Willamette Valley/Metro- With the Willamette River blown out, motivated anglers will take to the mainstem Columbia upstream of the influence of the Willamette River at Kelly Point Park. Davis Bar and the I-5 area should continue to produce some catches of spring chinook. Gillnets will take the week off as test netting yielded more wild steelhead than spring chinook. These quality steelhead are likely destined for the Sandy and Clackamas systems.
Willamette flow continued to moderate through the end of February as winter steelhead counts tapered off. Results from last week’s sturgeon retention fishery indicated lighter catch and effort but shakers kept anglers busy throughout the day. The fishery will continue Thursday through Saturday until a 2,550 fish quota is attained.
After a fair February on the Willamette for river conditions and action, spring chinook catches have tapered recently with the muddy water influence of the Clackamas River and tributaries above Willamette Falls. It may be weeks before good action returns to trollers seeking success.
Rising water levels this week will put the McKenzie out of shape for the coming weekend.
The North Santiam is fishable but that will change as snowmelt begins and rain continues this week. The first Learn the River trip will occur on Saturday, March 5th. Call 503-897-3301 for information.
Expect the Clackamas to be rising this week with prospects for winter steelhead improving as the rain moderates and water levels drop. Wild fish and broodstock keepers should begin to show in better numbers.
Sandy steelheaders have experienced slow to spotty results recently. Most of the hookups have been with wild fish although hatchery broodstock steelhead are also entering.
Northwest – Low flows challenged anglers for much of the weekend but recent precipitation has brought several systems back into fishable shape. With snow falling at relatively low elevations, some watersheds remain fishable, particularly the smaller rivers such as the Necanicum and the Kilchis. Expect mostly wild fish on these systems.
Anglers were still tallying an occasional broodstock steelhead as well as some wild fish on the Wilson and Nestucca Rivers over the weekend. River levels will fluctuate throughout the week and weekend but these two signature streams should fish well when flows permit.
With the prolonged period of high water, steelhead will be well distributed throughout north coast river systems. March is peak month for wild steelhead and the few broodstock steelhead programs on the Wilson, Nestucca, Alsea and Siletz Rivers. Use big baits and bright colors in higher flows and fish the river edges where migrating fish will take advantage of slower flows during high water periods.
Poor tides and inclement weather will keep anglers from recreating on any open bodies of water. Good bottomfishing waits for anglers when calm seas return. Crabbing remains fair in the lower Columbia when weather allows.
Southwest – Storms have been keeping boats off the ocean this week but when offshore trips have been possible, limits of rockfish have been common off the Oregon coast. Fishing for large ling cod has been excellent when conditions have allowed and will continue through March.
An eight-hour boating safety education course conducted by the U.S Coast Guard Auxiliary in Charleston on Saturday, March 12, will cost only $15. Call 541-267-6152 for information or to register.
Rain is expected to put a damper on crabbing this week at Winchester Bay. Steelheading has been fair to good on the South Umpqua but high water will postpone efforts for a while.
Bait has been outfishing lures on the Coquille River where steelheading is expected to be worthwhile as the river drops and clears.
Low and clear at the end of February, rain this week will improve conditions and prospects for steelhead on the Elk and Sixes river.
An 18-pound Chinook taken at Rainie Falls by Jim Mauie on Friday, February 25th is the first reported Rogue springer of 2011. Water levels on the Rogue River are predicted to be rising through the coming weekend. Steelhead returns have been promising for this time of year, so hit the river as it recovers for fresh, bright winters. Fishing has been slow on the upper river. Surf perch fishing has been good on area beaches when the ocean has calmed down.
Over the past week, Chetco steelheaders have taken decent numbers of hatchery fish. This is a pleasant surprise as it is considered late in the season for this system. Unfortunately, the Chetco is forecast to be blown out for the coming weekend but results over the past week give reason for hope as the river drops.
Eastern – The lower Deschutes has been in good condition and is providing fair to god fishing for redsides. Results on the middle Deschutes will improve over the coming weeks.
While snow remains on the banks of Fall River, anglers using nymphs are hooking fish and as the weather improves, caddis will be hatching.
The Metolius usually fishes very well in the month of March.
