Oregon Fisheries Update:
* * * Be Safe and Enjoy the Holiday Season ! ! ! * * *
Willamette Valley/Metro- This would be a good week to remember to get your 2009 fishing and shellfish license before your next outing. With next years outlook for hatchery salmon so good, it may be wise to consider an additional hatchery harvest card.
Treacherous conditions kept effort at nearly nothing in the gorge and on the lower Willamette this week. Although continued poor weather will remain in the area, sturgeon fishing in the mainstem is likely to remain poor until early spring. Anglers are reminded to check new measurement regulations for sturgeon as we transition from a total length measurement to a fork length measurement. This should make recording more consistent as variations in total length caused hardships.
Water temperatures at Willamette Falls registered 35 degrees recently. Fishing will be very slow in water this cold. Steelhead bite better in warmer water and sturgeon will not be feeding actively.
The frigid waters of the Clackamas River have not been productive for winter steelhead recently. Action is likely to remain slow until air and water temperatures warm up.
Water level at the Sandy has been consistent and without much fluctuation. A few winters have been taken recently by hearty steelheaders but overall it has been slow. Strong east winds not only make fishing a hazard, it puts fish off of the bite. The next warming trend should improve success rates although fishing is likely to get much better by late January.
When the rain comes and snowmelt begins, it's likely the North Santiam will become a torrent.
Trout stocking has been delayed this week buy ice and snow. Look for eight-to-15 pound brood trout to be planted in valley lakes and ponds the week of December 29th, weather permitting.
Northwest – What few steelheaders that ventured out into the relatively mild conditions on the north coast found fair success for steelhead on district streams. Smaller coastal tributaries remained too low for good action but the Wilson put out a few steelhead early in the week. A mix of broodstock and early returning fish were reported with plugs taking a fair share of the bites.
Depending on how fast the massive amount of snow melts from the coast range, steelheaders may continue to see fair results when the temperatures rise. Low water levels should keep fish in the lower portions of the areas rivers and the Wilson is likely to remain a top bet. The best action is likely to take place downriver of Mills Bridge with a few fish scattered in the upper reaches accessible only by bank. The Nestucca is a close second with a few fish returning to Three Rivers as well.
Big minus tides were likely to offer up good sturgeon opportunities in Tillamook and Nehalem Bay but few anglers took advantage of them due to inclement weather. Cold air can have an especially chilling effect on exposed anglers in the estuary.
Overnight tides were favorable for holiday crab however and catches were good on Tillamook Bay. The best catches should be near the estuary entrance but rough ocean conditions will make for hazardous conditions for smaller craft. Make sure all of your safety equipment is up to date as this is the time of year when most fatalities take place.
Southwest – Another rough offshore weekend is forecast for the central and southern Oregon coast. When the ocean settles down, it holds the promise of excellent bottom fishing and decent crabbing.
Southwest Oregon got hit by rains rather than snow and as a consequence, many rivers swelled in height and flow. While most river levels are currently falling, a few continue to rise with the combination of rain and melting snow.
The Umpqua was flowing at over 15,000 cfs and approaching the 10 foot level at mid-week. While it was unfishable, it is expected to drop and fresh winter steelhead should be available through the mainstem and into the North Umpqua.
Coos River steelheaders picked up some fresh winters with the waters on the rise over the weekend. Fishing is expected to improve as the river levels drop after Christmas.
Rogue steelheaders who had been scoring a few bright winters even in low water last week, can shift out of stealth mode now that the water is no longer crystal clear. The river level is falling this week and it should fish well in the coming weekend.
As of Monday this week, the Elk was approaching the six foot level and exhibiting good color although no reports have come in. Chinook should still be available but the season typically winds down by this time of year.
The Chetco flow increased to nearly 10,000 cfs and 6.4 feet at Brookings overnight on December 21st. It has been dropping since and plunkers have scored fresh steelhead. The river was in good shape for fishing at mid-week. Be sure to avoid spawning salmon.
Eastern – Freezing weather has all fisheries shut down. Steelhead fishing in the John Day area was fair at best prior to the Arctic blast.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Oregon Fishing
Forecasting for the fishing week of October 24th – October 30th, 2008
Oregon Fisheries Update:
Willamette Valley/Metro- Although chinook season remains open below Bonneville Dam, effort has dropped off significantly as anglers begin to focus more effort at coastal stocks and Columbia River sturgeon. Hatchery coho are still being caught however as Troutdale boats reported 14 hatchery coho retained for 23 boats.
Coho adults and jacks are now making up the bulk of the count at Bonneville Dam. 2008 jack counts mirror those of 2000 which lead to a record return of coho adults to Bonneville Dam in 2001. Steelhead numbers have reduced to a trickle but the fishery above the John Day Dam should be getting underway soon. Trollers using plugs near the surface often intercept quality steelhead well into November.
Sturgeon anglers are still finding success in the Columbia River Gorge. Although shakers make up the bulk of the catch, 1 keeper for every 3.5 boats was tallied over the weekend while bank anglers took a keeper for every 10 rods. Anglers fishing the Willamette and Multnomah Channel are finding shakers but cooling temperatures should improve chances for keeper fish later in the fall.
Sandy River anglers are concentrated at Cedar Creek. Good numbers of coho are present but a weather change will bring fresh fish and stimulate the bite.
Anglers working the Clackamas are finding water clarity a challenge. The coho are very timid and may be more receptive to flies or jigs fished with fluorocarbon leaders in low light conditions. Adults are turning dark and the season will close on the Sandy and Clackamas on October 31st.
Northwest – Although Tillamook Bay remains a bright spot on the North Oregon coast, fishing remains poor for most. Spinners were taking a few fish in the upper bay but herring trollers working the ideal low exchange tides near the mouth fared poorly over the weekend. An absence of 4 and 5-year old fish are a clear indication of poor ocean production when these juveniles went to sea.
Despite the poor results, some large fish are being taken. Lee Garboden landed a 36-pounder in Tillamook Bay on October 20th on a plug cut herring. Several fish over 40 pounds have graced the scales.
The Nehalem is still choked with wild coho with only a rare chinook being taken. The Nestucca and Salmon Rivers remain poor and effort is dropping.
Only a few ocean fishers ventured offshore to take advantage of deep water reefs in recent weeks. They were rewarded with large lingcod however but weekend weather predictions will keep most boats inshore.
Crabbing on most coastal estuaries typically picks up this time of year. Netarts and Tillamook are producing fair catches although a large number of softshell crab seem to be in the mix. The lower Columbia River was producing limits prior to the weekend. A large Humboldt Squid die-off at the mouth of the river may have drawn interest away from sport crabbers baits.
Several razor clam diggers did well over the weekend along Clatsop Beaches. The next minus tide series will occur early next week.
Southwest – The Siuslaw had a nice showing of chinook on the recent tide series. Fair numbers of fish were taken from Tiernan to Mapleton by trollers and bobber fishermen. Coho are also making a nice show and like many other areas along the coast, anglers are mistaking large wild coho for chinook. Anglers are required to release wild coho on all coastal river systems.
Wild coho can be kept however on Siltcoos and Tahkenitch Lakes. The action is beginning to pick and should stay consistent into mid-November. Plugs and spinners take most of the fish and with good returns on other systems, this fishery may be a real draw for anglers this year.
Anglers are anxiously awaiting precipitation to get the Elk and Sixes River fisheries underway. Given the current state of adult returns to Oregon coastal systems, anglers should keep expectations in check knowing that better years are ahead.
Bottomfishers will be challenged by ocean weather for the remainder of the season. When boats can get out, fishing is good for seabass. Lingcod have been harder to entice.
The Rogue River fishery is quickly winding down but south coast anglers have been motivated to fish the Smith River south of the boarder for large chinook. Spoon casters working near the mouth have taken many fish in the 40-pound class.
Eastern – Eastern Oregon steelheaders are gearing up for a productive season. Numbers should be bountiful on the Grande Ronde, Wallowa and Imnaha Rivers with only a short window to fish before ice hampers success.
Bass fishermen working the John Day River are still producing great catches in the 12 to 14-inch range. Fishing for bass should remain good in the deeper holes but this river will transition into steelhead fishing over the next few weeks. Steelhead are present at Rock Creek but action at Clarno should begin to pick up by mid-November.
Oregon Fisheries Update:
Willamette Valley/Metro- Although chinook season remains open below Bonneville Dam, effort has dropped off significantly as anglers begin to focus more effort at coastal stocks and Columbia River sturgeon. Hatchery coho are still being caught however as Troutdale boats reported 14 hatchery coho retained for 23 boats.
Coho adults and jacks are now making up the bulk of the count at Bonneville Dam. 2008 jack counts mirror those of 2000 which lead to a record return of coho adults to Bonneville Dam in 2001. Steelhead numbers have reduced to a trickle but the fishery above the John Day Dam should be getting underway soon. Trollers using plugs near the surface often intercept quality steelhead well into November.
Sturgeon anglers are still finding success in the Columbia River Gorge. Although shakers make up the bulk of the catch, 1 keeper for every 3.5 boats was tallied over the weekend while bank anglers took a keeper for every 10 rods. Anglers fishing the Willamette and Multnomah Channel are finding shakers but cooling temperatures should improve chances for keeper fish later in the fall.
Sandy River anglers are concentrated at Cedar Creek. Good numbers of coho are present but a weather change will bring fresh fish and stimulate the bite.
Anglers working the Clackamas are finding water clarity a challenge. The coho are very timid and may be more receptive to flies or jigs fished with fluorocarbon leaders in low light conditions. Adults are turning dark and the season will close on the Sandy and Clackamas on October 31st.
Northwest – Although Tillamook Bay remains a bright spot on the North Oregon coast, fishing remains poor for most. Spinners were taking a few fish in the upper bay but herring trollers working the ideal low exchange tides near the mouth fared poorly over the weekend. An absence of 4 and 5-year old fish are a clear indication of poor ocean production when these juveniles went to sea.
Despite the poor results, some large fish are being taken. Lee Garboden landed a 36-pounder in Tillamook Bay on October 20th on a plug cut herring. Several fish over 40 pounds have graced the scales.
The Nehalem is still choked with wild coho with only a rare chinook being taken. The Nestucca and Salmon Rivers remain poor and effort is dropping.
Only a few ocean fishers ventured offshore to take advantage of deep water reefs in recent weeks. They were rewarded with large lingcod however but weekend weather predictions will keep most boats inshore.
Crabbing on most coastal estuaries typically picks up this time of year. Netarts and Tillamook are producing fair catches although a large number of softshell crab seem to be in the mix. The lower Columbia River was producing limits prior to the weekend. A large Humboldt Squid die-off at the mouth of the river may have drawn interest away from sport crabbers baits.
Several razor clam diggers did well over the weekend along Clatsop Beaches. The next minus tide series will occur early next week.
Southwest – The Siuslaw had a nice showing of chinook on the recent tide series. Fair numbers of fish were taken from Tiernan to Mapleton by trollers and bobber fishermen. Coho are also making a nice show and like many other areas along the coast, anglers are mistaking large wild coho for chinook. Anglers are required to release wild coho on all coastal river systems.
Wild coho can be kept however on Siltcoos and Tahkenitch Lakes. The action is beginning to pick and should stay consistent into mid-November. Plugs and spinners take most of the fish and with good returns on other systems, this fishery may be a real draw for anglers this year.
Anglers are anxiously awaiting precipitation to get the Elk and Sixes River fisheries underway. Given the current state of adult returns to Oregon coastal systems, anglers should keep expectations in check knowing that better years are ahead.
Bottomfishers will be challenged by ocean weather for the remainder of the season. When boats can get out, fishing is good for seabass. Lingcod have been harder to entice.
The Rogue River fishery is quickly winding down but south coast anglers have been motivated to fish the Smith River south of the boarder for large chinook. Spoon casters working near the mouth have taken many fish in the 40-pound class.
Eastern – Eastern Oregon steelheaders are gearing up for a productive season. Numbers should be bountiful on the Grande Ronde, Wallowa and Imnaha Rivers with only a short window to fish before ice hampers success.
Bass fishermen working the John Day River are still producing great catches in the 12 to 14-inch range. Fishing for bass should remain good in the deeper holes but this river will transition into steelhead fishing over the next few weeks. Steelhead are present at Rock Creek but action at Clarno should begin to pick up by mid-November.
Sunday, October 05, 2008
Oregon Fishing
Willamette Valley/Metro - Although salmon fishing is beginning to slow on the lower Columbia River, anglers fishing the gorge are still taking chinook at a rate of nearly 1 for every other boat. The action should hold up for just another few weeks but the quality of fish will begin to degrade.
Sturgeon anglers in the gorge continue to see sturgeon success climb with nearly a keeper per boat taken for boat anglers. Bank anglers are still taking keepers as well at a rate of 1 for every 6 rods.
Chinook and coho are crossing Willamette Falls by the hundreds every day. With a 34-day closure of the fish ladder, the actual totals will remain unknown. Sturgeon fishing is yielding few keepers.
Fishing has been fair to good on the North Santiam with good numbers of steelhead scattered from Mehema to Packsaddle Park. Bobber and jig will catch fish here.
Surfacing coho are frustrating Clackamas River anglers but upcoming rains should stimulate better action. Coho are being caught periodically on Eagle Creek when pods move through.
Coho fishing has been fair on the Sandy River with a significant number of jacks being taken. Action should be very good with precipitation. Use caution - There has been no update on the trees blocking the river above Dabney. Cedar Creek is busy with anglers.
Scheduled to be planted with hatchery trout are Henry Hagg Lake, Mt Hood College Pond, Timber Lake, Dexter Reservoir and Foster Reservoir.
Northwest – Large numbers of coho jacks are present in Young’s Bay near Astoria. Spinner casters working the tidewater areas are taking good numbers of fish. It looks much more promising for next years coho run.
Tillamook Bay anglers are struggling for results. With heavy concentrations of seaweed in the bay, anglers focused most of the week’s effort on a calm ocean but wild coho made up more of the catch than chinook.
Forecasted precipitation could clear the bay of vegetation but river levels are scheduled to rise making driftboating a good option. The Trask River will likely produce the best as the earliest returning fish are headed for this system. Some hatchery coho may also be available. Be sure to positively distinguish between large wild coho and chinook as multiple violations have recently been witnessed.
Also in need of clarification is the ocean crabbing season. Recently adopted to extend to October 15th beginning in 2009, crab pots have been spotted in the ocean this week. Violators will be cited until the ocean opens back up for crabbing on December 1st. Bay crabbing on many north coast estuaries, including Tillamook Bay, has picked up significantly in recent days.
The Nestucca and Salmon Rivers will continue to get chinook into October but catches are beginning to slow from the peak period. The Alsea and Siletz Rivers continue to disappoint.
Razor clam season re-opens along Clatsop Beaches on Wednesday with favorable tides for just the first 2 days. The next tide series will come at mid-month.
Southwest – The tides won't be a factor if wind and wave predictions are accurate; bar crossings into the ocean will likely be treacherous into the weekend.
Fall is an excellent time to pursue sea-run cutthroat trout. Most of the coastal rivers have runs and larger fish are taken through October.
Crabbing has been good out of Florence for big, hard Dungeness.
Bill Kremers (541-754-6411) reports, "Fished the Siuslaw yesterday by Florence. Chinook fishing is slow, but coho is better to good.
Pro guide Jeff Jackson (541-268-6944) reports, "Fishing on the Siuslaw has been fair. We're averaging 2-4 fish/day.
It's been spotty for chinook on the Coos River. A few chinook are falling daily for trolled, plug-cut herring in tidewater on the Coquille.
Winchester Bay has been fair to good for crabbing. Chinook and coho fishing has been worthwhile in tidewater on the Umpqua while smallmouth bass fishing continues to reward anglers upstream. Steelheading has slowed on the North Umpqua following wildfires.
Trollers in Rogue tidewater are catching chinook and coho. Crabbing has also been good. The Grants Pass stretch picked up for chinook over the weekend. Steelheading on the upper Rogue has been spotty.
The fall chinook ocean terminal fishery is open through Saturday, October 4th on the Chetco. Large salmon are taken every year during this brief opportunity.
When the ocean has laid down, boats out of Brookings have taken mostly limits of rockfish. Ling cod have been elusive but they are running large.
Diamond Lake fished well through the weekend with bait the top producer for trout to 20 inches.
Eastern – Steve Fleming (1-888-624-9424) reports the John Day's water is cooling off, and the bite is slow in the morning. but by 10 Am it gets going and is very good in the afternoon.
Pro guide Mac Huff (800-940-3688) reports from the Grande Ronde River that this is the year to catch steelhead (yes, plural) on a dry fly! As the second largest run on record enters the Snake River, steelhead are already occupying the Grande Ronde.
Trollers working the mouth of the Deschutes have been catching more salmon than steelhead lately. Spinners and plugs, especially in green have been producing results.
Fly anglers are doing well for trout on the lower Deschutes and have been surprised occasionally with steelhead hookups. Fishing for large browns on the middle Deschutes has been good as the spawn approaches. Anglers are also sight-fishing for big bull trout in the middle river.
Sturgeon anglers in the gorge continue to see sturgeon success climb with nearly a keeper per boat taken for boat anglers. Bank anglers are still taking keepers as well at a rate of 1 for every 6 rods.
Chinook and coho are crossing Willamette Falls by the hundreds every day. With a 34-day closure of the fish ladder, the actual totals will remain unknown. Sturgeon fishing is yielding few keepers.
Fishing has been fair to good on the North Santiam with good numbers of steelhead scattered from Mehema to Packsaddle Park. Bobber and jig will catch fish here.
Surfacing coho are frustrating Clackamas River anglers but upcoming rains should stimulate better action. Coho are being caught periodically on Eagle Creek when pods move through.
Coho fishing has been fair on the Sandy River with a significant number of jacks being taken. Action should be very good with precipitation. Use caution - There has been no update on the trees blocking the river above Dabney. Cedar Creek is busy with anglers.
Scheduled to be planted with hatchery trout are Henry Hagg Lake, Mt Hood College Pond, Timber Lake, Dexter Reservoir and Foster Reservoir.
Northwest – Large numbers of coho jacks are present in Young’s Bay near Astoria. Spinner casters working the tidewater areas are taking good numbers of fish. It looks much more promising for next years coho run.
Tillamook Bay anglers are struggling for results. With heavy concentrations of seaweed in the bay, anglers focused most of the week’s effort on a calm ocean but wild coho made up more of the catch than chinook.
Forecasted precipitation could clear the bay of vegetation but river levels are scheduled to rise making driftboating a good option. The Trask River will likely produce the best as the earliest returning fish are headed for this system. Some hatchery coho may also be available. Be sure to positively distinguish between large wild coho and chinook as multiple violations have recently been witnessed.
Also in need of clarification is the ocean crabbing season. Recently adopted to extend to October 15th beginning in 2009, crab pots have been spotted in the ocean this week. Violators will be cited until the ocean opens back up for crabbing on December 1st. Bay crabbing on many north coast estuaries, including Tillamook Bay, has picked up significantly in recent days.
The Nestucca and Salmon Rivers will continue to get chinook into October but catches are beginning to slow from the peak period. The Alsea and Siletz Rivers continue to disappoint.
Razor clam season re-opens along Clatsop Beaches on Wednesday with favorable tides for just the first 2 days. The next tide series will come at mid-month.
Southwest – The tides won't be a factor if wind and wave predictions are accurate; bar crossings into the ocean will likely be treacherous into the weekend.
Fall is an excellent time to pursue sea-run cutthroat trout. Most of the coastal rivers have runs and larger fish are taken through October.
Crabbing has been good out of Florence for big, hard Dungeness.
Bill Kremers (541-754-6411) reports, "Fished the Siuslaw yesterday by Florence. Chinook fishing is slow, but coho is better to good.
Pro guide Jeff Jackson (541-268-6944) reports, "Fishing on the Siuslaw has been fair. We're averaging 2-4 fish/day.
It's been spotty for chinook on the Coos River. A few chinook are falling daily for trolled, plug-cut herring in tidewater on the Coquille.
Winchester Bay has been fair to good for crabbing. Chinook and coho fishing has been worthwhile in tidewater on the Umpqua while smallmouth bass fishing continues to reward anglers upstream. Steelheading has slowed on the North Umpqua following wildfires.
Trollers in Rogue tidewater are catching chinook and coho. Crabbing has also been good. The Grants Pass stretch picked up for chinook over the weekend. Steelheading on the upper Rogue has been spotty.
The fall chinook ocean terminal fishery is open through Saturday, October 4th on the Chetco. Large salmon are taken every year during this brief opportunity.
When the ocean has laid down, boats out of Brookings have taken mostly limits of rockfish. Ling cod have been elusive but they are running large.
Diamond Lake fished well through the weekend with bait the top producer for trout to 20 inches.
Eastern – Steve Fleming (1-888-624-9424) reports the John Day's water is cooling off, and the bite is slow in the morning. but by 10 Am it gets going and is very good in the afternoon.
Pro guide Mac Huff (800-940-3688) reports from the Grande Ronde River that this is the year to catch steelhead (yes, plural) on a dry fly! As the second largest run on record enters the Snake River, steelhead are already occupying the Grande Ronde.
Trollers working the mouth of the Deschutes have been catching more salmon than steelhead lately. Spinners and plugs, especially in green have been producing results.
Fly anglers are doing well for trout on the lower Deschutes and have been surprised occasionally with steelhead hookups. Fishing for large browns on the middle Deschutes has been good as the spawn approaches. Anglers are also sight-fishing for big bull trout in the middle river.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Oregon Fishing
Willamette Valley/Metro- Effective today, fishery managers adopted a 2-fish bag limit for chinook on the mainstem Columbia River from Warrior Rock to Bonneville Dam. Anglers fishing near Bonneville Dam have averaged a chinook per boat and success rates will likely continue to climb as temperatures begin to drop and more resident fish begin to congregate below the dam.
Sturgeon fishing is also picking up in the area with boat and bank anglers tallying good results. Quality keepers begin to also congregate near the dam with October a peak month for sportanglers.
The fish ladder at Willamette Falls remains closed for construction. Trollers have managed a few coho hookups around Meldrum Bar. Sturgeon fishing remains slow although a few keepers have been boated.
While the McKenzie River has risen a little, it continues to fish very well with caddis patterns.
The North Santiam is high but it is producing some steelhead. There's a chance for a hookup anywhere between Mehema and Packsaddle Park.
Clackamas anglers are catching a few coho but it has been slow.
Hundreds of coho can be seen on the main river but they're rarely hitting anything. Coho have entered Cedar Creek and are being caught below the hatchery. Fishing at the rivers mouth is also slow, despite high numbers of visible jumpers.
Henry Hagg Lake is scheduled to be planted with 8,000 legal-sized trout this week.
Northwest – Most anglers will begin focusing on the north coast, particularly Tillamook Bay as it offers the best chance at large fall chinook well into November. Action has recently slowed with a poor tide series but flurries of activity can be had near the estuary entrance and in the bubble fishery just outside of the jaws. Coho are still making up a good portion of the catch but many of those fish are wild and must be released. Improving tides should produce better results for upper bay spinner trollers by the weekend.
A mid-week weather system is predicted to rise river levels only slightly. Coho and a few chinook may take advantage of the rain freshet but much more precipitation is needed to justify the launching of driftboats.
Only a few chinook are being taken amongst the coho in Nehalem Bay. Action has been best around Wheeler but most anglers are frustrated with their results.
The Nestucca and Salmon Rivers do have fish present but numbers are down so persistence is necessary. Crabbing is a good alternative.
The Siletz and Alsea estuaries have not been productive so far. It’s still too early to call these systems a bust but it’s pretty clear that these runs have suffered for a second year in a row.
Tuna chasers are still in pursuit but last week, action was best out of Astoria where live bait produced good results for many ocean fishers. The weekend may offer another chance at offshore schools but the weather is likely to be more inconsistent into October.
Southwest – The weekend offshore forecast predicts improving conditions and moderating winds.
Trolling for chinook in the Umpqua estuary has been rewarding with some larger fish being hooked recently. Crabbing is good in Winchester Bay. Albacore have been taken this week at 60 to 70 miles offshore.
Boats launching out of Coos Bay did well for offshore rockfish with most getting limits but ling cod were hard to come by. The salmon derby will be held on Saturday, September 27th. Fishing in the river has been slow.
Bandon halibut fishers did well for large fish during the (perhaps) last all-depth opener over the past weekend.
Trollers in Rogue estuary have seen steady action for chinook with the occasional large coho showing in catches. Fishing upriver slowed dramatically over the weekend for steelhead and half-pounders while the Grants Pass stretch heated up for chinook. Sea-run cutthroat trout and half pounder fishing has been good in the Wild and Scenic section.
Most of the boats launching out of Brookings have been returning with six-fish limits of bottom fish and catches of ling cod are improving.
The Seventh Annual Salmon Derby at the Chetco terminal fishery will take place on October 1st through 4th.
Diamond Lake continues to fish well for rainbows to 16 inches with the occasional 18-incher being landed.
'Trophy-sized' rainbows are scheduled to be planted at Lost Creek Reservoir, Oak Springs, Willow Lake, Applegate Reservoir, Cole Rivers and Fish Lake. 'Trophy' trout measure 16 inches or better.
Eastern – Over 100 Chinook and more than 300 hatchery steelhead were counted at Sherars Falls last week although fishing was slow over the weekend for both steelhead and trout anglers. Anglers are taking some nice brown trout on the middle river. The upper Deschutes which is fishing well for large brook trout now, will close between Little Lava Lake and Crane Prairie at the end of September.
Sturgeon fishing is also picking up in the area with boat and bank anglers tallying good results. Quality keepers begin to also congregate near the dam with October a peak month for sportanglers.
The fish ladder at Willamette Falls remains closed for construction. Trollers have managed a few coho hookups around Meldrum Bar. Sturgeon fishing remains slow although a few keepers have been boated.
While the McKenzie River has risen a little, it continues to fish very well with caddis patterns.
The North Santiam is high but it is producing some steelhead. There's a chance for a hookup anywhere between Mehema and Packsaddle Park.
Clackamas anglers are catching a few coho but it has been slow.
Hundreds of coho can be seen on the main river but they're rarely hitting anything. Coho have entered Cedar Creek and are being caught below the hatchery. Fishing at the rivers mouth is also slow, despite high numbers of visible jumpers.
Henry Hagg Lake is scheduled to be planted with 8,000 legal-sized trout this week.
Northwest – Most anglers will begin focusing on the north coast, particularly Tillamook Bay as it offers the best chance at large fall chinook well into November. Action has recently slowed with a poor tide series but flurries of activity can be had near the estuary entrance and in the bubble fishery just outside of the jaws. Coho are still making up a good portion of the catch but many of those fish are wild and must be released. Improving tides should produce better results for upper bay spinner trollers by the weekend.
A mid-week weather system is predicted to rise river levels only slightly. Coho and a few chinook may take advantage of the rain freshet but much more precipitation is needed to justify the launching of driftboats.
Only a few chinook are being taken amongst the coho in Nehalem Bay. Action has been best around Wheeler but most anglers are frustrated with their results.
The Nestucca and Salmon Rivers do have fish present but numbers are down so persistence is necessary. Crabbing is a good alternative.
The Siletz and Alsea estuaries have not been productive so far. It’s still too early to call these systems a bust but it’s pretty clear that these runs have suffered for a second year in a row.
Tuna chasers are still in pursuit but last week, action was best out of Astoria where live bait produced good results for many ocean fishers. The weekend may offer another chance at offshore schools but the weather is likely to be more inconsistent into October.
Southwest – The weekend offshore forecast predicts improving conditions and moderating winds.
Trolling for chinook in the Umpqua estuary has been rewarding with some larger fish being hooked recently. Crabbing is good in Winchester Bay. Albacore have been taken this week at 60 to 70 miles offshore.
Boats launching out of Coos Bay did well for offshore rockfish with most getting limits but ling cod were hard to come by. The salmon derby will be held on Saturday, September 27th. Fishing in the river has been slow.
Bandon halibut fishers did well for large fish during the (perhaps) last all-depth opener over the past weekend.
Trollers in Rogue estuary have seen steady action for chinook with the occasional large coho showing in catches. Fishing upriver slowed dramatically over the weekend for steelhead and half-pounders while the Grants Pass stretch heated up for chinook. Sea-run cutthroat trout and half pounder fishing has been good in the Wild and Scenic section.
Most of the boats launching out of Brookings have been returning with six-fish limits of bottom fish and catches of ling cod are improving.
The Seventh Annual Salmon Derby at the Chetco terminal fishery will take place on October 1st through 4th.
Diamond Lake continues to fish well for rainbows to 16 inches with the occasional 18-incher being landed.
'Trophy-sized' rainbows are scheduled to be planted at Lost Creek Reservoir, Oak Springs, Willow Lake, Applegate Reservoir, Cole Rivers and Fish Lake. 'Trophy' trout measure 16 inches or better.
Eastern – Over 100 Chinook and more than 300 hatchery steelhead were counted at Sherars Falls last week although fishing was slow over the weekend for both steelhead and trout anglers. Anglers are taking some nice brown trout on the middle river. The upper Deschutes which is fishing well for large brook trout now, will close between Little Lava Lake and Crane Prairie at the end of September.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Oregon Fishing
Willamette Valley/Metro- The mainstem recreational sportfishery is now closed from Bonneville Dam to Buoy 10. Anglers fishing in the Tongue Point to Bonneville fishery harvested an estimated 9,100 chinook even though catch rates were not as good as many had predicted. The Columbia River remains open for salmon and steelhead from Bonneville Dam upstream until the end of the year or the catch guideline is met.
Willamette sturgeon fishing remains slow but Bonneville bank anglers continue to witness improving catches. Smelt is a top bait this time of year and catches should continue to improve into October.
The McKenzie is producing good catches of trout and providing fair to good steelheading below Leaburg Dam. Trout fishing is excellent above the dam as well.
The North Santiam will remain high for the rest of the month. Steelheading is fair with the water temperature optimum.
With the season winding gown, anglers are picking up a few bright steelhead on the Clackamas from McIver Park To Barton Park. Coho on the lower river has been spotty but has provided some productive days. Fishery managers increased the daily bag limit to 3 fin-clipped coho per day on the Clackamas and Sandy Rivers as well as Eagle Creek due to higher than average returns to these systems.
Rain is needed to turn on coho fishing on the Sandy but a few fish are coming from the mouth where small spinners are responsible for the limited catches.
Pro guide Brandon Glass (503-260-8285) reports that he’s caught a couple of coho trolling small spinners at the mouth if the Sandy.
Mt. Hood College Pond, North Fork Reservoir, Small Fry Lake and Timber Lake are scheduled to be planted with trout.
Northwest – Coastal fall chinook fishing is underway on most coastal estuaries. Tillamook Bay offers the most consistent opportunity into December and catches in the upper bay were productive for spinner trollers on Saturday. Seaweed is prominent in the bay making spinner trolling the more feasible technique as anglers can whip weed from their lines and keep their gear fishing. High tide exchanges through the weekend should offer up ample opportunity for anglers.
Nehalem anglers are finding some chinook but coho catches have been pretty impressive. The bulk of the coho are wild but the hatchery keepers have been running exceptionally large this year. Ocean water is cold, in the mid to high 40 degree range making ocean and lower bay fishing challenging. The fish are responding better in the warmer waters of the upper reaches of the estuary.
The Nestucca and Salmon River chinook fisheries are peaking in the tidewater sections and effort is increasing on both systems. Bobber and bait or trolled spinners will take chinook. Tides play a critical role in the success of these fisheries.
The Columbia River near Astoria is closed to all fishing but catch and release of sturgeon using fresh jigged anchovies for bait is excellent near Tongue Point.
The Necanicum River tidewater should have some chinook available but a strong rain is what most anglers hope for in this river system. Sea-run cutthroat trout remains a viable catch and release option but anglers can lobby the ODF&W commission on Friday in Forest Grove to support a regulation change for a limited consumptive fishery on the north coast. Details are available on the ODF&W website.
Pro guide Jeff Jackson (541-268-6944) reports that fishing is picking up on the Siuslaw and fish are being caught every day.
In the last scheduled stocking of the year, Cape Meares Lake, Coffenbury Lake, Lost Lake (Clatsop County), Sunset Lake, Town Lake and Foster Reservoir will receive hatchery trout.
Southwest – Halibut fishing was spotty over the weekend with Saturday too rough to allow most boats to cross and Sunday producing mixed results. Likely the last opener of the year is scheduled for this weekend (September 20 and 21) with a 2-fish bag limit per angler. Tuna fishing was good over the past weekend and while waters are cooling off the central Oregon coast, there will likely be at least one more week of opportunity.
The ODFW Commission is considering proposals to either allow recreational ocean crabbing year 'round or to extend it to mid October rather than closing it in August.
Trollers are doing well for coho salmon in tidewater on the Umpqua but not so well for chinook. Fishing has been most productive between Reedsport and Gardner. Crabbing has been good in Winchester Bay.
Coos Bay and the lower river are producing mostly jacks with the occasional adult showing in catches. Coquille anglers are seeing a higher percentage of larger chinook.
The Rogue estuary is fishing well daily but the season is nearly over at this time of year. Trollers using herring or anchovy are taking a mix of large adults and jacks in crowded conditions. Boaters crossing into the ocean have done well for lingcod.
Diamond Lake has continued to fish well for trout to 20 inches. Early mornings have been most productive.
Pro guide Rick Arnold (541-480-1570) reports that Lake Billy Chinook is fishing well for bull trout. He has taken fish from 12 to 22 inches and one nearly 24.
Paulina is producing limits of foot-long-or-better bright kokanee despite the need to sort out fish which are starting to color up as spawning season approaches.
Central and Eastern Oregon – Pro guide Steve Fleming (1-888-624-9424) reports that the John Day River has continued to offer excellent smallmouth bass fishing as the weather and water cools.
Fishing has slowed at Green Peter with the lower water level.
Eastern – Numbers of steelhead in the Trap at Sherars Falls has been picking up as have catches on the lower Deschutes. Fishing has been best from Mack's Canyon to the mouth. Results for redsides have been fair to good depending on hatch activity.
Willamette sturgeon fishing remains slow but Bonneville bank anglers continue to witness improving catches. Smelt is a top bait this time of year and catches should continue to improve into October.
The McKenzie is producing good catches of trout and providing fair to good steelheading below Leaburg Dam. Trout fishing is excellent above the dam as well.
The North Santiam will remain high for the rest of the month. Steelheading is fair with the water temperature optimum.
With the season winding gown, anglers are picking up a few bright steelhead on the Clackamas from McIver Park To Barton Park. Coho on the lower river has been spotty but has provided some productive days. Fishery managers increased the daily bag limit to 3 fin-clipped coho per day on the Clackamas and Sandy Rivers as well as Eagle Creek due to higher than average returns to these systems.
Rain is needed to turn on coho fishing on the Sandy but a few fish are coming from the mouth where small spinners are responsible for the limited catches.
Pro guide Brandon Glass (503-260-8285) reports that he’s caught a couple of coho trolling small spinners at the mouth if the Sandy.
Mt. Hood College Pond, North Fork Reservoir, Small Fry Lake and Timber Lake are scheduled to be planted with trout.
Northwest – Coastal fall chinook fishing is underway on most coastal estuaries. Tillamook Bay offers the most consistent opportunity into December and catches in the upper bay were productive for spinner trollers on Saturday. Seaweed is prominent in the bay making spinner trolling the more feasible technique as anglers can whip weed from their lines and keep their gear fishing. High tide exchanges through the weekend should offer up ample opportunity for anglers.
Nehalem anglers are finding some chinook but coho catches have been pretty impressive. The bulk of the coho are wild but the hatchery keepers have been running exceptionally large this year. Ocean water is cold, in the mid to high 40 degree range making ocean and lower bay fishing challenging. The fish are responding better in the warmer waters of the upper reaches of the estuary.
The Nestucca and Salmon River chinook fisheries are peaking in the tidewater sections and effort is increasing on both systems. Bobber and bait or trolled spinners will take chinook. Tides play a critical role in the success of these fisheries.
The Columbia River near Astoria is closed to all fishing but catch and release of sturgeon using fresh jigged anchovies for bait is excellent near Tongue Point.
The Necanicum River tidewater should have some chinook available but a strong rain is what most anglers hope for in this river system. Sea-run cutthroat trout remains a viable catch and release option but anglers can lobby the ODF&W commission on Friday in Forest Grove to support a regulation change for a limited consumptive fishery on the north coast. Details are available on the ODF&W website.
Pro guide Jeff Jackson (541-268-6944) reports that fishing is picking up on the Siuslaw and fish are being caught every day.
In the last scheduled stocking of the year, Cape Meares Lake, Coffenbury Lake, Lost Lake (Clatsop County), Sunset Lake, Town Lake and Foster Reservoir will receive hatchery trout.
Southwest – Halibut fishing was spotty over the weekend with Saturday too rough to allow most boats to cross and Sunday producing mixed results. Likely the last opener of the year is scheduled for this weekend (September 20 and 21) with a 2-fish bag limit per angler. Tuna fishing was good over the past weekend and while waters are cooling off the central Oregon coast, there will likely be at least one more week of opportunity.
The ODFW Commission is considering proposals to either allow recreational ocean crabbing year 'round or to extend it to mid October rather than closing it in August.
Trollers are doing well for coho salmon in tidewater on the Umpqua but not so well for chinook. Fishing has been most productive between Reedsport and Gardner. Crabbing has been good in Winchester Bay.
Coos Bay and the lower river are producing mostly jacks with the occasional adult showing in catches. Coquille anglers are seeing a higher percentage of larger chinook.
The Rogue estuary is fishing well daily but the season is nearly over at this time of year. Trollers using herring or anchovy are taking a mix of large adults and jacks in crowded conditions. Boaters crossing into the ocean have done well for lingcod.
Diamond Lake has continued to fish well for trout to 20 inches. Early mornings have been most productive.
Pro guide Rick Arnold (541-480-1570) reports that Lake Billy Chinook is fishing well for bull trout. He has taken fish from 12 to 22 inches and one nearly 24.
Paulina is producing limits of foot-long-or-better bright kokanee despite the need to sort out fish which are starting to color up as spawning season approaches.
Central and Eastern Oregon – Pro guide Steve Fleming (1-888-624-9424) reports that the John Day River has continued to offer excellent smallmouth bass fishing as the weather and water cools.
Fishing has slowed at Green Peter with the lower water level.
Eastern – Numbers of steelhead in the Trap at Sherars Falls has been picking up as have catches on the lower Deschutes. Fishing has been best from Mack's Canyon to the mouth. Results for redsides have been fair to good depending on hatch activity.
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Oregon fishing report
Willamette Valley/Metro- High flows and high fuel prices have curbed fishing effort in metro area fisheries. Oversized sturgeon success is improving with few anglers in pursuit. Fresh shad to use as sturgeon bait has been hard to come by. Adult returns are a fraction of previous years; an indicator that all ocean dependent species suffered from poor conditions when first entering the sea.
As the flow gradually drops at Willamette Falls, the water temperature is rising. Closure of the entire Willamette for spring chinook leaves steelhead and sturgeon as the only options. Sturgeon fishing has been slow but steelheading has been fair on the middle Willamette with water conditions and color good.
Fly fishers experienced slow but steady action on the McKenzie River over the past weekend. Mayflies are currently the hatch of interest here. Steelhead numbers are improving in the lower river.
Clackamas anglers are taking a few summer steelhead with water conditions high but color improving. Only 20 summers had entered the trap at the hatchery by the end of May.
The high waters of the Sandy are fishable and have produced a few springers.
Trout fishing has been worthwhile in the high waters of the North Santiam above Detroit.
Extensive trout planting for Free Fishing Weekend will include Benson Lake, Faraday Lake, Harriet Lake, Hartman Pond, Henry Hagg Lake, Huddelston Pond, North Fork Reservoir, Silver Creek Reservoir, Small Fry Lake, Timothy Meadows Reservoir, Alton Baker Canal, Blue River above Reservoir, Blue River Reservoir, Breitenbush River, Carmen Reservoir, Detroit Reservoir, E. E. Wilson Pond, Fall Creek, Foster Reservoir, Hills Creek, Junction City Pond, Leaburg Lake, McKenzie River above Leaburg Lake, Quartsville Creek, Roaring River Park Pond, Salmon Creek, Salt Creek, North Fork Santiam River above Detroit Reservoir, Sunnyside Park Pond, Trail Bridge Reservoir, Walling Pond, Walter Wirth Lake and the Middle Fork Willamette River above Hills Creek Reservoir.
Northwest – Tillamook Bay spring chinook anglers experienced great success in the lower bay late last week. Last Wednesday and Thursday, Rich and Doug Slusher from Larkspur, California took four springers in 2 days trolling herring with three of the fish over 20 pounds. This weekend, early morning minus tides will offer up the best opportunity in the upper bay with spinners or tidewater holes with bobber and bait.
Pro guide John Kirby reported a 27 pounder taken at the Oyster House this week on a trolled herring.
Lower Columbia River sturgeon fishing has been challenging with cold water keeping most fish off the bite. Fish seem to be present but baitfish have yet to enter the river so fish seem unresponsive to most offerings. Both Hammond and the Tongue Point fisheries are equally slow.
The North of Falcon ocean chinook opener is underway with friendly seas greeting anglers on June 1st and 2nd. Few fish were taken but they were in the 15 to 25 pound class. Spoons produce the bulk of the catch from Tillamook Head to Gearhart.
The all-depth halibut season north of Cape Falcon closed on June 1st with high success rates although most halibut retained were under 20 pounds.
The forecasted ocean swell coupled with a wind chop will make weekend ocean fishing for salmon, halibut or bottomfish less than appealing.
Pro guide Bill Kremers (541-754-6411) reports halibut scattered over the last all-depth opener out of Newport but that good catches were possible.
Big Creek Reservoir, Big Creek Reservoir, Cape Meares Lake, Cleawox Lake, Coffenbury Lake, Hebo Lake, Olalla Creek Reservoir, Thissel Pond and Town Lake are scheduled to be stocked with hatchery trout.
Southwest – All-depth halibut fishing was slow to fair out of Winchester Bay over the past weekend but with friendly seas, persistent anglers returned to port mid-day with limits. Boats fishing inside the 40-fathom line took some large lingcod. Shad have not yet entered the Umpqua in fishable numbers.
Beaches continue to deliver surfperch limits and as spawning approaches, red tails are beginning to enter bays and estuaries.
Decent minus tides will continue late mornings through the weekend, allowing clam diggers additional opportunities on beaches and in bays.
Sportfishing effort, even when conditions were perfect recently, has been very light in the Brookings area. High fuel prices are being blamed. A short hop just outside the harbor has been delivering limits of rockfish and lingcod. Chetco anglers are experiencing good fishing for cutthroat, particularly in tidewater where bait is allowed.
The ocean coho salmon season opens June 22nd for a bag limit of two finclipped fish per day. Release any chinook inadvertently landed.
Springer fishing has been slow to fair on the lower Rogue, best at the Hatchery Hole. Fishing has been very slow for chinook and steelhead on the upper Rogue.
Diamond Lake has continued to fish well for trout averaging 12 to 15 inches. As of June 1st, it is totally ice-free
Scheduled to be planted with trout are Upper and Lower Empire Lake, Eel Lake, North and South Tenmile Lake, Hyatt Reservoir, Section 5 of the Rogue River, Lost Creek Reservoir, Medco Pond, Lake Selmac, Expo Pond, Clearwater, Cooper Creek Reservoir, Galesville Reservoir, Hemlock Lake, Herbert's Pond, Lake in the Woods, Lemolo Reservoir, Loon Lake, Marie Lake and Plat I Reservoir.
Eastern – Anglers on the lower Deschutes are encountering high, roiled water, although the color is improving and trout are looking up at stoneflies now.
Many Central Oregon lakes are beginning to free of ice. Paulina and East Lakes put out some large brown trout last week and Paulina is beginning to improve for kokanee although the fish are smaller than usual. Five-year old A.J. Frazee holds the current season’s best rainbow trout from Twin Lakes, tipping the scales at 5 pounds, 10 ounces. Lake fishing in this region will begin to peak as the weather warms into late June.
Pro guide Rick Arnold (541-480-1570) reports Paulina and East lakes finally iced-out and both went off with some bigger browns. And that East Lake has produced dome very large brown trout.
Pro guide Steve Fleming (1-888-624-9424) reports a tough week, on the John Day in high water but that conditions should improve by the coming weekend.
As the flow gradually drops at Willamette Falls, the water temperature is rising. Closure of the entire Willamette for spring chinook leaves steelhead and sturgeon as the only options. Sturgeon fishing has been slow but steelheading has been fair on the middle Willamette with water conditions and color good.
Fly fishers experienced slow but steady action on the McKenzie River over the past weekend. Mayflies are currently the hatch of interest here. Steelhead numbers are improving in the lower river.
Clackamas anglers are taking a few summer steelhead with water conditions high but color improving. Only 20 summers had entered the trap at the hatchery by the end of May.
The high waters of the Sandy are fishable and have produced a few springers.
Trout fishing has been worthwhile in the high waters of the North Santiam above Detroit.
Extensive trout planting for Free Fishing Weekend will include Benson Lake, Faraday Lake, Harriet Lake, Hartman Pond, Henry Hagg Lake, Huddelston Pond, North Fork Reservoir, Silver Creek Reservoir, Small Fry Lake, Timothy Meadows Reservoir, Alton Baker Canal, Blue River above Reservoir, Blue River Reservoir, Breitenbush River, Carmen Reservoir, Detroit Reservoir, E. E. Wilson Pond, Fall Creek, Foster Reservoir, Hills Creek, Junction City Pond, Leaburg Lake, McKenzie River above Leaburg Lake, Quartsville Creek, Roaring River Park Pond, Salmon Creek, Salt Creek, North Fork Santiam River above Detroit Reservoir, Sunnyside Park Pond, Trail Bridge Reservoir, Walling Pond, Walter Wirth Lake and the Middle Fork Willamette River above Hills Creek Reservoir.
Northwest – Tillamook Bay spring chinook anglers experienced great success in the lower bay late last week. Last Wednesday and Thursday, Rich and Doug Slusher from Larkspur, California took four springers in 2 days trolling herring with three of the fish over 20 pounds. This weekend, early morning minus tides will offer up the best opportunity in the upper bay with spinners or tidewater holes with bobber and bait.
Pro guide John Kirby reported a 27 pounder taken at the Oyster House this week on a trolled herring.
Lower Columbia River sturgeon fishing has been challenging with cold water keeping most fish off the bite. Fish seem to be present but baitfish have yet to enter the river so fish seem unresponsive to most offerings. Both Hammond and the Tongue Point fisheries are equally slow.
The North of Falcon ocean chinook opener is underway with friendly seas greeting anglers on June 1st and 2nd. Few fish were taken but they were in the 15 to 25 pound class. Spoons produce the bulk of the catch from Tillamook Head to Gearhart.
The all-depth halibut season north of Cape Falcon closed on June 1st with high success rates although most halibut retained were under 20 pounds.
The forecasted ocean swell coupled with a wind chop will make weekend ocean fishing for salmon, halibut or bottomfish less than appealing.
Pro guide Bill Kremers (541-754-6411) reports halibut scattered over the last all-depth opener out of Newport but that good catches were possible.
Big Creek Reservoir, Big Creek Reservoir, Cape Meares Lake, Cleawox Lake, Coffenbury Lake, Hebo Lake, Olalla Creek Reservoir, Thissel Pond and Town Lake are scheduled to be stocked with hatchery trout.
Southwest – All-depth halibut fishing was slow to fair out of Winchester Bay over the past weekend but with friendly seas, persistent anglers returned to port mid-day with limits. Boats fishing inside the 40-fathom line took some large lingcod. Shad have not yet entered the Umpqua in fishable numbers.
Beaches continue to deliver surfperch limits and as spawning approaches, red tails are beginning to enter bays and estuaries.
Decent minus tides will continue late mornings through the weekend, allowing clam diggers additional opportunities on beaches and in bays.
Sportfishing effort, even when conditions were perfect recently, has been very light in the Brookings area. High fuel prices are being blamed. A short hop just outside the harbor has been delivering limits of rockfish and lingcod. Chetco anglers are experiencing good fishing for cutthroat, particularly in tidewater where bait is allowed.
The ocean coho salmon season opens June 22nd for a bag limit of two finclipped fish per day. Release any chinook inadvertently landed.
Springer fishing has been slow to fair on the lower Rogue, best at the Hatchery Hole. Fishing has been very slow for chinook and steelhead on the upper Rogue.
Diamond Lake has continued to fish well for trout averaging 12 to 15 inches. As of June 1st, it is totally ice-free
Scheduled to be planted with trout are Upper and Lower Empire Lake, Eel Lake, North and South Tenmile Lake, Hyatt Reservoir, Section 5 of the Rogue River, Lost Creek Reservoir, Medco Pond, Lake Selmac, Expo Pond, Clearwater, Cooper Creek Reservoir, Galesville Reservoir, Hemlock Lake, Herbert's Pond, Lake in the Woods, Lemolo Reservoir, Loon Lake, Marie Lake and Plat I Reservoir.
Eastern – Anglers on the lower Deschutes are encountering high, roiled water, although the color is improving and trout are looking up at stoneflies now.
Many Central Oregon lakes are beginning to free of ice. Paulina and East Lakes put out some large brown trout last week and Paulina is beginning to improve for kokanee although the fish are smaller than usual. Five-year old A.J. Frazee holds the current season’s best rainbow trout from Twin Lakes, tipping the scales at 5 pounds, 10 ounces. Lake fishing in this region will begin to peak as the weather warms into late June.
Pro guide Rick Arnold (541-480-1570) reports Paulina and East lakes finally iced-out and both went off with some bigger browns. And that East Lake has produced dome very large brown trout.
Pro guide Steve Fleming (1-888-624-9424) reports a tough week, on the John Day in high water but that conditions should improve by the coming weekend.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Oregon fishing update
Willamette Valley/Metro - Salmon migration at Bonneville Dam is at its peak; an awesome sight to witness whether you recreationally fish or not. Despite good numbers of fish passing Bonneville Dam, mainstem sportfishing remains closed downstream and only open through Saturday upstream to McNary Dam. Bank and boat anglers are catching some salmon near the John Day Dam.
The most productive section of the Columbia River, near Bonneville Dam, closed to sturgeon fishing on May 1st. There are a few keepers being taken from the Portland to Longview stretch.
The ideal temperature for spring chinook success is considered to be 52 degrees. It hit 53 at Willamette Falls on May 5th. It's extremely late, but if springers are coming, it'll happen now. Catch rates of springers and steelhead in the lower Willamette and the Multnomah Channel have improved recently. Sturgeon fishing has remained worthwhile around St. Johns.
Fishing for summer steelhead is gradually improving on the North Santiam. With better weather, warmer water and fish crossing at Willamette Falls, it will continue to pick up in weeks to come.
Although the water temperature is rising on the McKenzie, hatches have not been sufficient to trigger rising fish. It will improve as temperatures rise.
Fishing is slow on the Clackamas but a few summers have been taken and a couple of spring chinook were been landed over the past week.
Wild steelhead, summers and the rare spring chinook have been hooked on the Sandy over the past week.
Youth angling events are being held at Junction City Pond and Sunnyside Park south of Portland on Saturday beginning at 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. respectively.
Scheduled for trout planting are Benson Lake, Hartman Pond, Henry Hagg Lake, Sheridan Pond, West Salish Pond, Alton Baker Canal, Carmen Reservoir, Clear Lake, Detroit Reservoir, Dexter Reservoir, E. E. Wilson Pond, Fall Creek, Foster Reservoir, Freeway Lake East, Green Peter Reservoir, Junction City Pond, Leaburg Lake, McKenzie River above Leaburg Lake, Salmon Creek, Sunnyside Park Pond, Walling Pond, Walter Wirth Lake and the Willamette River Middle Fork above Hills Cr Reservoir.
Northwest – Beginning on May 10th, retention for sturgeon from the Wauna Powerlines to Buoy 10 reopens for keepers in the 45 to 60 inch range. Catch rates may be slow to start given the cold water conditions and high flows from dam spills.
There has been a confirmed spring chinook from the Tillamook district but the current minus tide series should benefit the estuary fishery in the upper reaches this weekend. Sturgeon may also be an option although success for these fish has dropped off since winter.
River flows continue to drop on north coast streams with effort light. Dark winter steelhead are making up the bulk of the catch but spring chinook are sure to arrive soon.
The extended ocean forecast may allow for fishable conditions for those in pursuit of rockfish over the weekend. The ocean will be the best chance for keeper crab.
Pro guide Bill Kremers (541-754-6411) reports taking limits of gaper clams recently then jigging a decent number of herring for the first time this year.
From Cape Falcon near Manzanita to Humbug Mountain, the season’s first all-depth halibut fishery opens today. It is the first of several 3-day seasons that will run this year and catches are likely to be good out of Newport, Depoe Bay and Garibaldi.
Carter Lake, Cleawox Lake, Munsel Lake and Sutton Lake are scheduled to be planted with hatchery trout.
Southwest – Spring Chinook fishing has been slow on the Umpqua but anglers are hopeful that more fish are on their way. Fewer than 20 springers have been counted at Winchester Dam.
Steelheading improved on the upper Rogue with the water warming. Over 7,800 winter steelhead and a handful of springers have crossed at Gold Ray Dam.
Bottom fishing out of Gold Beach and Brookings has continued to deliver limits consisting of several colorful species of rockfish. Catches of ling cod have continued to be good as well. Forecasts look favorable for safe bar crossings this weekend, but conditions can change quickly. Be sure to check local wind and wave before making the trip.
Ice fishers continued to score at Diamond Lake over the past weekend with many taking limits of trout averaging 17 inches. These are all holdovers as planting won't take place this year until ice-out. As of Tuesday, May 6th, it was still solid ice but it's starting to soften so caution is urged.
Scheduled for trout stocking this week are Bluebill Lake, Bradley Lake, Eel Lake, Powers Pond, Saunders Lake, Sru Lake, Fish Lake, Expo Pond, Reinhart Park Pond, Emigrant Lake, Medco Pond, Willow Lake, Lost Creek Reservoir, Spaulding Pond, Burma Pond, Dutch Herman, Howard Prairie, Hyatt Reservoir.
Eastern – Pro guide Rick Arnold (541-480-1570) reports ice still covering most of our lakes. Wickiup, LBC and Odell have been the only open waters that are getting any attention.
Pat Schatz of Crane Prairie Resort (541-480-9696) reports that camping will be available starting May 15th.
Fly anglers are doing well on the lower Deschutes although with hatches occurring sporadically, nymphing has been most productive. Water conditions and fishing remain decent on the middle Deschutes with some stoneflies showing. The middle stretch is producing good sized browns and redsides.
Crane Prairie Resort reports the ice is off the lake and roads will be plowed by the 15th of April. Some central and eastern Oregon lakes will be snowbound for a while longer so research your destination before leaving the house.
Young anglers will receive special attention at the youth angling event being held at McNary Channel Ponds near Hermiston from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 on Saturday.
http://www.TheGuidesForecast.com/
The most productive section of the Columbia River, near Bonneville Dam, closed to sturgeon fishing on May 1st. There are a few keepers being taken from the Portland to Longview stretch.
The ideal temperature for spring chinook success is considered to be 52 degrees. It hit 53 at Willamette Falls on May 5th. It's extremely late, but if springers are coming, it'll happen now. Catch rates of springers and steelhead in the lower Willamette and the Multnomah Channel have improved recently. Sturgeon fishing has remained worthwhile around St. Johns.
Fishing for summer steelhead is gradually improving on the North Santiam. With better weather, warmer water and fish crossing at Willamette Falls, it will continue to pick up in weeks to come.
Although the water temperature is rising on the McKenzie, hatches have not been sufficient to trigger rising fish. It will improve as temperatures rise.
Fishing is slow on the Clackamas but a few summers have been taken and a couple of spring chinook were been landed over the past week.
Wild steelhead, summers and the rare spring chinook have been hooked on the Sandy over the past week.
Youth angling events are being held at Junction City Pond and Sunnyside Park south of Portland on Saturday beginning at 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. respectively.
Scheduled for trout planting are Benson Lake, Hartman Pond, Henry Hagg Lake, Sheridan Pond, West Salish Pond, Alton Baker Canal, Carmen Reservoir, Clear Lake, Detroit Reservoir, Dexter Reservoir, E. E. Wilson Pond, Fall Creek, Foster Reservoir, Freeway Lake East, Green Peter Reservoir, Junction City Pond, Leaburg Lake, McKenzie River above Leaburg Lake, Salmon Creek, Sunnyside Park Pond, Walling Pond, Walter Wirth Lake and the Willamette River Middle Fork above Hills Cr Reservoir.
Northwest – Beginning on May 10th, retention for sturgeon from the Wauna Powerlines to Buoy 10 reopens for keepers in the 45 to 60 inch range. Catch rates may be slow to start given the cold water conditions and high flows from dam spills.
There has been a confirmed spring chinook from the Tillamook district but the current minus tide series should benefit the estuary fishery in the upper reaches this weekend. Sturgeon may also be an option although success for these fish has dropped off since winter.
River flows continue to drop on north coast streams with effort light. Dark winter steelhead are making up the bulk of the catch but spring chinook are sure to arrive soon.
The extended ocean forecast may allow for fishable conditions for those in pursuit of rockfish over the weekend. The ocean will be the best chance for keeper crab.
Pro guide Bill Kremers (541-754-6411) reports taking limits of gaper clams recently then jigging a decent number of herring for the first time this year.
From Cape Falcon near Manzanita to Humbug Mountain, the season’s first all-depth halibut fishery opens today. It is the first of several 3-day seasons that will run this year and catches are likely to be good out of Newport, Depoe Bay and Garibaldi.
Carter Lake, Cleawox Lake, Munsel Lake and Sutton Lake are scheduled to be planted with hatchery trout.
Southwest – Spring Chinook fishing has been slow on the Umpqua but anglers are hopeful that more fish are on their way. Fewer than 20 springers have been counted at Winchester Dam.
Steelheading improved on the upper Rogue with the water warming. Over 7,800 winter steelhead and a handful of springers have crossed at Gold Ray Dam.
Bottom fishing out of Gold Beach and Brookings has continued to deliver limits consisting of several colorful species of rockfish. Catches of ling cod have continued to be good as well. Forecasts look favorable for safe bar crossings this weekend, but conditions can change quickly. Be sure to check local wind and wave before making the trip.
Ice fishers continued to score at Diamond Lake over the past weekend with many taking limits of trout averaging 17 inches. These are all holdovers as planting won't take place this year until ice-out. As of Tuesday, May 6th, it was still solid ice but it's starting to soften so caution is urged.
Scheduled for trout stocking this week are Bluebill Lake, Bradley Lake, Eel Lake, Powers Pond, Saunders Lake, Sru Lake, Fish Lake, Expo Pond, Reinhart Park Pond, Emigrant Lake, Medco Pond, Willow Lake, Lost Creek Reservoir, Spaulding Pond, Burma Pond, Dutch Herman, Howard Prairie, Hyatt Reservoir.
Eastern – Pro guide Rick Arnold (541-480-1570) reports ice still covering most of our lakes. Wickiup, LBC and Odell have been the only open waters that are getting any attention.
Pat Schatz of Crane Prairie Resort (541-480-9696) reports that camping will be available starting May 15th.
Fly anglers are doing well on the lower Deschutes although with hatches occurring sporadically, nymphing has been most productive. Water conditions and fishing remain decent on the middle Deschutes with some stoneflies showing. The middle stretch is producing good sized browns and redsides.
Crane Prairie Resort reports the ice is off the lake and roads will be plowed by the 15th of April. Some central and eastern Oregon lakes will be snowbound for a while longer so research your destination before leaving the house.
Young anglers will receive special attention at the youth angling event being held at McNary Channel Ponds near Hermiston from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 on Saturday.
http://www.TheGuidesForecast.com/
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Oregon fishing report
Oregon Fisheries Update:
Willamette Valley/Metro- With the Columbia River from Bonneville Dam downstream now closed to salmon, steelhead and shad fishing, anglers will be seeking other opportunities in tributaries or upstream fisheries. Although lower river catch rates dropped dramatically in the closing days, success near Bonneville was excellent and dam counts verify the run is well underway.
Many of these prized fish are destined for upper river tributaries and will be challenging to pursue in the Columbia River reservoirs. Check updated regulations for open tributaries along the Columbia River as those fisheries will be peaking in the coming weeks.
Sturgeon will also become a focus for metro anglers from Bonneville to Buoy 10 in the coming weeks and catch rates are beginning to climb with the warming water temperatures. The best stretch will be in the Columbia River gorge with smelt a top choice to use as bait.
Counts of salmon and steelhead have slowed with a drop in the water temperature caused by unseasonably
cold weather. Trollers and anchor fishers have experienced minor flurries of springer action but overall,
fishing has been slow. Sturgeon fishing has been fair to good.
Steelhead are scattered on the North Santiam and fishing is slow.
Trout fishing on the McKenzie has been good between weather fronts with Caddis hatches occurring amidst the March Browns.
Water levels at the Clackamas are down from last week and the color is good. Steelheading is spotty but fresh summers are being caught daily.
Sandy anglers are taking a few summer steelhead but most are thinking about springers. There are chinook in the river and numbers will be increasing.
Scheduled for trout planting are Haldeman Pond, Henry Hagg Lake, Huddelston Pond, Salmonberry Lake, Silver Creek Reservoir, Timothy Meadows Reservoir, Trojan Pond, Blue River above Reservoir, Blue River Reservoir, Carmen Reservoir, Clear Lake, Detroit Reservoir, Dexter Reservoir, E. E. Wilson Pond, Fall Creek, Foster Reservoir, Freeway Lake East, Green Peter Reservoir, Junction City Pond, Leaburg Lake, the McKenzie River above Leaburg Lake, Roaring River Park Pond, Salmon Creek, Smith Reservoir, Walling Pond, Walter Wirth Lake, Willamette River Coast Fork and the Middle Fork Willamette above Hills Creek Reservoir.
Northwest – A significant rise in river levels was forecasted for north coast streams at mid-week but when flows do drop, steelhead will make up the bulk of the catch reports pro guide Jesse Zalonis (503-392-5808). Although it’s likely a few summer steelhead may be in the creel, spent winter run fish headed back to sea will likely make up the bulk of the catch. An early spring chinook may also be available but most won’t return until mid-May.
Tides won’t be ripe for estuary sturgeon fishing in Tillamook or the Astoria area but friendly seas are forecasted for the weekend which should give bottomfishing enthusiasts some good opportunity for lingcod, seabass and surf perch. Be sure to check bar conditions before crossing.
North of Cape Falcon near Manzanita, halibut season opens on May 1st. Anglers are allowed to fish 7-days per week with a daily bag limit of 1 halibut per day, 6 per year.
Crabbing remains poor in most north coast estuaries and ocean crabbing is likely to be only slightly better if boats can get there this weekend.
Alder Lake, Big Creek Reservoir, Big Creek Reservoir, Buck Lake are scheduled to be stocked with hatchery trout.
Southwest – Halibut season will open on the central and south coast on May 1st inside the 40-fathom line with the first all-depth fishery May 8th through 10th.
As the winter steelhead run winds down on the Umpqua, spring chinook catches continue to improve and anglers have been diversifying tactics to target the fresh salmon.
Springer fishing has been slow in the Rogue with the water cold. In spite of challenging conditions, a few chinook are being taken daily. Warmer weather will trigger snowmelt which will, in turn, keep the water cool.
Surf casters have continued to take limits of perch off southwest beaches.
Boats crossing the bar and returning early at Brookings Harbor have been able to beat rough ocean conditions and are limiting on rockfish and lingcod in fairly shallow water.
Due to persistent snow and ice at Diamond Lake, the Kokanee Power Trout Derby which was scheduled for May 17th & 18th has been re-scheduled for June 7th & 8th.
Eastern – Trout fishing is fair on the lower Deschutes in mid-40-degree water that's at above-average flows. Mid-day is yielding best results.
Although flows remain high on the John Day, big smallmouth bass should be a viable target in the dropping flows into the early weeks of May reports pro guide Steve Fleming (1-888-624-9424).
http;//www.theguidesforecast.com/
Willamette Valley/Metro- With the Columbia River from Bonneville Dam downstream now closed to salmon, steelhead and shad fishing, anglers will be seeking other opportunities in tributaries or upstream fisheries. Although lower river catch rates dropped dramatically in the closing days, success near Bonneville was excellent and dam counts verify the run is well underway.
Many of these prized fish are destined for upper river tributaries and will be challenging to pursue in the Columbia River reservoirs. Check updated regulations for open tributaries along the Columbia River as those fisheries will be peaking in the coming weeks.
Sturgeon will also become a focus for metro anglers from Bonneville to Buoy 10 in the coming weeks and catch rates are beginning to climb with the warming water temperatures. The best stretch will be in the Columbia River gorge with smelt a top choice to use as bait.
Counts of salmon and steelhead have slowed with a drop in the water temperature caused by unseasonably
cold weather. Trollers and anchor fishers have experienced minor flurries of springer action but overall,
fishing has been slow. Sturgeon fishing has been fair to good.
Steelhead are scattered on the North Santiam and fishing is slow.
Trout fishing on the McKenzie has been good between weather fronts with Caddis hatches occurring amidst the March Browns.
Water levels at the Clackamas are down from last week and the color is good. Steelheading is spotty but fresh summers are being caught daily.
Sandy anglers are taking a few summer steelhead but most are thinking about springers. There are chinook in the river and numbers will be increasing.
Scheduled for trout planting are Haldeman Pond, Henry Hagg Lake, Huddelston Pond, Salmonberry Lake, Silver Creek Reservoir, Timothy Meadows Reservoir, Trojan Pond, Blue River above Reservoir, Blue River Reservoir, Carmen Reservoir, Clear Lake, Detroit Reservoir, Dexter Reservoir, E. E. Wilson Pond, Fall Creek, Foster Reservoir, Freeway Lake East, Green Peter Reservoir, Junction City Pond, Leaburg Lake, the McKenzie River above Leaburg Lake, Roaring River Park Pond, Salmon Creek, Smith Reservoir, Walling Pond, Walter Wirth Lake, Willamette River Coast Fork and the Middle Fork Willamette above Hills Creek Reservoir.
Northwest – A significant rise in river levels was forecasted for north coast streams at mid-week but when flows do drop, steelhead will make up the bulk of the catch reports pro guide Jesse Zalonis (503-392-5808). Although it’s likely a few summer steelhead may be in the creel, spent winter run fish headed back to sea will likely make up the bulk of the catch. An early spring chinook may also be available but most won’t return until mid-May.
Tides won’t be ripe for estuary sturgeon fishing in Tillamook or the Astoria area but friendly seas are forecasted for the weekend which should give bottomfishing enthusiasts some good opportunity for lingcod, seabass and surf perch. Be sure to check bar conditions before crossing.
North of Cape Falcon near Manzanita, halibut season opens on May 1st. Anglers are allowed to fish 7-days per week with a daily bag limit of 1 halibut per day, 6 per year.
Crabbing remains poor in most north coast estuaries and ocean crabbing is likely to be only slightly better if boats can get there this weekend.
Alder Lake, Big Creek Reservoir, Big Creek Reservoir, Buck Lake are scheduled to be stocked with hatchery trout.
Southwest – Halibut season will open on the central and south coast on May 1st inside the 40-fathom line with the first all-depth fishery May 8th through 10th.
As the winter steelhead run winds down on the Umpqua, spring chinook catches continue to improve and anglers have been diversifying tactics to target the fresh salmon.
Springer fishing has been slow in the Rogue with the water cold. In spite of challenging conditions, a few chinook are being taken daily. Warmer weather will trigger snowmelt which will, in turn, keep the water cool.
Surf casters have continued to take limits of perch off southwest beaches.
Boats crossing the bar and returning early at Brookings Harbor have been able to beat rough ocean conditions and are limiting on rockfish and lingcod in fairly shallow water.
Due to persistent snow and ice at Diamond Lake, the Kokanee Power Trout Derby which was scheduled for May 17th & 18th has been re-scheduled for June 7th & 8th.
Eastern – Trout fishing is fair on the lower Deschutes in mid-40-degree water that's at above-average flows. Mid-day is yielding best results.
Although flows remain high on the John Day, big smallmouth bass should be a viable target in the dropping flows into the early weeks of May reports pro guide Steve Fleming (1-888-624-9424).
http;//www.theguidesforecast.com/
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Oregon fishing report
Willamette Valley/Metro- Salmon season is in full swing on the Columbia River with the highest catch rates of the season from Bonneville Dam to the I-5 Bridge. Trolled herring are taking the bulk of the fish downstream of the gorge while spinners and plugs are responsible for Bonneville area fish. Four-year old adults are making up the bulk of the catch averaging between 12 and 16 pounds. This fishery will peak in the next 2 weeks but increased spill to aid smolts downriver could curb angler success.
Summer steelhead are passing Willamette Falls in double digits as the water temperature continues to inch toward the 50-degree mark. Springers are being caught daily on the lower Willamette and at the head of the Multnomah Channel, but it is slow. Sturgeon fishing is good for those willing stay mobile to locate larger fish.
A mix of bright and dark steelhead are being hooked on the Clackamas River with a scattering of hatchery summer fish is available.
A few broodstock winters have been taken on the Sandy and summer steelhead are just starting to enter.
The North Santiam will be subject to fluctuations in level and flow but numbers of fish available is improving daily. A total of 16 summer steelhead had entered the trap at Foster Dam on the South Santiam as of April 3rd.
The March Brown hatch has been coming on reliably in the afternoons on the McKenzie and while fishing hasn't been as hot and heavy as the hatch, it has been good at times.
Scheduled for trout stocking are Creswell Pond, Detroit Reservoir, Dexter Reservoir, Dorena Reservoir, E. E. Wilson Pond, Foster Reservoir, Freeway Lake East, Green Peter Reservoir, Junction City Pond, Roaring River Park Pond, Timber Linn Lake, Walling Pond, Walter Wirth Lake and Waverly Lake.
Northwest – North coast anglers are still pursuing steelhead on the Wilson, Trask and Nestucca Rivers but the run is certainly coming to an end. Brian Barr and Josh Lowe of Eugene fished the Wilson on Friday from Mills Bridge to Sollie Smith landing 6 steelhead using Kwikfish. Five of the 6 landed were hatchery fish but 2 were released because they were dark.
The Nestucca has also been producing good catches but has lost some of its consistency as the season winds down reports pro guide Jesse Zalonis (503-392-5808) and Kent Anderson (503-550-6303). Anglers are targeting fish in the upper reaches with the recent high water.
Next on tap in the Tillamook area is spring chinook but numbers won’t be substantial until the large minus tide series in mid-May. A few early fish are usually caught late this month however.
Calm seas are in the ocean forecast for the weekend. Limits of bottomfish should be easily attained for anglers knowing where to target these fish. Pressure has been light all season due to poor weather conditions. Ocean crabbing will also be a good option.
Crabbing in Yaquina Bay remains poor and the herring are yet to show.
Bay City Reservoir, Cape Meares Lake, Carter Lake, Cleawox Lake, Devils Lake, Hebo Lake, Lake Lytle, Lorens Pond, Smith Lake, South Lake, Tahoe Lake and Town Lake are scheduled to be planted with hatchery trout.
Southwest – Angers will be fishing the tail end of a mid-day minus tide series through the weekend.
Pro guide Bill Kremers (541-754-6411) reports fair fishing for ling cod, good results for rockfish and slow crabbing out of Depoe Bay this week
Although winter steelheading will continue even as it winds down on the North and South Umpqua through April, with the first spring chinook trickling in, angler's attention has been focused on the latter. The North Umpqua dropped to decent levels this week.
Spring chinook fishing has been only fair, but has remained steady from the mouth of the Rogue River to Agness. The problem so far has not been a lack of fish but water temperatures which have stubbornly remained in the 40s. The time of year is right to warm the river however, and catches are expected to continue to improve through April.
Limits of rockfish and ling cod are being taken out of Brookings with even inexperienced anglers returning to port with good catches.
Scheduled for trout planting are Bradley Lake, Eel Lake, Emigrant Lake, Applegate Reservoir, Lake Selmac, Howard Prairie Reservoir, Hyatt Reservoir and Libby Pond.
Eastern – Check river flows before heading over to the John Day River for bass. If the river is over 1000 CFS, fishing will be challenging reports pro guide Steve Fleming at Mah-Hah Outfitters (1-888-624-9424). Quality sized fish are available however and are taking a variety of crankbaits and plastics.
Many streams and rivers on the east side remain roiled and some lakes, such as Little Lava, Wickiup and Davis Lake, remain iced over but warm weather this week is expected to improve conditions in the near future.
Summer steelhead are passing Willamette Falls in double digits as the water temperature continues to inch toward the 50-degree mark. Springers are being caught daily on the lower Willamette and at the head of the Multnomah Channel, but it is slow. Sturgeon fishing is good for those willing stay mobile to locate larger fish.
A mix of bright and dark steelhead are being hooked on the Clackamas River with a scattering of hatchery summer fish is available.
A few broodstock winters have been taken on the Sandy and summer steelhead are just starting to enter.
The North Santiam will be subject to fluctuations in level and flow but numbers of fish available is improving daily. A total of 16 summer steelhead had entered the trap at Foster Dam on the South Santiam as of April 3rd.
The March Brown hatch has been coming on reliably in the afternoons on the McKenzie and while fishing hasn't been as hot and heavy as the hatch, it has been good at times.
Scheduled for trout stocking are Creswell Pond, Detroit Reservoir, Dexter Reservoir, Dorena Reservoir, E. E. Wilson Pond, Foster Reservoir, Freeway Lake East, Green Peter Reservoir, Junction City Pond, Roaring River Park Pond, Timber Linn Lake, Walling Pond, Walter Wirth Lake and Waverly Lake.
Northwest – North coast anglers are still pursuing steelhead on the Wilson, Trask and Nestucca Rivers but the run is certainly coming to an end. Brian Barr and Josh Lowe of Eugene fished the Wilson on Friday from Mills Bridge to Sollie Smith landing 6 steelhead using Kwikfish. Five of the 6 landed were hatchery fish but 2 were released because they were dark.
The Nestucca has also been producing good catches but has lost some of its consistency as the season winds down reports pro guide Jesse Zalonis (503-392-5808) and Kent Anderson (503-550-6303). Anglers are targeting fish in the upper reaches with the recent high water.
Next on tap in the Tillamook area is spring chinook but numbers won’t be substantial until the large minus tide series in mid-May. A few early fish are usually caught late this month however.
Calm seas are in the ocean forecast for the weekend. Limits of bottomfish should be easily attained for anglers knowing where to target these fish. Pressure has been light all season due to poor weather conditions. Ocean crabbing will also be a good option.
Crabbing in Yaquina Bay remains poor and the herring are yet to show.
Bay City Reservoir, Cape Meares Lake, Carter Lake, Cleawox Lake, Devils Lake, Hebo Lake, Lake Lytle, Lorens Pond, Smith Lake, South Lake, Tahoe Lake and Town Lake are scheduled to be planted with hatchery trout.
Southwest – Angers will be fishing the tail end of a mid-day minus tide series through the weekend.
Pro guide Bill Kremers (541-754-6411) reports fair fishing for ling cod, good results for rockfish and slow crabbing out of Depoe Bay this week
Although winter steelheading will continue even as it winds down on the North and South Umpqua through April, with the first spring chinook trickling in, angler's attention has been focused on the latter. The North Umpqua dropped to decent levels this week.
Spring chinook fishing has been only fair, but has remained steady from the mouth of the Rogue River to Agness. The problem so far has not been a lack of fish but water temperatures which have stubbornly remained in the 40s. The time of year is right to warm the river however, and catches are expected to continue to improve through April.
Limits of rockfish and ling cod are being taken out of Brookings with even inexperienced anglers returning to port with good catches.
Scheduled for trout planting are Bradley Lake, Eel Lake, Emigrant Lake, Applegate Reservoir, Lake Selmac, Howard Prairie Reservoir, Hyatt Reservoir and Libby Pond.
Eastern – Check river flows before heading over to the John Day River for bass. If the river is over 1000 CFS, fishing will be challenging reports pro guide Steve Fleming at Mah-Hah Outfitters (1-888-624-9424). Quality sized fish are available however and are taking a variety of crankbaits and plastics.
Many streams and rivers on the east side remain roiled and some lakes, such as Little Lava, Wickiup and Davis Lake, remain iced over but warm weather this week is expected to improve conditions in the near future.
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Oregon fishing
Oregon Fisheries Update:
Willamette Valley/Metro- Spring chinook anglers should begin to hit their stride in the next few weeks as the weather pattern stabilizes, water temperatures warm and the run nears its peak. Anglers working the mainstem Columbia at Portland continue to log high catches. Washington Fish and Wildlife logged a respectable one salmon for every 5.4 anglers fishing.
Oddly, anglers working the lower river downstream of Longview are struggling for consistent results. Trollers working the Westport area on the lower Columbia are only finding an occasional fish. Fortunately, it doesn’t seem to indicate success in upriver fisheries. This fishery, from Buoy 10 to the Hayden Island West powerline towers will close 1 hour after sunset on Friday, April 4th.
Pro guide Brandon McGavran (360-607-1327) reports limits for his clients and a springer for himself on Monday, March 31st with various areas producing fish.
Willamette Falls water temperatures remain in the low 40’s as the level and flow moderate. Clarity on the lower Willamette is marginal but improving with spring chinook catches increasing recently for boaters. Fishing will further improve as the water temperature rises. The first spring chinook of the 2008 season crossed the Falls on March 27th.
Smelt, squid, herring and anchovies have all produced sturgeon at times with Sellwood and the lower river to the mouth kicking out mostly shakers and the occasional keeper.
The Clackamas is showing some signs of life for anxious anglers. Summer steelhead catches improved over the past week and while it's only fair, the run is underway. Vandalism has been a problem in popular parking areas. Be vigilant and don't store gear in your rig while fishing.
North Santiam water temperatures have been too low to provide optimum fishing, but with the Willamette Falls summer steelhead count nearing the 500 mark, action will be improving with warmer weather this week.
The March Brown hatch is in progress on the McKenzie and is a good one this year. Rainbow and cutthroat trout are responding accordingly.
Henry Hagg Lake, Sheridan Pond, St Louis Pond, Trojan Pond, Alton Baker Canal, Cottage Grove Pond and Cottage Grove Reservoir are scheduled to be stocked with trout.
Northwest – Steelheaders braved wintry weather over the weekend, still pursuing late run wild and hatchery fish on many north coast streams. Wilson and Nestucca River anglers were still finding success and flows should remain stable with the late addition of a coastal snow-pack late last week. Some darker fish are beginning to show in the catches.
Many smaller coastal streams are now closed to steelhead fishing. Rivers that have hatchery programs for steelhead and salmon are likely still open but check local regulations before heading out. Spring chinook is the next fishery on tap but catches won’t begin to peak until mid-May.
Offshore anglers had good opportunity on Monday for an ocean harvest but effort remained light due to the inconsistent ocean conditions.
Offshore crabbing out of Newport has improved with a few large crab showing in pots but no limits reported. Bottom fishing has been good with some nice lingcod in the mix.
Southwest – Umpqua anglers braved the occasional snow flurry over the past weekend to enjoy fair to good catch and release fishing for large, bright native steelhead. Steelheading has been fair but steady on the North and South Umpqua. Anglers have been encouraged recently with the appearance of spring chinook in the lower river. Sturgeon fishing may be another option with a morning minus tide series starting Sunday, April 6th.
Lower Rogue River spring chinook anglers scored again over the past week, with a few springers topping the 30-pound mark. Following a slow season last year, the strong, early start is encouraging.
Surf fishing off southwest beaches continues to deliver limits of pinkfin and striped perch.
Offshore bottomfishing out of Brookings has been limited by rough ocean conditions but when wind and wave allow, it's fabulous. A variety of rockfish are available any time the ocean lays down. The Chetco closed to salmon and steelhead fishing on March 31st.
Scheduled for hatchery trout planting this week are Bluebill Lake, Empire Lake, Johnson Mill Pond, Millicoma Pond, Powers Pond, Saunders Lake and Sru Lake.
Eastern – Despite freezing air temperatures overnight and cold water conditions, the John Day River has been delivering decent catches of large smallmouth bass and the fishing is expected only to improve into April.
Redside fishing on the lower Deschutes has been fair with the water level a little lower than average for this time of year.
http://www.theguidesforecast.com/
Willamette Valley/Metro- Spring chinook anglers should begin to hit their stride in the next few weeks as the weather pattern stabilizes, water temperatures warm and the run nears its peak. Anglers working the mainstem Columbia at Portland continue to log high catches. Washington Fish and Wildlife logged a respectable one salmon for every 5.4 anglers fishing.
Oddly, anglers working the lower river downstream of Longview are struggling for consistent results. Trollers working the Westport area on the lower Columbia are only finding an occasional fish. Fortunately, it doesn’t seem to indicate success in upriver fisheries. This fishery, from Buoy 10 to the Hayden Island West powerline towers will close 1 hour after sunset on Friday, April 4th.
Pro guide Brandon McGavran (360-607-1327) reports limits for his clients and a springer for himself on Monday, March 31st with various areas producing fish.
Willamette Falls water temperatures remain in the low 40’s as the level and flow moderate. Clarity on the lower Willamette is marginal but improving with spring chinook catches increasing recently for boaters. Fishing will further improve as the water temperature rises. The first spring chinook of the 2008 season crossed the Falls on March 27th.
Smelt, squid, herring and anchovies have all produced sturgeon at times with Sellwood and the lower river to the mouth kicking out mostly shakers and the occasional keeper.
The Clackamas is showing some signs of life for anxious anglers. Summer steelhead catches improved over the past week and while it's only fair, the run is underway. Vandalism has been a problem in popular parking areas. Be vigilant and don't store gear in your rig while fishing.
North Santiam water temperatures have been too low to provide optimum fishing, but with the Willamette Falls summer steelhead count nearing the 500 mark, action will be improving with warmer weather this week.
The March Brown hatch is in progress on the McKenzie and is a good one this year. Rainbow and cutthroat trout are responding accordingly.
Henry Hagg Lake, Sheridan Pond, St Louis Pond, Trojan Pond, Alton Baker Canal, Cottage Grove Pond and Cottage Grove Reservoir are scheduled to be stocked with trout.
Northwest – Steelheaders braved wintry weather over the weekend, still pursuing late run wild and hatchery fish on many north coast streams. Wilson and Nestucca River anglers were still finding success and flows should remain stable with the late addition of a coastal snow-pack late last week. Some darker fish are beginning to show in the catches.
Many smaller coastal streams are now closed to steelhead fishing. Rivers that have hatchery programs for steelhead and salmon are likely still open but check local regulations before heading out. Spring chinook is the next fishery on tap but catches won’t begin to peak until mid-May.
Offshore anglers had good opportunity on Monday for an ocean harvest but effort remained light due to the inconsistent ocean conditions.
Offshore crabbing out of Newport has improved with a few large crab showing in pots but no limits reported. Bottom fishing has been good with some nice lingcod in the mix.
Southwest – Umpqua anglers braved the occasional snow flurry over the past weekend to enjoy fair to good catch and release fishing for large, bright native steelhead. Steelheading has been fair but steady on the North and South Umpqua. Anglers have been encouraged recently with the appearance of spring chinook in the lower river. Sturgeon fishing may be another option with a morning minus tide series starting Sunday, April 6th.
Lower Rogue River spring chinook anglers scored again over the past week, with a few springers topping the 30-pound mark. Following a slow season last year, the strong, early start is encouraging.
Surf fishing off southwest beaches continues to deliver limits of pinkfin and striped perch.
Offshore bottomfishing out of Brookings has been limited by rough ocean conditions but when wind and wave allow, it's fabulous. A variety of rockfish are available any time the ocean lays down. The Chetco closed to salmon and steelhead fishing on March 31st.
Scheduled for hatchery trout planting this week are Bluebill Lake, Empire Lake, Johnson Mill Pond, Millicoma Pond, Powers Pond, Saunders Lake and Sru Lake.
Eastern – Despite freezing air temperatures overnight and cold water conditions, the John Day River has been delivering decent catches of large smallmouth bass and the fishing is expected only to improve into April.
Redside fishing on the lower Deschutes has been fair with the water level a little lower than average for this time of year.
http://www.theguidesforecast.com/
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Oregon fishing report
Oregon Fisheries Update:
Willamette Valley/Metro- Sturgeon fishing improved over the last Thursday through Sunday retention period. While some anglers caught only shakers, others took several keeper-sized fish. Smelt and sand shrimp were top baits. Fishery managers this week will determine the fate of the Willamette spring chinook fishery. It is likely to be a 7-day per week fishery despite a poor run forecast for returning hatchery fish.
Steelhead were taken on the lower Clackamas over the weekend. Drift boaters should be aware of a downed tree below the boat ramp at Barton Park.
Fishing has been slow to fair on the Sandy River. Bank fishers have taken a few at Oxbow Park. Cedar Creek is in good shape but fishing poorly.
The McKenzie is fishable this week and while there hasn't been much dry fly action yet, nymphing has been effective.
On the trout planting schedule this week are E. E. Wilson, Mt Hood College Pond, West Salish Pond and Alton Baker Canal.
Henry Hagg Lake will open on March 1st.
Northwest – Most coastal rivers were too high for productive fishing last week. Smaller streams were in ideal shape at mid-week with the Nehalem, Necanicum and Kilchis in prime shape on Tuesday. The North Fork Nehalem hatchery reported a significant slow-down in hatchery returns although some keepers will be coming back into early March.
The reprieve in precipitation, coupled with a warming trend will have very positive impacts for steelheaders this weekend. Larger rivers like the Wilson, Trask and Nestucca should be fishing very well into the weekend with motivated broodstock and wild fish available on all systems. The Wilson and Nestucca however offer the best chances for hatchery keepers with bait producing the best in higher flows and jigs or plugs producing best in lower, clearer water.
It will be a good weekend to collect broodstock steelhead on the Wilson and Nestucca Rivers. Collection is critical to sustain the program so please sign up by calling the ODF&W office at (503) 842-2741.
Fair sturgeon tides over the weekend will give anglers some decent opportunities in the early afternoon. Unfortunately, crabbing is poor making the effort a single strategy. A high swell will likely keep boats from targeting bottomfish on the ocean over the weekend.
Clam diggers may want to take advantage of good tides targeting bay clams on Tillamook and razor clams along Clatsop Beaches. Call the shellfish hotline at 1-800-448-2474 for updated information.
Crabbing out of Newport and Waldport has been poor, but prospects may turn around with dry weather. Steelheading has been slow to fair up on the North Fork Alsea.
Siuslaw steelheaders took fish over the past weekend. The best bet for this weekend will be the drift from Whittaker to Wildcat or Wildcat to Linslaw. Some quality broodstock steelhead are showing up at the fish trap on Whittaker Creek.
Pro guide Jeff Jackson (541-268-6944) reports the Siuslaw at Whittaker is dropping and clearing and should be in good shape this weekend.
Alder Lake, Buck Lake, Carter Lake, Cleawox Lake, Dune Lake, Elbow Lake, Georgia Lake, Lost Lake (Lane County), Munsel Lake, North Georgia Lake, Perkins Lake, Siltcoos Lagoon and Thissel Pond are scheduled to be stocked with trout this week.
Southwest – A break in precipitation this week will have most of the south coast river fishing well. Rain last week brought good numbers of fresh steelhead into coastal tributaries but catches this week will be a combination of hatchery, wild and spawned-out fish returning to the ocean.
Surf perch fishing has been decent off southwest coastal beaches.
Umpqua anglers had a good weekend with about half the steelhead landed of hatchery origin. The South Umpqua has been a top producer.
Coquille steelheaders had a good weekend, particularly on the South, with catches yielding about 30% native fish with the remainder destined for the barbecue.
The Millicoma River continued to put out good numbers of steelhead over the past weekend, providing several anglers with bag limits.
Elk River steelheaders are taking fish this week but with no rain in the forecast, it is likely to be low by the coming weekend.
The lower Rogue came into shape late last week and has been delivering steelhead since then. Plug pullers have had the advantage recently.
The Chetco has been fairly stable at roughly 3,400 cfs at Brookings for several days. There are good numbers of steelhead in this river and the fishing has reflected it.
Dave Pitts, Field Editor for Salmon Trout and Steelhead reports from the Chetco River that drift boaters are finally seeing lower flows to connect on steelhead.
Lake Selmac is scheduled to receive hatchery trout this week.
Eastern – Trout fishing is fair but improving on the Deschutes near Maupin. Water levels and clarity are good but with hatches sparse, nymphing has been most effective.
The Dalles Pool is still producing good catches of steelhead for boat anglers. This fishery should produce even better as temperatures warm this week.
Pro guide Steve Fleming (1-888-624-9424) reports that while the John Day River was frozen up in lots of places last week with the warmer days and nights it is breaking up much faster than anticipated.
Willamette Valley/Metro- Sturgeon fishing improved over the last Thursday through Sunday retention period. While some anglers caught only shakers, others took several keeper-sized fish. Smelt and sand shrimp were top baits. Fishery managers this week will determine the fate of the Willamette spring chinook fishery. It is likely to be a 7-day per week fishery despite a poor run forecast for returning hatchery fish.
Steelhead were taken on the lower Clackamas over the weekend. Drift boaters should be aware of a downed tree below the boat ramp at Barton Park.
Fishing has been slow to fair on the Sandy River. Bank fishers have taken a few at Oxbow Park. Cedar Creek is in good shape but fishing poorly.
The McKenzie is fishable this week and while there hasn't been much dry fly action yet, nymphing has been effective.
On the trout planting schedule this week are E. E. Wilson, Mt Hood College Pond, West Salish Pond and Alton Baker Canal.
Henry Hagg Lake will open on March 1st.
Northwest – Most coastal rivers were too high for productive fishing last week. Smaller streams were in ideal shape at mid-week with the Nehalem, Necanicum and Kilchis in prime shape on Tuesday. The North Fork Nehalem hatchery reported a significant slow-down in hatchery returns although some keepers will be coming back into early March.
The reprieve in precipitation, coupled with a warming trend will have very positive impacts for steelheaders this weekend. Larger rivers like the Wilson, Trask and Nestucca should be fishing very well into the weekend with motivated broodstock and wild fish available on all systems. The Wilson and Nestucca however offer the best chances for hatchery keepers with bait producing the best in higher flows and jigs or plugs producing best in lower, clearer water.
It will be a good weekend to collect broodstock steelhead on the Wilson and Nestucca Rivers. Collection is critical to sustain the program so please sign up by calling the ODF&W office at (503) 842-2741.
Fair sturgeon tides over the weekend will give anglers some decent opportunities in the early afternoon. Unfortunately, crabbing is poor making the effort a single strategy. A high swell will likely keep boats from targeting bottomfish on the ocean over the weekend.
Clam diggers may want to take advantage of good tides targeting bay clams on Tillamook and razor clams along Clatsop Beaches. Call the shellfish hotline at 1-800-448-2474 for updated information.
Crabbing out of Newport and Waldport has been poor, but prospects may turn around with dry weather. Steelheading has been slow to fair up on the North Fork Alsea.
Siuslaw steelheaders took fish over the past weekend. The best bet for this weekend will be the drift from Whittaker to Wildcat or Wildcat to Linslaw. Some quality broodstock steelhead are showing up at the fish trap on Whittaker Creek.
Pro guide Jeff Jackson (541-268-6944) reports the Siuslaw at Whittaker is dropping and clearing and should be in good shape this weekend.
Alder Lake, Buck Lake, Carter Lake, Cleawox Lake, Dune Lake, Elbow Lake, Georgia Lake, Lost Lake (Lane County), Munsel Lake, North Georgia Lake, Perkins Lake, Siltcoos Lagoon and Thissel Pond are scheduled to be stocked with trout this week.
Southwest – A break in precipitation this week will have most of the south coast river fishing well. Rain last week brought good numbers of fresh steelhead into coastal tributaries but catches this week will be a combination of hatchery, wild and spawned-out fish returning to the ocean.
Surf perch fishing has been decent off southwest coastal beaches.
Umpqua anglers had a good weekend with about half the steelhead landed of hatchery origin. The South Umpqua has been a top producer.
Coquille steelheaders had a good weekend, particularly on the South, with catches yielding about 30% native fish with the remainder destined for the barbecue.
The Millicoma River continued to put out good numbers of steelhead over the past weekend, providing several anglers with bag limits.
Elk River steelheaders are taking fish this week but with no rain in the forecast, it is likely to be low by the coming weekend.
The lower Rogue came into shape late last week and has been delivering steelhead since then. Plug pullers have had the advantage recently.
The Chetco has been fairly stable at roughly 3,400 cfs at Brookings for several days. There are good numbers of steelhead in this river and the fishing has reflected it.
Dave Pitts, Field Editor for Salmon Trout and Steelhead reports from the Chetco River that drift boaters are finally seeing lower flows to connect on steelhead.
Lake Selmac is scheduled to receive hatchery trout this week.
Eastern – Trout fishing is fair but improving on the Deschutes near Maupin. Water levels and clarity are good but with hatches sparse, nymphing has been most effective.
The Dalles Pool is still producing good catches of steelhead for boat anglers. This fishery should produce even better as temperatures warm this week.
Pro guide Steve Fleming (1-888-624-9424) reports that while the John Day River was frozen up in lots of places last week with the warmer days and nights it is breaking up much faster than anticipated.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Oregon fishing updates
Willamette Valley/Metro- For most anglers, this is a good week to troll the isles of the Portland Sportsman Exposition. Promises of a good spring chinook season have most anglers saving their sick days for April.
Sturgeon anglers are encouraged with the increasing water temperature at Willamette Falls, a trend which may improve the sturgeon bite. The fish have been timid biters in the frigid waters, as to be nearly undetectable, especially if it's windy. The lower Willamette is now a few degrees warmer than the Columbia. Sand shrimp and smelt took keepers over the past weekend.
Water temperatures remain too cold to draw smelt upstream. Until the river temperature rises above 40 degrees, smelt will be reluctant to migrate. Cold water temperatures are also keeping sturgeon and salmon from being active in the mainstem Columbia. No salmon or smelt were landed in last weeks commercial openers but gill-netters landed 61 keeper sturgeon.
Snow at the headwaters of the North Santiam will begin melting this week and while part of the snowmelt will contribute to the re-filling of Detroit Reservoir, it will also have the river running high and cold. Fishing has been fair.
Clackamas steelheaders have had a tough week with fish present but scattered and hookups rare in the cold water. Water clarity is usually better above Deep Creek. Eagle Creek has been running a little high with bites few and far between.
Pro guide Kent Anderson (503-550-6303) reports that after fishing several days and taking only a few fish, that the steelhead are scattered and not in a biting mood due to the cold water.
Sandy water conditions have been in and out with the most reliable conditions higher in the system. For all metro rivers, the bite should improve with the predicted warming trend this weekend. River flows are also likely to fluctuate creating challenging conditions on a rising river.
Trout planting will resume next week.
Northwest – The Wilson River was in fine shape early in the week and produced good catches of steelhead on Monday. There are still a few chinook showing in the catches, they must be released unharmed. Navigational hazards still exist on many coastal streams; don’t take any stretch of river for granted.
The upper reaches of the Trask and Nestucca also gave up fish late last week with large baits producing the bulk of the fish. More wild fish are beginning to show in the catches but hatchery broodstock fish will continue to be available in the Nestucca and Wilson Rivers.
Melting snow will likely put the larger coastal river systems out of shape for weekend anglers. Smaller streams like the Necanicum, Kilchis and North Fork Nehalem will be the best bets over the weekend. A mix of spent hatchery fish and fresh wild ones will make up the bulk of the catch.
Effort has dropped on the Siletz River but catches remained fair. Side-drifting continues to produce the best results but a predicted increase in water levels should cool the fishing over the weekend.
While steelheading on the Alsea was very slow earlier this week, participation remained active with anglers lining the banks.
Rough ocean conditions will keep ocean goers in port this week although rockfish will be ripe for the picking when seas subside. Coastal crabbing remains poor.
Southwest – Rivers on the south coast have had periods of brief recovery, but round after round of rain storms have steelheaders seeking smaller streams which drop and clear more quickly.
The Coos and Coquille have been fishing well when in shape but have been running high and muddy this week.
While the Millicoma is also high with marginal visibility, it has periodically allowed anglers the chance for a few fresh winter steelhead.
Elk and Sixes rivers have been blown out for the much of the time over the past few days.
The water level of the lower Rogue was dropping earlier this week but is due to take another hit before the weekend as another storm front moves through.
Chetco flows have been up and down over the past week, reaching flows of 10,000 cfs a couple of times. It was approachable by plunkers on Tuesday this week while at 4,900 cfs, six feet on the gauge at Brookings and dropping. Cold water requires extra patience, although steelhead were taken on Tuesday this week with the better water conditions higher on the system.
Eastern – Fishing for steelhead is slow in the lower Deschutes with cold water causing the fish to be lethargic and most of the summers present are well past their pull date. Redside angling is poor.
Trollers in The Dalles Pool continue to post good catches of steelhead despite cold weather conditions. These are likely a mix of residual summer steelhead and may continue to provide a fishery in the coming weeks.
Pro guide Steve Fleming (1-888-624-9424) reports that as of February 4th the John Day River is frozen shut but once the river temperatures rise, larger bass may become more active but well distributed throughout the river.
Pro guide Rick Arnold (541-480-1570) is also influenced by the cold eastside temperatures as he writes that the weather has been the big factor this winter but that a few diehards are fishing for bulls at LBC and the biggest he had heard about was an 8 LB. fish.
Sturgeon anglers are encouraged with the increasing water temperature at Willamette Falls, a trend which may improve the sturgeon bite. The fish have been timid biters in the frigid waters, as to be nearly undetectable, especially if it's windy. The lower Willamette is now a few degrees warmer than the Columbia. Sand shrimp and smelt took keepers over the past weekend.
Water temperatures remain too cold to draw smelt upstream. Until the river temperature rises above 40 degrees, smelt will be reluctant to migrate. Cold water temperatures are also keeping sturgeon and salmon from being active in the mainstem Columbia. No salmon or smelt were landed in last weeks commercial openers but gill-netters landed 61 keeper sturgeon.
Snow at the headwaters of the North Santiam will begin melting this week and while part of the snowmelt will contribute to the re-filling of Detroit Reservoir, it will also have the river running high and cold. Fishing has been fair.
Clackamas steelheaders have had a tough week with fish present but scattered and hookups rare in the cold water. Water clarity is usually better above Deep Creek. Eagle Creek has been running a little high with bites few and far between.
Pro guide Kent Anderson (503-550-6303) reports that after fishing several days and taking only a few fish, that the steelhead are scattered and not in a biting mood due to the cold water.
Sandy water conditions have been in and out with the most reliable conditions higher in the system. For all metro rivers, the bite should improve with the predicted warming trend this weekend. River flows are also likely to fluctuate creating challenging conditions on a rising river.
Trout planting will resume next week.
Northwest – The Wilson River was in fine shape early in the week and produced good catches of steelhead on Monday. There are still a few chinook showing in the catches, they must be released unharmed. Navigational hazards still exist on many coastal streams; don’t take any stretch of river for granted.
The upper reaches of the Trask and Nestucca also gave up fish late last week with large baits producing the bulk of the fish. More wild fish are beginning to show in the catches but hatchery broodstock fish will continue to be available in the Nestucca and Wilson Rivers.
Melting snow will likely put the larger coastal river systems out of shape for weekend anglers. Smaller streams like the Necanicum, Kilchis and North Fork Nehalem will be the best bets over the weekend. A mix of spent hatchery fish and fresh wild ones will make up the bulk of the catch.
Effort has dropped on the Siletz River but catches remained fair. Side-drifting continues to produce the best results but a predicted increase in water levels should cool the fishing over the weekend.
While steelheading on the Alsea was very slow earlier this week, participation remained active with anglers lining the banks.
Rough ocean conditions will keep ocean goers in port this week although rockfish will be ripe for the picking when seas subside. Coastal crabbing remains poor.
Southwest – Rivers on the south coast have had periods of brief recovery, but round after round of rain storms have steelheaders seeking smaller streams which drop and clear more quickly.
The Coos and Coquille have been fishing well when in shape but have been running high and muddy this week.
While the Millicoma is also high with marginal visibility, it has periodically allowed anglers the chance for a few fresh winter steelhead.
Elk and Sixes rivers have been blown out for the much of the time over the past few days.
The water level of the lower Rogue was dropping earlier this week but is due to take another hit before the weekend as another storm front moves through.
Chetco flows have been up and down over the past week, reaching flows of 10,000 cfs a couple of times. It was approachable by plunkers on Tuesday this week while at 4,900 cfs, six feet on the gauge at Brookings and dropping. Cold water requires extra patience, although steelhead were taken on Tuesday this week with the better water conditions higher on the system.
Eastern – Fishing for steelhead is slow in the lower Deschutes with cold water causing the fish to be lethargic and most of the summers present are well past their pull date. Redside angling is poor.
Trollers in The Dalles Pool continue to post good catches of steelhead despite cold weather conditions. These are likely a mix of residual summer steelhead and may continue to provide a fishery in the coming weeks.
Pro guide Steve Fleming (1-888-624-9424) reports that as of February 4th the John Day River is frozen shut but once the river temperatures rise, larger bass may become more active but well distributed throughout the river.
Pro guide Rick Arnold (541-480-1570) is also influenced by the cold eastside temperatures as he writes that the weather has been the big factor this winter but that a few diehards are fishing for bulls at LBC and the biggest he had heard about was an 8 LB. fish.
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Oregon fishing report
Oregon Fisheries Update:
Columbia River Spring Chinook Allocation Meeting
February 8, 2008 - 8:00 AM
http://www.theguidesforecast.com/2008allocationmeeting.pdf
Willamette Valley/Metro- The chilly water of the lower Willamette has sturgeon biting even more timid this week. While there are plenty of shakers around, only a few keepers have been taken by anglers willing to move around to find the fish, then offering a variety of baits. Plunkers at Meldrum Bar have had a very slow week for steelhead.
A few native winters are being caught on the Santiam system but there just isn’t a lot of fresh steelhead in the system. While the flow is at seasonal average, the water temperature is in the high 30s, making it difficult to get the available winters to bite. Numbers should build into March.
Clackamas anglers are finding steelhead scattered throughout the system. Fishing has been fair.
Steelhead were taken through the recent cold snap on the Sandy but keep an eye on river conditions now that the freezing level is on the rise.
While the McKenzie was in great shape over the past weekend, fishing was poor with water temps in the 30s. Rain is likely to blow it out this week.
E. E. Wilson, Sheridan Pond and Junction City Pond are scheduled to be stocked with trout this week. Walling Pond and Walter Wirth Lake will receive legal and larger-sized rainbows.
Northwest – Low flows kept most anglers from being motivated over the weekend. Clear, cold water and inclement weather made for challenging conditions and the bulk of the early run winter steelhead are spawning.
Some quality broodstock steelhead were taken in the Wilson and Nestucca Rivers but these prized fish will be present in higher numbers later in February and into March. The upper reaches of these systems, particularly the Wilson are still holding biting steelhead. Low water conditions allow for alternative techniques and bobber and jig fishing is likely to produce well under these conditions. Wild fish numbers will also build into March with most coastal systems likely to see good returns.
The Trask River yielded some fish early in the week and a rare winter chinook can still be found. These late-run fish must be released as the salmon season won’t open until April 1st in this district.
Area rivers are forecast to rise for most of the week but could remain fishable. Anglers are likely to find mostly spawned out hatchery fish on the Necanicum, North Fork Nehalem, Wilson, Kilchis and Nestucca Rivers. Cold weather will keep success rates low and coast range passes treacherous. Use caution when traveling.
Only a few sturgeon anglers braved the weekend weather but a few keepers were taken in the upper end of the south channel of Tillamook Bay. Keepers ranged from 42 to 48 inches and fell to sand shrimp late in the incoming tide.
On the Nestucca, pro guide Jesse Zalonis (503-392-5808) reports that the bite has slowed with cold temperatures.
Crabbing remains slow but Netarts Bay is still producing a few keepers and is likely holds the most promise on the coast.
Siletz water levels are predicted to rise about two feet this week, hitting the seven foot level by the coming weekend. Steelheading has been fair when the water conditions have been favorable but a far cry from good success rates earlier in the season.
Pro guide Bill Kremers (541-754-6411) reports that he fished the Alsea in harsh weather Thursday this week without landing any steelhead.
Crabbing in Alsea Bay has not been productive over the past week.
Southwest – Offshore boaters caught limits of nice ling cod last week when the ocean laid down, but rough seas and high winds will prevent bar crossings this week.
Rain and snow hit the south coast hard this week. Pro guide Jeff Jackson (541-268-6944) predicts it'll take a stretch of dry weather for it to fish again.
Plugs took steelhead over the weekend on the Umpqua. Both he North and South Umpqua have been productive this season.
Action slowed for steelhead plunkers on the lower Rogue recently but drift boaters have done well from Foster to Quosatana. Side drifting has been most effective.
Chetco steelheaders are looking forward to rain this week as the river was running very low into the past weekend. Fishing has been outstanding overall this season and effort has been running high as well.
Eastern – The John Day River is choked with ice jams and is unsafe for boating. Cold temperatures may keep the river locked up for several more weeks but a warming trend should set off a steelhead bite and a few smallmouth bass.
The same holds true for the Grande Ronde and Imnaha Rivers where staging steelhead remain untouched until the region experiences a warming trend.
Walleye anglers await the same weather change in the mainstem Columbia above the John Day Dam.
Cooper Creek Reservoir is scheduled to be planted with hatchery trout.
Columbia River Spring Chinook Allocation Meeting
February 8, 2008 - 8:00 AM
http://www.theguidesforecast.com/2008allocationmeeting.pdf
Willamette Valley/Metro- The chilly water of the lower Willamette has sturgeon biting even more timid this week. While there are plenty of shakers around, only a few keepers have been taken by anglers willing to move around to find the fish, then offering a variety of baits. Plunkers at Meldrum Bar have had a very slow week for steelhead.
A few native winters are being caught on the Santiam system but there just isn’t a lot of fresh steelhead in the system. While the flow is at seasonal average, the water temperature is in the high 30s, making it difficult to get the available winters to bite. Numbers should build into March.
Clackamas anglers are finding steelhead scattered throughout the system. Fishing has been fair.
Steelhead were taken through the recent cold snap on the Sandy but keep an eye on river conditions now that the freezing level is on the rise.
While the McKenzie was in great shape over the past weekend, fishing was poor with water temps in the 30s. Rain is likely to blow it out this week.
E. E. Wilson, Sheridan Pond and Junction City Pond are scheduled to be stocked with trout this week. Walling Pond and Walter Wirth Lake will receive legal and larger-sized rainbows.
Northwest – Low flows kept most anglers from being motivated over the weekend. Clear, cold water and inclement weather made for challenging conditions and the bulk of the early run winter steelhead are spawning.
Some quality broodstock steelhead were taken in the Wilson and Nestucca Rivers but these prized fish will be present in higher numbers later in February and into March. The upper reaches of these systems, particularly the Wilson are still holding biting steelhead. Low water conditions allow for alternative techniques and bobber and jig fishing is likely to produce well under these conditions. Wild fish numbers will also build into March with most coastal systems likely to see good returns.
The Trask River yielded some fish early in the week and a rare winter chinook can still be found. These late-run fish must be released as the salmon season won’t open until April 1st in this district.
Area rivers are forecast to rise for most of the week but could remain fishable. Anglers are likely to find mostly spawned out hatchery fish on the Necanicum, North Fork Nehalem, Wilson, Kilchis and Nestucca Rivers. Cold weather will keep success rates low and coast range passes treacherous. Use caution when traveling.
Only a few sturgeon anglers braved the weekend weather but a few keepers were taken in the upper end of the south channel of Tillamook Bay. Keepers ranged from 42 to 48 inches and fell to sand shrimp late in the incoming tide.
On the Nestucca, pro guide Jesse Zalonis (503-392-5808) reports that the bite has slowed with cold temperatures.
Crabbing remains slow but Netarts Bay is still producing a few keepers and is likely holds the most promise on the coast.
Siletz water levels are predicted to rise about two feet this week, hitting the seven foot level by the coming weekend. Steelheading has been fair when the water conditions have been favorable but a far cry from good success rates earlier in the season.
Pro guide Bill Kremers (541-754-6411) reports that he fished the Alsea in harsh weather Thursday this week without landing any steelhead.
Crabbing in Alsea Bay has not been productive over the past week.
Southwest – Offshore boaters caught limits of nice ling cod last week when the ocean laid down, but rough seas and high winds will prevent bar crossings this week.
Rain and snow hit the south coast hard this week. Pro guide Jeff Jackson (541-268-6944) predicts it'll take a stretch of dry weather for it to fish again.
Plugs took steelhead over the weekend on the Umpqua. Both he North and South Umpqua have been productive this season.
Action slowed for steelhead plunkers on the lower Rogue recently but drift boaters have done well from Foster to Quosatana. Side drifting has been most effective.
Chetco steelheaders are looking forward to rain this week as the river was running very low into the past weekend. Fishing has been outstanding overall this season and effort has been running high as well.
Eastern – The John Day River is choked with ice jams and is unsafe for boating. Cold temperatures may keep the river locked up for several more weeks but a warming trend should set off a steelhead bite and a few smallmouth bass.
The same holds true for the Grande Ronde and Imnaha Rivers where staging steelhead remain untouched until the region experiences a warming trend.
Walleye anglers await the same weather change in the mainstem Columbia above the John Day Dam.
Cooper Creek Reservoir is scheduled to be planted with hatchery trout.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Oregon fishing report
Willamette Valley/Metro- Rumblings of the first spring chinook of the year are coming from some reliable sources. As is often the case, the first spring salmon typically comes from plunkers working Meldrum Bar in pursuit of winter steelhead. Although January chinook have been encountered in recent history, it’s typically a sign of a strong run- which would go against biologists predictions for the Willamette run this year.
With frigid weather this week, the flow at Willamette Falls has moderated and the water temperature has fallen once again. Steelhead are being caught by plunkers working the bank at Meldrum Bar. Sturgeon fishing was slow over the last retention period. The Middle Fork Willamette has been producing trout on nymphs for hardy fly fishers willing to brave the cold.
Steelheading on the Clackamas has been slow to fair.
Sandy anglers have been taking winter steelhead daily with the season fully underway at this time of year reports pro guide Trevor Storlie (503-307-5601). Side-drifters are taking fish with a variety of baits and lures and plunkers working the Sandy below the I-84 Bridge have been catching fish as well.
The number of winter steelhead crossing at Willamette Falls has been low, resulting in fairly low numbers on the Santiam system. The recent dry weather and low freezing level has allowed the water flows to moderate, however, creating improved fishing conditions.
Trout stocking will resume the week of January 28th.
Northwest – Steelhead action in the Tillamook area finally gave-way over the weekend. After nearly 6 weeks of poor water conditions, the Wilson River came into shape on Friday and great numbers of quality fish were taken over the weekend stated pro guide Chris Vertopoulos (503-349-1377). Double-digit days were common on Saturday with one boat reporting 17 landed steelhead for the day’s effort. Although a good number of wild fish were collected to jump start the broodstock program, great numbers of hatchery fish were caught from Siskeyville to Sollie Smith Bridge. Robert Campbell of Oregon City landed a 20.5 pound hatchery steelhead sidedrifting on Sunday.
The logjam on the Trask has broken up and a mix of mostly wild fish and an occasional hatchery stray were caught over the weekend.
The Nestucca also produced some good fishing over the weekend but it wasn’t as popular or productive as the Wilson. Cool weather with no precipitation predicted until late in the weekend should make for challenging conditions for steelheaders on all north coast streams.
Smaller streams like the North Fork Nehalem and Necanicum reported slow fishing this week with more rain and warmer temperatures needed to stimulate better fishing. Regardless of what river you fish, when air temperatures warm in the early afternoon, steelhead will become more active.
Sturgeon fishers had ample opportunity last weekend to target Tillamook Bay keepers. Although keepers were caught, many were skinny and most anglers opted to release them in hopes for a higher quality fish. Sand shrimp was the best bait and most of the fish were taken in the middle channel.
Calm seas greeted boaters at mid-week but effort was low for anglers pursuing offshore crab and bottomfish. Most coastal bar conditions will be too rough for weekend passage.
On occasional fresh hatchery steelhead is still available for Alsea anglers reports pro guide Bill Kremers (503-602-0881)
Pro guide Jim Stevenson (503-881-5289) reports the red-hot Siletz has dropped off steadily since the river started dropping and clearing. Only a rare steelhead is being taken but the fishery will likely light up again on the next weather change.
Crabbing has been very slow this week in Yaquina and Alsea bays.
Pro guide Bill Kremers (541 754 6411) reports that fishing on the Alsea has slowed but that plugs are working best.
Steelheaders on the Siuslaw encountered some jumbo steelhead over the past weekend. Pro guide Jeff Jackson (541-268-6944) adds that the Siuslaw is in good shape with Whittaker to Wildcat and Wildcat producing good catches of steelhead.
Southwest – Dry, cold weather this week has allowed the Umpqua system to drop and clear into fine shape for steelheading. Anglers have hooked some large hatchery fish recently.
The Siuslaw is finally in shape and producing well for steelhead from Whittaker to Linslaw reports pro guide Jeff Jackson (541-268-6944).
Coquille steelheaders have encountered both native and hatchery fish over the past week, the combination of which has provided fair to good fishing with bait drawing more attention than lures or scented yarn. As with many south coast rivers, this one is getting a little skinny for best results, but rain this weekend should improve conditions.
The Rogue River water level and flow has been declining over the past week. Steelheading has been fair in the lower river although there have been brief periods which provided multiple hookups after which, action has fallen off. With the water temperature below 40 degrees, the Grants Pass stretch has yet to provide decent fishing for winter steelhead.
Seals have become a nuisance on the Chetco River as high as Loeb Park. Fortunately for anglers, steelheading has been good above this stretch for those downsizing offerings in the low, clear water. Steelhead are being taken throughout the system. Rain showers later this week will provide additional flow and a little color, both of which are needed here.
Eastern – Expect to find snow on the ground on the chilly east side where the Metolius has been providing fly anglers with fair fishing.
Float ice is hampering steelheaders on the Imnaha and Grande Ronde Rivers.
With frigid weather this week, the flow at Willamette Falls has moderated and the water temperature has fallen once again. Steelhead are being caught by plunkers working the bank at Meldrum Bar. Sturgeon fishing was slow over the last retention period. The Middle Fork Willamette has been producing trout on nymphs for hardy fly fishers willing to brave the cold.
Steelheading on the Clackamas has been slow to fair.
Sandy anglers have been taking winter steelhead daily with the season fully underway at this time of year reports pro guide Trevor Storlie (503-307-5601). Side-drifters are taking fish with a variety of baits and lures and plunkers working the Sandy below the I-84 Bridge have been catching fish as well.
The number of winter steelhead crossing at Willamette Falls has been low, resulting in fairly low numbers on the Santiam system. The recent dry weather and low freezing level has allowed the water flows to moderate, however, creating improved fishing conditions.
Trout stocking will resume the week of January 28th.
Northwest – Steelhead action in the Tillamook area finally gave-way over the weekend. After nearly 6 weeks of poor water conditions, the Wilson River came into shape on Friday and great numbers of quality fish were taken over the weekend stated pro guide Chris Vertopoulos (503-349-1377). Double-digit days were common on Saturday with one boat reporting 17 landed steelhead for the day’s effort. Although a good number of wild fish were collected to jump start the broodstock program, great numbers of hatchery fish were caught from Siskeyville to Sollie Smith Bridge. Robert Campbell of Oregon City landed a 20.5 pound hatchery steelhead sidedrifting on Sunday.
The logjam on the Trask has broken up and a mix of mostly wild fish and an occasional hatchery stray were caught over the weekend.
The Nestucca also produced some good fishing over the weekend but it wasn’t as popular or productive as the Wilson. Cool weather with no precipitation predicted until late in the weekend should make for challenging conditions for steelheaders on all north coast streams.
Smaller streams like the North Fork Nehalem and Necanicum reported slow fishing this week with more rain and warmer temperatures needed to stimulate better fishing. Regardless of what river you fish, when air temperatures warm in the early afternoon, steelhead will become more active.
Sturgeon fishers had ample opportunity last weekend to target Tillamook Bay keepers. Although keepers were caught, many were skinny and most anglers opted to release them in hopes for a higher quality fish. Sand shrimp was the best bait and most of the fish were taken in the middle channel.
Calm seas greeted boaters at mid-week but effort was low for anglers pursuing offshore crab and bottomfish. Most coastal bar conditions will be too rough for weekend passage.
On occasional fresh hatchery steelhead is still available for Alsea anglers reports pro guide Bill Kremers (503-602-0881)
Pro guide Jim Stevenson (503-881-5289) reports the red-hot Siletz has dropped off steadily since the river started dropping and clearing. Only a rare steelhead is being taken but the fishery will likely light up again on the next weather change.
Crabbing has been very slow this week in Yaquina and Alsea bays.
Pro guide Bill Kremers (541 754 6411) reports that fishing on the Alsea has slowed but that plugs are working best.
Steelheaders on the Siuslaw encountered some jumbo steelhead over the past weekend. Pro guide Jeff Jackson (541-268-6944) adds that the Siuslaw is in good shape with Whittaker to Wildcat and Wildcat producing good catches of steelhead.
Southwest – Dry, cold weather this week has allowed the Umpqua system to drop and clear into fine shape for steelheading. Anglers have hooked some large hatchery fish recently.
The Siuslaw is finally in shape and producing well for steelhead from Whittaker to Linslaw reports pro guide Jeff Jackson (541-268-6944).
Coquille steelheaders have encountered both native and hatchery fish over the past week, the combination of which has provided fair to good fishing with bait drawing more attention than lures or scented yarn. As with many south coast rivers, this one is getting a little skinny for best results, but rain this weekend should improve conditions.
The Rogue River water level and flow has been declining over the past week. Steelheading has been fair in the lower river although there have been brief periods which provided multiple hookups after which, action has fallen off. With the water temperature below 40 degrees, the Grants Pass stretch has yet to provide decent fishing for winter steelhead.
Seals have become a nuisance on the Chetco River as high as Loeb Park. Fortunately for anglers, steelheading has been good above this stretch for those downsizing offerings in the low, clear water. Steelhead are being taken throughout the system. Rain showers later this week will provide additional flow and a little color, both of which are needed here.
Eastern – Expect to find snow on the ground on the chilly east side where the Metolius has been providing fly anglers with fair fishing.
Float ice is hampering steelheaders on the Imnaha and Grande Ronde Rivers.
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Oregon fishing report
Willamette Valley/Metro- Smelt often make an early show on the Columbia this time of year but are absent so far. In recent years, Columbia sturgeon have been exiting the mainstem for better sources of winter food in other Oregon estuaries.
Willamette level and flow is coming down this week. Unfortunately, so is the water temperature; it was 40 degrees on New Years Eve. Sturgeon are biting lightly in the cold water and keeper-sized fish have been rare.
The water has dropped and cleared a little on the North Santiam, but it remains too high to fish well. Numbers of native steelhead are still low but will improve as we move into the New Year.
Clackamas steelheaders have picked up a few fresh winter steelhead above Riverside Park on the Clackamas. Eagle Creek has been producing a few.
Fishing was fair over the past week on the Sandy despite less than ideal water clarity. The prospects here will improve in January and February as additional broodstock steelhead enter.
Metro steelheaders are finding better action when the air temperatures begin to meet water temperatures. Action has been more consistent after 9:30 in the morning. Boat traffic will likely soften after the holiday break.
Storms moving in later this week will keep the McKenzie out of shape.
Northwest – On the north coast, smaller streams are too low for productive fishing and larger rivers remain plagued with colored water and downed trees. The Wilson cleared enough to produce some quality steelhead but effort remains low.
The Trask River remains blocked by a log jam at the railroad bridge. The dam hole produced only a few fish over the Christmas holiday.
Coastal rivers close to the retention of chinook on January 1st. Bright chinook are often caught incidentally well into January.
Forecasted rains will put larger rivers off-color again but the Necanicum, North Fork of the Wilson and the Highway 30 streams may produce a final push of bright, early season steelhead. Early returning fish will begin spawn by mid-month.
Three Rivers near Hebo is producing light catches near the deadline but the mainstem Nestucca will continue to run brown.
Sturgeon are present in Tillamook Bay and good sturgeon tides begin today. By Sunday, low slack will once again occur after dark making navigation on the bay hazardous. Sand shrimp fished in the deeper slots in the middle and west channel should produce the best results. Crabbing remains poor.
Ocean surf will remain too high for safe and productive razor clam digging.
With recent rainfall and more on the way, crabbing is not worthwhile in Yaquina Bay.
Well over 400 winter steelhead have been counted at the Alsea Hatchery facility. The river will be on the rise into the weekend.
Southwest – Mild tides this weekend will change to minus tides next week although the ebb will occur after dark.
Precipitation will have southwest rivers on the rise for the next several days. The fronts are expected to pass with the promise of dry weather in forecast next week.
The Siuslaw and Lake Creek are fishing well when conditions allow. With no significant rain, Lake Creek will be fishing well by the 1st, and the Siuslaw sometime after.
The Umpqua River has remained high and muddy over the past week although drift boaters in the Roseburg area have caught steelhead over the weekend.
Surf perch fishing has been pretty good off southern Oregon beaches, but the forecasts this week for high wind and waves will probably prevent safe ocean casting.
While the Elk and Sixes have provided only fair fishing periodically, weekend anglers managed to take a few chinook. The Elk River had great color and was at 5.5 feet on New Years Eve.
The Chetco which has been dropping and clearing since December 30th, is predicted to be on the rise again later this week. Steelhead have been moving into the river in good numbers over the past week with anglers picking up 10 to 14 pounders when river and weather conditions have allowed. A 20-pound native steelhead was taken on December 27th.
Eastern – Anglers found snow on the banks of the Deschutes over the weekend. Fishing was fair for a mix of whitefish and redsides. Steelhead are in the river, though they are getting colored.
Cold temperatures in the eastern part of the state are keeping steelheaders inside. Flow ice and freezing rod guides will keep most from venturing out until temperatures rise in late winter.
Willamette level and flow is coming down this week. Unfortunately, so is the water temperature; it was 40 degrees on New Years Eve. Sturgeon are biting lightly in the cold water and keeper-sized fish have been rare.
The water has dropped and cleared a little on the North Santiam, but it remains too high to fish well. Numbers of native steelhead are still low but will improve as we move into the New Year.
Clackamas steelheaders have picked up a few fresh winter steelhead above Riverside Park on the Clackamas. Eagle Creek has been producing a few.
Fishing was fair over the past week on the Sandy despite less than ideal water clarity. The prospects here will improve in January and February as additional broodstock steelhead enter.
Metro steelheaders are finding better action when the air temperatures begin to meet water temperatures. Action has been more consistent after 9:30 in the morning. Boat traffic will likely soften after the holiday break.
Storms moving in later this week will keep the McKenzie out of shape.
Northwest – On the north coast, smaller streams are too low for productive fishing and larger rivers remain plagued with colored water and downed trees. The Wilson cleared enough to produce some quality steelhead but effort remains low.
The Trask River remains blocked by a log jam at the railroad bridge. The dam hole produced only a few fish over the Christmas holiday.
Coastal rivers close to the retention of chinook on January 1st. Bright chinook are often caught incidentally well into January.
Forecasted rains will put larger rivers off-color again but the Necanicum, North Fork of the Wilson and the Highway 30 streams may produce a final push of bright, early season steelhead. Early returning fish will begin spawn by mid-month.
Three Rivers near Hebo is producing light catches near the deadline but the mainstem Nestucca will continue to run brown.
Sturgeon are present in Tillamook Bay and good sturgeon tides begin today. By Sunday, low slack will once again occur after dark making navigation on the bay hazardous. Sand shrimp fished in the deeper slots in the middle and west channel should produce the best results. Crabbing remains poor.
Ocean surf will remain too high for safe and productive razor clam digging.
With recent rainfall and more on the way, crabbing is not worthwhile in Yaquina Bay.
Well over 400 winter steelhead have been counted at the Alsea Hatchery facility. The river will be on the rise into the weekend.
Southwest – Mild tides this weekend will change to minus tides next week although the ebb will occur after dark.
Precipitation will have southwest rivers on the rise for the next several days. The fronts are expected to pass with the promise of dry weather in forecast next week.
The Siuslaw and Lake Creek are fishing well when conditions allow. With no significant rain, Lake Creek will be fishing well by the 1st, and the Siuslaw sometime after.
The Umpqua River has remained high and muddy over the past week although drift boaters in the Roseburg area have caught steelhead over the weekend.
Surf perch fishing has been pretty good off southern Oregon beaches, but the forecasts this week for high wind and waves will probably prevent safe ocean casting.
While the Elk and Sixes have provided only fair fishing periodically, weekend anglers managed to take a few chinook. The Elk River had great color and was at 5.5 feet on New Years Eve.
The Chetco which has been dropping and clearing since December 30th, is predicted to be on the rise again later this week. Steelhead have been moving into the river in good numbers over the past week with anglers picking up 10 to 14 pounders when river and weather conditions have allowed. A 20-pound native steelhead was taken on December 27th.
Eastern – Anglers found snow on the banks of the Deschutes over the weekend. Fishing was fair for a mix of whitefish and redsides. Steelhead are in the river, though they are getting colored.
Cold temperatures in the eastern part of the state are keeping steelheaders inside. Flow ice and freezing rod guides will keep most from venturing out until temperatures rise in late winter.
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