Saturday, June 04, 2011

Oregon fishing report

Willamette Valley/Metro- Unprecedented flows are keeping salmon and steelhead from effectively being harvested. Beaches would be most productive but it’s hard to find a beach to fish on. Flows are expected to remain high through the week so fishing will remain challenging despite the current liberal opportunities. Jack counts continue to show promise for next years adult return.

Sturgeon effort is spread throughout the lower Columbia although the bulk of the effort is taking place downstream of the Wauna Powerlines near Westport, Oregon. Catches remain light but anglers targeting keepers in the extreme deep water are pulling in a few keepers. Success should improve when flows drop and temperatures warm.

Spring chinook and summer steelhead are crossing Willamette Falls in good number, providing opportunities for upstream mainstem and tributary anglers. Flows are up a little on the lower Willamette this week but water temperatures remain good. Catches in the Multnomah Channel were good early in the week. With the high spring flows, the bulk of the run has yet to pass upriver, giving anglers an unusual late season opportunity in the lower river. Action could stay good through the month of June.

The Clackamas and Sandy are improving for spring chinook but flows remain high so target soft water where calorie conscious adults will hold between runs upriver. Bait is the most effective tool under these conditions with eggs and shrimp likely to produce the best results. Don’t overlook steelhead type water for chinook in these flows. Summer run steelhead should also make a significant show in the coming two weeks.

Levels have dropped this week on the McKenzie River with water temperatures in the mid-40s. Hatches are ongoing with the coming weekend looking worthwhile.

Water levels on the Santiams are high and will remain that way for a while. The South Santiam has produced springers and summer steelhead but it's spotty.

Northwest – Success rates uncharacteristically dropped off in Tillamook Bay this weekend. The soft tide series drew excited anglers to the lower bay to troll herring along the jetty. Results were spotty at best with the most consistent action at Lyster’s Corner at the upper most end of the north jetty. The Ghost Hole and Coast Guard Station in the lower estuary also booted out fair catches over the weekend near high tide.

Unlock the secrets of preparing your herring and fishing them on Tillamook Bay by signing up for the Friday night “how-to” seminar by local pro guide John Kirby. Kirby spills his information at the 8th annual Bounty on the Bay fundraiser benefiting the Tillamook Estuaries Partnership this weekend. Go to www.tbnep.org for more info.

This weekend on Tillamook Bay, anglers are likely to utilize the incredible minus tide series by working upper Tillamook Bay as another wave of Trask River bound salmon are due to hit the system. Returns have been so bountiful this season that the hatchery hole on the upper Trask will remain open through June 30th instead of the typical closure date of May 31st.

Spring chinook and steelhead have been caught on the Wilson River recently. The recent rise in river level should have ample fish in most north coast systems. The Nestucca and Three Rivers should also fare well in the coming week.

More rough seas in the forecast for the weekend, keeping offshore anglers from recreating. Crabbing improved slightly this week but limits are unlikely no matter what grade of bait you’re using.

Razor clam digging should be good north of Tillamook Head in the early morning hours. Good tides will last into the weekend.

Southwest – Predictions for ocean conditions during the coming weekend look good for offshore launches in this district. Ocean salmon trolling has been fair but will be picking up. Catches of various colorful rockfish and lingcod are expected to be good. All-depth halibut will open again June 2nd through 4th provided the spring quota has not filled.

Crabbing has been improving in Winchester Bay as Umpqua flows moderate. There's still plenty of water in the river, although the North Umpqua is producing fair to good catches of spring chinook.

Tidewater stretches of the Coquille have been producing fair catches of striped bass early and late in the day.

Boats launching out of Gold Beach for bottom fish have made good catches of rockfish along with fair to good catches of lingcod. Ocean chinook anglers have been taking fish daily on anchovies and rotary flashers. Salmon will be easier to target as they start to school in the coming weeks. Chinook fishing is poor on the lower Rogue, fair on the middle river with upper Rogue results best.

Brookings launches have resulted in spotty ocean chinook catches five to seven miles out. Bottom fishing results have remained solid. Forecasts for offshore launches look quite positive late this week.

The weather was cold with blowing snow over the Memorial Weekend at Diamond Lake. Chunky trout were caught steadily, however, with bait, lures and flies all effective.

Eastern – Golden Stones and Salmonflies are evident below Warm Springs on the lower Deschutes and seem to be winding down around Maupin. Redsides are keyed on the big bugs and fishing is good but this is a limited-time opportunity.

Hatchery chinook may now be kept from the Imnaha and Wallowa rivers although district rivers remain high and challenging to fish.