Oregon fishing reports

Willamette Valley/Metro- Just as the weather turns for the better and the rivers begin to drop into shape, another storm front enters the region sending them back into the willows. The Willamette is high and off color and will remain so for at least another week to ten days, depending on the next set of storms. This should not deter the angler wanting to catch and release sturgeon. Fishing has been good despite the high water and a growing handful of eager fishermen are taking part. Smelt, squid, herring and sand shrimp fished in 20-80 feet of water remains the main-stay. From the mouth at Kelly Point Park up to Oregon City is the place but don't ignore the Multnomah Channel. The Columbia River will offer also similar opportunity, using the same baits in the favorite hang-outs. Pressure should be light. Nothing confirmed yet, but a few steelhead should be ringing bells at Meldrum Bar on the Willamette, expect an improvement when the water begins to clear.

McKenzie levels reached bank full briefly on November 21st, remaining high since that date.

 

Following the last rain storm, the entire Santiam system is too high to fish and will remain so through the coming weekend.

The Clackamas is green, but on the high side as of this writing, but another rise is likely by the weekend. Little opportunity is available here until the river recedes again. About the only possibility would be plunking large spin n glo's at Riverside Park. Target fish close to shore as fish are most likely to take the path of least resistance.

 

The Sandy River has already given up a couple of winter steelhead from the lower river. High water conditions will make fishing difficult to futile this week. Like on the Clack, plunking the lower river with big winged bobbers could produce a fish or two for the eager angler.

Northwest – The Tillamook district remains the best place to intercept fresh-run chinook and the Wilson tops the short list of prospects. Anglers working the Wilson from the Highway 101 Bridge downstream are taking fish first thing in the morning as well as around high tide. Back-bounced bait and plugs are taking most of the fish.

 

Although the Kilchis, Trask and Tillamook Rivers all remain options, the area is expected to receive more precipitation and high winds which could put systems out of reach again by the weekend.

 

Tillamook Bay itself is only producing a rare troll-caught chinook and may continue to do so through mid-December. Coho fishing closes on most coastal systems beginning December 1^st. The run was likely over-predicted.

 

Sturgeon fishing in Tillamook Bay should be underway with late afternoon tides producing a few keepers in the west and center channels. Crabbing will be poor except for the lower Columbia, where it’s excellent near high slack.

 

Most anglers will begin focusing on winter steelhead with the North Fork Nehalem, Necanicum, Three Rivers, Wilson, Nestucca and Kilchis most likely to produce in that order. Steelhead are taken daily now near the North Fork Nehalem hatchery and should continue through early January.

 

Southwest- Boats launching out of central Oregon ports found deep water ling cod on the bite Monday this week with rockfishing somewhat slower.

 

Wild coho may be taken from Tenmile, Siltcoos and Tahkenitch Lakes through the end of December although river systems will close on November 30th. Check your preferred river system to be certain quota remains available before fishing.

 

Ocean crabbing opens on Saturday, December 1st but will be delayed until at least December 15th for commercial efforts. Bay crabbing has been a washout - literally - with fresh water entering coastal estuaries.

 

High water will prevent effective fishing efforts on south coast streams and rivers through the coming weekend.

 

The Rogue will get slammed by another round of storms this week but will be a decent prospect for winter steelhead when it recovers. Fishing for late summer steelhead has been decent on the middle Rogue when conditions have allowed. Upper Rogue waters came into shape on Black Friday, producing good catches of summer steelhead two feet or better in length. Fishing will remain good until the next storm hits.

 

Just as the Chetco has started recovering from the last round of rainfall, another storm front is forecast to hit the southwest on Thursday, and with it, another blowout of the river. The National Weather Service issued a hazardous weather outlook over this period for Curry County. When it drops and clears, target winter steelhead here.

 

Anglers on the Elk River caught decent numbers of chinook over the past weekend. Further dropping and clearing this week will be followed by another rise and roiling late this week.

 

Eastern – Several nice summer steelhead were taken in the high but dropping waters of the Deschutes over the past weekend. Local redsides were also cooperative.

 

The John Day Pool will remain a strong option for steelhead trollers although success rates should begin to drop in the coming week. Wild fish still make up the bulk of the catch.

 

Soapbox Update: NSIA’s 13^th Annual Banquet is this Saturday, December 1^st. We’ll get to revel in huge successes this year as NSIA’s participation in discussion have helped bring a significant change about how the states of Oregon and Washington manage the Columbia River. Join us in this fun-filled event by checking out details here: www.nsiafishing.org.

 

SW Washington- Winter steelhead are starting to show on some district streams with the Cowlitz likely to produce the best early run catches of the big 3. The Kalama, Lewis and Washougal are all winter steelhead options too but don’t receive the same hatchery returns as the Cowlitz.

 

The Lewis remains the best bet for late run chinook when the flows become fishable. Although many of the fish are dark, some fresh run fish should still be available through mid-month.

 

Check the WDF&W web site for razor clam openings; they are scheduled through December 1^st.

Oregon fishing reports

Willamette Valley/Metro- With the Portland area rivers swollen and dirty, few anglers will make the effort this week. Sturgeon can still be caught (and released) in the Willamette and Columbia Rivers despite the less than desirable conditions. Look to shallower water than normal and stay out of the heaviest current and present your offering in lanes that are out of the path of floating debris. Remember to offer a bait that has a lot of scent to it, so it may easily be found by the nearly blind sturgeon. Whole squid is the ideal bait as it is durable and has a very strong odor that many sturgeon will not pass up. Try squid, garlic, sardine, anchovy or earthworm oil. Other baits such as smelt, sand shrimp or roll-mop herring will work as well, either alone or in tandem.

 

Early this week, the McKenzie water level shot nearly off the chart - literally. It was 11,000 cfs and rising on November 20th, which means it's unlikely to fish by the weekend.

 

The Santiams are predictably blown out this week and will be slow to recover. Chase steelhead elsewhere over the holiday weekend.

 

The Sandy and Clackamas Rivers should begin to drop by the weekend and might be worth the effort for anglers looking to catch the season's first steelhead. Plunking the lower stretches with spin-n-glows and sand shrimp or coon shrimp will be the ticket. On the

Clack, Riverside Park just below the boat ramp is a great plunking spot. On the Sandy try Lewis and Clark or Dabney for good plunking access. Until the water clears, keep your presentation close to shore as the steelhead will travel in two to five feet of water. They also will travel along the path of least resistance, so inside corners, current breaks and seams will be the preferred water to fish.

Northwest – Prior to the deluge, chinook fishing was fair at best on the lower Wilson River. With the river flooding early in the week, conditions may be ideal again by the weekend. The Kilchis should fish first, maybe as early as Friday, but chinook numbers on this system have been sub-par this season. Driftboats will likely be out in force over the weekend however with the Wilson, Kilchis, Trask and Nestucca most likely to produce in that order.

Tillamook Bay itself may present the earliest option with early morning incoming tides producing the best opportunity for trollers working the Ghost Hole and Bay City for late run chinook. Tillamook Bay should also have some sturgeon available although tides don’t improve until the weekend for this species.

 

The season’s first steelhead have been caught with the Kilchis and North Fork Nehalem producing the first confirmed catches. Given the absence of wild coho to the region, it’s surprising to see productive fishing this early in the season for winter steelhead. Thirty-five steelhead have already been collected at the North Fork hatchery. It should fish well by Thanksgiving Day.

 

Crabbing will be a poor option for most north coast systems except for the lower Columbia, where it’s white hot and Netarts Bay which is mildly productive. The early morning high tide will produce the best results.

 

Southwest- On Tuesday this week, southwest Oregon was still getting hammered by rain storms. Fortunately, the weather is forecast to moderate on Wednesday with a dry day forecast for Thanksgiving.

 

On November 20, the ODFW is reporting all wild coho fisheries except the Alsea, which closed in October, remain open. The Siuslaw has been near quota fulfillment for weeks, however.

 

Ocean crabbing remains closed until Saturday, December 1st. Crabbing in bays had been good but has been negatively affected by freshets this week, particularly in smaller estuaries.

 

While offshore bottom fishing is usually excellent, it won't be on the holiday menu as ocean conditions are predicted to remain rough through the coming weekend.

 

Chinook and coho catches were slow prior to the storms on the Coos and Coquille, drawing little interest from anglers. Rain this week is likely to wrap up chinook fishing for the season.

 

The lower and middle stretches of the Rogue are running high this week but may fish by the coming weekend. Prior to the deluge, a 57-pound chinook was caught on the lower Rogue by a bait angler. Steelheading on the upper Rogue would be a logical option over the long holiday weekend. The water level will be dropping and the freshet this week will have enticed fresh summers upstream.

 

The Chetco River was low and clear until storms hit over the past weekend. It is well above fishing levels this week but is forecast to drop to decent levels by the coming weekend when it should fish well with fresh chinook available. It may be possible to plunk effectively on Thanksgiving Day but almost certainly by Friday this week.

 

High and muddy on Tuesday this week, the Elk and Sixes respond rapidly to changes in weather and are expected to fish later this week with fresh chinook in the systems.

 

Eastern – Steelheading has been fair on the lower Deschutes. Runs are cyclical but this year, observers believe numbers are the lowest since the mid-80s. It's still quite possible to take a fish or two in a day. Fly fishing for redsides has remained worthwhile.

 

Steelheading has been fair to good on the Grande Ronde near Troy. While the run numbers are off this year, summers taken this week have been big ones.

 

Soapbox Update: Save the date! One more commission meeting to go until Columbia River management reform is on the books! Mark your calendars NOW for the December 7^th ODF&W commission meeting in Salem. It’ll be a good one and sport anglers should show up!

 

SW Washington- With the exception of the Lewis River, most tributary systems are done for salmon for the year. Several regulation changes occur at the end of November/December 1^st so study them before departure.

The Lewis should remain a fair to good option for chinook for another few weeks. Fresh fish will continue to arrive.

Winter steelhead have already been taken in several district tributaries this week. The Washougal, Cowlitz and Lewis are top options for motivated anglers.

Oregon fishing reports

Willamette Valley/Metro- The Columbia River from Longview to Bonneville is offering some very good catch and release sturgeon fishing. All the popular spots are kicking out good numbers of fish and it’s likely that the less known locations are faring just as well. The beautiful thing about fall/winter sturgeon fishing is that the fish are rarely picky about the bait you offer up. Smelt or sand shrimp are the mainstays but squid, frozen anchovies, herring (pickled or not) , worms and even crawdad tails will get you fish. With the looming winter, the fish sense leaner times are coming and start foraging with reckless abandon.

Willamette River catch and release sturgeon fishing is rivaling the Columbia fishing if not producing better. From Kelly Point up to Oregon City the favorite slots are producing good numbers and loads of action for anglers who offer up fresh baits to the denizens of the freshwater deep. St Johns, Milwaukie and Oregon City have loads of good water and very good numbers of fish. Pick your favorite bait and enjoy the action.

 

Trout fishing has held up well on the McKenzie with best results during the Blue-Winged-Olive hatch at the warmest part of the day.

 

North Santiam levels and flow, extremely high early this week, has started dropping and may fish by Friday. Late summer steelhead and a few coho are in the system.

 

Both the Clackamas and Sandy Rivers have little if nothing to report other than the occasional old summer steelhead reportedly getting caught. It will be many weeks before catchable numbers of steelhead present opportunities.

Northwest – North coast anglers enjoyed another weak rain freshet early in the week, producing fair results on the Wilson and Kilchis Rivers. Kilchis River chinook remain largely absent with chum salmon making up the bulk of the catching on this system. Although anglers are still likely to intercept a chum salmon in pursuit of chinook, targeting chum after November 15^th is illegal.

 

The Wilson is forecast to be on the drop all week, laying the way for good river conditions by the weekend. Fresh fish should be available but the best fishing is likely to occur prior to the weekend. The Trask and to a lesser extent the Nestucca are also options but the runs are waning on these systems.

Tillamook Bay is still a fair option for late season trollers with the Ghost Hole and Bay City likely to yield the best results. Strong incoming tides over the weekend may bring in a fresh batch of chinook. In recent years, interest and success have been good into mid-December.

 

Sturgeon should be present in Tillamook Bay and tides this week are favorable although low slack will happen after sunset. While not beneficial to sturgeon anglers, clam diggers will have some good opportunity prior to the weekend if the surf forecast remains accurate.

Crabbing in the lower Columbia remains excellent but strong tides will require anglers to keep a watchful eye on gear as buoys will easily be swept under-water.

 

Southwest- With friendly offshore conditions this week, bottom fishing excursions have yielded mostly limits of rockfish. Lingcod catches have been fair to good.

Of those waters open to wild coho retention, only the Alsea is closed at this writing although the Siuslaw is close to quota fulfillment. Be sure to check the ODFW web site to be certain your preferred location remains legal to fish.

 

The wild coho fishery remains open on the Umpqua mainstem although catches of both coho and chinook have slowed. On the North Umpqua, where chinook may not be targeted, summer steelheading is slow to fair.

 

Precipitation and the resultant freshet has moved most chinook and coho out of the estuary and upriver on the Rogue. Adult steelhead and half-pounders are being taken around Agness. Middle Rogue steelheading has been fair to good for drift boaters although most are wild, requiring release. Summer steelhead catches on the upper Rogue, good following the lifting of the flies-only restriction, has slowed.

 

Few chinook remain in Coos Bay although wild coho are being caught on pink spinners or anchovies. Coho have moved upriver with fish allowed to the Dellwood Trap.

 

Chetco River water flows were on the rise earlier this week, destined for the productive range. The river level will fluctuate as storm fronts pass through. Keep an eye on water conditions to get out whenever it's dropping as chinook fishing should be at its best over the next ten days or so, then start to wind down.

 

While the Elk and Sixes are too low to fish on this week, chinook move in with the tides, producing best when water conditions have been decent. Fly anglers do well for chinook on the lower Elk.

 

Diamond Lake is closed but will reopen on January 1, 2013, for year-around fishing.

 

Eastern – Redsides are willing when the elements align on the Deschutes. Hatches start mid-day and when it's not raining or windy, fishing has been excellent on the lower river.

 

Crooked River flows remained unchanged over the past week which is good news for fall fly fishers.

 

Steelheaders are taking a few fish on the Wallowa River around Minam. Trout fishing has been fair.

 

With moderate temperatures, the troll fishery in the John Day Pool has produced good catches of summer steelhead lately. Action should hold through much of this month.

 

SW Washington- The Lewis River remains the best bet for late season chinook. Dark chinook are still being caught on the Cowlitz.

 

Late season returns of coho continue to disappoint anglers and managers. Hopefully, this won’t translate into a poor steelhead return. Steelhead should begin to show on the Cowlitz pretty soon.

 

Klickitat casters are still taking an occasional coho. Effort and success will likely wind down in the coming week.

Fishing Reports for 11/9/12

Willamette Valley/Metro- The Columbia River below Bonneville dam has been a ghost town, but a small core of anglers has been trying their hand at catch and release sturgeon fishing. The bite should only improve as more fish show up, always arriving when the salmon begin spawning below the dam and in the local creeks.

 

It’s been reported that the better fishing for catch and release sturgeon is in the lower Willamette River Portland harbor. Good catches of predominantly undersize sturgeon are the norm and double digit days are common. Occasionally, keeper size and over-size sturgeon are hooked and since they all have to be released, your gear should be able to handle the larger fish so as not to over-stress them in an extended fight with lighter gear. Anglers are already lining up along Meldrum bar in anticipation of the first winter steelhead. No reports of any caught.

 

As the smaller local rivers recede, there remains a chance for a few silvers in the upper Sandy and Clackamas Rivers. This late in the season, expect most fish to be wild so catch and release will be in order. Rumors of a few early arriving winter steelhead have already surfaced on the Sandy River; not surprising after the recent high water.

 

McKenzie levels have been dropping since the freshet last week. Fishing for redsides and native cutthroats has been decent on nymphs.

 

The Santiam system is high and unfishable at this time. While water level and flow moderated somewhat since the last rain storm, it's forecast to be out of shape for the remainder of the week.

Northwest – Following the most significant rain on the north coast to date, salmon anglers were sorely disappointed that action wasn’t nearly as good as the anticipation was. Smaller river systems were fishing effectively by Sunday but results on the Kilchis were poor despite high effort and ideal conditions. Early in the week, most north coast rivers were in prime shape but only producing an occasional fresh chinook. Anglers are in a quandary.

 

The Trask and Nestucca systems are producing an occasional fish as well but not what most anglers were hoping for. The Nehalem remains colored and most upriver areas remain closed to the taking of chinook as they begin to turn color in the upper reaches, making for poor table fare.

Tillamook Bay itself produced better prior to the weekend but overall, trollers remain perplexed that more chinook are not available despite good fishing conditions. Historically, early November has produced excellent catches. Reports of sturgeon in the estuary are likely credible.

 

Fishing on the north coast may still improve in the next several weeks but angler interest is waning due to slowing catch rates and the upcoming hunting seasons. Tillamook Bay and the Wilson and Kilchis Rivers will remain top bets. Wild coho remain largely absent and that should concern winter steelhead enthusiasts as survival rates are often similar on the north coast.

 

Crabbing remains excellent on the lower Columbia but only fair on most other systems after last week’s rain. Commercial pots will inundate the lower Columbia the last few days of November so the recreational fleet still has a few weeks of productive opportunity.

 

Southwest- With salmon upriver on many south coast rivers now, anglers will focus on fresh fish still coming in on the tides in the lower reaches of most watersheds. River levels are expected to remain low through the weekend.

 

According to the latest data available online as of Tuesday, November 6th, the Alsea is the only wild coho fishery which has closed with the quota filled. Check the ODF&W web site for the most updated information.

 

Catches of chinook and coho have slowed on the Umpqua mainstem and smallmouth bass fishing is winding down around Elkton as water temperatures drop. Summer steelheading remains fair on the North Umpqua.

 

Chinook catches have slowed on the Coos and Coquille although the wild coho fisheries remain open.

 

While rainfall pulled most of the salmon out of the Rogue estuary, sending them upstream, trollers have continued to make fair, steady catches of chinook and coho in the bay. Catches of adult and half-pounder steelhead have been good around Agness with a few chinook and coho also falling to anglers. Steelheading is good on the middle Rogue, particularly for side-drifters using bait. Waters of the upper Rogue continued to produce decent catches of summer steelhead. While most have been natives, there have been large, hard-fighting hatchery fish in the mix.

 

The Chetco opened the last day of October as skies opened and dumped rainfall on the area bringing impressive numbers of fresh chinook upriver. This scenario will repeat with upcoming weather fronts. Fishing was good upriver on the opener, slowed over the weekend and has been slow this week. It may be mid-November before the next freshet rejuvenates chinook fishing.

 

Elk and Sixes anglers experienced some action following precipitation over the past week but conditions change rapidly on the small, volatile ocean tributaries. Currently low and clear, fishing will be worthwhile with successive weather fronts.

 

Eastern – Following runoff over the past week that roiled the Deschutes, the river has dropped and cleared. Steelheading has been good around Maupin and Sherars Falls. As conditions improve, brightly-colored lures and flies will be most effective.

 

Lake Billy Chinook provides a decent bull trout fishery over the winter months. One fish at least 24 inches or better in length may be kept although most choose to catch-and-release these fish.

 

The Grande Ronde, Umatilla and Imnaha systems should start to produce good catches of steelhead. Following last week’s rain, flows have improved, drawing fish upriver from the Snake.

 

The John Day River is also producing fair catches of steelhead although most are wild and must be released.

 

SW Washington- Following the high flows of last week, boaters did see a slight spike in success for both chinook and coho. Overall however, coho numbers remain fair at best.

 

Chinook will remain the best option on the Lewis River with a dwindling opportunity on the Cowlitz.

 

The Klickitat River adjacent to the Columbia will remain a fair option for late-run coho for another few weeks but given this year’s lower return, anglers are often going away empty handed.

Oregon fishing reports

Willamette Valley/Metro- All the local rivers are swollen from the rains, leaving few options for fishing this week.  Last week a handful of anglers reported good catch and release sturgeon fishing in the Portland Harbor. Most are undersize and barely legal size with the occasional larger fish. Even with the rise in water levels, these fish will likely still be hanging around and may offer some action. Barbless hooks are required and bait is legal. Smelt is the top bait if you can find them but herring, squid, sand shrimp, anchovies and good old earthworms will catch sturgeon any day. Most action happens just above and below the St Johns Bridge so launching at Cathedral Park or Swan Island would be the norm. Anchor in water from 30-80 feet of depth and use 4-12 ounces of lead. Steer clear of the shipping channel as ship traffic will remain steady.

McKenzie River levels should start to drop late this week as precipitation moderates. Caddis will remain the predominant pattern, whether nymphs, emergers or dries.

The Santiams are high and muddy, with conditions forecast to remain that way into the first full week of November.

When the rain begins to subside and the Sandy and Clackamas begin to drop, look for a few remnant silvers and expect the first winter steelhead to be caught from Meldrum Bar. Regulations change for salmon and trout on these systems beginning November 1^st.

Northwest – Although effort has been light at mid-week, chinook remain available for the few willing to brave torrent conditions on Tillamook Bay. Rivers remain high, contributing to a stained estuary but chinook often stage at Bay City, the Ghost Hole and at the mouths of these rivers until river flows subside. Herring will take fish in turbid conditions but employ the use of scents for further attraction.

 

Dick’s Sporting Goods in Lake Oswego will host a fall chinook seminar on November 8^th, detailing the best methods to employ when pursuing these fish in fresh water. The event runs from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

 

Tillamook area rivers are currently blown out, forcing a cancellation of the North Coast Rendezvous. Rivers, especially smaller tributaries such as the Necanicum and Kilchis, should provide some opportunity as early as Friday although leafy debris will likely hamper success for several more days. Watch for dangerous sweeper logs however as drenched stream banks and high winds certainly caused hazardous blow-downs for driftboaters.

 

The Trask and Wilson may fish by the weekend but plan on clearing lures and baits of leafy debris constantly to fish effectively. Both plugs and bait should be effective and fish should be plentiful when flows subside.

 

The Nehalem fishery is effectively over. This system will take a long time to clear and with fall rains underway, ideal conditions may not be witnessed for a long while.   

 

Southwest- Offshore conditions have kept recreational and charter craft inshore over the past week. Forecasts indicate un-friendly ocean conditions off the central coast this week.

 

The Siuslaw wild coho fishery may be closing in the near future, depending on river conditions. As of October 28th, 1,590 or 93.5% of the 1,700-fish quota had been taken. The Alsea closed earlier but the Siletz, Yaquina Umpqua Coos and Coquille will fish for a while.

 

The wild coho troll fishery at Siltcoos has been producing for a few weeks while Tahkenitch and Tenmile will start putting out fish in the next week or two.

 

Chinook and coho catches have slowed in Winchester Bay and the Umpqua mainstem. Smallmouth bass fishing is slowing as water temperatures drop in the Elkton stretch. Summer steelheading is fair on the North Umpqua where chinook fishing is disallowed.

 

Catches of coho and chinook have slowed on the lower Coquille and in Coos Bay and River.

 

Trollers in the Rogue estuary have been experiencing fair results for chinook and coho. Rogue levels are forecast to spike over the coming weekend, and then drop in the week to come. Freshets are luring salmon upstream where anglers are intercepting them. A combination of chinook, adult steelhead and half-pounders are being caught around Agness. Steelheading has improved on the middle Rogue with eggs or egg imitations effective. Gear fishing will once again be allowed on the upper Rogue as the flies-only restriction ends November 1st. Fishing is expected to be quite good as upper river summers have seen only feathery offerings and egg imitations for months.

 

Chetco estuary trollers have been taking fair but steady numbers of chinook on anchovies or herring with best results occurring on an incoming tide. The Chetco, scheduled to open above River Mile 2.2 on Saturday, November 2nd, opens today thanks to decent river volume and should provide chinook opportunities as rain continues to fall in the southwest. Following an increase to roughly 5,000 cfs, long range projections have the water dropping shortly after the opener but plunking will probably be the technique of choice at first. Last season, salmon to 40 pounds or better were landed.

 

Eastern – Fishing has been slow to fair on the Deschutes as anglers deal with periodic turbidity as a result of periodic rainfall and a mobilization of glacial sediment.

 

While northwest Oregon has endured a deluge recently, the Crooked River has remained low and stable. It is fishing well. Clouds and rain will trigger BWO hatches.

 

SW Washington- With most lower Columbia tributaries on a steady rise, anglers will have some additional opportunity for coho and chinook following the drop. That drop however may not take place until late in the weekend.

District rivers are far from the coho counts of 2011 confirming a downturn in returning trends this year. None-the-less, fair action can still be anticipated on the Cowlitz with limited opportunity on the other systems.

 

Anglers may want to look to the more controlled reservoirs upstream of The Dalles and the Bonneville Pool. Coho catches at the mouth of the Klickitat should remain consistent.

 

Soapbox Update: Two noteworthy events coming up this week:

 

Dick’s Sporting Goods in Lake Oswego will host a fall chinook seminar on November 8^th, detailing the best methods to employ when pursuing these fish in fresh water. The event runs from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Pro guide and publisher of The Guide’s Forecast Bob Rees will deliver this critical information to help you catch more fish. North Coast State Forest Coalition organizer Chris Smith will co-present with Bob on actions the coalition are doing in order to  fully protect sensitive spawning and rearing grounds for wild salmon on state forest lands. More info can be found at the coalition’s web site and check out the other outings we’re offering in the following weeks: www.forestlegacy.org

 

The other big upcoming event is the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife commission meeting in Salem on November 9^th. At this meeting the public will get an opportunity to testify on behalf of Governor Kitzhaber’s initiative for a sportfishing priority for the Columbia River. This is an unprecedented opportunity for anglers to advocate for drastic changes on allocation, thus meaningful fishing time for spring chinook, summer chinook, sturgeon and coho on the river that produces more angler trips than any other body of water in Oregon. For more information on how you can join this effort most effectively, contact Bob Rees at brees@pacifier.com