Sunday, May 27, 2007

Oregon fishing report

Oregon Fishing Update

Willamette Valley/Metro - The spring chinook re-opener on the Columbia produced just over a salmon for every 10 boats in the Portland to Longview stretch. Nearly an equal mix of steelhead and chinook were caught by anglers fishing in the same stretch with nearly 1 in 10 bank rods scoring results. A large minus tide series contributed to the catch which will not be the case this weekend.

Sturgeon anglers in the Portland to Longview stretch scored a keeper for every other boat with lots of shaker action as well.

Shad fishing in the Bonneville stretch is excellent and the oversize fishery has taken off as well. Keepers are also being taken with 17 legals taken for 27 boats during a weekend check.

As the water temperature at Willamette Falls hit 60 degrees on May 18th, spring Chinook counts approached 14,000 adults. Biologists now believe the run will come in over-predicted. Summer steelhead passage has topped 3,200 fish indicating fair numbers headed for the Santiams. Spring Chinook fishing remains slow in the Willamette with the Columbia backing up into the lower river further restricting flow. Prawn spinners are taking a few, as are wobblers. Sturgeon fishing has produced mostly shakers. Shad fishing has been good for those anchored in the migration lanes. Shad travel nose-to-tail in a weaving line.

The Clackamas has been spotty for summer steelhead but has shown improvement recently. It is expected to be fair this weekend with spinners a good choice. A drop in water temperature has shut down the marginal springer fishery in the lower river.

Sandy anglers are having a tough time on the lower river with sand filling holes which had served as fishing areas in previous seasons. The 100 anglers fishing the springer derby held May 19th turned in only 11 fish.

Summer steelheading is fair in the North Santiam. A few springers have been taken from Stayton to the mouth.

Henry Hagg Lake, Huddleston Pond, Sheridan Pond, Silver Creek Reservoir, Timothy Meadows, Trillium Lake, West Salish Pond, Carmen Reservoir, Clear Lake, E. E. Wilson Pond, Fall Creek, Foster Reservoir, and Junction City Pond are scheduled for trout planting.

Northwest – The excellent minus tide series on Tillamook Bay produced poor results over the weekend. The upper bay produced the best for anglers using spinners. Rivers remain too low for good action but stealthy boaters are finding a few opportunities.

Crabbing remains best in the ocean but bottomfishing success has dropped off at dinner reef just outside of Tillamook Bay. Gerry Orahood of Garibaldi scored a 25-pound halibut in Lyster's corner inside Tillamook Bay on Tuesday. Offshore anglers did well on the last opener as well but effort was down.

Sturgeon anglers in the Tongue Point area near Astoria are having to work hard for their keepers. Fish are well distributed in the estuary with sand shrimp producing the best results. Anchovies are only available for the weekends but are making for a productive bait. Anglers can take them on herring jigs in the river around Hammond.

Halibut fishing was rewarding on Thursday and Friday, May 17th and 18th with boat limits coming to most anglers fishing about 25 miles out of Newport. By Saturday, ocean conditions kept most recreational boaters inshore. Charter boats fishing Saturday did not do so well.

Big Creek Reservoir # 1 and #2 and Olalla Creek Reservoir are scheduled for trout planting.

Southwest – Shad fishing is good and improving on the Umpqua with crowds building at Yellow Creek. With shad running upstream, it's possible to catch them at many other locations where the bank is not so jammed with anglers.

Cold ocean temperatures seem to be discouraging spring Chinook from entering south coast rivers. Salmon are holding 20 miles or more offshore.

Rogue River anglers have scratched out a few springers and jacks below Gold Ray Dam.

An exception is the Klamath. Subject to serious concern regarding declining chinook numbers last year, is providing very good early springer action now.

When ocean conditions have allowed safe bar crossing, bottom fishing remains excellent for various species of rockfish and decent numbers of ling cod remain in the mix. It's National Safe Boating Week - be careful out there and wear those Personal Flotation Devices.

South coast beaches have provided outstanding catches of surf perch over the past week.

Scheduled for trout planting this week are Clearwater #2, Hemlock Lake, Lake of the Woods, Lemolo Reservoir, Loon Lake, Reinhart Park Pond, Rogue River(Sec.5) and Spaulding Pond.

Eastern – The salmonfly hatch is underway on the lower Deschutes with dries and nymphs producing very well. Most productive results are coming close to the riverbank near cover.

Fly angling on Cascade lakes was very good over the weekend, best when the wind held off.

Bass fishing near Celilo is productive for anglers pitching crankbaits and spinnerbaits. The average is around 10 fish per angler.

Eastside streams open for trout on Saturday, May 26th. Scheduled to be stocked are Century Gravel Pit, Clear Lake, Cottonwood Meadows, Big Cultus Lake, Deschutes River, East Lake, Fall River, Holbrook Reservoir, Kingsley Reservoir, Lake of the Woods, Lofton Reservoir, Malheur Reservoir, Ochoco Creek, Pole Creek Reservoir, Shevlin Pond, Sprague Gravel Pit, Spring Creek, North and South Twin Lake, Walton Lake and Walton Lake.