Oregon fishing report 12/2/11

Willamette Valley/Metro- Sturgeon fishing on the mainstem Columbia remains best in the Portland to Longview stretch where boaters were averaging a keeper for every 11 boats. Far from its potential, action on the mainstem likely won’t pick up again until spring time. Impact from rainfall was evident at Willamette Falls November 24th & 25th when water levels rose and muddied. Flows have been moderating this week. Catch and release sturgeon fishing in the Portland Harbor remains very good with smelt producing the best results. McKenzie River levels were high but dropping Tuesday this week so it should fish by the weekend. North Santiam levels are forecast to drop into the weekend but it's too early for winters here and most summer steelhead are past their prime. Clackamas levels are returning to normal so it should fish by the weekend. A few early winter steelhead should be around with the mouth of Eagle Creek and Eagle Creek itself providing the best opportunity. Hatchery fish will return through January to the popular tributary. Water color is improving on the Sandy and while it's early for winter steelhead, rumors are circulating that there may be a few around. Northwest – Many north coast anglers are anxious to get the next season underway; winter steelhead. December can provide some good opportunities for late run chinook however and action was good in the tidewater of the Wilson on Monday. Effort was light as a slide in the upper watershed is contributing to muddy conditions. The Wilson River bite slowed by Tuesday but fish are expected to continue to come in through the month. Effort has been low on Tillamook Bay but may jump as river levels continue to drop. Effort will likely remain in the Ghost Hole although jetty fishing may be an option by early next week as the tide series softens. Weather is forecasted to be cold, especially on the bay but sturgeon should become more prevalent in the coming weeks. Sand shrimp will provide the best action. Crabbing may improve, especially on Netarts Bay, by early next week. Although winter steelhead remain a rare treasure on the coast, they are due in bigger numbers in the coming weeks. Steelhead are being caught from the disabled fishing platform on the North Fork Nehalem with action likely to only improve in the coming weeks. Conditions were ideal at mid-week. The Nehalem system closed to wild coho retention yesterday. It was the only coastal system that didn’t attain its harvest quota goal this year. The Nestucca and Three Rivers should see improving catches of winter steelhead with the peak likely in the next 3 weeks. The mainstem Nestucca will be the favored option once flows drop but target the mouth of Three Rivers near Hebo for the best opportunity. The Necanicum, Big Creek, Gnat Creek and the North Fork of the Klaskanine River produce best in higher flows which we’re not likely to see for at least another week. A cold east wind is supposed to blow, making steelhead fishing a frigid experience. Crabbing should be excellent on the lower Columbia after the weekend but expect a stiff east wind and very cold conditions. Southwest – While the ocean is open to bottom fishing without depth restrictions, days when it’s safe to launch become a rarity in wintertime. When boats do get out, fishing is usually excellent. Ocean crabbing is tentatively scheduled to re-open on December 15th but only of Dungeness are in good condition. Crabbing has slowed dramatically in Winchester and many other bays and estuaries following the recent influx of fresh water. North Umpqua steelheading did not improve as a result of the freshet. Chinook fishing appears to have wrapped up for the season in Coos Bay and the lower Coquille. A few winter steelhead have been taken on the lower Rogue. Early winters are often a harbinger of a good seasonal run. Chinook fishing is very slow. Steelhead and half-pounder catches on the middle Rogue have been poor to fair. With the river coming back into shape, summer steelheading has resumed in the upper river with mixed results. Chetco is in good shape this week and is forecast to continue to drop and remain in decent condition for weekend fishing. Big chinook are available this season although none have topped the 65-pounder taken last week. Results will be good into early December although winter steelhead will also be entering in ever-greater number. Plunkers have taken winters this week although the edge will go to side-drifters as the river level drops. As the Elk and Sixes rose and fell with recent precipitation, anglers followed. Despite crowded conditions, bright fish were taken as the river dropped into shape. Both will be low and clear by the coming weekend. Eastern – Prospects are fair this week for steelhead on the Wallowa, Imnaha and Grande Ronde rivers. The John Day Pool and John Day River itself are producing great catches of steelhead although wild fish outnumber hatchery ones. Action should continue to produce for anglers willing to brave cold winds this week.