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.
