Oregon fishing report

Recent creel checks for boaters working the Gorge near Bonneville still show willing chinook falling to backtrolled plugs and boats on anchor. Although the quality of fish is quickly degrading, a late showing of bright fish at the mouth a few weeks ago could keep this fishery going into early November. Fish of any quality however will be increasingly more challenging to find. Sturgeon action in the gorge continues to decline with bank anglers tallying just a keeper for every 10 rods. Boat anglers aren’t even producing that. The mainstem Columbia will slowly go to sleep over the next few weeks. With little change in the water temperature or flow at Willamette Falls, fish passage has nearly ceased. Catch and release fishing in the lower Willamette has been very good reports pro guide Frank Russum (503-804-1622). Frank suggests for the purposes of good action, fish the lower Willamette versus the Columbia River Gorge. Trout fishing has been very good on the McKenzie for a mix of rainbows and cutthroat. Fly anglers are occasionally surprised by steelhead hookups. Trout fishing is fair on the North Santiam but closes after October 31st. Fishing has been very slow in the low, clear water of the Clackamas. A few coho are being hooked on the Sandy but many have been dark. Anglers are advised to stay clear of spawning chinook. Northwest – Anglers on Tillamook Bay continue to produce reliable results for chinook throughout the estuary. With the strong tide series through the weekend, action should remain the best in the lower bay early on the incoming tide and move to the upper estuary as high slack occurs. The west channel is hit or miss but some chinook are still being taken there. Lenora Lawrence of Oceanside took a 24-pound buck in the Ghost Hole on Tuesday. The fish took a whole herring in 12 feet of water on the early part of the incoming tide. Spinner fishers on Tillamook are taking a mix of wild coho, which must be released, and chinook in the middle and upper bay. Tidewater bobber fishers on the Trask and Wilson Rivers should start to see improved catches this weekend. Precipitation is in the forecast but measureable rainfall will likely not be significant enough to jump-start the driftboat season. The Nehalem remains an option for both chinook and coho although coho catch rates have dropped dramatically. Chinook fishing should be best from Wheeler upstream as strong tides should push fish well into the estuary. Only a few hundred fish remain on the wild coho quota but it is the only remaining wild coho fishery open on the north coast. The Nestucca tidewater still holds fish but many are turning dark. Fresh fish may arrive on the current tide series however. The Salmon River run is about over but bobber fishers may see another batch of wild fish too. Although effort is light and reports sparse, some late run coho may make a showing in the lower Columbia. These same coho should be available at SW Washington tributaries this week for anglers casting spinners or plunking eggs. Trout season closes in many north coast basins after October 31st. Check regulations before heading out. Crabbing will remain good in most estuaries but extreme tides will keep most keepers buried until the water velocity slows. Southwest – The wild coho fishery is over in rivers on the southwest coast although the troll fishery at Tenmile Lake has yet to start producing. Offshore bottomfish trips were postponed off the central coast early this week due to unfavorable ocean conditions but tuna remain on the radar with fish reported within 30 miles of port. October 31st is the last day nearshore halibut may be taken. Winchester Bay has been rewarding to trollers targeting chinook and crab catches have improved over the past week. Crabbing has been excellent for boaters in Coos Bay around Charleston where chinook fishing has been good for trollers. Fishing slowed in Rogue Bay and the lower river late into the past weekend. At last report, only a few coho, most of which were wild requiring release, and the occasional jack were taken. Steelheading remains worthwhile in the Flies-only upper Rogue. While chinook fishing has been slow to get underway in the Chetco estuary, a 50-pounder was landed on Friday last week during a guided trip. Rain will energize this fishery, predicted to be about 35% greater than the 20-year average. The Chetco River is closed above mile 2.2 until November 5th. Anglers awaiting rain are gathering at the mouth of the Elk although fishing has been slow with only a few jacks to show for their effort. Trout fishing remains good at Diamond Lake for those fishing Power Bait in 15 to 20 feet of water. This coming weekend is the last chance to fish it. Eastern – With steelhead scattered on the Deschutes, the better opportunity for the coming weekend is above Maupin. Expect to fish hard between hookups. Trout fishers are doing well by throwing nymphs. Metolius fly fishers have been doing well for late-season bull trout. Despite good water conditions, success on the Grande Ronde was limited until last week. With temperatures dropping and steelhead more receptive, action on the Grande Ronde, Imnaha and Umatilla should heat up. Although the fish are not large, their numbers can provide all day action for an angler versed in small stream tactics.

Oregon fishing report

Willamette Valley/Metro- Chinook fishing at Bonneville continues to slow although weekend boat anglers still tallied over 2 salmon per boat fishing in the area. Some bright fish are still being taken but as fish counts plummet, so will the opportunity for fresh fish. Sturgeon anglers working the gorge are still tagging keepers, especially near the deadline at Bonneville Dam. Success rates will continue to fall however as keepers get culled from the population and fish begin to enter a more lethargic period as temperatures drop. Squid and shrimp remain the favored baits. Flows at Willamette Falls remain moderate with water temperatures in the mid-50s. The better fishing is above the falls for smallmouth bass and trout. Slow but steady results are reported by fly anglers targeting fall trout on the McKenzie where the occasional steelhead hookup has been exciting. The North Santiam is somewhat high but the flow is steady. There are some steelhead and a few coho in the river but South Santiam prospects are somewhat better. Fishing is slow to fair on the Clackamas. Rain brought a few coho into Eagle Creek where the crowds have followed. Coho catches have been slow to fair on the Sandy River. Northwest – With other estuaries slowing, Tillamook will become the main focus of salmon anglers well into November. Fishing on Tillamook has been good this season with the later returning component of the run seemingly as strong as the early run. These late chinook are often destined for the Wilson and Kilchis systems and although they tend to be smaller in size, they do seem plentiful. Weaker tides had anglers focused along the north jetty, inside Tillamook Bay, where catches were good on Tuesday for herring trollers from Lyster’s Corner to the bay entrance. Charlie Wooldridge of Bay City tagged a rare hatchery coho and wild chinook. Wild coho remain plentiful on the north coast but most fisheries are closed with exception to the Nehalem and Siletz on the north coast. The Nehalem is likely to close very soon. Although inconsistent, the Nestucca has good numbers of chinook present with a fair percentage of hatchery origin. The Nehalem saw fair chinook catches on Saturday but slowed thereafter. The Salmon River is still surprisingly producing good catches of chinook but action should slow in the coming weeks. The Alsea should be peaking over the next few weeks, especially for bobber fishers working the tidewater areas. The ocean has been friendly enough to take advantage of deep reef bottomfishing, with limits of quality lingcod coming out of Garibaldi recently. Ocean crabbing closed on October 15th with impressive catches coming from those participating in this relatively new sport opportunity. Bay crabbing remains fair in Tillamook, Nehalem and Netarts estuaries and excellent in the lower Columbia River. Southwest – Offshore fishing for rockfish has been very good out of central Oregon ports while lingcod catches are slow to fair with the ocean open to all-depths for bottom fishing. Ocean forecasts indicate mild conditions through the coming weekend and perhaps one more chance for October albacore. The wild coho fishery at Tenmile which opened October 1 has yet to start producing decent catches. Effort is light by trollers dragging plugs and spinners. Chinook results remain decent and steady for trollers in Winchester Bay. Results for chinook slowed on Coos Bay this week. Catches and boat traffic have been very light. Crabbing has been excellent. At the last update from the ODFW, the wild coho fishery remains open on the Coos system with well over half of the 1,200-fish quota yet to be taken. The wild coho quota has been met but chinook fishing remains worthwhile out of Bandon. Fishing slowed in Rogue Bay and the lower river into the past weekend following several fairly productive days. At last report, only the occasional coho and a handful of jacks made up a day’s catch. Half-pounders are being caught at Agness. Steelheading has been good on the upper Rogue where it remains flies-only through October. Trollers are taking a few chinook in Brookings Harbor and the lower Chetco River. Eastern – Steelhead fishing has been a fair but steady affair on the lower Deschutes with fish scattered throughout. Redsides are responding to both dries and nymphs at times. Despite decent trout results, steelhead continue to get the most attention at this time of year. Crooked River fly fishers are hooking good numbers of smaller trout. The John Day Pool will likely begin to light up later in November for steelhead but trollers are taking a fair number of chinook in the reservoir. Catches for chinook will likely taper after this weekend however. Look for steelhead to start in by the middle of November.

Oregon fishing report

Willamette Valley/Metro- Although counts at Bonneville are dropping dramatically, success rates are hit and miss for salmon as anglers enter the late season. Upriver brights make up the bulk of the catch through the month but anglers will have to grade through fish to find some of tablefare quality. Plugs will remain the best option for action. Sturgeon effort on the Saturday opener was high and success was fair. Bank anglers fared well with counts from the Washington side tallying a keeper for every 4 rods. Sand shrimp fished near the deadline should be consistent throughout the month of October. Boaters landing on the Oregon side reported 25 legals landed for 33 boats. There were also a fair number of oversize sturgeon in the mix. About 1,500 fall chinook and 2,300 coho have crossed Willamette Falls. Try for steelhead or trout on the Middle Fork. Smallmouth bass fishing is good many places above Willamette Falls. October Caddis are out in full force on the McKenzie with trout responding to matching patterns. Steelhead remain available. The North Santiam will be fluctuating this week although there are coho in the system. While coho care trickling into the Clackamas system, catches are negligible. Rain should improve prospects. Coho fishing is fair on the Sandy. Cedar Creek is producing a few but is getting pressure. Northwest – North coast chinook fishing slowed this week although good numbers of fish seem to be present. Spinner fisherman fared well in upper Tillamook Bay late last week as Tillamook and Trask chinook staged before heading into tidewater. The current soft tide series has anglers focused on the lower bay where the Ghost Hole, Bay City and the jetty has been producing just a few fish. The wild coho quota on Tillamook Bay has been utilized, closing the fishery effective today. All chinook and hatchery coho may still be retained although hatchery coho have been oddly absent. The ocean out of Tillamook Bay has been productive for both salmon and crab but rough ocean conditions have kept boats inside with no signs of improvement. The Nehalem has been productive with both wild coho and chinook falling to herring trollers near the jaws. A rough bar is in the forecast so anglers need to use precautionary measures. The wild coho quota is double what the Tillamook quota was and remains open. Weather systems are forecast to raise river levels on the north coast, possibly allowing for an early driftboat season on some of the larger river systems. The Trask should be a high priority but other systems should also produce fish if the weather models are accurate. Check local regulations before heading out however as complicated rules remain in effect on a watershed by watershed basis. Soft tides on the Siletz, Salmon and Nestucca will likely slow the bite. These river systems are just passing peak season right now with action likely to improve when the tides do beginning early next week. The Alsea tidewater bobber fishing and trolling should also improve after the weekend. These systems are showing signs of improving returns over previous years. Southwest – When the ocean has cooperated and with the depth restriction lifted, offshore bottom fishing has been very productive for rockfish and lingcod. Boats dropping pots on the way out have harvested excellent Dungeness catches. With the wild quota filled earlier than other systems on the coast, the Umpqua River and bay closed to harvest on October 1st. Chinook catches are good in Winchester Bay and the lower Umpqua mainstem. Lower Coquille chinook trolling is productive with a larger-than average return predicted this year. Coos Bay trollers have been taking chinook regularly with hookups occasionally hitting double digits. Chinook will move up the Coos River as the season progresses. Crabbing is good in the bay. Rogue Bay has been producing good catches of adult and jack chinook and coho to trollers over the past week. Upriver, side drifting has been more productive at times. Steelhead fishing was good on the upper Rogue although it shut down early this week due to muddy water from a broken irrigation ditch. Referred to locally as “Hawg Season”, the Chetco Terminal fishery opened October 1st and will continue through October 12th. This fishery is known to produce chinook to 40 pounds or better. Slow-troll herring starting just outside jetty tips for one per day and five for the season. Fall salmon are also being taken inside Brookings Harbor with catches expected to improve later in the month. Elk River fishing will commence with sufficient rain but it was still low early this week. Diamond Lake trout catches are good for still-fishers and trollers but weather is likely to be problematic during October.

Oregon fishing report

Willamette Valley/Metro- Although the wobbler fishing is slowing down for mainstem anglers, Bonneville backtrollers continue to find fair to good success using sardine wrapped plugs in the deep water. This fishery should improve even further into early October although anglers will have to become more choosy as fish near the end of their life-cycle.

The much anticipated fall sturgeon fishery upstream of the Wauna Powerlines begins on October 1st. Anglers may retain 1 keeper sized fish per day from Thursday though Saturday through the end of the year or until the quota has been reached. Fishing is expected to be good. Bonneville typically produces the best catches.

Over 1,000 fall chinook and a similar number of coho have been counted at Willamette Falls as daily numbers increase. The Middle Fork is producing a few steelhead.

Steelhead are hitting spinners on the McKenzie but stay clear of spawning salmon.

Trout fishing is good on the upper North Santiam where chinook are spawning and October Caddis are hatching.

Coho fishing remains slow on the Clackamas although spinner casters lining up at the Bowling alley Hole are taking the occasional fish.

With coho numbers building in the Sandy, spinners and drifted yarn have resulted in a few hookups.

Northwest – Tillamook Bay has been producing good numbers of chinook but wild weather on Sunday and Monday inundated the bay with seaweed and eelgrass. High tide offers the only reprieve from the weed and chinook have been taken in the Ghost Hole and at Bay City during the peak part of the incoming tide.

Portland angler Frank Ness landed a 37-pound birthday buck at Bay City on Saturday. The fish took a plug-cut herring trolled in 11 feet of water on the incoming tide. The upper bay has produced poorly in recent days.

The Nehalem produced excellent fishing late last week with higher numbers of chinook clearly present compared to the previous several years. Bigger tides and a little rain should stimulate more movement into the basin.

Wild coho numbers are starting to show in better numbers on many north coast streams. Check the ODF&W web site for updates on basin quotas.

The Salmon and Nestucca Rivers should be consistently productive through this weekend. Bobber fishers and tidewater trollers will likely produce the best results.

Recent rains were not significant enough to raise summer low levels on most north coast streams. Therefore, chinook and coho will likely remain in the lower reaches of these systems, including tidewater. Bigger tides should draw in even more biters this week.

The Alsea and Siletz Rivers have also been productive although fishing is not consistent day to day.

Crabbing remains fair to good in most north coast estuaries but a rough ocean isn’t allowing sportanglers to take advantage of the bounty at sea right now. Evening minus tides should be fair for razor clam diggers north of Tillamook Head.

Southwest – In a September 26th News Release, the ODFW announced that all-depth fishing for rockfish and lingcod will re-open on October 1st.

Nearshore halibut remained open at this writing with 25% of the quota remaining available as of the latest data on September 18th.

Chinook catches have been good in Winchester Bay. The remaining wild coho quota is dwindling with good catches on the lower Umpqua River and will likely close in the near future. Crabbing has been good in the bay.

Following a slow week, the past weekend turned on for anglers in Rogue bay and the lower river when the ocean laid down and fish moved in. Boats are taking primarily chinook although coho make up a significant component in catches. Results have been very good at times. The upper Rogue is consistently delivering summer steelhead to anglers throwing egg patterns to fish feeding below spawning chinook.

Officially, the Chetco River Fall Chinook State Waters Ocean Terminal Area Recreational Fishery opens this year on Saturday, October 1st for 12 days and fish to 40 pounds or better. Chinook fishing in the lower Chetco has been good for a mix of Chinook adults and jacks.

Trout fishing at Diamond Lake is good with Power Bait effective although deep trollers are also taking fish.

Eastern – It's been busy on the Deschutes at the Sherars Falls fish trap recently with over 100 chinook, steelhead and coho counted on September 25th alone. Steelheading on the lower river is good. For trout, it's mostly a caddis show with long-rodders experiencing fair to good results.

Kokanee fishing is about done at Odell with low catch numbers and the majority of fish in full spawning colors.