Willamette Valley/Metro - With steelhead continuing to pour over Bonneville Dam, action on the mainstem Columbia is predictably good. Boaters outscored bank anglers this week, mostly due to the fact fish were cruising in deeper water with temperatures on the rise and flows on the decrease. This early run of steelhead is likely to peak in the next 2 weeks, making it a great option when winds don't hamper angling success.
Sturgeon retention closes upstream of the Wauna Powerlines to Bonneville Dam for 2 months beginning Sunday, August 1st. Success rates have been poor anyway but will likely pick up again in the fall.
The 70 degree water of the lower Willamette is conducive only to bass and panfish. Steelhead are being caught on the upper river.
Caddis imitations are fooling cutthroat and rainbows on the McKenzie River. A few summer steelhead and the occasional dark springer is being hooked.
Spring chinook are in the North Santiam in good numbers. Try baiting them below Big Cliff Dam. A mix of bright and dark springers is available in the South Santiam.
The Clackamas is low and clear with fishing poor to slow. First light may be the only option.
Sandy fishing is at a standstill and it's a poor choice for swimming.
Northwest - Offshore salmon fishing out of Garibaldi took a downturn as early run coho begin to make their way north, staging near the Columbia River mouth where baitfish are plentiful. Anglers are consistently reporting catches of large coho for this early in the season. Most anglers are targeting water deeper than 200 foot.
Ocean crabbing is picking up with a better ratio of hard shelled crabs beginning to show.
Coho fishing is considerably better off the mouth of the Columbia River where anglers are beginning to report consistent catches fishing near the CR Buoy. A few quality chinook are beginning to show in the catch. Catches will only get better in the coming weeks with little danger of a closure in the near future as effort has been light.
The famed Buoy 10 fishery opens on August 1st with high expectations of a high chinook catch in the coming weeks. Professional fisherman Buzz Ramsey will detail proven techniques in the area's most popular fishery tonight beginning at 6:00 p.m. at Fishermen's Marine and Outdoor in Oregon City. Over 1 million chinook and coho are due back to the lower Columbia with peak fishing likely to happen the third week of August.
Albacore made a brief showing off the north coast early in the week but warm water pushed back offshore, putting tuna out of reach for most sport boats. August and September are often peak months.
Coastal fall chinook season opens on Sunday with some systems forecasted to be better than average this year. The Nestucca and Nehalem will have heavy restrictions while Tillamook Bay is predicted to produce a better than average catch this season. If the fall run mimics the success of this season's spring chinook, the action should be good.
Bay crabbing on the north coast continues to produce fair results and should improve in the coming weeks.
Southwest - Morning outgoing tides will once again hamper offshore launches this weekend. While the ocean is expected to lay down this coming weekend, afternoon winds may be problematic.
Offshore salmon fishing has picked up a little with a few limits reported but it's spotty.
Tuna remain far offshore but warmer water is gradually moving towards shore.
Pinkfin perch fishing remains good in Winchester Bay and on area beaches when the surf calms down. Fall chinook and coho have started entering the bay where crabbing is fair to good. Try below Elkton on the mainstem Umpqua where smallmouth bass are biting well.
Fall chinook fishing was good in Rogue Bay last week with several fish taken weighing over 30 pounds but action slowed over the weekend with fewer than a dozen fish taken on Saturday and Sunday.
Bottom fishing has been excellent out of Brookings Harbor despite the 20-fathom restriction as of July 23rd with some large ling cod boated. Expect the 120-foot limitation to remain in place for the rest of the year.
Eastern - The Deschutes River continues to disappoint anglers as warm water continues to flow from Pelton Dam. Mainstem Columbia steelhead are known to take up cold water refuge in the lower Deschutes but with this seasons warm water, interception rates are lower. Fortunately, that's expected to change in the coming weeks.
Pressure has increased at Wallowa Lake following four record kokanee landed over the past year but fishing remains good here.
Odell is producing good catches of fat kokanee averaging 10 inches to trollers. Lake trout are being taken on downriggers.
Green Peter Reservoir is producing limits of kokanee. Trolling early and late in the day is most productive.
Wickiup has been fair for good-sized kokanee.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
Oregon fishing report
Willamette Valley/Metro - Huge numbers of steelhead continue to pour over Bonneville Dam with over double the return rate this year than last. Peak passage last year took place in mid-August but now is the time to go as water temperatures will rise, putting catch rates on the drop. Small brass and red spinners should take fish along shore edges in the gorge while hot colored spin-n-glos will work for beach anglers in the current minus tide series.
Summer chinook numbers are dropping fast but an occasional fish is still being caught in the Bonneville fishery.
As flow continues to drop on the lower Willamette, water temperatures remain in the high 60s, down from the mid-70s a week ago. Over 60,000 adult spring chinook and 22,000 summer steelhead have crossed Willamette Falls and are now in the tributaries. Fishing is poor in the lower river although the Middle Fork is a great level and color, producing decent catches of rainbows and cutthroat.
Steelheaders continue to catch a few below Leaburg Dam on the McKenzie. Trout fishing is good with evening's best.
Fishing has been slow for steelhead on the Clackamas. In the warmer weather, river rafters have inundated the lower river making for challenging fishing conditions for most of the day. Target steelhead early in the day with the McIver Park area offering up the best prospects.
The Sandy is nearing the end of the summer steelhead season. Early mornings will produce the best possibilities but target steelhead from Dodge Park and upstream.
Trout have moved deeper at Diamond Lake with best catches coming in 30 to 40 feet of water. A toxic algae advisory is in effect here suggesting people remove internal organs and skin before cooking trout.
Northwest - Morning seas have allowed for coho effort to take place on the north coast with Garibaldi remaining a productive port for the south of Falcon fishery. Mixed reports are coming in however with some boats doing better than others but the most consistent fishing seems to be in water deeper than 200 foot. Wild fish are making up the significant portion of the landed catch but most anglers are impressed with the size of the coho this early in the season. Chinook catches are rare and will likely continue to be that way.
Anglers working the ocean out of the mouth of the Columbia are also reporting good catches but seas haven't been as friendly, especially after mid-morning. Anglers continue to focus their effort SW of the CR Buoy but risk a bumpy ride home if they don't get an early limit. Seas are forecasted to be rough for the next few days.
Ocean crabbing on the north coast is improving but a mix of hard and soft-shelled crab are in the catch. Estuaries from Nehalem to the Nestucca are also improving for sport crabbers.
Catch rates of sturgeon are showing a marked increase although effort remains low. Anchovies remain a top bait and as water temperatures continue to warm, they should become even more effective. The catch is best above the Astoria/Megler Bridge as sculpin are plaguing fishers in downstream areas.
Southwest - Offshore ocean forecasts are marginal for the coming weekend. Launches may be hampered by morning minus tides.
Ocean salmon fishing is slow despite showing slight improvement in catches. A few coho anglers have landed large chinook while trolling shallow water offshore.
Tuna fishing is expected to improve this week as warm water once again moves closer to shore.
Better than average catches of near-shore halibut filled the quota early this season, resulting in a closure of the fishery on Saturday, July 17th.
Sturgeon fishing has been worthwhile in the lower Umpqua although many of the fish hooked here are oversized. Smallmouth bass results have been good around Elkton. North Umpqua steelheading is slow.
Anglers out of Gold Beach have experienced fair but improving results for large fall chinook in the lower bay. Steelheading on the Rogue above Gold Ray Dam has been productive for smallish but feisty sea-run rainbows. These fish are willing to make a grab at a variety of offerings from bait to flies and plugs.
Area beaches are producing good catches of pinkfin perch.
Eastern - Water in the lower Deschutes has been pushing 70 degrees but according to PGE, should start cooling around the 1st of August which will improve summer steelhead prospects. The middle Deschutes has been producing brown trout in the evenings. Upper river anglers are taking small brook trout.
Large, dry stonefly imitations are taking fish on the Wallowa River all day long. Fish near the bank. Spring chinook fishing will close on the Wallowa and Imnaha Rivers beginning July 26th after an extension earlier in the month.
Prineville Reservoir anglers are reporting catching larger trout than usual. Pine Hollow is also producing good catches of rainbow trout.
Summer chinook numbers are dropping fast but an occasional fish is still being caught in the Bonneville fishery.
As flow continues to drop on the lower Willamette, water temperatures remain in the high 60s, down from the mid-70s a week ago. Over 60,000 adult spring chinook and 22,000 summer steelhead have crossed Willamette Falls and are now in the tributaries. Fishing is poor in the lower river although the Middle Fork is a great level and color, producing decent catches of rainbows and cutthroat.
Steelheaders continue to catch a few below Leaburg Dam on the McKenzie. Trout fishing is good with evening's best.
Fishing has been slow for steelhead on the Clackamas. In the warmer weather, river rafters have inundated the lower river making for challenging fishing conditions for most of the day. Target steelhead early in the day with the McIver Park area offering up the best prospects.
The Sandy is nearing the end of the summer steelhead season. Early mornings will produce the best possibilities but target steelhead from Dodge Park and upstream.
Trout have moved deeper at Diamond Lake with best catches coming in 30 to 40 feet of water. A toxic algae advisory is in effect here suggesting people remove internal organs and skin before cooking trout.
Northwest - Morning seas have allowed for coho effort to take place on the north coast with Garibaldi remaining a productive port for the south of Falcon fishery. Mixed reports are coming in however with some boats doing better than others but the most consistent fishing seems to be in water deeper than 200 foot. Wild fish are making up the significant portion of the landed catch but most anglers are impressed with the size of the coho this early in the season. Chinook catches are rare and will likely continue to be that way.
Anglers working the ocean out of the mouth of the Columbia are also reporting good catches but seas haven't been as friendly, especially after mid-morning. Anglers continue to focus their effort SW of the CR Buoy but risk a bumpy ride home if they don't get an early limit. Seas are forecasted to be rough for the next few days.
Ocean crabbing on the north coast is improving but a mix of hard and soft-shelled crab are in the catch. Estuaries from Nehalem to the Nestucca are also improving for sport crabbers.
Catch rates of sturgeon are showing a marked increase although effort remains low. Anchovies remain a top bait and as water temperatures continue to warm, they should become even more effective. The catch is best above the Astoria/Megler Bridge as sculpin are plaguing fishers in downstream areas.
Southwest - Offshore ocean forecasts are marginal for the coming weekend. Launches may be hampered by morning minus tides.
Ocean salmon fishing is slow despite showing slight improvement in catches. A few coho anglers have landed large chinook while trolling shallow water offshore.
Tuna fishing is expected to improve this week as warm water once again moves closer to shore.
Better than average catches of near-shore halibut filled the quota early this season, resulting in a closure of the fishery on Saturday, July 17th.
Sturgeon fishing has been worthwhile in the lower Umpqua although many of the fish hooked here are oversized. Smallmouth bass results have been good around Elkton. North Umpqua steelheading is slow.
Anglers out of Gold Beach have experienced fair but improving results for large fall chinook in the lower bay. Steelheading on the Rogue above Gold Ray Dam has been productive for smallish but feisty sea-run rainbows. These fish are willing to make a grab at a variety of offerings from bait to flies and plugs.
Area beaches are producing good catches of pinkfin perch.
Eastern - Water in the lower Deschutes has been pushing 70 degrees but according to PGE, should start cooling around the 1st of August which will improve summer steelhead prospects. The middle Deschutes has been producing brown trout in the evenings. Upper river anglers are taking small brook trout.
Large, dry stonefly imitations are taking fish on the Wallowa River all day long. Fish near the bank. Spring chinook fishing will close on the Wallowa and Imnaha Rivers beginning July 26th after an extension earlier in the month.
Prineville Reservoir anglers are reporting catching larger trout than usual. Pine Hollow is also producing good catches of rainbow trout.
Friday, July 09, 2010
Oregon Fishing Report
Willamette Valley/Metro- Summer chinook numbers are beginning to fade at Bonneville with most anglers unimpressed with the results this season. High flows contributed to low catch rates and action is likely to continue to taper in the coming weeks. Fish over 40 pounds have been taken recently however. Warmer water usually means salmon will respond better to spinners and wobblers. Flows have moderated in recent days and are expected to stay that way throughout the week.
Steelhead anglers near Bonneville should begin to see improvements in catches. Downstream, beach anglers struggled with the low tide exchange last week but that should change this week as minus tides will get flows running again. This will likely be one of the peak weeks for steelhead fishing from beaches downstream of Portland.
Sockeye fishing is still open for recreational anglers although few intercepted them despite a record run passing Bonneville. Large returns may grace the Columbia again in the near future so anglers may want to learn to how produce results in this fishery. Trollers successfully take fish on Lake Washington near Seattle trolling metallic red hooks behind dodgers.
Water temperatures as of July 5th dropped three degrees to 63. Fish counts have not been updated but were strong through the third week of June but the water was nearly 10 degrees cooler. The shad run is winding down at Oregon City.
A few chinook are being taken at Leaburg Dam on the Mackenzie as well as the occasional steelhead to jig fishers.
A few chinook are being hooked at Waterloo on the South Santiam.
Steelheaders on the Clackamas are taking a few but this will be a first-light fishery this week. Spring chinook are concentrated in deeper pools upstream with few anglers finding success targeting them.
Steelhead are visible on the Sandy but have been reluctant to take bait or lure.
Northwest - Coho catches out of Garibaldi were fair last week and the action should continue through most of July. Anglers targeting fish in water over 200 foot deep found the best action. Garibaldi produced the best catches of any port on the Oregon coast in the south of Falcon ocean fishery. Ocean crabbing has only improved slightly with many crabs in a softshell state.
A few hatchery spring chinook are still trickling into Tillamook bay but effort is waning. The tidewater stretches and a few deep holes on the Wilson, Trask and Nestucca Rivers will continue to hold fish, but most will be reluctant to bite in the warmer, low flows that are characteristic for this time of year.
Adult chinook remain a rare catch on the north coast but fishery managers lifted the 1 chinook restriction, allowing anglers to retain any 2 salmon from the Canadian border to Cape Falcon near Manzanita. Coho still need to exhibit a healed over adipose fin clip to be lawfully taken. Size restrictions also remain in effect.
Coho fishing out of the mouth of the Columbia has also been productive for anglers willing to travel SW of the Columbia River Buoy. Captains are reporting a nice grade of fish for this time of year; a sign of good feeding conditions offshore this spring.
Sturgeon fishing in the lower Columbia still remains a slog. Most would agree fish seem to be present but unwilling to bite. Fishery managers are likely to meet again this week to discuss the possibility for another season extension.
Southwest - Offshore salmon fishing has been a disappointment for most boats whether trying for hatchery coho or chinook.
Boats launching out of Bandon have been finding warm water and decent albacore hookups between 40 and 50 miles from the beach. Charleston boats have also returned with tuna.
Chinook fishing is slow in the lower Rogue, slow to fair on the middle river with fish charging through without holding. The upper Rogue, however, is producing catches of both spring chinook and summer steelhead.
Offshore bottom fishing has been outstanding out of Brookings Harbor. Limits of rockfish and ling cod are being brought to dock any day the wind has allowed boats to fish. Forecasts for the coming weekend are marginal which combined with morning minus tides may make crossing into the ocean problematic. Albacore are being taken within 50 miles of port.
Surf perch fishing has been good whenever ocean conditions have allowed, providing limits of pinkfin to many long-rodders.
Diamond Lake is fishing well, producing a few trout every day that measure in pounds rather than inches.
Eastern - With the stonefly hatch a memory for 2010, think caddis patterns for redsides on the lower Deschutes.
Fishing is fair for fly anglers at Davis Lake for largemouth bass.
Green Peter has been fair for trollers looking for kokanee hookups.
Trout and kokanee fishing is good at Wallowa Lake and who knows, there may be another world record kokanee swimming around in there.
The Imnaha has dropped and cleared to great condition and is putting out fair numbers of spring chinook now that flows have finally subsided.
Steelhead anglers near Bonneville should begin to see improvements in catches. Downstream, beach anglers struggled with the low tide exchange last week but that should change this week as minus tides will get flows running again. This will likely be one of the peak weeks for steelhead fishing from beaches downstream of Portland.
Sockeye fishing is still open for recreational anglers although few intercepted them despite a record run passing Bonneville. Large returns may grace the Columbia again in the near future so anglers may want to learn to how produce results in this fishery. Trollers successfully take fish on Lake Washington near Seattle trolling metallic red hooks behind dodgers.
Water temperatures as of July 5th dropped three degrees to 63. Fish counts have not been updated but were strong through the third week of June but the water was nearly 10 degrees cooler. The shad run is winding down at Oregon City.
A few chinook are being taken at Leaburg Dam on the Mackenzie as well as the occasional steelhead to jig fishers.
A few chinook are being hooked at Waterloo on the South Santiam.
Steelheaders on the Clackamas are taking a few but this will be a first-light fishery this week. Spring chinook are concentrated in deeper pools upstream with few anglers finding success targeting them.
Steelhead are visible on the Sandy but have been reluctant to take bait or lure.
Northwest - Coho catches out of Garibaldi were fair last week and the action should continue through most of July. Anglers targeting fish in water over 200 foot deep found the best action. Garibaldi produced the best catches of any port on the Oregon coast in the south of Falcon ocean fishery. Ocean crabbing has only improved slightly with many crabs in a softshell state.
A few hatchery spring chinook are still trickling into Tillamook bay but effort is waning. The tidewater stretches and a few deep holes on the Wilson, Trask and Nestucca Rivers will continue to hold fish, but most will be reluctant to bite in the warmer, low flows that are characteristic for this time of year.
Adult chinook remain a rare catch on the north coast but fishery managers lifted the 1 chinook restriction, allowing anglers to retain any 2 salmon from the Canadian border to Cape Falcon near Manzanita. Coho still need to exhibit a healed over adipose fin clip to be lawfully taken. Size restrictions also remain in effect.
Coho fishing out of the mouth of the Columbia has also been productive for anglers willing to travel SW of the Columbia River Buoy. Captains are reporting a nice grade of fish for this time of year; a sign of good feeding conditions offshore this spring.
Sturgeon fishing in the lower Columbia still remains a slog. Most would agree fish seem to be present but unwilling to bite. Fishery managers are likely to meet again this week to discuss the possibility for another season extension.
Southwest - Offshore salmon fishing has been a disappointment for most boats whether trying for hatchery coho or chinook.
Boats launching out of Bandon have been finding warm water and decent albacore hookups between 40 and 50 miles from the beach. Charleston boats have also returned with tuna.
Chinook fishing is slow in the lower Rogue, slow to fair on the middle river with fish charging through without holding. The upper Rogue, however, is producing catches of both spring chinook and summer steelhead.
Offshore bottom fishing has been outstanding out of Brookings Harbor. Limits of rockfish and ling cod are being brought to dock any day the wind has allowed boats to fish. Forecasts for the coming weekend are marginal which combined with morning minus tides may make crossing into the ocean problematic. Albacore are being taken within 50 miles of port.
Surf perch fishing has been good whenever ocean conditions have allowed, providing limits of pinkfin to many long-rodders.
Diamond Lake is fishing well, producing a few trout every day that measure in pounds rather than inches.
Eastern - With the stonefly hatch a memory for 2010, think caddis patterns for redsides on the lower Deschutes.
Fishing is fair for fly anglers at Davis Lake for largemouth bass.
Green Peter has been fair for trollers looking for kokanee hookups.
Trout and kokanee fishing is good at Wallowa Lake and who knows, there may be another world record kokanee swimming around in there.
The Imnaha has dropped and cleared to great condition and is putting out fair numbers of spring chinook now that flows have finally subsided.
Friday, July 02, 2010
Oregon fishing report
Willamette Valley/Metro - Summer chinook continue to spite anglers on the Columbia below Bonneville Dam. Dam counts remain favorable but fish seem unresponsive. Many anglers have gone to plugs in a fishery that traditionally produces well for those using spinners. Higher than normal flows and cooler water are likely the reason for the slow action. This should be peak week for passage at Bonneville but river conditions may postpone the peak for several more days.
Shad fishing has slowed in the gorge and with it, sturgeon catches are declining too. Oversize fishing should continue to decline as fish congregate closer to the dam for feeding and spawning opportunities.
Bank anglers fishing off beaches downstream of Portland produced only fair results despite the good tide series. Steelhead will be the main quarry and sockeye catches have slowed. Beach plunkers have ideal conditions for productive steelheading and should produce better in the month of July.
Daily counts over Willamette Falls have been strong but the water temperature has jumped from the upper 50s to the upper 60s so it remains to be seen what effect that has on fish movement. Shad catches have been good around Oregon City.
With Golden Stones hatching on the upper McKenzie, this is the best bet for larger trout on this river.
Steelhead numbers are very good in the North Santiam although hookups have been spotty. Steelhead and chinook are being caught on the crowded South Santiam.
Try the Sandy River around Cedar Creek where a few steelhead have been hooked. Chinook fishing remains spotty but anglers can find fish concentrated in deep holes and willing to bite egg and shrimp combinations drifted under a bobber. Early morning and dusk is the best time to produce.
Level and flow at the Clackamas is excellent for steelheading. It's summertime, so try at first light for best results. Chinook numbers are good in the system but lockjaw has set in. If you cover enough water, fish will fall to egg clusters. The highest concentrations of fish are in the McIver Park area.
Northwest - Effort and catch for the ocean coho opener south of Cape Falcon was greatest out of the port of Garibaldi. Coho made up the bulk of the catch with ODF&W reporting .63 kept fish per angler on average. Catch rates will fluctuate throughout the season but Astoria, Garibaldi, Depoe Bay and Newport will be the most productive ports for coho this year. Hatchery coho from this fishery are most likely destined for Columbia River facilities.
Spring chinook fishing in the Tillamook district is all but a memory except for bank anglers working the Trask, Wilson, Nestucca and Three Rivers. Adults are wary under the low water conditions but stealthy anglers can take fish at first light. ODF&W has extended the spring chinook season on Three Rivers through July 11th due to a large run returning.
Sturgeon anglers working the lower Columbia continue to struggle for success. Although fishing picked up slightly last Friday, weekend catches floundered. The season remains open 7 days per week through July 11th when fishery managers will once again look at additional opportunity based on retained catch. Catches should improve when water temperatures rise.
Few anglers took advantage of the offshore chinook fishery near the mouth of the Columbia River. Gordon Lintner from the Salem area reported good action near the CR Buoy trolling with downriggers at depths of 70 to 90 feet. Gordon reported chinook nearing the mid-20 pound mark. Unfortunately, this fishery closed yesterday for clipped chinook but anglers may retain fin-clipped coho or any chinook beginning today. The daily bag limit is 2 salmon per day, of which 1 may be a chinook.
Crabbing remains poor both in north coast estuaries and nearshore in the ocean. Keeper action has improved from previous weeks however. July can be a productive month offshore but crabs often are molting this time of year.
Southwest - According to commercial fishers, albacore are 70 to 80 miles offshore but some boats reported good success as far north as Newport. Success for tuna should dramatically increase in the coming weeks.
Mild tides with incoming in the early mornings combined with mild ocean conditions are forecast for the weekend. Bottomfishing, salmon and halibut fishing are all options with crabbing fair for those willing to go a bit deeper.
Ocean coho is open for a quota of 26,000 hatchery fish. Unlike chinook, coho will be within 20 feet of the surface.
All depth halibut anglers will get once more shot at these fish in the spring fishery on July 1st and 2nd with any remaining quota being added to the summer season starting August 5th.
Sturgeon fishing has finally picked up in Winchester Bay where crabbing has been fair to good. Shad catches are very good at Yellow Creek on the Umpqua.
The shad run has yet to get underway on the Coos and Coquille rivers.
As the run winds down, spring chinook fishing remains fair on the lower Rogue. With the summer steelhead count topping 1,000 at Gold Rat Dam, prospects on the upper river are good.
Diamond Lake has predictably been producing good catches of rainbow trout for anglers using Powerbait. The action is likely to continue through July given the late spring the district has observed.
Limits of ling cod and rockfish are being taken nearshore by boats launching out of the Port of Brookings.
The Klickitat River is another early season option but will produce better results later in the summer, depending on snow melt from higher elevations on the watershed.
Eastern - Fishing for redsides is fair to good on the lower Deschutes.
The Kokanee Power Fishing Derby is July 17th at Green Peter. Call 541-973-4831 to register for additional information.
Shad fishing has slowed in the gorge and with it, sturgeon catches are declining too. Oversize fishing should continue to decline as fish congregate closer to the dam for feeding and spawning opportunities.
Bank anglers fishing off beaches downstream of Portland produced only fair results despite the good tide series. Steelhead will be the main quarry and sockeye catches have slowed. Beach plunkers have ideal conditions for productive steelheading and should produce better in the month of July.
Daily counts over Willamette Falls have been strong but the water temperature has jumped from the upper 50s to the upper 60s so it remains to be seen what effect that has on fish movement. Shad catches have been good around Oregon City.
With Golden Stones hatching on the upper McKenzie, this is the best bet for larger trout on this river.
Steelhead numbers are very good in the North Santiam although hookups have been spotty. Steelhead and chinook are being caught on the crowded South Santiam.
Try the Sandy River around Cedar Creek where a few steelhead have been hooked. Chinook fishing remains spotty but anglers can find fish concentrated in deep holes and willing to bite egg and shrimp combinations drifted under a bobber. Early morning and dusk is the best time to produce.
Level and flow at the Clackamas is excellent for steelheading. It's summertime, so try at first light for best results. Chinook numbers are good in the system but lockjaw has set in. If you cover enough water, fish will fall to egg clusters. The highest concentrations of fish are in the McIver Park area.
Northwest - Effort and catch for the ocean coho opener south of Cape Falcon was greatest out of the port of Garibaldi. Coho made up the bulk of the catch with ODF&W reporting .63 kept fish per angler on average. Catch rates will fluctuate throughout the season but Astoria, Garibaldi, Depoe Bay and Newport will be the most productive ports for coho this year. Hatchery coho from this fishery are most likely destined for Columbia River facilities.
Spring chinook fishing in the Tillamook district is all but a memory except for bank anglers working the Trask, Wilson, Nestucca and Three Rivers. Adults are wary under the low water conditions but stealthy anglers can take fish at first light. ODF&W has extended the spring chinook season on Three Rivers through July 11th due to a large run returning.
Sturgeon anglers working the lower Columbia continue to struggle for success. Although fishing picked up slightly last Friday, weekend catches floundered. The season remains open 7 days per week through July 11th when fishery managers will once again look at additional opportunity based on retained catch. Catches should improve when water temperatures rise.
Few anglers took advantage of the offshore chinook fishery near the mouth of the Columbia River. Gordon Lintner from the Salem area reported good action near the CR Buoy trolling with downriggers at depths of 70 to 90 feet. Gordon reported chinook nearing the mid-20 pound mark. Unfortunately, this fishery closed yesterday for clipped chinook but anglers may retain fin-clipped coho or any chinook beginning today. The daily bag limit is 2 salmon per day, of which 1 may be a chinook.
Crabbing remains poor both in north coast estuaries and nearshore in the ocean. Keeper action has improved from previous weeks however. July can be a productive month offshore but crabs often are molting this time of year.
Southwest - According to commercial fishers, albacore are 70 to 80 miles offshore but some boats reported good success as far north as Newport. Success for tuna should dramatically increase in the coming weeks.
Mild tides with incoming in the early mornings combined with mild ocean conditions are forecast for the weekend. Bottomfishing, salmon and halibut fishing are all options with crabbing fair for those willing to go a bit deeper.
Ocean coho is open for a quota of 26,000 hatchery fish. Unlike chinook, coho will be within 20 feet of the surface.
All depth halibut anglers will get once more shot at these fish in the spring fishery on July 1st and 2nd with any remaining quota being added to the summer season starting August 5th.
Sturgeon fishing has finally picked up in Winchester Bay where crabbing has been fair to good. Shad catches are very good at Yellow Creek on the Umpqua.
The shad run has yet to get underway on the Coos and Coquille rivers.
As the run winds down, spring chinook fishing remains fair on the lower Rogue. With the summer steelhead count topping 1,000 at Gold Rat Dam, prospects on the upper river are good.
Diamond Lake has predictably been producing good catches of rainbow trout for anglers using Powerbait. The action is likely to continue through July given the late spring the district has observed.
Limits of ling cod and rockfish are being taken nearshore by boats launching out of the Port of Brookings.
The Klickitat River is another early season option but will produce better results later in the summer, depending on snow melt from higher elevations on the watershed.
Eastern - Fishing for redsides is fair to good on the lower Deschutes.
The Kokanee Power Fishing Derby is July 17th at Green Peter. Call 541-973-4831 to register for additional information.
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