Willamette Valley/Metro- Effort is ramping up for anchor anglers pursuing upriver bright chinook from Longview to Portland. Anglers typically target deep running salmon in 30 to 45 foot of water along the shipping channel edges. Fishing is most productive on outgoing tide but anglers need to be aware of ship traffic when anchoring in the channel. Catch rates will ramp up significantly this week with a peak likely in the next two weeks. Bonneville Dam counts are climbing rapidly but anglers typically don't produce good catches until October when more local stocks of Chinook are available.
Steelheading has been productive between Eugene and Springfield on the upper Willamette on days when there has been some cloud cover and temperatures have remained moderate.
Caddis patterns are productive on the upper McKenzie with dries effective in the afternoon.
Steelheading will be best higher up on the North Santiam where water temperatures remain cooler.
The Sandy mouth is getting some traffic but success rates for chinook remain low. Fishing remains poor in the river. Coho will be entering soon.
The occasional steelhead is being taken high on the Clackamas. Coho are a few weeks away.
Northwest - The Buoy 10 fishery is peaking right now. Both chinook and coho are being caught throughout the tide with the exception of the middle 3 hours of outgoing tide. Fresh herring and spinners are both taking fish with spinners working best close to high slack and after. Chinook fishing is slated to close on August 31st but will remain open above Tongue Point. Coho are beginning to make a stronger showing in the estuary and will be a primary focus by September 1st. Call Great White Bait in Hammond or Chinook for your fresh and frozen bait needs. They have some of the best bait in town! (503) 861-0299 and mention this ad on The Guide's Forecast!
The ocean out of the mouth of the Columbia is still producing salmon but native coho seem to make up the bulk of the catch. Effort is waning with the strong prospects in the lower Columbia but September can offer up some nice days with larger "B" run coho still available well into September.
Albacore tuna fishing is picking up for anglers willing to travel up to 40 miles west of the Columbia River mouth. This fishery should be peaking in the next several weeks. Live bait and jigging will begin to produce the best results. Friendly seas are in the forecast.
River crabbing should get good later next week with favorable tides beginning on the 31st. Ocean crabbing remains open and should improve as well.
Interest will be growing for north coast chinook in the coming weeks but with such a strong showing of chinook on the mainstem Columbia, anglers will focus their efforts there. Tillamook Bay is forecast to be above average this year with some quality fish likely due back early next month. Target lower bay salmon on the weak tides and fish the upper reaches on bigger tide exchanges.
The Nestucca and Nehalem Basins are open but a below average return is in the forecast. Fair numbers of hatchery coho will likely begin to show on the Nehalem system but anglers are reminded there is no wild coho retention this year on any north coast stream.
Tuna fishing is also an option out of Garibaldi with reports of good action about 40 miles to the west. Drop your crab pots when heading out as quality males are making their way closer to the shoreline.
Southwest - Coho catches picked up over the past weekend, which saved the day for many boats as warm water moved too far offshore for tuna fishing.
Trolling for chinook has been good in the lower Umpqua around Reedsport. Early mornings have been best. Catches will improve into September. Limits of Dungeness are being taken just outside of the north jetty.
Ocean crabbing is excellent out of Charleston and boaters have landed some large ling cod recently as pots soak. Tuna fishing has been good at times.
While there have been plenty of chinook in Rogue Bay, trollers and moochers have been unable to crack the code over the past week with only a handful landed. Rockfishing has been very good offshore, however. Gold Ray Dam is gone.
Boats launching out of Brookings took decent-sized ling cod and rockfish into the teens. In addition, ocean fishing has improved for coho and chinook. Tuna fishing has been slow, requiring a round trip of 100 miles or more.
Eastern - Due to strong runs, the upper Snake River will open for fall chinook harvest on September 1st for the first time in many years. Two hatchery fish will be allowed per day from the Oregon-Washington border to the deadline below Hells Canyon Dam through October 31st. Chinook must be a minimum of 24 inches and only barbless hooks are allowed.
Fires have been hampering angling efforts on the Deschutes. Steelhead are being caught with crowds thinning on weekdays.
Green Peter is still producing kokanee with better catches in the arms as spawning season approaches.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Event
EVENT - NSIA proudly invites you to join us for the Buoy 10 Salmon Challenge 2010 August 26-27, 2010. Proceeds from this derby go to NSIA's non-stop commitment to preserve, restore and enhance sportfisheries.
For more information and a registration form go here: http://www.theguidesforecast.com/2010Buoy10Registration.pdf or contact NSIA at 503.631.8859.
For more information and a registration form go here: http://www.theguidesforecast.com/2010Buoy10Registration.pdf or contact NSIA at 503.631.8859.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Oregon fishing report
Willamette Valley/Metro - Summer steelhead success is peaking with gorge anglers taking respectable numbers of keepers. An equal number of natives are being caught but must be released unharmed. Dam passage for steelhead at Bonneville is peaking right now and the fall chinook run is just getting underway although metro area catches have been light.
Willamette fish passage data through the end of July indicates steadily declining numbers of chinook and steelhead as the water temperature languishes in the low 70s. None-the-less, the run size for Willamette springers was underestimated, producing an above average catch this year. Jack counts to date are less than 2009 indicating a slight downturn is possible for next year’s adults.
Upper river slots continue to produce summer steelhead for persistent anglers.
Trout fishers on the lower McKenzie should do well for hatchery trout. There are still some springers available here but many are darkening.
North and South Santiam fishing has been tough although jigs have hooked a few fish.
Water on the Sandy is low and milky while the Clackamas is low and clear. Fishing is slow but stealthy summer steelhead anglers still stand a chance for early morning success.
Northwest – Buoy 10 anglers are still waiting for chinook catches to break loose. A few chinook are being taken on the incoming tide on both the Washington and Oregon sides. If the chinook prediction is to come to fruition, chinook catches will light up this week. Herring is producing the most strikes but an occasional fish is being taken on spinners.
With a $1000.00 big fish prize, anglers should register now for the Buoy 10 Challenge on August 27th. Go to: www.nsiafishing.org for details.
Ocean fishing out of the mouth of the Columbia has slowed since SW winds chilled the bite. Chinook are starting to show in better numbers and the coho are large but scattered. Some anglers are going unprecedented hours without a strike but fishing should improve dramatically this week.
Soft-shelled crabs are still present for ocean crabbers but action is picking up for those working the lower Columbia River downstream of Hammond. With recreational salmon trollers increasing in number, be mindful about where you place your gear. The current strong incoming tide may cause crabbing success to slow. Crabbing is also picking up in other north coast estuaries.
Salmon catches remain light out of other coastal ports.
A few chinook are starting to show on Nehalem Bay but catches are expected to remain light for much of the season. Nearshore catches indicate chinook are starting to stage near estuary entrances signaling the beginning of the run is near. Tillamook Bay should be a top producer this year.
Tuna schools have moved closer to shore with fair fishing reported inside of 40 miles. Trollers are still taking fair numbers of fish but albacore are beginning to respond well to live anchovies for bait. Peak weeks for this fishery will last through mid-September.
Southwest – Crabbing has continued to improve in coastal bays and estuaries. Ocean crabbing is slow to fair.
Although the Coos and Coquille systems have been slow for chinook recently, the action should pick up in the coming weeks with the peak happening later in September.
The Rogue estuary is getting heavy boat pressure although chinook results are only fair at best despite plenty of fish in the bay. On a brighter note, local sporting goods store have been able to obtain anchovies which is considered the most effective bait for chinook. The middle river is slow while springer and steelhead catches remain fair to good on the upper Rogue.
Half-pounder steelhead have entered the lower Rogue in fair numbers and action is picking up for anglers using flies or small spinners.
Offshore winds are forecast to moderate but swell and period are marginal for bar crossings out of Brookings. Outgoing morning tides will once again complicate launch efforts. Bottom fishing has been excellent for ling cod as well as rockfish. Anglers are reminded that the Chetco River is closed to all angling above River Mile 2.2 August 1st through November 5th.
Diamond Lake has been producing good catches and some limits of trout averaging over a foot in length in about 25 feet of water.
Eastern – Redside results have slowed on the lower Deschutes with caddis hatches fading and mid-summer dog days in full force. Nymphing is still effective although the time between strikes and the amount of water that must be covered have increased.
Steelheading on the lower Deschutes is best at first light until the sun is on the water. With moderate air temperatures, anglers have been scoring good numbers of steelhead on spinners despite the warmer than usual water temperatures.
Down riggers fishing 50 to 60 foot depths are accounting for good numbers of fat kokanee at Green Peter.
Kokanee fishing has been worthwhile for trollers at Odell.
SW Washington – Although brief periods of productive fishing have been experienced at the mouth of the Cowlitz, overall action remains fair at best. Anglers working the area should begin to shift focus to fall chinook although peak catches won’t happen for another 3 weeks.
The Lewis remains an option for summer steelhead seekers but catches remain light, even for persistent anglers.
Bonneville counts continue to inspire Drano Lake trollers and with “B” run steelhead soon to migrate, quality fish to 20 pounds are a possibility.
Willamette fish passage data through the end of July indicates steadily declining numbers of chinook and steelhead as the water temperature languishes in the low 70s. None-the-less, the run size for Willamette springers was underestimated, producing an above average catch this year. Jack counts to date are less than 2009 indicating a slight downturn is possible for next year’s adults.
Upper river slots continue to produce summer steelhead for persistent anglers.
Trout fishers on the lower McKenzie should do well for hatchery trout. There are still some springers available here but many are darkening.
North and South Santiam fishing has been tough although jigs have hooked a few fish.
Water on the Sandy is low and milky while the Clackamas is low and clear. Fishing is slow but stealthy summer steelhead anglers still stand a chance for early morning success.
Northwest – Buoy 10 anglers are still waiting for chinook catches to break loose. A few chinook are being taken on the incoming tide on both the Washington and Oregon sides. If the chinook prediction is to come to fruition, chinook catches will light up this week. Herring is producing the most strikes but an occasional fish is being taken on spinners.
With a $1000.00 big fish prize, anglers should register now for the Buoy 10 Challenge on August 27th. Go to: www.nsiafishing.org for details.
Ocean fishing out of the mouth of the Columbia has slowed since SW winds chilled the bite. Chinook are starting to show in better numbers and the coho are large but scattered. Some anglers are going unprecedented hours without a strike but fishing should improve dramatically this week.
Soft-shelled crabs are still present for ocean crabbers but action is picking up for those working the lower Columbia River downstream of Hammond. With recreational salmon trollers increasing in number, be mindful about where you place your gear. The current strong incoming tide may cause crabbing success to slow. Crabbing is also picking up in other north coast estuaries.
Salmon catches remain light out of other coastal ports.
A few chinook are starting to show on Nehalem Bay but catches are expected to remain light for much of the season. Nearshore catches indicate chinook are starting to stage near estuary entrances signaling the beginning of the run is near. Tillamook Bay should be a top producer this year.
Tuna schools have moved closer to shore with fair fishing reported inside of 40 miles. Trollers are still taking fair numbers of fish but albacore are beginning to respond well to live anchovies for bait. Peak weeks for this fishery will last through mid-September.
Southwest – Crabbing has continued to improve in coastal bays and estuaries. Ocean crabbing is slow to fair.
Although the Coos and Coquille systems have been slow for chinook recently, the action should pick up in the coming weeks with the peak happening later in September.
The Rogue estuary is getting heavy boat pressure although chinook results are only fair at best despite plenty of fish in the bay. On a brighter note, local sporting goods store have been able to obtain anchovies which is considered the most effective bait for chinook. The middle river is slow while springer and steelhead catches remain fair to good on the upper Rogue.
Half-pounder steelhead have entered the lower Rogue in fair numbers and action is picking up for anglers using flies or small spinners.
Offshore winds are forecast to moderate but swell and period are marginal for bar crossings out of Brookings. Outgoing morning tides will once again complicate launch efforts. Bottom fishing has been excellent for ling cod as well as rockfish. Anglers are reminded that the Chetco River is closed to all angling above River Mile 2.2 August 1st through November 5th.
Diamond Lake has been producing good catches and some limits of trout averaging over a foot in length in about 25 feet of water.
Eastern – Redside results have slowed on the lower Deschutes with caddis hatches fading and mid-summer dog days in full force. Nymphing is still effective although the time between strikes and the amount of water that must be covered have increased.
Steelheading on the lower Deschutes is best at first light until the sun is on the water. With moderate air temperatures, anglers have been scoring good numbers of steelhead on spinners despite the warmer than usual water temperatures.
Down riggers fishing 50 to 60 foot depths are accounting for good numbers of fat kokanee at Green Peter.
Kokanee fishing has been worthwhile for trollers at Odell.
SW Washington – Although brief periods of productive fishing have been experienced at the mouth of the Cowlitz, overall action remains fair at best. Anglers working the area should begin to shift focus to fall chinook although peak catches won’t happen for another 3 weeks.
The Lewis remains an option for summer steelhead seekers but catches remain light, even for persistent anglers.
Bonneville counts continue to inspire Drano Lake trollers and with “B” run steelhead soon to migrate, quality fish to 20 pounds are a possibility.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Oregon Fishing Report
Willamette Valley/Metro - Steelhead fishing remains the best option for both boat and bank anglers downstream of Bonneville Dam. Spinners remain a top producer and will likely remain so with water temperatures on the increase.
Fall Chinook on the mainstem Columbia are now on deck but catches aren't likely to improve for a few more weeks. Anglers that do intercept chinook no longer have to look for an adipose fin-clip. With such a large run in the forecast, anglers should get their wobblers in advance as they will be hard to find when the fish start biting.
Water temperature at Willamette Falls and the lower river remains in the 70-degree range, which means warmwater gamefish is the only option.
Fishing is fair to good on the upper McKenzie for hatchery and native trout.
Level and flow on the North Santiam is stable. Steelheading is fair but steady.
Fish the upper Clackamas at first light for the best chance at a steelhead. There are large numbers of steelhead holding near River Mill Dam, both upstream and down where anglers can have good access to them depending on their migration patterns. Trout fishing is fair above Estacada.
Warm weather has the low waters of the Sandy periodically turning glacial gray. Fishing is slow although flashy spinners have gotten a few strikes. Observers were witnessing fresh spring chinook still making their way upstream from the lower river but rafters typically dominate the waterways this time of year.
Northwest - Offshore catches of salmon have typically frustrated anglers seeking coho this time of year. Out of Garibaldi, limits are attainable on some days with a rare keeper the next. Hatchery coho destined for the Columbia are typically available in good numbers out of mid-coast ports this time of year.
Anglers pursuing salmon out of the mouth of the Columbia are also finding sporadic results. Catches seem to be more consistent to the north of the mouth with more chinook beginning to show in the catches. Anglers are still finding a large percentage of wild coho and undersized chinook in the catch but higher ratios of keeper salmon are just a week or two away.
The catch and keep sturgeon fishery on the lower Columbia is now closed but ended with anglers finding some of the best fishing of the season taking place. Catch and release fishing remains open and the action can be great, especially for those using anchovies for bait.
Crabbing has picked up for those soaking pots in the ocean. Fresh salmon or tuna carcasses will produce the best result but cage your baits to keep seals and sealions from stealing your baits.
The Buoy 10 fishery opened with fair catches although any flurries of activity were short-lived. Quality chinook were taken at the mouth of Young's Bay at first light and a few chinook were taken on the red buoy line on the first part of outgoing tide. The commercial fleet will fish downstream of Tongue Point 2 more nights; tonight and Sunday night. Plan your trip accordingly. Don't forget to sign up for the Buoy 10 challenge this year. With a $1000.00 and $500.00 big fish prize at stake, it's really something to get busy with! Go here for details: http://www.theguidesforecast.com/2010Buoy10Registration.pdf
Although chinook season is now open in many coastal estuaries, the action isn't likely to pick up until early September. Early run coho may become available later in August on the Tillamook and Nehalem systems although all wild coho must be released this year.
Southwest - A series of early morning minus tides start this weekend. Clamming in estuaries should be worthwhile early Sunday morning.
Water deeper than 120 feet (20 fathoms) will remain closed to bottom fishing for the remainder of the year.
Albacore were boated offshore over the past weekend off the central Oregon coast but warm water is still a long trip to reach.
Winchester Bay has continued to produce limits of surf perch as have area beaches. South jetty anglers are doing well although pressure is light. Chinook are entering on the incoming tides. Salmon fishing has been fair around Reedsport while ocean fishing is slow.
Chinook have started nosing into the lower Coquille with anglers taking a few recently.
Cold ocean temperatures have hampered salmon fishing out of Charleston. Coos Bay anglers are making decent catches of rockfish and greenling along the jetties.
High winds and numerous baitfish in Rogue Bay combined over the past weekend to slow Chinook fishing slightly on the lower river but large fish are slamming hooks whenever conditions allow. Best results are occurring evenings on an outgoing tide. Run forecasts indicate good numbers this season.
The 20-fathom depth restriction hasn't prevented boats launching out of Brookings Harbor from taking limits of rockfish although wind has been problematic at times. The weekend prediction is more favorable however. Offshore coho catches have been fair but Chinook takes are slow. The Chetco closed August 1st upstream of the BPA powerlines at River Mile 2.2.
No fall Chinook fishing is allowed on the Sixes River through the end of 2010.
Eastern - Steelheading has been fair near the mouth of the Deschutes although high water temps endure. Cooler releases upstream should help to alleviate the problem soon. Steelhead are also being taken from Beavertail to Mack's Canyon and passage at Sherars Falls is good for this time of year. Redsides are responding to spent mayflies.
Fall Chinook on the mainstem Columbia are now on deck but catches aren't likely to improve for a few more weeks. Anglers that do intercept chinook no longer have to look for an adipose fin-clip. With such a large run in the forecast, anglers should get their wobblers in advance as they will be hard to find when the fish start biting.
Water temperature at Willamette Falls and the lower river remains in the 70-degree range, which means warmwater gamefish is the only option.
Fishing is fair to good on the upper McKenzie for hatchery and native trout.
Level and flow on the North Santiam is stable. Steelheading is fair but steady.
Fish the upper Clackamas at first light for the best chance at a steelhead. There are large numbers of steelhead holding near River Mill Dam, both upstream and down where anglers can have good access to them depending on their migration patterns. Trout fishing is fair above Estacada.
Warm weather has the low waters of the Sandy periodically turning glacial gray. Fishing is slow although flashy spinners have gotten a few strikes. Observers were witnessing fresh spring chinook still making their way upstream from the lower river but rafters typically dominate the waterways this time of year.
Northwest - Offshore catches of salmon have typically frustrated anglers seeking coho this time of year. Out of Garibaldi, limits are attainable on some days with a rare keeper the next. Hatchery coho destined for the Columbia are typically available in good numbers out of mid-coast ports this time of year.
Anglers pursuing salmon out of the mouth of the Columbia are also finding sporadic results. Catches seem to be more consistent to the north of the mouth with more chinook beginning to show in the catches. Anglers are still finding a large percentage of wild coho and undersized chinook in the catch but higher ratios of keeper salmon are just a week or two away.
The catch and keep sturgeon fishery on the lower Columbia is now closed but ended with anglers finding some of the best fishing of the season taking place. Catch and release fishing remains open and the action can be great, especially for those using anchovies for bait.
Crabbing has picked up for those soaking pots in the ocean. Fresh salmon or tuna carcasses will produce the best result but cage your baits to keep seals and sealions from stealing your baits.
The Buoy 10 fishery opened with fair catches although any flurries of activity were short-lived. Quality chinook were taken at the mouth of Young's Bay at first light and a few chinook were taken on the red buoy line on the first part of outgoing tide. The commercial fleet will fish downstream of Tongue Point 2 more nights; tonight and Sunday night. Plan your trip accordingly. Don't forget to sign up for the Buoy 10 challenge this year. With a $1000.00 and $500.00 big fish prize at stake, it's really something to get busy with! Go here for details: http://www.theguidesforecast.com/2010Buoy10Registration.pdf
Although chinook season is now open in many coastal estuaries, the action isn't likely to pick up until early September. Early run coho may become available later in August on the Tillamook and Nehalem systems although all wild coho must be released this year.
Southwest - A series of early morning minus tides start this weekend. Clamming in estuaries should be worthwhile early Sunday morning.
Water deeper than 120 feet (20 fathoms) will remain closed to bottom fishing for the remainder of the year.
Albacore were boated offshore over the past weekend off the central Oregon coast but warm water is still a long trip to reach.
Winchester Bay has continued to produce limits of surf perch as have area beaches. South jetty anglers are doing well although pressure is light. Chinook are entering on the incoming tides. Salmon fishing has been fair around Reedsport while ocean fishing is slow.
Chinook have started nosing into the lower Coquille with anglers taking a few recently.
Cold ocean temperatures have hampered salmon fishing out of Charleston. Coos Bay anglers are making decent catches of rockfish and greenling along the jetties.
High winds and numerous baitfish in Rogue Bay combined over the past weekend to slow Chinook fishing slightly on the lower river but large fish are slamming hooks whenever conditions allow. Best results are occurring evenings on an outgoing tide. Run forecasts indicate good numbers this season.
The 20-fathom depth restriction hasn't prevented boats launching out of Brookings Harbor from taking limits of rockfish although wind has been problematic at times. The weekend prediction is more favorable however. Offshore coho catches have been fair but Chinook takes are slow. The Chetco closed August 1st upstream of the BPA powerlines at River Mile 2.2.
No fall Chinook fishing is allowed on the Sixes River through the end of 2010.
Eastern - Steelheading has been fair near the mouth of the Deschutes although high water temps endure. Cooler releases upstream should help to alleviate the problem soon. Steelhead are also being taken from Beavertail to Mack's Canyon and passage at Sherars Falls is good for this time of year. Redsides are responding to spent mayflies.
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