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.

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