and is forecast to increase slightly in the coming days. It's low but fishable, yielding fair results. Best water conditions are between 2,000 and 4,000 cfs. Extreme high tides late last week brought in fresh chinook which will be in deeper holes now. Try pulling plugs or backbouncing cured salmon eggs. Into December, the major shift from chinook to winter steelhead will take place. A few have already been taken.
Eastern – Anglers who bundled up and traveled to Crescent Lake to chase lake trout and browns did fairly well over the long holiday weekend. It will fish well until snow prevents access.
Steelheading has been fair on the Grande Ronde for a mix of hatchery and wild fish.
Water temperature is down to a chilly 46 degrees at Willamette Falls. This doesn't bode well for sturgeon fishing in the lower Willamette, which relies on water warmer than the Columbia to attract sturgeon and provide good winter fishing. Sturgeon catches have been poor recently.
Summer steelhead fishing is holding up well on the Clackamas with hardware drawing strikes recently. There are still some bright fish available. It's too early to seriously consider winter fish here.
A few winter steelhead are being caught at the Sandy River but these early fish are natives and must be released. Look for hatchery steelhead to start entering around Christmas.
Rains in mid-November, snowmelt and the need to lower the water level of Detroit Reservoir have combined to push the North Santiam high and swift. In addition, trees have fallen into the river recently. Only experienced boaters with familiarity with the river should try it.
Snow is causing closures of several roads including Old McKenzie Pass and Cascade Lakes Highway. Be certain to check with ODOT before heading out this winter season.
Northwest – Trollers were out in force over the Thanksgiving holiday last weekend but results varied. Most of the effort took place in the Ghost Hole and some fair catches were reported on some days. The west channel was still producing some fish but effort is likely to drop significantly with incoming weather changes and the tapering of the run.
River levels are forecasted to remain stable making for good water conditions for late run chinook on the Wilson River but mountain passes will become treacherous so be cautious when traveling. Other area streams like the Nestucca, Kilchis and Nehalem Rivers witnessed poor returns so anglers will be looking to these systems for early arriving winter steelhead.
The Necanicum, North Fork Nehalem, Wilson, Kilchis and Nestucca Rivers all get returns of winter steelhead this time of year and catches should begin to build. The period from Christmas to New Years is the peak week however.
Pro guide Jesse Zalonis (503-392-5808) reports slow fishing on a low return of Chinook this year on the Nestucca but is optimistic about the winter steelhead run to come.
Crabbers continue to do poor in Tillamook Bay but the lower Columbia is still producing great results. Commercial crabbers have begun to place their pots in the lower Columbia so keepers may become increasingly hard to find although sport-crabbers have a larger retention slot to work from.
Crabbing has been slow to fair out of Newport and Waldport. Ling cod fishing has been good offshore out of Yaquina Bay.
Southwest – Commercial crabbing will commence on schedule in the ocean on December 1st. The crabs are of high quality but rough seas will keep most sport crabbers inside of estuaries.
The next good deluge should bring winter steelhead into southern Oregon coastal streams.
Tides are moderating this week and will be soft for the weekend, which should make for decent Dungeness catches.
Another rough offshore forecast for the coming weekend will probably prevent recreational boaters from venturing out into the ocean.
It's been a disappointing chinook run this season, with most data indicating low numbers. While most rivers experience declining numbers at this time of year, the Elk and Sixes will provide good chinook fishing for another three to four weeks. Providing, that is, that sufficient precipitation keeps the water at fishable levels. It will take a decent amount of rain to fire up the action on the Elk and Sixes as they are low and clear at this time although numbers of chinook have been caught as recently as Monday this week.
The Rogue has been running cold, but steelheading on the upper river has been fair to good.
The Chetco flow was 1,470 cfs as of Tuesday this week and is forecast to increase slightly in the coming days. It's low but fishable, yielding fair results. Best water conditions are between 2,000 and 4,000 cfs. Extreme high tides late last week brought in fresh chinook which will be in deeper holes now. Try pulling plugs or backbouncing cured salmon eggs. Into December, the major shift from chinook to winter steelhead will take place. A few have already been taken.
Eastern – Anglers who bundled up and traveled to Crescent Lake to chase lake trout and browns did fairly well over the long holiday weekend. It will fish well until snow prevents access.
Steelheading has been fair on the Grande Ronde for a mix of hatchery and wild fish.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Oregon fishing
Oregon Fisheries Update:
Got eggs? We’ll GIVE them to you FREE! That’s right. Starting after Thanksgiving, come down to the coast and enjoy a night or two at The Guide’s Guesthouse in Bay City, Oregon. Centrally located, The Guide’s Guest House, brand new construction completed in May of 2007, can comfortably sleep up to 4 people with full kitchen and bathroom. Keep your driftboat safe and sound and with every night booked, you’ll receive a jar of Bob Rees’ personally cured Tillamook Bay chinook roe for your fishing needs! Prices start as low as $37.50/person for a group of 4! It’s a deal! Call Bob or Nancy at (503) 377-9696 or email brees@pacifier.com.
Willamette Valley/Metro- As the weather turns, anglers will lose motivation to fish in the Columbia River Gorge. Keepers also are migrating from this area, in search of warmer waters found downriver and in the lower Willamette. Catch rates have already peaked and are clearly on the decline.
The temperature at Willamette Falls is hovering at the 50-degree mark. Sturgeon fishing has remained reliable with plenty of shakers and a good number of keepers being caught.
The water condition at the Sandy remained good as of Monday this week. A few late summer steelhead are the only fish of interest with salmon closed here and winter steelhead still weeks away.
While Thanksgiving is the traditional winter steelhead kickoff, it's early to expect decent results. Still, a few anglers plan on hitting the Clackamas next week. Fortunately, there are still summers available.
On the Santiam system, steelhead are moving around with normal fluctuations in water conditions at this time of year. Try the stretch from Packsaddle Park down to Stayton.
This is the last week to try for trout and warmwater gamefish at Hagg Lake as it closes for the season at Sundown on Sunday, November 18th.
Northwest – Anglers still holding out hope for productive Tillamook Bay fishing are typically coming home empty-handed this season. The Ghost Hole and West Channel are only occasionally putting out fair numbers of fish. With local area rivers higher then they have been in weeks, most fish are heading right to the river systems.
Monday’s weather system produced good results from the Trask and Wilson Rivers although debris kept anglers from effectively fishing for at least part of the time Tuesday. The initial push of bright fish entered most north coast streams early in the week but forecasters are calling for more rain freshets kicking off a more consistent driftboat season.
In the order of most productive options, the Wilson, Kilchis, Trask, Nestucca, Necanicum and Nehalem Rivers should all be producing fair numbers of fish this weekend. Fish the smaller systems when river levels are high but keep in mind that high winds and rain-soaked riparian areas are ripe for downed sweepers- responsible for lost lives every year.
Anglers were catching chum salmon on the Miami and Kilchis Rivers early in the week but these rivers will close to targeted fishing for these depleted runs beginning Friday. It is catch and release only until then.
Sturgeon are present in Tillamook Bay but crabs are too numerous for anglers to succeed consistently. The west channel fishery is just getting underway.
Crabbing remains poor on Tillamook Bay but fair on Netarts and Nestucca estuaries. The lower Columbia River is excellent for large Dungeness.
Another minus tide series hits north coast beaches on Thanksgiving. Razor clam diggers will likely do best in dry sand digging. Rough surf will likely hamper success however.
The first weeks of November have not been kind to chinook anglers on the Siletz. No new pictures have been posted at Coyote Rock so far this month.
Crabbing is slow to fair at Yaquina and Alsea bays.
Southwest – Another rough week is forecast offshore, keeping recreational boaters off the ocean.
Coho passage at Winchester Dam has been decent with over 1,000 reported as of mid-October. While fishing hasn't been impressive in the mainstem North Umpqua, it is expected to improve as the coho run ramps up. Dropping water temperatures are curtailing smallmouth bass catches in the mainstem as expected. Ling cod fishing has been good out of Winchester Bay when the seas have allowed safe crossing.
Anglers fishing the jetty at Coos Bay have been taking large kelp greenling (known locally as sea trout).
The Elk River was at 4.5 feet on November 11th following nearly an inch of rain on Monday this week. Chinook have been taken but the water level is dropping.
Chetco River levels increased over 4.5 feet from November 12th to the 13th, hitting nearly 6,000 cfs overnight Monday this week. Increased flow is bringing in fresh, chrome chinook which are wasting no time charging upriver. Backbouncing eggs and bait-wrapped plugs will take fish as levels drop. Bank anglers will score with bobber and bait or drifted roe.
When the weather breaks and the bar allows safe passage offshore, bottom fishing is excellent off the southwest coast with rockfish and ling cod in the best condition of the year.
While no trout stocking is scheduled for the remainder of 2007, the ODFW will occasionally conduct winter plantings, often of larger trout or broodstock steelhead.
Eastern – The water level is up at the Deschutes and is expected to stay that way for some time. Trout fishing has slowed in the lower river and steelheading remains slow.
Grand Ronde steelheaders experienced decent action in low water over the weekend for a mix of hatchery and wild fish. Recent weather events however should stimulate the bite and more consistent fishing will occur well into the winter months. Pro guide Mac Huff (800-940-3688) reports that a few Grande Ronde steelhead have been taken daily since mid-October but that the water has been very low this year.
http://www.TheGuidesForecast.com/
Got eggs? We’ll GIVE them to you FREE! That’s right. Starting after Thanksgiving, come down to the coast and enjoy a night or two at The Guide’s Guesthouse in Bay City, Oregon. Centrally located, The Guide’s Guest House, brand new construction completed in May of 2007, can comfortably sleep up to 4 people with full kitchen and bathroom. Keep your driftboat safe and sound and with every night booked, you’ll receive a jar of Bob Rees’ personally cured Tillamook Bay chinook roe for your fishing needs! Prices start as low as $37.50/person for a group of 4! It’s a deal! Call Bob or Nancy at (503) 377-9696 or email brees@pacifier.com.
Willamette Valley/Metro- As the weather turns, anglers will lose motivation to fish in the Columbia River Gorge. Keepers also are migrating from this area, in search of warmer waters found downriver and in the lower Willamette. Catch rates have already peaked and are clearly on the decline.
The temperature at Willamette Falls is hovering at the 50-degree mark. Sturgeon fishing has remained reliable with plenty of shakers and a good number of keepers being caught.
The water condition at the Sandy remained good as of Monday this week. A few late summer steelhead are the only fish of interest with salmon closed here and winter steelhead still weeks away.
While Thanksgiving is the traditional winter steelhead kickoff, it's early to expect decent results. Still, a few anglers plan on hitting the Clackamas next week. Fortunately, there are still summers available.
On the Santiam system, steelhead are moving around with normal fluctuations in water conditions at this time of year. Try the stretch from Packsaddle Park down to Stayton.
This is the last week to try for trout and warmwater gamefish at Hagg Lake as it closes for the season at Sundown on Sunday, November 18th.
Northwest – Anglers still holding out hope for productive Tillamook Bay fishing are typically coming home empty-handed this season. The Ghost Hole and West Channel are only occasionally putting out fair numbers of fish. With local area rivers higher then they have been in weeks, most fish are heading right to the river systems.
Monday’s weather system produced good results from the Trask and Wilson Rivers although debris kept anglers from effectively fishing for at least part of the time Tuesday. The initial push of bright fish entered most north coast streams early in the week but forecasters are calling for more rain freshets kicking off a more consistent driftboat season.
In the order of most productive options, the Wilson, Kilchis, Trask, Nestucca, Necanicum and Nehalem Rivers should all be producing fair numbers of fish this weekend. Fish the smaller systems when river levels are high but keep in mind that high winds and rain-soaked riparian areas are ripe for downed sweepers- responsible for lost lives every year.
Anglers were catching chum salmon on the Miami and Kilchis Rivers early in the week but these rivers will close to targeted fishing for these depleted runs beginning Friday. It is catch and release only until then.
Sturgeon are present in Tillamook Bay but crabs are too numerous for anglers to succeed consistently. The west channel fishery is just getting underway.
Crabbing remains poor on Tillamook Bay but fair on Netarts and Nestucca estuaries. The lower Columbia River is excellent for large Dungeness.
Another minus tide series hits north coast beaches on Thanksgiving. Razor clam diggers will likely do best in dry sand digging. Rough surf will likely hamper success however.
The first weeks of November have not been kind to chinook anglers on the Siletz. No new pictures have been posted at Coyote Rock so far this month.
Crabbing is slow to fair at Yaquina and Alsea bays.
Southwest – Another rough week is forecast offshore, keeping recreational boaters off the ocean.
Coho passage at Winchester Dam has been decent with over 1,000 reported as of mid-October. While fishing hasn't been impressive in the mainstem North Umpqua, it is expected to improve as the coho run ramps up. Dropping water temperatures are curtailing smallmouth bass catches in the mainstem as expected. Ling cod fishing has been good out of Winchester Bay when the seas have allowed safe crossing.
Anglers fishing the jetty at Coos Bay have been taking large kelp greenling (known locally as sea trout).
The Elk River was at 4.5 feet on November 11th following nearly an inch of rain on Monday this week. Chinook have been taken but the water level is dropping.
Chetco River levels increased over 4.5 feet from November 12th to the 13th, hitting nearly 6,000 cfs overnight Monday this week. Increased flow is bringing in fresh, chrome chinook which are wasting no time charging upriver. Backbouncing eggs and bait-wrapped plugs will take fish as levels drop. Bank anglers will score with bobber and bait or drifted roe.
When the weather breaks and the bar allows safe passage offshore, bottom fishing is excellent off the southwest coast with rockfish and ling cod in the best condition of the year.
While no trout stocking is scheduled for the remainder of 2007, the ODFW will occasionally conduct winter plantings, often of larger trout or broodstock steelhead.
Eastern – The water level is up at the Deschutes and is expected to stay that way for some time. Trout fishing has slowed in the lower river and steelheading remains slow.
Grand Ronde steelheaders experienced decent action in low water over the weekend for a mix of hatchery and wild fish. Recent weather events however should stimulate the bite and more consistent fishing will occur well into the winter months. Pro guide Mac Huff (800-940-3688) reports that a few Grande Ronde steelhead have been taken daily since mid-October but that the water has been very low this year.
http://www.TheGuidesForecast.com/
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Oregon fishing reports
Willamette Valley/Metro- Although salmon fishing remains open on the mainstem Columbia, the section from Beacon Rock to Bonneville Dam closes to fishing from a floating device. This is the most productive stretch below Bonneville this time of year but fish are beginning to turn dark, making poor tablefare.
Sturgeon fishing has slowed somewhat in the gorge but remains open 7 days per week though the end of the year. Keepers are becoming more challenging to find but both bank and boat anglers are taking them daily.
The coho run across Willamette Falls has been winding down most of October. The water is a chilly 50 degrees and sturgeon, which may be retained seven days a week, remains the best fishing option in the lower Willamette. Multnomah Channel has been providing catch-and-release action for good numbers of smaller sturgeon.
Water level and flow on the North Santiam will be variable for weeks to come. Some decent steelhead are available but fishing is spotty.
Fishing on the Clackamas has stalled. Hundreds of coho may be seen holding in holes on Eagle Creek but they are all dark fish.
There's very little pressure on the Sandy and very few fish are being caught.
The upper McKenzie has recovered from the past rain and is providing fair trout fishing to fly anglers.
Walling Pond and Walter Wirth Lake are scheduled to be planted with legal-sized and larger trout.
Northwest – Tillamook Bay continues to be the bright spot for anglers seeking chinook on the north coast. Although catches dropped in recent days, fish are well dispersed in the lower bay with the jaws, Ghost Hole and the west channel all producing a few fish. Softer tides over the weekend should stimulate better fishing in a time period when action is usually peaking.
The ocean is closed to salmon fishing outside of the Tillamook Bay Terminal area. The “bubble” will remain open until November 15th and commercial trollers will be taking advantage of a 15-day season beginning November 1st. The weekend ocean forecast does not look favorable for recreational vessels.
The Wilson tidewater that is usually producing good catches is reported as poor. Bobber fishers are usually tallying good numbers by now but many potential biters migrated upstream on the last rain freshet. Those fish are dark now.
All north coast streams are low and clear now and returning fish will anxiously await the next significant fall rain.
Crabbing is good in Netarts and Nestucca estuaries and excellent in the lower Columbia. Softer morning tides give crabbers a strong advantage this weekend.
Southwest – Most streams and rivers on the south coast have dropped and are in need of rain. With no precipitation in long-range forecast, anglers will need to be resourceful.
Steelheading on the North Umpqua has been slow all season with low run numbers. It's about over now as steelhead are heading up tributaries where fishing is not allowed.
Crabbing has been slow to fair in Winchester Bay.
Coos Bay has been delivering limits of Dungeness with crabbing expected to get even better into November. Both numbers and size of crab will improve.
It appears it will be a while before rain falls so it'll be some time before the Elk and Sixes are fishable. They are currently very low and clear with no fish present.
While Chinook and coho are few and far between, steelhead fishing on the Rogue has been decent at times around Agness, The flies-only stretch of the upper Rogue is expected to deliver fair to good results this week. This is a catch and release affair as most of the steelhead will not be of hatchery origin.
Chetco chinook anglers experienced some very good fishing early last week but action diminished as the river dropped. Now low and clear, the next rains will re-invigorate this fishery. Traditionally, the Chetco provides very large Chinook at this time of year when water conditions are conducive.
Eastern – Nymphing has produced good catches of trout on the lower Deschutes, but steelheading was very slow over the past weekend and earlier this week. The Deschutes is now closed to trout fishing from the north end of Warm Springs to Pelton Dam.
Steelheading is improving on the Grande Ronde with some nice, bright, hatchery fish being taken.
Sturgeon fishing has slowed somewhat in the gorge but remains open 7 days per week though the end of the year. Keepers are becoming more challenging to find but both bank and boat anglers are taking them daily.
The coho run across Willamette Falls has been winding down most of October. The water is a chilly 50 degrees and sturgeon, which may be retained seven days a week, remains the best fishing option in the lower Willamette. Multnomah Channel has been providing catch-and-release action for good numbers of smaller sturgeon.
Water level and flow on the North Santiam will be variable for weeks to come. Some decent steelhead are available but fishing is spotty.
Fishing on the Clackamas has stalled. Hundreds of coho may be seen holding in holes on Eagle Creek but they are all dark fish.
There's very little pressure on the Sandy and very few fish are being caught.
The upper McKenzie has recovered from the past rain and is providing fair trout fishing to fly anglers.
Walling Pond and Walter Wirth Lake are scheduled to be planted with legal-sized and larger trout.
Northwest – Tillamook Bay continues to be the bright spot for anglers seeking chinook on the north coast. Although catches dropped in recent days, fish are well dispersed in the lower bay with the jaws, Ghost Hole and the west channel all producing a few fish. Softer tides over the weekend should stimulate better fishing in a time period when action is usually peaking.
The ocean is closed to salmon fishing outside of the Tillamook Bay Terminal area. The “bubble” will remain open until November 15th and commercial trollers will be taking advantage of a 15-day season beginning November 1st. The weekend ocean forecast does not look favorable for recreational vessels.
The Wilson tidewater that is usually producing good catches is reported as poor. Bobber fishers are usually tallying good numbers by now but many potential biters migrated upstream on the last rain freshet. Those fish are dark now.
All north coast streams are low and clear now and returning fish will anxiously await the next significant fall rain.
Crabbing is good in Netarts and Nestucca estuaries and excellent in the lower Columbia. Softer morning tides give crabbers a strong advantage this weekend.
Southwest – Most streams and rivers on the south coast have dropped and are in need of rain. With no precipitation in long-range forecast, anglers will need to be resourceful.
Steelheading on the North Umpqua has been slow all season with low run numbers. It's about over now as steelhead are heading up tributaries where fishing is not allowed.
Crabbing has been slow to fair in Winchester Bay.
Coos Bay has been delivering limits of Dungeness with crabbing expected to get even better into November. Both numbers and size of crab will improve.
It appears it will be a while before rain falls so it'll be some time before the Elk and Sixes are fishable. They are currently very low and clear with no fish present.
While Chinook and coho are few and far between, steelhead fishing on the Rogue has been decent at times around Agness, The flies-only stretch of the upper Rogue is expected to deliver fair to good results this week. This is a catch and release affair as most of the steelhead will not be of hatchery origin.
Chetco chinook anglers experienced some very good fishing early last week but action diminished as the river dropped. Now low and clear, the next rains will re-invigorate this fishery. Traditionally, the Chetco provides very large Chinook at this time of year when water conditions are conducive.
Eastern – Nymphing has produced good catches of trout on the lower Deschutes, but steelheading was very slow over the past weekend and earlier this week. The Deschutes is now closed to trout fishing from the north end of Warm Springs to Pelton Dam.
Steelheading is improving on the Grande Ronde with some nice, bright, hatchery fish being taken.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Oregon fishing
Willamette Valley/Metro- Salmon counts at Bonneville Dam continue to dwindle and effort has switched to mainly sturgeon. Although catches took a bit of a hit last week, likely due to inclement weather, catches should continue to be good into early November. Keepers will likely begin to migrate downriver and into the Willamette as temperatures cool.
Water flow has tripled at Willamette Falls over the past week with the visibility and temperature dropping. Daily coho counts have been in the single digits. Sturgeon fishing is expected to pick up in the lower river.
Water levels in the North Santiam rose late last week but the water clarity is good above Mehema where some steelhead are being caught.
The Clackamas rose to 14 feet at Estacada last Friday and was over 27 feet Sunday, October 21st at Oregon City and slowly recovering.
Water at the Sandy River is off-color, as expected following recent rain. It should be clearing this week. In nearly 30 minutes, the coffer dam near the former Marmot site was notched Friday, October 19th to help it wash away the silt build-up more gradually. Sandy water levels rose to 10.5 feet overnight October 20th but have since returned to pre-storm levels. It is still muddy at this time.
Northwest – A larger than predicted deluge jump started the fall chinook run on most north coast streams. The Wilson River was likely the best producer with numerous fish falling to driftboaters on Sunday and Monday. Bright fish continue to be taken in tidewater.
The Trask River also produced fair results but earlier arriving fish meant that many fish were past their prime. The Nestucca also produced some chinook on Sunday and Monday but overall, disappointed many anglers that reported fish were more motivated to migrate than bite.
The Necanicum River near Seaside also receives hatchery plants and a wild run of chinook. It was the first to fish when the precipitation began late last week. River levels are dropping rapidly on all north coast streams with no new precipitation in the forecast.
The North Fork Nehalem continues to lag in coho returns this fall. The recent rain freshet did not produce the fish most had hoped for.
Pro guide Jim Nicol (503-550-3166) reports the Nestucca fishing well Monday and Tuesday this week for Chinook on sardine-wrapped Kwikfish.
Coastal systems close to trout fishing on October 31st. Check regulations on your favorite streams as many in the northwest section are catch and release only.
Tillamook Bay is producing consistent catches of chinook with the Ghost Hole producing and surprisingly, the west channel still holding up. A weak tide series challenged upper bay anglers but that will change as weekend tides are likely to wash fresh fish into the upper reaches of the estuary and tidewater sections of the Wilson, Kilchis and Trask Rivers.
Crabbing on the lower Columbia will be challenging on the weekends strong tides but clammers should take advantage of great razor clam digging on Clatsop County beaches. It’s best to check toxicity levels in all shellfish before harvesting however by calling 1-800-448-2474.
Yaquina has been producing limits of large, hard Dungeness while salmon fishing has been slow. Crabbing out of Waldport has been fair to good with trollers doing well for chinook over the past weekend.
Pro guide Jeff Jackson (541-268-6944) reports that the wild coho fishing has started improving in both Siltcoos and Tahkenitch.
Trollers were catching fish on the lower Siuslaw last week prior to the weather front hitting and chinook should be available as water levels recede.
Southwest – About 2.5 inches of rain fell on the Central coast and nearly four inches to the southwest.
Enough precipitation fell to kick off the chinook fishery on the Elk and Sixes rivers. Several salmon were taken on the Elk Saturday as the water level drops quickly here.
With the Rogue reaching flows of 25,000 cfs on October 19th, the salmon holding in the estuary have entered the river which will shut down bay fishing. Fly anglers should do well on the upper Rogue for steelhead.
Brookings Harbor was producing chinook on the troll prior to the deluge. The Chetco River level went over 16 feet and the flow to nearly 30,000 cfs near Brookings on October 19th. This volume of water should bring fresh chinook into the system and fishing is expected to be good as the water drops this week.
In an unscheduled stocking, Upper Empire, Lower Empire, Bradley Lake, and Powers Pond will be planted this week with trout averaging one pound. Each location will receive about 200 trout.
Fishing continues to reward at Diamond Lake anglers with pressure reported as light. The lake will close November 1st.
Eastern – Steelheading was good on the lower Deschutes late last week and into the past weekend.
Fishing on the Grande Ronde started picking up late last week with precipitation drawing in fresh steelhead.
Water flow has tripled at Willamette Falls over the past week with the visibility and temperature dropping. Daily coho counts have been in the single digits. Sturgeon fishing is expected to pick up in the lower river.
Water levels in the North Santiam rose late last week but the water clarity is good above Mehema where some steelhead are being caught.
The Clackamas rose to 14 feet at Estacada last Friday and was over 27 feet Sunday, October 21st at Oregon City and slowly recovering.
Water at the Sandy River is off-color, as expected following recent rain. It should be clearing this week. In nearly 30 minutes, the coffer dam near the former Marmot site was notched Friday, October 19th to help it wash away the silt build-up more gradually. Sandy water levels rose to 10.5 feet overnight October 20th but have since returned to pre-storm levels. It is still muddy at this time.
Northwest – A larger than predicted deluge jump started the fall chinook run on most north coast streams. The Wilson River was likely the best producer with numerous fish falling to driftboaters on Sunday and Monday. Bright fish continue to be taken in tidewater.
The Trask River also produced fair results but earlier arriving fish meant that many fish were past their prime. The Nestucca also produced some chinook on Sunday and Monday but overall, disappointed many anglers that reported fish were more motivated to migrate than bite.
The Necanicum River near Seaside also receives hatchery plants and a wild run of chinook. It was the first to fish when the precipitation began late last week. River levels are dropping rapidly on all north coast streams with no new precipitation in the forecast.
The North Fork Nehalem continues to lag in coho returns this fall. The recent rain freshet did not produce the fish most had hoped for.
Pro guide Jim Nicol (503-550-3166) reports the Nestucca fishing well Monday and Tuesday this week for Chinook on sardine-wrapped Kwikfish.
Coastal systems close to trout fishing on October 31st. Check regulations on your favorite streams as many in the northwest section are catch and release only.
Tillamook Bay is producing consistent catches of chinook with the Ghost Hole producing and surprisingly, the west channel still holding up. A weak tide series challenged upper bay anglers but that will change as weekend tides are likely to wash fresh fish into the upper reaches of the estuary and tidewater sections of the Wilson, Kilchis and Trask Rivers.
Crabbing on the lower Columbia will be challenging on the weekends strong tides but clammers should take advantage of great razor clam digging on Clatsop County beaches. It’s best to check toxicity levels in all shellfish before harvesting however by calling 1-800-448-2474.
Yaquina has been producing limits of large, hard Dungeness while salmon fishing has been slow. Crabbing out of Waldport has been fair to good with trollers doing well for chinook over the past weekend.
Pro guide Jeff Jackson (541-268-6944) reports that the wild coho fishing has started improving in both Siltcoos and Tahkenitch.
Trollers were catching fish on the lower Siuslaw last week prior to the weather front hitting and chinook should be available as water levels recede.
Southwest – About 2.5 inches of rain fell on the Central coast and nearly four inches to the southwest.
Enough precipitation fell to kick off the chinook fishery on the Elk and Sixes rivers. Several salmon were taken on the Elk Saturday as the water level drops quickly here.
With the Rogue reaching flows of 25,000 cfs on October 19th, the salmon holding in the estuary have entered the river which will shut down bay fishing. Fly anglers should do well on the upper Rogue for steelhead.
Brookings Harbor was producing chinook on the troll prior to the deluge. The Chetco River level went over 16 feet and the flow to nearly 30,000 cfs near Brookings on October 19th. This volume of water should bring fresh chinook into the system and fishing is expected to be good as the water drops this week.
In an unscheduled stocking, Upper Empire, Lower Empire, Bradley Lake, and Powers Pond will be planted this week with trout averaging one pound. Each location will receive about 200 trout.
Fishing continues to reward at Diamond Lake anglers with pressure reported as light. The lake will close November 1st.
Eastern – Steelheading was good on the lower Deschutes late last week and into the past weekend.
Fishing on the Grande Ronde started picking up late last week with precipitation drawing in fresh steelhead.
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Oregon fishing reports
Oregon Fisheries Update:
Good news! Bob Rees still has some openings in the peak month of October for the giant fall chinook of Tillamook Bay. Bob’s first trip of the year on 9/18 yielded 5 nice chinook and 2 coho. A great way to start the season! Take advantage of our fall special:
Full day fishing trip AND accommodations for the night before the trip for 4 anglers for $189.00 each! Call 503.377.9696 or send an e-mail to brees@pacifier.com now.
Willamette Valley/Metro- Even with the additional opportunity mainstem Columbia anglers have with the recent re-opener, chinook fishing has been only fair from Woodland to Bonneville Dam. Traditionally, action picks up in the Bonneville area this time of year as cooler temperatures and a slowing migration stimulates a good salmon bite.
Sturgeon anglers are also taking advantage of the liberalized 7 day/week season and catch rates are on the increase. Boat anglers averaged a keeper for every 2 rods while bank anglers took home a keeper for every 8 rods.
Plug pullers are taking a few coho and an occasional steelhead in the stretch of the Willamette from the mouth of the Clackamas to Meldrum Bar. Sturgeon fishing has yet to heat up in the lower river but will improve into the fall and winter months.
Rain has brought coho into the Clackamas River and plenty of anglers can be found at Eagle Creek. Jigs have been outfishing spinners. On the Sandy, prior to the rain, trolling for coho and a few chinook was good at the mouth reports pro guide Brandon Glass (503-260-8285). The rise in river level has triggered the in-river migration and anglers are pursuing coho to Cedar Creek.
South Santiam steelheaders are hooking up with bobber and jig while McKenzie River fishing has been slow lately.
Mt Hood Pond, Detroit Reservoir and Dexter Reservoir are scheduled to be planted with trout.
Northwest – Heavy concentrations of seaweed hampered fishing success for Tillamook Bay anglers this week but peak season is here for this favored October fishery. Large fish continue to hit the docks in Garibaldi with numerous high 30 and low 40 pound fish already weighed this season. Weaker tides this week should tame seaweed problems but the ocean will likely remain too rough to recreate in.
River levels were on the rise at mid-week on most coastal systems. Chinook should be accessible to driftboaters on the Trask, Nehalem and Nestucca Rivers. This will also be a bank anglers best chance at a bright fish this season. The lower stretches will produce the best catches as river rises are predicted to only be moderate.
Crabbing has been excellent in the lower Columbia and only a rare coho is being caught near the Astoria/Megler Bridge.
Pro Guide Bill Kremers (541 754 6411) reports that Chinook fishing is still slow on Yaquina Bay but crabbing is fair for big, hard-shelled keepers.
The Alsea Bar has produced nicely this season although the action has been sporadic on a day to day basis.
Siletz anglers have seen an increase in catch rates with the recent precipitation but fishing is still only fair.
Register by Saturday, October 6th at local Newport merchants for the U Da Man salmon tournament at Yaquina Bay on the 14th.
Chinook catches picked up in the Siuslaw recently with the stretch from Florence to Swisshome the most productive. Pro Guide Jeff Jackson (541-268-6944) confirms that fishing is still good here.
Southwest – Siltcoos and Tahkenitch lakes opened for wild coho on October 1st. Most anglers troll spinners and plugs for these fish.
Trollers in Winchester Bay picked up fair to good numbers of chinook over the weekend. Rain this week have cooled water on the Umpqua and it’s expected to have a positive effect on the chinook and steelhead bite.
Coos Bay delighted trollers over the weekend, producing limits of bright Chinook for some although the wind was fierce at times. Flashers and plug-cut herring have been effective as long as the bait or lure is kept very near bottom. Keep droppers 18 inches with leaders at five feet in 15 to 20 feet of water.
Rain has roiled the Coquille to the point that it was unfishable on Monday this week.
Chinook and half-pounder fishing has been slow on the lower Rogue. The Grants Pass stretch (Hog Creek boat ramp to Gold Ray Dam) closed to Chinook fishing on October 1st. It remains open to hatchery steelhead and coho.
The ocean re-opened to chinook fishing on October 1st from Twin Rocks to the California border. Known as the Chetco Hog season, this fishery extends three nautical miles offshore and historically generates the largest fish of the season. Anglers may keep one fish per day and four per year through October 14th.
Boaters launching out of Brookings have been experiencing excellent bottom fishing.
Lost Creek Reservoir (Klamath watershed) is scheduled to be stocked with hatchery trout.
Eastern – Fly anglers are hitting good numbers of trout during afternoons with Blue-Winged Olive patterns.
With over 200,000 steelhead having crossed The Dalles Dam, fishing has been good and improving in the lower Deschutes. The upper Deschutes closed for the year on October 1st.
Lost Creek Reservoir (Deschutes watershed) and Taylor Lake are scheduled to be planted.
Good news! Bob Rees still has some openings in the peak month of October for the giant fall chinook of Tillamook Bay. Bob’s first trip of the year on 9/18 yielded 5 nice chinook and 2 coho. A great way to start the season! Take advantage of our fall special:
Full day fishing trip AND accommodations for the night before the trip for 4 anglers for $189.00 each! Call 503.377.9696 or send an e-mail to brees@pacifier.com now.
Willamette Valley/Metro- Even with the additional opportunity mainstem Columbia anglers have with the recent re-opener, chinook fishing has been only fair from Woodland to Bonneville Dam. Traditionally, action picks up in the Bonneville area this time of year as cooler temperatures and a slowing migration stimulates a good salmon bite.
Sturgeon anglers are also taking advantage of the liberalized 7 day/week season and catch rates are on the increase. Boat anglers averaged a keeper for every 2 rods while bank anglers took home a keeper for every 8 rods.
Plug pullers are taking a few coho and an occasional steelhead in the stretch of the Willamette from the mouth of the Clackamas to Meldrum Bar. Sturgeon fishing has yet to heat up in the lower river but will improve into the fall and winter months.
Rain has brought coho into the Clackamas River and plenty of anglers can be found at Eagle Creek. Jigs have been outfishing spinners. On the Sandy, prior to the rain, trolling for coho and a few chinook was good at the mouth reports pro guide Brandon Glass (503-260-8285). The rise in river level has triggered the in-river migration and anglers are pursuing coho to Cedar Creek.
South Santiam steelheaders are hooking up with bobber and jig while McKenzie River fishing has been slow lately.
Mt Hood Pond, Detroit Reservoir and Dexter Reservoir are scheduled to be planted with trout.
Northwest – Heavy concentrations of seaweed hampered fishing success for Tillamook Bay anglers this week but peak season is here for this favored October fishery. Large fish continue to hit the docks in Garibaldi with numerous high 30 and low 40 pound fish already weighed this season. Weaker tides this week should tame seaweed problems but the ocean will likely remain too rough to recreate in.
River levels were on the rise at mid-week on most coastal systems. Chinook should be accessible to driftboaters on the Trask, Nehalem and Nestucca Rivers. This will also be a bank anglers best chance at a bright fish this season. The lower stretches will produce the best catches as river rises are predicted to only be moderate.
Crabbing has been excellent in the lower Columbia and only a rare coho is being caught near the Astoria/Megler Bridge.
Pro Guide Bill Kremers (541 754 6411) reports that Chinook fishing is still slow on Yaquina Bay but crabbing is fair for big, hard-shelled keepers.
The Alsea Bar has produced nicely this season although the action has been sporadic on a day to day basis.
Siletz anglers have seen an increase in catch rates with the recent precipitation but fishing is still only fair.
Register by Saturday, October 6th at local Newport merchants for the U Da Man salmon tournament at Yaquina Bay on the 14th.
Chinook catches picked up in the Siuslaw recently with the stretch from Florence to Swisshome the most productive. Pro Guide Jeff Jackson (541-268-6944) confirms that fishing is still good here.
Southwest – Siltcoos and Tahkenitch lakes opened for wild coho on October 1st. Most anglers troll spinners and plugs for these fish.
Trollers in Winchester Bay picked up fair to good numbers of chinook over the weekend. Rain this week have cooled water on the Umpqua and it’s expected to have a positive effect on the chinook and steelhead bite.
Coos Bay delighted trollers over the weekend, producing limits of bright Chinook for some although the wind was fierce at times. Flashers and plug-cut herring have been effective as long as the bait or lure is kept very near bottom. Keep droppers 18 inches with leaders at five feet in 15 to 20 feet of water.
Rain has roiled the Coquille to the point that it was unfishable on Monday this week.
Chinook and half-pounder fishing has been slow on the lower Rogue. The Grants Pass stretch (Hog Creek boat ramp to Gold Ray Dam) closed to Chinook fishing on October 1st. It remains open to hatchery steelhead and coho.
The ocean re-opened to chinook fishing on October 1st from Twin Rocks to the California border. Known as the Chetco Hog season, this fishery extends three nautical miles offshore and historically generates the largest fish of the season. Anglers may keep one fish per day and four per year through October 14th.
Boaters launching out of Brookings have been experiencing excellent bottom fishing.
Lost Creek Reservoir (Klamath watershed) is scheduled to be stocked with hatchery trout.
Eastern – Fly anglers are hitting good numbers of trout during afternoons with Blue-Winged Olive patterns.
With over 200,000 steelhead having crossed The Dalles Dam, fishing has been good and improving in the lower Deschutes. The upper Deschutes closed for the year on October 1st.
Lost Creek Reservoir (Deschutes watershed) and Taylor Lake are scheduled to be planted.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Oregon fishing report
Willamette Valley/Metro- Fish passage at Bonneville is still well underway and fishery managers decided to reopen the season for the retention of fall chinook above the Hood River Bridge. Catches are likely to be light but this is peak season for this section of the river. Jack counts continue to skyrocket boding well for future returns.
Sturgeon anglers in the gorge continued to catch keepers at a fair rate. Department heads met on Wednesday to discuss keeping a liberalized sturgeon season above Bonneville Dam. (The fishery will remain open 7 days per week through the end of the year.)
Cooler nights have had a dramatic effect on water temperatures at Willamette Falls as it dropped 10 degrees in 10 days to 62 as of September 24th. The temperature change has yet to effect fishing or fish movement over the Falls. A few coho have been hooked below the mouth of the Clackamas to Meldrum Bar. Sturgeon fishing is slow.
Steelheaders have experienced another week of fair to good fishing on the North Santiam. Summer steelhead have continued to enter the trap at Foster Dam on the South Santiam in good numbers over the past week. In addition, water levels and temperatures have improved, resulting in more steelhead landed over the past week.
The Clackamas has continued to produce good-quality summer steelhead over the past week while coho remain typically tight-lipped. Driftboats below Carver report seeing many steelhead and coho but hooking very few. Use caution, as the water remains low.
Coho are entering the Sandy and have been seen rolling as high as Cedar Creek.Foster Reservoir, Henry Hagg Lake and West Salish Pond are scheduled to be planted with hatchery trout.
Northwest – Tillamook Bay catches are still good with higher numbers of chinook coming from the spinner trollers in the upper bay. Anglers are grumbling about the excessive silt that washed in from last year’s floods. It’s limiting the number of productive fishing areas in the upper bay putting large numbers of boats at the Oyster House Hole.
Catches in the lower bay and ocean strongly favored wild coho on Tuesday although weekend fishing was good. Tom Bonk of Kaiser landed his personal best at 43 pounds on Saturday using a herring at the mouth of Tillamook Bay. Crabbing is only fair on Tillamook Bay.
Nehalem Bay remains slow but action should be picking up on the Nestucca and Salmon Rivers in south Tillamook County. Better tides are coming this weekend.
The first fall rains are forecasted for this weekend. Although not substantial, the precipitation should stimulate hatchery coho on the North Fork of the Nehalem as well as the Trask River. Chinook should also start upriver on these streams.
Siletz tidewater has been very slow for chinook over the past week.Trollers dragging plug-cut herring behind a flasher have been taking a few chinook in Yaquina Bay. A tournament will be taking place on October 14th for which anglers must register at one of several local businesses by October 6th. Crabbing is worthwhile in the bay.Plug cut herring or large spinners have been productive recently in Siuslaw tidewater. Boaters are reporting better numbers of chinook this week. Word is out and the boat pressure has been heavy.
Southwest – If accurate, the wind and wave forecast for the weekend will prevent boaters from crossing southwest Oregon bars into the ocean. The good news is that the first significant fall rain is predicted to start on Sunday.
ODFW biologists remind anglers again this week that hatchery fall chinook holding below Calapooya Creek should be harvested before rains start. With precipitation, these chinook will enter the creek to spawn. Recent reports from the Umpqua tidewater indicate very slow reports and little angler effort.
Siltcoos and Tahkenitch Lakes open for wild coho retention on October 1st. Trolled spinners and plugs are most commonly used to take these fish.
It's been a morning bite in the lower Coos River recently with trollers taking chinook on herring. Coos Bay has been producing good numbers of large, mostly hard Dungeness.
Chinook trollers on the Rogue River estuary have to endure spotty action again over the past week, a situation not expected to improve until the first decent fall rain.
Chetco anglers have started taking a few salmon but precipitation would be welcomed here as well. The bulk of the chinook run is holding offshore, awaiting fresh water that will trigger their migration. Chinook jacks are being taken in upper tidewater. The Chetco River ocean terminal area fall chinook opening October 1st will once again allow offshore salmon angling.
Eastern – Fishing on rivers in northeast Oregon is improving with cooler weather having a positive effect on water temperatures. The Grande Ronde, Wallowa and Minam Rivers should start showing improvements although peak season for these rivers occurs later in the fall.
Trout fishing has been good on the lower Deschutes while the steelhead bite has been decent one day, slow the next.
More Oregon fishing reports.
Sturgeon anglers in the gorge continued to catch keepers at a fair rate. Department heads met on Wednesday to discuss keeping a liberalized sturgeon season above Bonneville Dam. (The fishery will remain open 7 days per week through the end of the year.)
Cooler nights have had a dramatic effect on water temperatures at Willamette Falls as it dropped 10 degrees in 10 days to 62 as of September 24th. The temperature change has yet to effect fishing or fish movement over the Falls. A few coho have been hooked below the mouth of the Clackamas to Meldrum Bar. Sturgeon fishing is slow.
Steelheaders have experienced another week of fair to good fishing on the North Santiam. Summer steelhead have continued to enter the trap at Foster Dam on the South Santiam in good numbers over the past week. In addition, water levels and temperatures have improved, resulting in more steelhead landed over the past week.
The Clackamas has continued to produce good-quality summer steelhead over the past week while coho remain typically tight-lipped. Driftboats below Carver report seeing many steelhead and coho but hooking very few. Use caution, as the water remains low.
Coho are entering the Sandy and have been seen rolling as high as Cedar Creek.Foster Reservoir, Henry Hagg Lake and West Salish Pond are scheduled to be planted with hatchery trout.
Northwest – Tillamook Bay catches are still good with higher numbers of chinook coming from the spinner trollers in the upper bay. Anglers are grumbling about the excessive silt that washed in from last year’s floods. It’s limiting the number of productive fishing areas in the upper bay putting large numbers of boats at the Oyster House Hole.
Catches in the lower bay and ocean strongly favored wild coho on Tuesday although weekend fishing was good. Tom Bonk of Kaiser landed his personal best at 43 pounds on Saturday using a herring at the mouth of Tillamook Bay. Crabbing is only fair on Tillamook Bay.
Nehalem Bay remains slow but action should be picking up on the Nestucca and Salmon Rivers in south Tillamook County. Better tides are coming this weekend.
The first fall rains are forecasted for this weekend. Although not substantial, the precipitation should stimulate hatchery coho on the North Fork of the Nehalem as well as the Trask River. Chinook should also start upriver on these streams.
Siletz tidewater has been very slow for chinook over the past week.Trollers dragging plug-cut herring behind a flasher have been taking a few chinook in Yaquina Bay. A tournament will be taking place on October 14th for which anglers must register at one of several local businesses by October 6th. Crabbing is worthwhile in the bay.Plug cut herring or large spinners have been productive recently in Siuslaw tidewater. Boaters are reporting better numbers of chinook this week. Word is out and the boat pressure has been heavy.
Southwest – If accurate, the wind and wave forecast for the weekend will prevent boaters from crossing southwest Oregon bars into the ocean. The good news is that the first significant fall rain is predicted to start on Sunday.
ODFW biologists remind anglers again this week that hatchery fall chinook holding below Calapooya Creek should be harvested before rains start. With precipitation, these chinook will enter the creek to spawn. Recent reports from the Umpqua tidewater indicate very slow reports and little angler effort.
Siltcoos and Tahkenitch Lakes open for wild coho retention on October 1st. Trolled spinners and plugs are most commonly used to take these fish.
It's been a morning bite in the lower Coos River recently with trollers taking chinook on herring. Coos Bay has been producing good numbers of large, mostly hard Dungeness.
Chinook trollers on the Rogue River estuary have to endure spotty action again over the past week, a situation not expected to improve until the first decent fall rain.
Chetco anglers have started taking a few salmon but precipitation would be welcomed here as well. The bulk of the chinook run is holding offshore, awaiting fresh water that will trigger their migration. Chinook jacks are being taken in upper tidewater. The Chetco River ocean terminal area fall chinook opening October 1st will once again allow offshore salmon angling.
Eastern – Fishing on rivers in northeast Oregon is improving with cooler weather having a positive effect on water temperatures. The Grande Ronde, Wallowa and Minam Rivers should start showing improvements although peak season for these rivers occurs later in the fall.
Trout fishing has been good on the lower Deschutes while the steelhead bite has been decent one day, slow the next.
More Oregon fishing reports.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Oregon fishing reports
Willamette Valley/Metro- Sportanglers were hit with an unexpected closure on the Columbia on Wednesday. The river closed to the taking of chinook from Bonneville downstream. The remainder of the river closed at mid-night, last night. Catches have been light but managers will monitor the run to see if additional openers are warranted. The upriver bright run is tracking 40% below pre-season expectations.
Pro guide Jim Nicol (503-550-3166) reports picking up good numbers of coho and CHinook at the mouth of the Cowlitz but warns that trolling here can be a challenge.
Although sturgeon fishing in the gorge remains fair, expectations are for better fishing in the coming weeks. Boat anglers are faring best but some of the best bank fishing of the year takes place in October.
Soft plastics are taking good numbers of smallmouth bass on the lower Willamette.
Clackamas River anglers are anxious for precipitation where cooler, stronger flows should stimulate an otherwise challenging coho bite.
The Sandy River is providing coho action at first light but pretty much shuts down once the sky becomes bright. Pro guide Jim Nicol (503-550-3166) reports seeing very few coho hooked at the mouth of the Sandy.Steelheaders experienced fair to good results on the North Santiam over the past week. Hundreds of spring salmon can be seen spawning now.
October caddis have started showing on the upper McKenzie.
Mt Hood Pond, North Fork Reservoir, Small Fry Lake and Foster Reservoir are scheduled to be planted with trout this week.
Northwest – Tillamook Bay is producing good catches of fall chinook although rarely is fishing good for more than 2 days in a row. Soft tides kept anglers near the jaws but heavy bar restrictions are likely into the weekend. A 42-pounder was weighed in at Garibaldi Marina on Tuesday.
Nehalem Bay remains slow but the fall run fish should show in better numbers this week.
The lower Columbia remains open for fin-clipped coho but catches dropped off last week. Crabbing remains good near Buoys 20 and 22.
Tuna anglers venturing out 43 miles did excellent on Friday last week but only fair on Saturday. The tuna bite becomes sporadic this time of year with live bait fishing significantly out-producing all other methods. Live bait is hard to come by however.
The Alsea River slowed for chinook fishers but the Yaquina is likely be pick up on coming weeks.
Albacore were once again available in good number fewer than 40 miles out of Depoe Bay over the past weekend.A charter boat returned to Newport last Saturday with a Dorado on board, a certain indication of the tropical-temperature water offshore. Most boats seeking all-depth halibut took limits about 27 miles out of port.Pro guide James Stevenson (503-581-5347) confirms that Chinook catches are down at the Alsea this year.Fish checkers at Oregon ports weren't bothering to measure or weigh halibut over the last all depth opener. All-depth halibut is likely to close this week.
Fishing is starting to pick up here on the Siuslaw. Most fish are being caught from the mouth of the North Fork to the Dairy Hole with plug cut herring a top bait.
Siltcoos and Tahkenitch Lakes will open for wild coho beginning October 1st. Be sure to check regulations for bag limits are restrictions before participating.
Southwest – Pro guide Bill Kremers (541 754 6411) reports landing a big halibut out of Newport before the closure.Chinook, planted as smolts in 2004, have returned to the Umpqua as adults and are holding below the Calapooya River on the mainstem. North Umpqua steelheaders are experiencing fair to good results on a variety of baits and lures. Fly anglers are also taking fish here. Smallmouth bass fishing is rewarding from Sawyer's Rapids to Elkton.
Boaters hitting the ocean out of Coos Bay experienced outstanding bottom fishing for a variety of fish including some dandy ling cod. The lings will approach shallow water around rocks and jetties to spawn around the first of the year at which time they'll be available to bank-bound anglers. Crabbing has been fair to good in Coos Bay.
The lower Rogue was productive last week but slowed over the weekend with far more anglers than chinook in the estuary.
The ocean was friendly over the past week, then kicked up on Sunday. During that extended calm period, anglers traveling about 45 miles offshore once again found warm water and tuna. Bottom fishers are being rewarded with rockfish and large ling cod.
Fish Lake and Diamond Lake will be stocked with trout.
Eastern – The caddis hatch on the Metolius is bringing a lot of fish to the surface. If matching the hatch is ineffective, try attractor patterns to get their attention.
While steelhead counts are slowing at Bonneville, they are crossing The Dalles fairly well. Numbers are building in the lower Deschutes, providing decent results in the lower river. Anglers trolling the mouth are taking steelhead and fair numbers of coho. The “B” run fish have yet to show in any large numbers. Chinook retention is now closed.Pro guide Rick Arnold (541-382-4843) reports a Brown Trout out of East Lake weighing over12 pounds which he'll be mounting soon.
Pro guide Jim Nicol (503-550-3166) reports picking up good numbers of coho and CHinook at the mouth of the Cowlitz but warns that trolling here can be a challenge.
Although sturgeon fishing in the gorge remains fair, expectations are for better fishing in the coming weeks. Boat anglers are faring best but some of the best bank fishing of the year takes place in October.
Soft plastics are taking good numbers of smallmouth bass on the lower Willamette.
Clackamas River anglers are anxious for precipitation where cooler, stronger flows should stimulate an otherwise challenging coho bite.
The Sandy River is providing coho action at first light but pretty much shuts down once the sky becomes bright. Pro guide Jim Nicol (503-550-3166) reports seeing very few coho hooked at the mouth of the Sandy.Steelheaders experienced fair to good results on the North Santiam over the past week. Hundreds of spring salmon can be seen spawning now.
October caddis have started showing on the upper McKenzie.
Mt Hood Pond, North Fork Reservoir, Small Fry Lake and Foster Reservoir are scheduled to be planted with trout this week.
Northwest – Tillamook Bay is producing good catches of fall chinook although rarely is fishing good for more than 2 days in a row. Soft tides kept anglers near the jaws but heavy bar restrictions are likely into the weekend. A 42-pounder was weighed in at Garibaldi Marina on Tuesday.
Nehalem Bay remains slow but the fall run fish should show in better numbers this week.
The lower Columbia remains open for fin-clipped coho but catches dropped off last week. Crabbing remains good near Buoys 20 and 22.
Tuna anglers venturing out 43 miles did excellent on Friday last week but only fair on Saturday. The tuna bite becomes sporadic this time of year with live bait fishing significantly out-producing all other methods. Live bait is hard to come by however.
The Alsea River slowed for chinook fishers but the Yaquina is likely be pick up on coming weeks.
Albacore were once again available in good number fewer than 40 miles out of Depoe Bay over the past weekend.A charter boat returned to Newport last Saturday with a Dorado on board, a certain indication of the tropical-temperature water offshore. Most boats seeking all-depth halibut took limits about 27 miles out of port.Pro guide James Stevenson (503-581-5347) confirms that Chinook catches are down at the Alsea this year.Fish checkers at Oregon ports weren't bothering to measure or weigh halibut over the last all depth opener. All-depth halibut is likely to close this week.
Fishing is starting to pick up here on the Siuslaw. Most fish are being caught from the mouth of the North Fork to the Dairy Hole with plug cut herring a top bait.
Siltcoos and Tahkenitch Lakes will open for wild coho beginning October 1st. Be sure to check regulations for bag limits are restrictions before participating.
Southwest – Pro guide Bill Kremers (541 754 6411) reports landing a big halibut out of Newport before the closure.Chinook, planted as smolts in 2004, have returned to the Umpqua as adults and are holding below the Calapooya River on the mainstem. North Umpqua steelheaders are experiencing fair to good results on a variety of baits and lures. Fly anglers are also taking fish here. Smallmouth bass fishing is rewarding from Sawyer's Rapids to Elkton.
Boaters hitting the ocean out of Coos Bay experienced outstanding bottom fishing for a variety of fish including some dandy ling cod. The lings will approach shallow water around rocks and jetties to spawn around the first of the year at which time they'll be available to bank-bound anglers. Crabbing has been fair to good in Coos Bay.
The lower Rogue was productive last week but slowed over the weekend with far more anglers than chinook in the estuary.
The ocean was friendly over the past week, then kicked up on Sunday. During that extended calm period, anglers traveling about 45 miles offshore once again found warm water and tuna. Bottom fishers are being rewarded with rockfish and large ling cod.
Fish Lake and Diamond Lake will be stocked with trout.
Eastern – The caddis hatch on the Metolius is bringing a lot of fish to the surface. If matching the hatch is ineffective, try attractor patterns to get their attention.
While steelhead counts are slowing at Bonneville, they are crossing The Dalles fairly well. Numbers are building in the lower Deschutes, providing decent results in the lower river. Anglers trolling the mouth are taking steelhead and fair numbers of coho. The “B” run fish have yet to show in any large numbers. Chinook retention is now closed.Pro guide Rick Arnold (541-382-4843) reports a Brown Trout out of East Lake weighing over12 pounds which he'll be mounting soon.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Oregon fishing report
Willamette Valley/Metro- Chinook fishing near the mouth of the Sandy River is fair at best. This is peak season for this section but most salmon are motivated to head upriver. The gorge is also poor for salmon but continues to pick up for sturgeon anglers.
North Santiam steelheaders saw some decent action over the past week. Fishing is good and with the river at a favorable level and flow, it's expected to hold up.
The lower Clackamas is yielding a few coho to anglers throwing spinners and drifting corkies in the morning hours. Plugs trolled in the Willamette just outside the mouth of the river have also accounted for a few.
Anglers hitting the Sandy at first light and again in the evening have taken a few coho in the lower river. This fishery will improve in coming weeks as water levels and temperature improve.
Faraday Lake, North Fork Reservoir and Small Fry Lake are scheduled to be stocked with trout.
Northwest – The Buoy 10 fishery is still going strong with anglers taking advantage of a strong return of hatchery coho. The best fishing is close to high slack with incoming tide producing on the Washington side. The first part of outgoing is producing good results on the Oregon side above the Astoria Bridge but the bite is coming late in the day. Coho are starting to respond to spinners with pink and white a top choice. Chinook jack counts at Bonneville indicate better returns in coming years and high numbers are still being encountered in the estuary.
Although most of the effort near Astoria remains in the river, some anglers are still venturing out to the ocean in search of easy limits. The coho are large but many anglers are traveling south to Gearhart to catch the fish. They are down deep with 40 to 50 feet producing the best results using fresh anchovies and herring for bait. Check your bait options before going out as many bait shops are not stocking fresh bait due to a drop in angler effort but anchovies are available near the Hammond Harbor entrance to those that wish to jig their own.
Ocean halibut off of the Columbia opens for one day, Saturday. The fishing on the last opener was challenging. Tuna may be another option but plan on traveling nearly 50 miles offshore to get into consistent schools. The ocean forecast for the weekend looks favorable.
Crabbing on the lower Columbia is picking up and so is the effort.
Tillamook Bay is off to a productive start with good catches reported in the middle of last week. The early run fish are destined for the Trask and Tillamook Rivers so upper bay catches should begin to improve. Some sturgeon are also available near Memaloose.
Nehalem Bay fishing remains poor and crabbing has also dropped off.
In the last scheduled planting for 2007, Cape Mears Lake, Coffenbury Lake, Lost Lake in Clatsop County, Sunset Lake and Town Lake will receive hatchery trout.
Herring jiggers managed to score several dozen over the past weekend on Yaquina Bay.
Herring trollers scored good numbers of chinook at the Alsea Bay entrance on Tuesday. The season is just getting underway.
Southwest – Ocean fishing appears to be an option this weekend for recreational boaters according to offshore forecasts but crossing early and returning to port before the afternoon wind kicks up is suggested.With over 32,000 pounds remaining in the quota, the all-depth halibut fishery bag limit has been increased to two fish per day starting Friday, September 14th. The halibut limit inside the 40-fathom line remains one per day Mondays through Thursdays but two per day will be allowed during the all depth openers Fridays through Sundays. With the increase in limits, the quota is expected to fill by the end of September.Ocean crabbing closed mid-August but bay crabbing will continue to improve into the fall months as crab grow, harden and enter coastal estuaries in greater number.
Wind hampered fishing efforts in Winchester Bay over the past weekend. A few coho and fewer chinook were landed. Crabbing was fair. North Umpqua steelheaders have experienced an improvement in action with the water temperature hovering in the mid-50s and exhibiting a little color. Smallmouth bass are still on the bite on the south and mainstem Umpqua.
Chinook fishing is fair and improving in the Coos River. The Eighth Annual Coos Basin Amateur Salmon Derby will be held this weekend, September 15th and 16th. Entry is only $20 per angler for two days with tickets available at local merchants.
Periodic flurries of activity have occurred in the Rogue estuary where the chinook bite has turned on - and off just as quickly - often at the turn of the tide. Catches of coho have been fair to good as well. Fishing in the Grants Pass stretch has been poor.
Offshore coho angling will remain open from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain through September 16th, or fulfillment of the quota allowing for the possibility of some halibut/salmon combo trips.
Ocean salmon fishing has closed south of Humbug Mountain for both chinook and coho although bottom fishing is a rewarding option. The Chetco River Terminal Area Fall Chinook Salmon Fishery opens for two weeks starting October 1st when large fall fish are traditionally taken in the upper 30 feet of the water column.
No trout stocking is scheduled this week in the Southwest Zone.
Eastern – Sporadic passage numbers at The Dalles Dam has trollers at the mouth of the Deschutes excited. They saw an improvement in action over the past weekend. Spinner casters have been doing well upriver.
http://www.TheGuidesForecast.com
North Santiam steelheaders saw some decent action over the past week. Fishing is good and with the river at a favorable level and flow, it's expected to hold up.
The lower Clackamas is yielding a few coho to anglers throwing spinners and drifting corkies in the morning hours. Plugs trolled in the Willamette just outside the mouth of the river have also accounted for a few.
Anglers hitting the Sandy at first light and again in the evening have taken a few coho in the lower river. This fishery will improve in coming weeks as water levels and temperature improve.
Faraday Lake, North Fork Reservoir and Small Fry Lake are scheduled to be stocked with trout.
Northwest – The Buoy 10 fishery is still going strong with anglers taking advantage of a strong return of hatchery coho. The best fishing is close to high slack with incoming tide producing on the Washington side. The first part of outgoing is producing good results on the Oregon side above the Astoria Bridge but the bite is coming late in the day. Coho are starting to respond to spinners with pink and white a top choice. Chinook jack counts at Bonneville indicate better returns in coming years and high numbers are still being encountered in the estuary.
Although most of the effort near Astoria remains in the river, some anglers are still venturing out to the ocean in search of easy limits. The coho are large but many anglers are traveling south to Gearhart to catch the fish. They are down deep with 40 to 50 feet producing the best results using fresh anchovies and herring for bait. Check your bait options before going out as many bait shops are not stocking fresh bait due to a drop in angler effort but anchovies are available near the Hammond Harbor entrance to those that wish to jig their own.
Ocean halibut off of the Columbia opens for one day, Saturday. The fishing on the last opener was challenging. Tuna may be another option but plan on traveling nearly 50 miles offshore to get into consistent schools. The ocean forecast for the weekend looks favorable.
Crabbing on the lower Columbia is picking up and so is the effort.
Tillamook Bay is off to a productive start with good catches reported in the middle of last week. The early run fish are destined for the Trask and Tillamook Rivers so upper bay catches should begin to improve. Some sturgeon are also available near Memaloose.
Nehalem Bay fishing remains poor and crabbing has also dropped off.
In the last scheduled planting for 2007, Cape Mears Lake, Coffenbury Lake, Lost Lake in Clatsop County, Sunset Lake and Town Lake will receive hatchery trout.
Herring jiggers managed to score several dozen over the past weekend on Yaquina Bay.
Herring trollers scored good numbers of chinook at the Alsea Bay entrance on Tuesday. The season is just getting underway.
Southwest – Ocean fishing appears to be an option this weekend for recreational boaters according to offshore forecasts but crossing early and returning to port before the afternoon wind kicks up is suggested.With over 32,000 pounds remaining in the quota, the all-depth halibut fishery bag limit has been increased to two fish per day starting Friday, September 14th. The halibut limit inside the 40-fathom line remains one per day Mondays through Thursdays but two per day will be allowed during the all depth openers Fridays through Sundays. With the increase in limits, the quota is expected to fill by the end of September.Ocean crabbing closed mid-August but bay crabbing will continue to improve into the fall months as crab grow, harden and enter coastal estuaries in greater number.
Wind hampered fishing efforts in Winchester Bay over the past weekend. A few coho and fewer chinook were landed. Crabbing was fair. North Umpqua steelheaders have experienced an improvement in action with the water temperature hovering in the mid-50s and exhibiting a little color. Smallmouth bass are still on the bite on the south and mainstem Umpqua.
Chinook fishing is fair and improving in the Coos River. The Eighth Annual Coos Basin Amateur Salmon Derby will be held this weekend, September 15th and 16th. Entry is only $20 per angler for two days with tickets available at local merchants.
Periodic flurries of activity have occurred in the Rogue estuary where the chinook bite has turned on - and off just as quickly - often at the turn of the tide. Catches of coho have been fair to good as well. Fishing in the Grants Pass stretch has been poor.
Offshore coho angling will remain open from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain through September 16th, or fulfillment of the quota allowing for the possibility of some halibut/salmon combo trips.
Ocean salmon fishing has closed south of Humbug Mountain for both chinook and coho although bottom fishing is a rewarding option. The Chetco River Terminal Area Fall Chinook Salmon Fishery opens for two weeks starting October 1st when large fall fish are traditionally taken in the upper 30 feet of the water column.
No trout stocking is scheduled this week in the Southwest Zone.
Eastern – Sporadic passage numbers at The Dalles Dam has trollers at the mouth of the Deschutes excited. They saw an improvement in action over the past weekend. Spinner casters have been doing well upriver.
http://www.TheGuidesForecast.com
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Oregon fishing update
Oregon Fisheries Update:
Willamette Valley/Metro- Anglers have had a disappointing start to the upriver bright salmon fishery. The stretch of Columbia from Kalama to the mouth of the Sandy is usually producing excellent results now but recent reports indicate otherwise. The river is now only open from Warrior Rock near Sauvie Island upstream to the Oregon/Washington border. Metallic wobblers are producing the best results. Dam passage at Bonneville indicates the best is yet to come.
The lower Willamette remains low, warm and clear. Coho are trickling over the Falls, but it'll take a break in temperatures and the first fall rain to open the floodgates. Fall chinook number fewer than 40 and summer steelhead counts are still shy of the 14,000 mark for the year. Sturgeon fishing is slow, bass fishing is excellent.
Fly anglers are taking fair to good numbers of rainbows and cutthroat on the South Santiam, but steelhead smolts are also hitting. Release with care.
The McKenzie above Leaburg Dam continues to delight fly anglers with a combination of native and hatchery trout.
A few lightly colored summer steelhead are being hooked on mostly early morning forays on the Clackamas. Recycling to Riverside from the trap is ongoing. Coho salmon are available on the lower river although numbers are low this early in the season.
Coho are expected to show in the lower Sandy River over the next week or so although October is the peak month.Faraday Lake, North Fork Reservoir, Small Fry Lake and the McKenzie River below Leaburg Lake are scheduled to be planted with hatchery trout.
Northwest – The Buoy 10 fishery is clearly peaking with easy limits falling to anglers in the know fishing bait or hardware above the bridge on the Washington side. Coho are averaging large with frequent keepers running nearly 9 and 10 pounds. Most recently, the fish have been taken in the deepest part of the channel which is over 40 foot deep.
The ocean re-opener was less than impressive but still produced limit fishing. Offshore anglers turned around on Sunday when westerly winds kept tuna fishers from pursuing their quarry. Good weather conditions are common for ocean fishers this month however and opportunities will likely come later in the month.
Lower Columbia River crabbing is sporadic with shorter soak times producing better results. Crab pot buoys are frequently getting run over by sport and commercial traffic so be aware of where you place your gear.
Chinook are being taken in Tillamook but not in any great numbers. The Nehalem showed signs of improvement last week but only for a couple of days. A 46-pounder was weighed in on the 31st. Some chinook are beginning to show in the lower Nestucca as well. Spinner casters are faring best.
The new record Siletz chinook (so far) this season goes to Brad Bemis who landed a 46-pounder on August 28th. It’s still slow but action has picked up here over the past week with most fish in the 28 to 30 pound range.
Halibut fishing was rewarding over the past weekend out of Newport with most boats returning to port with limits.
Southwest – Mild minus tides over the weekend will likely delay bar crossings. The surf forecast for Saturday and Sunday is mild as of Tuesday this week.
Albacore were tough to find and halibut was slow offshore out of Winchester Bay this past Saturday. Anglers launching out of the bay on Sunday this week were met with a lumpy ocean and scattered tuna. Trolled, plug-cut herring are picking up a few chinook below Reedsport.
Boaters 18 to 20 miles out of Coos Bay experienced spotty tuna fishing over the weekend, but it was worth the trip.
Anglers continue to pick up chinook daily trolling the Rogue River estuary. It's been steady and improving over the past week. A few chinook have been taken outside the mouth on wobblers. Expect changes in chinook regulations next year as the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission lays plans to double the number of wild chinook spawning in the Rogue system over the next few years.
South coast beaches continue to deliver surf perch limits with pressure form anglers very light.
Offshore salmon fishing wrapped up September 6th south of Cape Falcon. The ocean north of that landmark re-opened September 2nd for an additional 2,000 coho. Brookings anglers get a two-week chinook season in October. Bottom fishing remains excellent with large rockfish and lings rewarding ocean anglers.
Section 5 of the Rogue River is scheduled to be stocked with rainbows this week
Eastern – Water conditions are improving as temperatures gradually drop with cooler nights. Steelhead numbers are building on the lower Deschutes and should be receptive to spinners and plugs.
Willamette Valley/Metro- Anglers have had a disappointing start to the upriver bright salmon fishery. The stretch of Columbia from Kalama to the mouth of the Sandy is usually producing excellent results now but recent reports indicate otherwise. The river is now only open from Warrior Rock near Sauvie Island upstream to the Oregon/Washington border. Metallic wobblers are producing the best results. Dam passage at Bonneville indicates the best is yet to come.
The lower Willamette remains low, warm and clear. Coho are trickling over the Falls, but it'll take a break in temperatures and the first fall rain to open the floodgates. Fall chinook number fewer than 40 and summer steelhead counts are still shy of the 14,000 mark for the year. Sturgeon fishing is slow, bass fishing is excellent.
Fly anglers are taking fair to good numbers of rainbows and cutthroat on the South Santiam, but steelhead smolts are also hitting. Release with care.
The McKenzie above Leaburg Dam continues to delight fly anglers with a combination of native and hatchery trout.
A few lightly colored summer steelhead are being hooked on mostly early morning forays on the Clackamas. Recycling to Riverside from the trap is ongoing. Coho salmon are available on the lower river although numbers are low this early in the season.
Coho are expected to show in the lower Sandy River over the next week or so although October is the peak month.Faraday Lake, North Fork Reservoir, Small Fry Lake and the McKenzie River below Leaburg Lake are scheduled to be planted with hatchery trout.
Northwest – The Buoy 10 fishery is clearly peaking with easy limits falling to anglers in the know fishing bait or hardware above the bridge on the Washington side. Coho are averaging large with frequent keepers running nearly 9 and 10 pounds. Most recently, the fish have been taken in the deepest part of the channel which is over 40 foot deep.
The ocean re-opener was less than impressive but still produced limit fishing. Offshore anglers turned around on Sunday when westerly winds kept tuna fishers from pursuing their quarry. Good weather conditions are common for ocean fishers this month however and opportunities will likely come later in the month.
Lower Columbia River crabbing is sporadic with shorter soak times producing better results. Crab pot buoys are frequently getting run over by sport and commercial traffic so be aware of where you place your gear.
Chinook are being taken in Tillamook but not in any great numbers. The Nehalem showed signs of improvement last week but only for a couple of days. A 46-pounder was weighed in on the 31st. Some chinook are beginning to show in the lower Nestucca as well. Spinner casters are faring best.
The new record Siletz chinook (so far) this season goes to Brad Bemis who landed a 46-pounder on August 28th. It’s still slow but action has picked up here over the past week with most fish in the 28 to 30 pound range.
Halibut fishing was rewarding over the past weekend out of Newport with most boats returning to port with limits.
Southwest – Mild minus tides over the weekend will likely delay bar crossings. The surf forecast for Saturday and Sunday is mild as of Tuesday this week.
Albacore were tough to find and halibut was slow offshore out of Winchester Bay this past Saturday. Anglers launching out of the bay on Sunday this week were met with a lumpy ocean and scattered tuna. Trolled, plug-cut herring are picking up a few chinook below Reedsport.
Boaters 18 to 20 miles out of Coos Bay experienced spotty tuna fishing over the weekend, but it was worth the trip.
Anglers continue to pick up chinook daily trolling the Rogue River estuary. It's been steady and improving over the past week. A few chinook have been taken outside the mouth on wobblers. Expect changes in chinook regulations next year as the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission lays plans to double the number of wild chinook spawning in the Rogue system over the next few years.
South coast beaches continue to deliver surf perch limits with pressure form anglers very light.
Offshore salmon fishing wrapped up September 6th south of Cape Falcon. The ocean north of that landmark re-opened September 2nd for an additional 2,000 coho. Brookings anglers get a two-week chinook season in October. Bottom fishing remains excellent with large rockfish and lings rewarding ocean anglers.
Section 5 of the Rogue River is scheduled to be stocked with rainbows this week
Eastern – Water conditions are improving as temperatures gradually drop with cooler nights. Steelhead numbers are building on the lower Deschutes and should be receptive to spinners and plugs.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Oregon fishing reports
Oregon Fisheries Update:
Willamette Valley/Metro- Steelhead numbers continue to peak at Bonneville Dam on the Columbia where some bank and boat anglers are getting into good numbers of fish. Although the bulk of the fish being landed are still the smaller "A" run fish, Idaho bound steelhead of significant larger size are due to make their appearance.
An occasional fall chinook is being landed for boat anglers in the Longview to Gresham stretch of the mainstem Columbia. Although still a few weeks away from peak season, salmon will begin to dominate the catch in this stretch for boaters anchored with hardware.
Oregon and Washington fishery managers met on Wednesday to consider re-opening the retention season for sturgeon in the Wauna to Bonneville section. The staff recommendation was for a continuance of the 4-day retention period (Thursday - Sunday) from August 18th through the end of the year. The compact however adopted a 7-day per week opener for the Wauna to Bonneville stretch and will likely reconsider additional time in the fall if the quota is kept in check. Effort has been light and catches slow.
The Willamette is running 71 degrees at Willamette Falls but there's little in the lower river other than bass fishing of interest to anglers. Sturgeon fishing remains in the doldrums.
Steelheading has been slow to fair on the Clackamas. Spring chinook are evident but too dark to keep.
Fishing remains dead slow at the Sandy although trolling off the mouth may yield summer steelhead.
Summer steelhead and even spring Chinook counts picked up last week at Foster Dam on the South Santiam. Recycling of these fish is ongoing here and has started once again on the North Santiam where fish are being trucked to Mehama.
Trout fishing has slowed on the McKenzie with the water level low.
Waters in the South Willamette Valley scheduled to be planted with trout include Carmen Reservoir, McKenzie above Leaburg Lake and Salmon Creek.
Northwest - Calm seas continue to treat anglers to ample fishing opportunities for salmon, halibut tuna and bottomfish. From Garibaldi, albacore are 20 to 30 miles offshore and some anglers are reporting large Bluefin tuna occasionally breaking water. Salmon anglers are still taking good numbers of mostly coho but limits are not the rule.
Buoy 10 effort is beginning to pick up even though this fishery remains closed to the retention of chinook. If preliminary reports are accurate, the chinook opener on the 22nd should prove productive downstream of Tongue Point reports Pro guide Jim Nicol (503-550-3166).
Anglers fishing offshore of the mouth of the Columbia are witnessing epic fishing for coho. The recreational fleet as taken over 60% of the coho quota and if calm seas persist, the quota is likely to be met for the first time in several years. Best catches are coming from 6 to 12 miles south of the jetty tips in 150 to 250 foot of water. Although high numbers of wild coho and undersized chinook are being released, limits of hatchery fish are easy to come by. Chinook still only make up a very small portion of the catch. Anchovies make the best bait as bait balls are present in good numbers.
Steelhead are available in all of the whitewater areas of the Nestucca. Small baits will work best. There are still some really nice chrome fish around the area of First Bridge, and around Three rivers reports pro guide Jesse Zalonis (503-392-5808).
Albacore fishers are heading west anywhere from 28 to 40 miles out of the mouth of the Columbia. Ample numbers of fish are willing to bite.
Low, warm flows are challenging most freshwater steelheaders on north coast streams. Good numbers of sea-run cutthroat trout are present in tidewater sections of these rivers but remain open to catch and release opportunities only.
Tuna, halibut and Coho were taken out of Depoe Bay on a flat ocean last Sunday.
Pro guide Bill Kremers (541-754-6411) reports that the coho fishing is "pretty good" out of Newport, better out of Depoe Nay.
Southwest - Cabezon may no longer be kept by offshore boaters as of Saturday, August 10th. Fortunately, the survival rate for released fish is excellent. Anglers harvested 11.8 metric tons, which filled the quota for this year. Rock and jetty fishers may still keep cabezon, however.
All depth halibut will remain open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until the 80,000 ton harvest cap is met or October 28th, whichever comes first.
Mild tides, which might make for easy bar crossings won't mean much this coming weekend if the ferocious wind and wave forecast for the southwest coast is accurate.
Smallmouth bass fishing is good with light pressure on the Umpqua. Most smallies are in the one to two pound range. The ODFW announced a rule change on August 10th, which allows anglers to keep radio-tagged salmon taken on the Umpqua. They ask that the tags be returned, however. Steelheading is fair on the North Umpqua, better in the flies-only stretch. Tuna fishing has been great about 45 miles from port.
Anglers launching out of Florence last Sunday found smooth ocean conditions, scattered coho and good ocean crabbing.
Pro guide Jeff Jackson (541-268-6944) reports that Chinook have started entering the Siuslaw and that he took a 27-pounder "with minimal effort."
The Rogue River is open to chinook retention in its entirety with the last stretch where fishing was disallowed, from Gold Ray Dam to Hog Creek Boat Ramp, re-opened August 15th. Numbers of chinook in the lower river are very good, but the bite is only fair. The best fishing is near the mouth at the change of tide.
Offshore Chinook catches picked up dramatically out of Brookings over the past week. Albacore have been taken within 25 miles of shore.
Section 5 of the Rogue River is scheduled to be planted with hatchery trout.
Eastern - The upper Deschutes is producing good catches of Brook Trout on an assortment of dry flies. Steelheading on the lower Deschutes is improving as numbers continue to enter. Trout fishing has been consistently good.
Scheduled to be stocked with trout this week are Devils Lake, Rouge River and Spring Creek.
Willamette Valley/Metro- Steelhead numbers continue to peak at Bonneville Dam on the Columbia where some bank and boat anglers are getting into good numbers of fish. Although the bulk of the fish being landed are still the smaller "A" run fish, Idaho bound steelhead of significant larger size are due to make their appearance.
An occasional fall chinook is being landed for boat anglers in the Longview to Gresham stretch of the mainstem Columbia. Although still a few weeks away from peak season, salmon will begin to dominate the catch in this stretch for boaters anchored with hardware.
Oregon and Washington fishery managers met on Wednesday to consider re-opening the retention season for sturgeon in the Wauna to Bonneville section. The staff recommendation was for a continuance of the 4-day retention period (Thursday - Sunday) from August 18th through the end of the year. The compact however adopted a 7-day per week opener for the Wauna to Bonneville stretch and will likely reconsider additional time in the fall if the quota is kept in check. Effort has been light and catches slow.
The Willamette is running 71 degrees at Willamette Falls but there's little in the lower river other than bass fishing of interest to anglers. Sturgeon fishing remains in the doldrums.
Steelheading has been slow to fair on the Clackamas. Spring chinook are evident but too dark to keep.
Fishing remains dead slow at the Sandy although trolling off the mouth may yield summer steelhead.
Summer steelhead and even spring Chinook counts picked up last week at Foster Dam on the South Santiam. Recycling of these fish is ongoing here and has started once again on the North Santiam where fish are being trucked to Mehama.
Trout fishing has slowed on the McKenzie with the water level low.
Waters in the South Willamette Valley scheduled to be planted with trout include Carmen Reservoir, McKenzie above Leaburg Lake and Salmon Creek.
Northwest - Calm seas continue to treat anglers to ample fishing opportunities for salmon, halibut tuna and bottomfish. From Garibaldi, albacore are 20 to 30 miles offshore and some anglers are reporting large Bluefin tuna occasionally breaking water. Salmon anglers are still taking good numbers of mostly coho but limits are not the rule.
Buoy 10 effort is beginning to pick up even though this fishery remains closed to the retention of chinook. If preliminary reports are accurate, the chinook opener on the 22nd should prove productive downstream of Tongue Point reports Pro guide Jim Nicol (503-550-3166).
Anglers fishing offshore of the mouth of the Columbia are witnessing epic fishing for coho. The recreational fleet as taken over 60% of the coho quota and if calm seas persist, the quota is likely to be met for the first time in several years. Best catches are coming from 6 to 12 miles south of the jetty tips in 150 to 250 foot of water. Although high numbers of wild coho and undersized chinook are being released, limits of hatchery fish are easy to come by. Chinook still only make up a very small portion of the catch. Anchovies make the best bait as bait balls are present in good numbers.
Steelhead are available in all of the whitewater areas of the Nestucca. Small baits will work best. There are still some really nice chrome fish around the area of First Bridge, and around Three rivers reports pro guide Jesse Zalonis (503-392-5808).
Albacore fishers are heading west anywhere from 28 to 40 miles out of the mouth of the Columbia. Ample numbers of fish are willing to bite.
Low, warm flows are challenging most freshwater steelheaders on north coast streams. Good numbers of sea-run cutthroat trout are present in tidewater sections of these rivers but remain open to catch and release opportunities only.
Tuna, halibut and Coho were taken out of Depoe Bay on a flat ocean last Sunday.
Pro guide Bill Kremers (541-754-6411) reports that the coho fishing is "pretty good" out of Newport, better out of Depoe Nay.
Southwest - Cabezon may no longer be kept by offshore boaters as of Saturday, August 10th. Fortunately, the survival rate for released fish is excellent. Anglers harvested 11.8 metric tons, which filled the quota for this year. Rock and jetty fishers may still keep cabezon, however.
All depth halibut will remain open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until the 80,000 ton harvest cap is met or October 28th, whichever comes first.
Mild tides, which might make for easy bar crossings won't mean much this coming weekend if the ferocious wind and wave forecast for the southwest coast is accurate.
Smallmouth bass fishing is good with light pressure on the Umpqua. Most smallies are in the one to two pound range. The ODFW announced a rule change on August 10th, which allows anglers to keep radio-tagged salmon taken on the Umpqua. They ask that the tags be returned, however. Steelheading is fair on the North Umpqua, better in the flies-only stretch. Tuna fishing has been great about 45 miles from port.
Anglers launching out of Florence last Sunday found smooth ocean conditions, scattered coho and good ocean crabbing.
Pro guide Jeff Jackson (541-268-6944) reports that Chinook have started entering the Siuslaw and that he took a 27-pounder "with minimal effort."
The Rogue River is open to chinook retention in its entirety with the last stretch where fishing was disallowed, from Gold Ray Dam to Hog Creek Boat Ramp, re-opened August 15th. Numbers of chinook in the lower river are very good, but the bite is only fair. The best fishing is near the mouth at the change of tide.
Offshore Chinook catches picked up dramatically out of Brookings over the past week. Albacore have been taken within 25 miles of shore.
Section 5 of the Rogue River is scheduled to be planted with hatchery trout.
Eastern - The upper Deschutes is producing good catches of Brook Trout on an assortment of dry flies. Steelheading on the lower Deschutes is improving as numbers continue to enter. Trout fishing has been consistently good.
Scheduled to be stocked with trout this week are Devils Lake, Rouge River and Spring Creek.
Friday, August 03, 2007
Oregon fishing reports
Oregon Fisheries Update:
Willamette Valley/Metro - Water at Willamette Falls is up to 74 degrees. The Willamette and the mainstem Columbia is now closed to the retention of sturgeon until October 1st. Catch and release fishing will remain open river-wide but it’s mostly a shaker show in this region.
Clackamas steelheaders are taking the occasional fish as they move higher in the system. Steelhead are being recycled from the hatchery.
While the Sandy has been unproductive, anglers can look forward to a good coho season in September with strong numbers of fish offshore.
Fishermen's Bend remains the most productive area for steelhead on the North Santiam. As daily counts decline, nearly 3,700 summer steelhead and 900 springers have been counted at Foster Dam on the South Santiam.
The Leaburg hatchery on the McKenzie River reports 580 summer steelhead have returned to the hatchery facility.
Waters scheduled for trout planting this week include Breitenbush River, Clear Lake, the McKenzie River above Leaburg and the North Fork Santiam River above Detroit.
Northwest – Salmon fishing out of Astoria was excellent over the weekend with easy limits coming for most boats fishing as close as Buoy 4 and 2. The coho still have some weight to put on but as long as the water temperature is consistently under 62 degrees, fish seem to be concentrated in good numbers. Fresh herring are still running small making anchovies the best bait.
Seabass fishing is great on the sunken jetty at the mouth of the Columbia but boaters must pay close attention to ocean conditions as this can be a dangerous place to fish. Tide changes are the ideal time to target these plentiful fish when the ocean swell is small.
Albacore catches out of the mouth of the Columbia have picked up as well. Boats fishing 19 to 22 miles out found good catches of fish 20 to 30 pounds but 35 to 45 miles west, larger numbers of tuna were present although smaller in size.
Unfortunately, windy conditions are forecast for the weekend making for hazardous and uncomfortable boating conditions out of most coastal ports.
Garibaldi catches of salmon had also improved before the southerly influence crept back in. Tuna were reported as close in as 7 miles with higher concentrations further offshore. Ocean crabbing has recently improved while estuaries remain only fair.
A return to low, clear conditions once again challenges steelheaders on the Wilson and Nestucca Rivers.
Chinook are being taken daily in lower tidewater on the Siletz but there are far more boats trying than fish bring landed.
Tuna were caught at 20 miles out of the port of Depoe Bay on Saturday, July 28th.
Anglers found albacore out of Newport at 30 miles over the weekend. Quick coho limits came over 220 feet of water.
Southwest – August 3rd marks the beginning of the summer all-depth halibut season off the central and southern Oregon coast. Fishing is expected to be good and will remain open every other Friday through Sunday until the quota fills or September 30th, whichever comes first.
Be sure to fish for tuna or halibut first on a multi-species trip. Once salmon are on board, only barbless hooks are allowed on any rods.
Boaters launching out of Winchester Bay late last week found Chinook offshore about 50 feet deep over 300 feet of water. The bay opens to salmon fishing on August 1st. Tuna were taken anywhere from 23 to 40 miles out. Crabbing is poor in the bay, fair in the ocean. Steelheading is fair in the flies-only stretch of the North Umpqua, slow downstream.
Water temperatures over 70 degrees in the lower Rogue have stalled the chinook fishery in the estuary. Summer steelhead fishing is fair to good on the upper Rogue.
Tuna fishing out of Brookings has held up again over the past week with boats coming in loaded with albacore. Some of these fish are topping the 30-pound mark and one angler took a big-eye tuna which was nearly 90 pounds. A few yellow fin and even dorado have been taken in the near-tropical offshore waters.
Loon Lake and Section 5 of the Rogue River are scheduled to be planted with trout.
Eastern – Steelhead catches on the Deschutes River are better this year than the previous two. The bulk of the catch consists of natives with early run hatchery fish averaging 5 to 8 pounds. Windy conditions call for side-planers and plugs but spinners can also be effective during the morning hours. Tim Robinson of Portland landed 4 wild steelhead in 2 days with the bulk of the fish coming on #5 Blue Fox spinners with a blue body. Water temperatures are around 65 degrees and climbing and boaters need to be aware that the lower 15 miles of the Deschutes are the most hazardous to navigate.Plug-pullers are picking up steelhead at the mouth of the Deschutes River. Caddis patterns will dominate for trout on the lower Deschutes for weeks to come.Spring Creek and Walton Lake are scheduled to be stocked this week.
http://www.theguidesforecast.com/
Willamette Valley/Metro - Water at Willamette Falls is up to 74 degrees. The Willamette and the mainstem Columbia is now closed to the retention of sturgeon until October 1st. Catch and release fishing will remain open river-wide but it’s mostly a shaker show in this region.
Clackamas steelheaders are taking the occasional fish as they move higher in the system. Steelhead are being recycled from the hatchery.
While the Sandy has been unproductive, anglers can look forward to a good coho season in September with strong numbers of fish offshore.
Fishermen's Bend remains the most productive area for steelhead on the North Santiam. As daily counts decline, nearly 3,700 summer steelhead and 900 springers have been counted at Foster Dam on the South Santiam.
The Leaburg hatchery on the McKenzie River reports 580 summer steelhead have returned to the hatchery facility.
Waters scheduled for trout planting this week include Breitenbush River, Clear Lake, the McKenzie River above Leaburg and the North Fork Santiam River above Detroit.
Northwest – Salmon fishing out of Astoria was excellent over the weekend with easy limits coming for most boats fishing as close as Buoy 4 and 2. The coho still have some weight to put on but as long as the water temperature is consistently under 62 degrees, fish seem to be concentrated in good numbers. Fresh herring are still running small making anchovies the best bait.
Seabass fishing is great on the sunken jetty at the mouth of the Columbia but boaters must pay close attention to ocean conditions as this can be a dangerous place to fish. Tide changes are the ideal time to target these plentiful fish when the ocean swell is small.
Albacore catches out of the mouth of the Columbia have picked up as well. Boats fishing 19 to 22 miles out found good catches of fish 20 to 30 pounds but 35 to 45 miles west, larger numbers of tuna were present although smaller in size.
Unfortunately, windy conditions are forecast for the weekend making for hazardous and uncomfortable boating conditions out of most coastal ports.
Garibaldi catches of salmon had also improved before the southerly influence crept back in. Tuna were reported as close in as 7 miles with higher concentrations further offshore. Ocean crabbing has recently improved while estuaries remain only fair.
A return to low, clear conditions once again challenges steelheaders on the Wilson and Nestucca Rivers.
Chinook are being taken daily in lower tidewater on the Siletz but there are far more boats trying than fish bring landed.
Tuna were caught at 20 miles out of the port of Depoe Bay on Saturday, July 28th.
Anglers found albacore out of Newport at 30 miles over the weekend. Quick coho limits came over 220 feet of water.
Southwest – August 3rd marks the beginning of the summer all-depth halibut season off the central and southern Oregon coast. Fishing is expected to be good and will remain open every other Friday through Sunday until the quota fills or September 30th, whichever comes first.
Be sure to fish for tuna or halibut first on a multi-species trip. Once salmon are on board, only barbless hooks are allowed on any rods.
Boaters launching out of Winchester Bay late last week found Chinook offshore about 50 feet deep over 300 feet of water. The bay opens to salmon fishing on August 1st. Tuna were taken anywhere from 23 to 40 miles out. Crabbing is poor in the bay, fair in the ocean. Steelheading is fair in the flies-only stretch of the North Umpqua, slow downstream.
Water temperatures over 70 degrees in the lower Rogue have stalled the chinook fishery in the estuary. Summer steelhead fishing is fair to good on the upper Rogue.
Tuna fishing out of Brookings has held up again over the past week with boats coming in loaded with albacore. Some of these fish are topping the 30-pound mark and one angler took a big-eye tuna which was nearly 90 pounds. A few yellow fin and even dorado have been taken in the near-tropical offshore waters.
Loon Lake and Section 5 of the Rogue River are scheduled to be planted with trout.
Eastern – Steelhead catches on the Deschutes River are better this year than the previous two. The bulk of the catch consists of natives with early run hatchery fish averaging 5 to 8 pounds. Windy conditions call for side-planers and plugs but spinners can also be effective during the morning hours. Tim Robinson of Portland landed 4 wild steelhead in 2 days with the bulk of the fish coming on #5 Blue Fox spinners with a blue body. Water temperatures are around 65 degrees and climbing and boaters need to be aware that the lower 15 miles of the Deschutes are the most hazardous to navigate.Plug-pullers are picking up steelhead at the mouth of the Deschutes River. Caddis patterns will dominate for trout on the lower Deschutes for weeks to come.Spring Creek and Walton Lake are scheduled to be stocked this week.
http://www.theguidesforecast.com/
Friday, July 13, 2007
Oregon fishing report
Oregon Fishing Update
Willamette Valley/Metro - Warm water temperatures have most river users swimming instead of fishing. Despite a significant climb in dam counts and favorable tides over the weekend, steelhead anglers did not fare well on the recent tide series. Angling is now closed for adult chinook but anglers are allowed to retain jack salmon.
Effort is low for oversized sturgeon and fresh shad are hard to come by. Floater shad make the best bait this time of year.
Warm weather has pushed the Willamette temperature to 76 degrees at the falls. Chinook and steelhead continue to cross but they aren't biting well in these conditions. Shad fishing is getting spotty with the best catches coming in the evening. Boaters should be cautious at ramps with the river so low.
The color of the Sandy makes it look unfishable as dam work upstream has combined with seasonal glacial runoff to turn the water opaque. Even in these less than ideal conditions, summer steelhead are still being hooked.
Steelheading in the Clackamas has been fair to good and hasn't been too crowded with anglers. A few spring chinook have also been hooked this week.
Persistence is paying off on the North Santiam with steelhead taking bait and striking lures from Fishermen's Bend to Mehama.
Hatchery trout are scheduled to be planted in the Breitenbush River, Carmen Reservoir, Clear Lake, Leaburg Lake, McKenzie River above and below Leaburg Lake, Quartzville Creek, Salmon Creek and the North Santiam River above Detroit.
Northwest – Heavy winds kept most recreational craft in port much of the week. Previous reports indicated fish were well scattered with inconsistent water temperatures on the north coast. One report from just outside of the mouth of the Columbia indicated hatchery coho were present in good numbers but anglers had to weed through several wild coho and undersized chinook to get their limits.
Catch and release sturgeon fishing remains great in the Tongue Point area with anchovies producing the best results. Call ahead to ensure bait orders can be filled as demand has dropped making bait deliveries inconsistent.
Pro guide Brandon Glass (503-260-8285) reports slow walleye fishing in the lower Columbia but hopes for an improvement this week.
The weekend ocean forecast calls for favorable conditions which has more anglers excited about tuna than salmon. Forecasted ocean temperatures look more favorable for tuna fishing. Look for water 61 degrees and warmer for tuna while salmon prefer temperatures in the range of 56 to 59 degrees.
Newport ranks number one for coho landings according to a July 8th ODFW report. More fish-per-trip were landed out of Depoe Bay although fewer boats launched. Offshore tuna fishing held up whenever boaters could safely cross the bar.
North and mid-coast lakes will not be stocked with trout again until September.
Southwest – Wind has kept boats off the ocean for several days on the central and southern Oregon coast. Conditions are forecast to improve for the weekend, but early morning minus tides will complicate bar crossings.
While summer steelheading has yet to show anglers much action, smallmouth bass fishing on the Umpqua is producing plenty of fish per trip. Salmon fishing had been decent until the wind came up late last week.
Pro guide Bill Kremers (541-754-6411) confirms decent fishing for smallies but advises drift boaters that low water requires wading to push and pull in places.
So far, pressure is light on the Rogue River estuary where trollers have been picking up chinook, It's early for this fishery but some boats have landed multiple fish about half of which were hatchery. Unclipped Chinook may be retained starting July 14th. Fishing for half-pounders has been fair but everything else is slow on the Rogue River.
Pro guide Jeff Jackson (541 268 6944) reported in to confirm catches of early fall Chinook mixed with late springers.
Section 5 of the Rogue River is scheduled to be stocked with trout.
Tuna fishing remained rewarding last week with albacore within 30 miles of the port of Brookings. Since then, high winds have hampered effort and pushed the warm water further offshore. Chinook and coho have been 10 to 12 miles out in 350 to 400 feet of water.
Eastern – The lower Deschutes has caddis hatching well in the mornings and evenings, coincidentally, the best times to fish on the scorching east side. With over 90% of the water in the middle Deschutes dedicated to irrigation, fishing in the warm water is not so promising.
Anglers are beginning to consider the Deschutes for steelhead but the Dalles Dam counts dictate how the action will be. Numbers are still a bit low for great action on this premier river. Last year, it began fishing best the latter half of August but passage at Bonneville is improving significantly.
The cool, spring-fed water of the Fall River is fishing quite well for brown trout, even on the hottest days.
Pro guide Rick Arnold (541-480-1570) reports good fishing for browns a Wickiup with some over the six pound mark.
Waters scheduled to receive hatchery trout this week include Badger Lake, Campbell Lake, Deadhorse Lake, Fall River, Shevlin Pond and Spring Creek.
The Guide's Forecast would like to congratulate Jenni Logsdon Martin of www.ifish.net for being selected again this year as one of the top 25 most influential people in Oregon.
Willamette Valley/Metro - Warm water temperatures have most river users swimming instead of fishing. Despite a significant climb in dam counts and favorable tides over the weekend, steelhead anglers did not fare well on the recent tide series. Angling is now closed for adult chinook but anglers are allowed to retain jack salmon.
Effort is low for oversized sturgeon and fresh shad are hard to come by. Floater shad make the best bait this time of year.
Warm weather has pushed the Willamette temperature to 76 degrees at the falls. Chinook and steelhead continue to cross but they aren't biting well in these conditions. Shad fishing is getting spotty with the best catches coming in the evening. Boaters should be cautious at ramps with the river so low.
The color of the Sandy makes it look unfishable as dam work upstream has combined with seasonal glacial runoff to turn the water opaque. Even in these less than ideal conditions, summer steelhead are still being hooked.
Steelheading in the Clackamas has been fair to good and hasn't been too crowded with anglers. A few spring chinook have also been hooked this week.
Persistence is paying off on the North Santiam with steelhead taking bait and striking lures from Fishermen's Bend to Mehama.
Hatchery trout are scheduled to be planted in the Breitenbush River, Carmen Reservoir, Clear Lake, Leaburg Lake, McKenzie River above and below Leaburg Lake, Quartzville Creek, Salmon Creek and the North Santiam River above Detroit.
Northwest – Heavy winds kept most recreational craft in port much of the week. Previous reports indicated fish were well scattered with inconsistent water temperatures on the north coast. One report from just outside of the mouth of the Columbia indicated hatchery coho were present in good numbers but anglers had to weed through several wild coho and undersized chinook to get their limits.
Catch and release sturgeon fishing remains great in the Tongue Point area with anchovies producing the best results. Call ahead to ensure bait orders can be filled as demand has dropped making bait deliveries inconsistent.
Pro guide Brandon Glass (503-260-8285) reports slow walleye fishing in the lower Columbia but hopes for an improvement this week.
The weekend ocean forecast calls for favorable conditions which has more anglers excited about tuna than salmon. Forecasted ocean temperatures look more favorable for tuna fishing. Look for water 61 degrees and warmer for tuna while salmon prefer temperatures in the range of 56 to 59 degrees.
Newport ranks number one for coho landings according to a July 8th ODFW report. More fish-per-trip were landed out of Depoe Bay although fewer boats launched. Offshore tuna fishing held up whenever boaters could safely cross the bar.
North and mid-coast lakes will not be stocked with trout again until September.
Southwest – Wind has kept boats off the ocean for several days on the central and southern Oregon coast. Conditions are forecast to improve for the weekend, but early morning minus tides will complicate bar crossings.
While summer steelheading has yet to show anglers much action, smallmouth bass fishing on the Umpqua is producing plenty of fish per trip. Salmon fishing had been decent until the wind came up late last week.
Pro guide Bill Kremers (541-754-6411) confirms decent fishing for smallies but advises drift boaters that low water requires wading to push and pull in places.
So far, pressure is light on the Rogue River estuary where trollers have been picking up chinook, It's early for this fishery but some boats have landed multiple fish about half of which were hatchery. Unclipped Chinook may be retained starting July 14th. Fishing for half-pounders has been fair but everything else is slow on the Rogue River.
Pro guide Jeff Jackson (541 268 6944) reported in to confirm catches of early fall Chinook mixed with late springers.
Section 5 of the Rogue River is scheduled to be stocked with trout.
Tuna fishing remained rewarding last week with albacore within 30 miles of the port of Brookings. Since then, high winds have hampered effort and pushed the warm water further offshore. Chinook and coho have been 10 to 12 miles out in 350 to 400 feet of water.
Eastern – The lower Deschutes has caddis hatching well in the mornings and evenings, coincidentally, the best times to fish on the scorching east side. With over 90% of the water in the middle Deschutes dedicated to irrigation, fishing in the warm water is not so promising.
Anglers are beginning to consider the Deschutes for steelhead but the Dalles Dam counts dictate how the action will be. Numbers are still a bit low for great action on this premier river. Last year, it began fishing best the latter half of August but passage at Bonneville is improving significantly.
The cool, spring-fed water of the Fall River is fishing quite well for brown trout, even on the hottest days.
Pro guide Rick Arnold (541-480-1570) reports good fishing for browns a Wickiup with some over the six pound mark.
Waters scheduled to receive hatchery trout this week include Badger Lake, Campbell Lake, Deadhorse Lake, Fall River, Shevlin Pond and Spring Creek.
The Guide's Forecast would like to congratulate Jenni Logsdon Martin of www.ifish.net for being selected again this year as one of the top 25 most influential people in Oregon.
Friday, July 06, 2007
Oregon fishing report
Oregon Fisheries Update:
Willamette Valley/Metro- Summer chinook season closed on July 2nd from Bonneville Dam to Priest Rapids. No adult chinook may be retained from Tongue Point upstream until August 1st when fall salmon arrive. Overall, it wasn’t a productive season but sport anglers did exceed their catch allocation. Dam passage is tracking behind preseason estimates.Shad fishing is slowing making it more difficult to find quality bait for oversized sturgeon. Floater shad is the best option.Steelhead counts continue to climb and weekend tides make for ideal fishing conditions along lower Columbia River beaches. Plunkers should take fair numbers of fish on spin-n-glos.While the shad run is tapering off at Oregon City, it was still possible to take scores of them in a couple of hours over the past weekend. Sturgeon fishing has been slow. Smallmouth bass have been cooperating with anglers above the Falls as they're pitching crankbaits in the low, clear, mid-60 degree water. A little more flow, depth and color would improve prospects, however.
Reports of only an occasional steelhead are coming from the Dodge Park area on the Sandy River. Action on the Clackamas slowed recently as the water cooled but weather this week should turn that situation around. Numbers of both summers and springers are good and improving. Boaters must exercise extra caution navigating the lower river as the water is very low.North Santiam steelheaders are taking a few fish floating bobber and jigs. It's recommended that anglers trying this technique take a number of different colors of small-sized jigs. The South Santiam is getting a great deal of boat traffic with many of those anchoring in drifts. Fishing is fair for summer steelhead with fish being trucked downstream from Foster to Waterloo or Pleasant Valley.Waters scheduled for trout stocking include Faraday Lake, North Fork Reservoir, Trillium Lake, Big Cliff Reservoir, Breitenbush River, Detroit Reservoir, Leaburg Lake, McKenzie River above Leaburg Lake, Salt Creek, North Santiam River above Detroit, Trail Bridge Reservoir and Middle Fork of the Willamette River above Hills Creek Reservoir.
Northwest – Sturgeon fishing closed on July 4th in the estuary. Catches remained good until the closure making catch and release fishing a strong option with little competition from other anglers. Anchovies may be difficult to find during the week making sand shrimp the best option in shallow water and fresh herring in the deeper slots. Anglers can also find success jigging their own anchovies for bait.
Out of the Columbia, offshore anglers found coho from the CR Buoy southward 5 miles. Most fish are still averaging 4 to 6 pounds but a few larger fish have been taken. Ocean crabbing has been good.
From Garibaldi, a band of warm water scattered previously schooled coho but tuna are within 25 miles of shore. Bay crabbing remains challenging.
Low water favors only the stealthy bank angler seeking pocket water steelhead on the Wilson and Nestucca Rivers. Small baits or bobbers and jigs early in the morning will produce the best results.
Good catches of coho are being taken by many of the boats launching out of Newport and fishing over 150 feet of water. Better than half the silvers being hooked are fin-clipped keepers. Chinook are being landed on occasion, but there aren't many out there. Crabbing is fair at Yaquina Bay although many softshells are in the mix. Herring are still available but numbers thinned early this week. Crabbing has been poor at Waldport.
Southwest – All-depth halibut will open again this week July 5th through 7th. One more spring opener is possible if sufficient poundage remains, but if so, it may not be a full three days. The summer central Oregon coast all-depth halibut fishery opens August 3rd and is scheduled to be open every other Friday through Sunday until the combined spring and summer quota of 226,989 pounds is taken or October 28th, whichever comes first.Tuna were out of Winchester Bay 50 miles Monday this week although anglers over the weekend found them at 27 miles. In both instances, action was great once the albacore were located. Coho fishing has picked up offshore but the majority of fish landed have been wild, requiring release. One boat picked up 25 but kept only the four which were fin-clipped, another caught 15 to keep two. Ocean crabbing has improved with double-digit catches coming from 40 to 50 feet of water.
Boats did well out of Florence for coho earlier this week with many limits returned to port. Ocean crabbing was good as well although no limits were reported.
Halibut have been taken fairly close to port out of Coos Bay. This week's opener should be productive. Rogue anglers have given up on the spring chinook season for the most part in the lower river. An occasional springer has been landed in the Grants Pass stretch but fishing is best in the Hatchery Hole. A few summer steelhead are being taken in the upper river.Fishing for sea-run cutthroat trout was very good on the lower Chetco over the weekend.Section 5 of the Rogue River is scheduled to be planted with trout.
Eastern – Scheduled for planting with hatchery trout in the Deschutes watershed are Campbell Lake, Deadhorse Lake, Miller Lake, Olallie Lake, Spring Creek and Spring Creek.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Oregon fishing report
Oregon Fisheries Update:
Report Snaggers and Poachers:
Oregon: 1 800 452-7888
Washington: 1 800 477-6224
Willamette Valley/Metro- The summer chinook fishery is beginning to peak at Bonneville with consistent counts of over a thousand fish per day crossing. Anchor anglers are taking a few on copper-red tipped spinners. Bank plunkers are taking some salmon at Warrendale.
The oversize sturgeon fishery is showing signs of slowing with fish more present in deeper holes. Keeper fishing is tapering as well.
Several Spring Chinook were taken over the weekend in the Portland Harbor by trollers dragging spinners- chartreuse green dot spinners are producing the most strikes. Sturgeon fishing has been slow with mostly shakers to show for angler's efforts. Shad are still being caught at Oregon City, but this may be the last productive weekend for them.
Early mornings and late evenings are producing a few summer steelhead in low water on the Sandy and Clackamas Rivers. Most folks are writing off the spring chinook run.
Some steelheaders are finding biters on the McKenzie below Leaburg Dam.
Few fish are venturing above Mill City on the North Santiam due to cold water above that point. Steelheading in the lower river is slow to fair. Summer steelhead and spring Chinook are entering the Foster Dam facility on the South Santiam with regularity.
Trillium Lake, Blue River above the Reservoir, Breitenbush River, Carmen Reservoir, Detroit Reservoir, Fall Creek, Leaburg Lake, McKenzie River above and below Leaburg Lake, Quartzville Creek, Salmon Creek and Santiam River above Detroit Reservoir are scheduled to be planted with hatchery trout.
Northwest - Estuary sturgeon fishing continues to be productive but effort and success have shifted to upstream of the Astoria/Megler Bridge. Tongue Point to Buoy 50 is the most productive stretch in the softer tides but the weekend minus tide series will force anglers to fish in shallower water. Fishery managers will met Thursday to determine the fate of the estuary fishery and determined it would remain open as scheduled through July 4th.
With good numbers of steelhead passing Bonneville Dam, steelheaders will want to consider taking advantage of the strong morning tides to work spin-n-glos close to the beaches in Rainier and Sauvie's Island. Hot colors like reds and oranges work best. Scented lures are a strong advantage.
Ocean salmon fishers took fair numbers of coho at the 40-fathom line out of Garibaldi. Fishing bait will produce best near the surface in the morning. Later in the day, fish will move deeper and bite less aggressively.
Good clam tides will come over the weekend. Clatsop Beaches will produce the best and will close beginning July 15th. Bay crabbing on most estuaries remains poor.
Pro guide Jesse Zalonis (503-392-5808) reports the Nestucca is getting really low and clear now but there are some steelhead on the lower river and they are "really shifty."
Warm water offshore has tuna hopefuls gearing up and heading out. Albacore were as close as 25 miles out of Depoe Bay over the weekend. Tuna were also taken out of Newport just south of the traditional halibut grounds.
Coho fishing has been spotty out of Newport and Depoe Bay. Most boats are getting only one or two. Coho are 30 to 50 feet deep over 150 to 300 feet of water. Herring are still available to jiggers at Yaquina Bay.
Pro guide Bill Kremers (541-754-6411) reports slow fishing for halibut last Thursday but that he limited his boat Saturday on a salmon trip out of Depoe Bay.
Southwest - Boaters launching out of Reedsport are seeing ocean coho and crab catches improve daily. The salmon are running a little fewer than 50% fin-clipped keepers.
The weekend offered fair to good prospects for coho and bottom fish for offshore anglers out of Coos Bay. Tuna were caught about 30 miles offshore. Halibut and crab combo trips were rewarding over the last all-depth opener June 21st through 23rd.
The Rogue will close for Spring Chinook angling July 1st through October 31 2007 from River Gold Ray dam to Elk Boat Ramp. Only fin-slipped chinook may be kept elsewhere on the Rogue.
Bottom fishing out of southwest Oregon ports has been as good as it gets with rockfish large and plentiful. Lingcod are in the mix with some over 30 inches and up to 30 pounds.
Dave Pitts, Field Editor, Salmon Trout and Steelhead, adds that as long as the weather stays clear and the seas are some what calm it is AWESOME RED HOT FISHING on bottom fish.
Surf fishing off of beaches and jetties continues to produce limits of striped and barred perch.
Anglers out of Brookings are catching coho averaging six to eight pounds but with baitfish thick this year, these fish will put on weight rapidly. Crabbing is picking up inside the harbor with nets scoring keepers off the local fishing pier.
Waters scheduled for trout stocking this week include Clearwater #2, Hemlock Lake, Lake in the Woods, Lemolo Reservoir, Cole Rivers and Section 5 of the Rogue River.
SW Washington - Action on most area rivers is slow for salmon and steelhead but the East Fork of the Lewis still holds promise for bank anglers.
The mouths of the Cowlitz and Kalama Rivers will become more consistent for salmon and steelhead using small spinners. Morning tides will produce the best results.
Eastern - The Owyhee River is producing Brown Trout for fly fishers using nymphs.
Trout fishing is improving at Crane Prairie as the water warms. Fly anglers are catching good-sized bass as well as husky trout at Davis Lake.
Ana Reservoir, Badger Lake, Campbell Lake, Century Gravel Pit, Big Cultus Lake, Deadhorse Lake, Deschutes River, East Lake, Fall River, Horseshoe Lake, Lake of the Woods, Lost Lake, Olallie Lake, Shevlin Pond, Sprague Gravel Pit, Spring Creek, Thompson Valley, Three Creeks Lakes, North and South Twin Lake, and Walton Lake are scheduled to be stocked.
http://www.theguidesforecast.com/
Report Snaggers and Poachers:
Oregon: 1 800 452-7888
Washington: 1 800 477-6224
Willamette Valley/Metro- The summer chinook fishery is beginning to peak at Bonneville with consistent counts of over a thousand fish per day crossing. Anchor anglers are taking a few on copper-red tipped spinners. Bank plunkers are taking some salmon at Warrendale.
The oversize sturgeon fishery is showing signs of slowing with fish more present in deeper holes. Keeper fishing is tapering as well.
Several Spring Chinook were taken over the weekend in the Portland Harbor by trollers dragging spinners- chartreuse green dot spinners are producing the most strikes. Sturgeon fishing has been slow with mostly shakers to show for angler's efforts. Shad are still being caught at Oregon City, but this may be the last productive weekend for them.
Early mornings and late evenings are producing a few summer steelhead in low water on the Sandy and Clackamas Rivers. Most folks are writing off the spring chinook run.
Some steelheaders are finding biters on the McKenzie below Leaburg Dam.
Few fish are venturing above Mill City on the North Santiam due to cold water above that point. Steelheading in the lower river is slow to fair. Summer steelhead and spring Chinook are entering the Foster Dam facility on the South Santiam with regularity.
Trillium Lake, Blue River above the Reservoir, Breitenbush River, Carmen Reservoir, Detroit Reservoir, Fall Creek, Leaburg Lake, McKenzie River above and below Leaburg Lake, Quartzville Creek, Salmon Creek and Santiam River above Detroit Reservoir are scheduled to be planted with hatchery trout.
Northwest - Estuary sturgeon fishing continues to be productive but effort and success have shifted to upstream of the Astoria/Megler Bridge. Tongue Point to Buoy 50 is the most productive stretch in the softer tides but the weekend minus tide series will force anglers to fish in shallower water. Fishery managers will met Thursday to determine the fate of the estuary fishery and determined it would remain open as scheduled through July 4th.
With good numbers of steelhead passing Bonneville Dam, steelheaders will want to consider taking advantage of the strong morning tides to work spin-n-glos close to the beaches in Rainier and Sauvie's Island. Hot colors like reds and oranges work best. Scented lures are a strong advantage.
Ocean salmon fishers took fair numbers of coho at the 40-fathom line out of Garibaldi. Fishing bait will produce best near the surface in the morning. Later in the day, fish will move deeper and bite less aggressively.
Good clam tides will come over the weekend. Clatsop Beaches will produce the best and will close beginning July 15th. Bay crabbing on most estuaries remains poor.
Pro guide Jesse Zalonis (503-392-5808) reports the Nestucca is getting really low and clear now but there are some steelhead on the lower river and they are "really shifty."
Warm water offshore has tuna hopefuls gearing up and heading out. Albacore were as close as 25 miles out of Depoe Bay over the weekend. Tuna were also taken out of Newport just south of the traditional halibut grounds.
Coho fishing has been spotty out of Newport and Depoe Bay. Most boats are getting only one or two. Coho are 30 to 50 feet deep over 150 to 300 feet of water. Herring are still available to jiggers at Yaquina Bay.
Pro guide Bill Kremers (541-754-6411) reports slow fishing for halibut last Thursday but that he limited his boat Saturday on a salmon trip out of Depoe Bay.
Southwest - Boaters launching out of Reedsport are seeing ocean coho and crab catches improve daily. The salmon are running a little fewer than 50% fin-clipped keepers.
The weekend offered fair to good prospects for coho and bottom fish for offshore anglers out of Coos Bay. Tuna were caught about 30 miles offshore. Halibut and crab combo trips were rewarding over the last all-depth opener June 21st through 23rd.
The Rogue will close for Spring Chinook angling July 1st through October 31 2007 from River Gold Ray dam to Elk Boat Ramp. Only fin-slipped chinook may be kept elsewhere on the Rogue.
Bottom fishing out of southwest Oregon ports has been as good as it gets with rockfish large and plentiful. Lingcod are in the mix with some over 30 inches and up to 30 pounds.
Dave Pitts, Field Editor, Salmon Trout and Steelhead, adds that as long as the weather stays clear and the seas are some what calm it is AWESOME RED HOT FISHING on bottom fish.
Surf fishing off of beaches and jetties continues to produce limits of striped and barred perch.
Anglers out of Brookings are catching coho averaging six to eight pounds but with baitfish thick this year, these fish will put on weight rapidly. Crabbing is picking up inside the harbor with nets scoring keepers off the local fishing pier.
Waters scheduled for trout stocking this week include Clearwater #2, Hemlock Lake, Lake in the Woods, Lemolo Reservoir, Cole Rivers and Section 5 of the Rogue River.
SW Washington - Action on most area rivers is slow for salmon and steelhead but the East Fork of the Lewis still holds promise for bank anglers.
The mouths of the Cowlitz and Kalama Rivers will become more consistent for salmon and steelhead using small spinners. Morning tides will produce the best results.
Eastern - The Owyhee River is producing Brown Trout for fly fishers using nymphs.
Trout fishing is improving at Crane Prairie as the water warms. Fly anglers are catching good-sized bass as well as husky trout at Davis Lake.
Ana Reservoir, Badger Lake, Campbell Lake, Century Gravel Pit, Big Cultus Lake, Deadhorse Lake, Deschutes River, East Lake, Fall River, Horseshoe Lake, Lake of the Woods, Lost Lake, Olallie Lake, Shevlin Pond, Sprague Gravel Pit, Spring Creek, Thompson Valley, Three Creeks Lakes, North and South Twin Lake, and Walton Lake are scheduled to be stocked.
http://www.theguidesforecast.com/
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Oregon fishing update
Oregon Fisheries Update:
Willamette Valley/Metro- Gorge fishing for oversize sturgeon remains consistent although shad anglers are becoming more challenged in their pursuit of fresh bait for sturgeon and crab. Fluctuating water levels are to blame as counts at Bonneville reflect.
Salmon anglers in the gorge are still struggling for consistent action but anglers anchored in strategic locations are taking a few fish daily. Counts are hovering around a thousand fish per day and the run is on track for a good return.
Steelhead numbers are also on the climb but weekend tides do not favor productive beach fishing.
Just over 19,000 Springers and 8,300 summers had crossed at Willamette Falls as of June 15th. Water levels are dropping with the temperature rising to the mid-60s. Shad catches have been fair to good but are due to decline soon. Sturgeon are being hooked in good numbers on the lower Willamette but most have been too small to keep.
Water in the upper Willamette is so low it has forced closure of Wheatland Ferry. It is expected to re-open June 30th following dredging.
Steelheading on the Sandy remains spotty with anglers hooking the occasional summer above Dodge Park. Very few summer steelhead have been hooked in the low waters of the Clackamas with no hot spots.
Fishing is very slow on the North Santiam. Steelheading has picked up somewhat on the South Santiam below Foster Dam.
McKenzie fly anglers are doing well for trout on the upper river. Boaters targeting summer steelhead are reporting surprising results for spring chinook. Small offerings are the key.
Northwest - Estuary sturgeon fishing remains good and oversize fish continue to make up a significant portion of the catch. Weekend anglers are having a hard time finding keepers however as it seems even the fish feel the pressure. The bulk of the keepers are coming from the deeper water out of Hammond up to the Astoria/Megler Bridge. Crabbing in the lower Columbia River is poor.
Salmon seekers on the north coast are resigned to call this years run a bust. River and bay fishing remain too challenging for most. Summer steelheaders are taking a rare fish on the Nestucca River reports pro guide Jesse Zalonis (503-392-5808).
With softening tides and a favorable ocean swell forecast, bottomfishers may want to make the most out of safe boating this weekend. Garibaldi and Astoria hold the highest promise for NW Oregon ports.
Siletz River steelheaders are taking a few fish in the upper reaches but like most coastal rivers, stealthy tactics are necessary and early mornings and evenings should be targeted times.
While effort is light, recreational Chinook fishers launching out of Newport have been taking some fish. Trips should be even more rewarding starting Saturday, June 23rd when the fin-clipped coho retention season starts. Herring jiggers have had some good days recently in Yaquina Bay where crab nets are yielding single digits and a mix of hard and soft shells.
The spring all-depth halibut fishery off the central Oregon coast will be open June 21st through 23rd and July 5th through 7th with the possibility of July 19th through 21st if the quota is not met.
Yaquina Bay is productive for herring. Jigging on the incoming tide is most productive reports pro guide Bill Kremers (541-754-6411).
Southwest - Umpqua anglers are catching fewer shad as the run winds down. Smallmouth bass fishing remains very good.
Jim Boyer fishing out of the Myrtle Bee reported Friday, June 18th, that he took the first Oregon sport-caught albacore tuna of the season. Unfortunately, he had to travel nearly 70 miles off Heceta Head to accomplish the feat.
Chinook fishing offshore out of Brookings was spotty again this weekend but it's due to heat up. Large balls of baitfish have been seen in the lower bay. Bottom fishing is holding up well for several species of rockfish as well as lingcod.
Crabbing has improved in south coast bays and estuaries but limits are rare. A soft tidal exchange this weekend will create good conditions for crabbing.
Surf perch fishing off southwest beaches continues to yield 15-fish limits. Some charter captains when unable to cross a rough bar for salmon offshore have treated customers to red-hot surf fishing, landing over 100 in a day.
Eastern - Fly fishers have had good results recently for rainbows averaging 16 inches at Crane Prairie. This is good news as Crane has been a tough location this year for most anglers.
The stonefly hatch is winding down on the lower Deschutes. Trout have been hot and cold about responding to artificials.
John Day bass anglers will find challenging boating conditions for driftboats. Rafts are best to use in these low flows but the bass bite is good on most days.
Willamette Valley/Metro- Gorge fishing for oversize sturgeon remains consistent although shad anglers are becoming more challenged in their pursuit of fresh bait for sturgeon and crab. Fluctuating water levels are to blame as counts at Bonneville reflect.
Salmon anglers in the gorge are still struggling for consistent action but anglers anchored in strategic locations are taking a few fish daily. Counts are hovering around a thousand fish per day and the run is on track for a good return.
Steelhead numbers are also on the climb but weekend tides do not favor productive beach fishing.
Just over 19,000 Springers and 8,300 summers had crossed at Willamette Falls as of June 15th. Water levels are dropping with the temperature rising to the mid-60s. Shad catches have been fair to good but are due to decline soon. Sturgeon are being hooked in good numbers on the lower Willamette but most have been too small to keep.
Water in the upper Willamette is so low it has forced closure of Wheatland Ferry. It is expected to re-open June 30th following dredging.
Steelheading on the Sandy remains spotty with anglers hooking the occasional summer above Dodge Park. Very few summer steelhead have been hooked in the low waters of the Clackamas with no hot spots.
Fishing is very slow on the North Santiam. Steelheading has picked up somewhat on the South Santiam below Foster Dam.
McKenzie fly anglers are doing well for trout on the upper river. Boaters targeting summer steelhead are reporting surprising results for spring chinook. Small offerings are the key.
Northwest - Estuary sturgeon fishing remains good and oversize fish continue to make up a significant portion of the catch. Weekend anglers are having a hard time finding keepers however as it seems even the fish feel the pressure. The bulk of the keepers are coming from the deeper water out of Hammond up to the Astoria/Megler Bridge. Crabbing in the lower Columbia River is poor.
Salmon seekers on the north coast are resigned to call this years run a bust. River and bay fishing remain too challenging for most. Summer steelheaders are taking a rare fish on the Nestucca River reports pro guide Jesse Zalonis (503-392-5808).
With softening tides and a favorable ocean swell forecast, bottomfishers may want to make the most out of safe boating this weekend. Garibaldi and Astoria hold the highest promise for NW Oregon ports.
Siletz River steelheaders are taking a few fish in the upper reaches but like most coastal rivers, stealthy tactics are necessary and early mornings and evenings should be targeted times.
While effort is light, recreational Chinook fishers launching out of Newport have been taking some fish. Trips should be even more rewarding starting Saturday, June 23rd when the fin-clipped coho retention season starts. Herring jiggers have had some good days recently in Yaquina Bay where crab nets are yielding single digits and a mix of hard and soft shells.
The spring all-depth halibut fishery off the central Oregon coast will be open June 21st through 23rd and July 5th through 7th with the possibility of July 19th through 21st if the quota is not met.
Yaquina Bay is productive for herring. Jigging on the incoming tide is most productive reports pro guide Bill Kremers (541-754-6411).
Southwest - Umpqua anglers are catching fewer shad as the run winds down. Smallmouth bass fishing remains very good.
Jim Boyer fishing out of the Myrtle Bee reported Friday, June 18th, that he took the first Oregon sport-caught albacore tuna of the season. Unfortunately, he had to travel nearly 70 miles off Heceta Head to accomplish the feat.
Chinook fishing offshore out of Brookings was spotty again this weekend but it's due to heat up. Large balls of baitfish have been seen in the lower bay. Bottom fishing is holding up well for several species of rockfish as well as lingcod.
Crabbing has improved in south coast bays and estuaries but limits are rare. A soft tidal exchange this weekend will create good conditions for crabbing.
Surf perch fishing off southwest beaches continues to yield 15-fish limits. Some charter captains when unable to cross a rough bar for salmon offshore have treated customers to red-hot surf fishing, landing over 100 in a day.
Eastern - Fly fishers have had good results recently for rainbows averaging 16 inches at Crane Prairie. This is good news as Crane has been a tough location this year for most anglers.
The stonefly hatch is winding down on the lower Deschutes. Trout have been hot and cold about responding to artificials.
John Day bass anglers will find challenging boating conditions for driftboats. Rafts are best to use in these low flows but the bass bite is good on most days.
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