Oregon fishing report

Willamette Valley/Metro - Pro guide Chris Vertopoulos (503-349-1377) reports, “Steelhead continue to ascend the lower Columbia in good numbers but we have likely seen the peak of the run. Steelhead counts at Bonneville Dam have started to drop, but the fall chinook are right on their heels and have been showing up in the catch. Although the peak steelhead run might have passed, fishing this week should remain steady and by no means is it over. Anglers who alter their tactics and fish deeper water will continue to score with a mixed bag of steelhead and chinook.”

Sturgeon fishing below the Skamania Island deadline has been average to slow, but effort has been light. Retention for sturgeon in this reach will close on August 1^st, not to re-open until October 20^th. The lower Marker 82 deadline will be in effect for another month.

Primary activities on the lower Willamette will consist of smallmouth bass fishing and wakeboarding.

Trout fishing has been fair on the McKenzie with caddis still the insect activity of interest to fly anglers.

Due to a change in the way water is fed to the North Santiam, temperatures are expected to improve fishing results here.

A few steelhead might be around on the Clackamas, but the low clear water makes for tough fishing.

A few straggler steelhead might be present on the Sandy in the stretch between the mouth of the Salmon river and Dodge Park.

Northwest – Ocean salmon south of Falcon closed with little attention as coho numbers were scarce throughout the season. Fishing did improve slightly indicating a northern migration towards the Columbia system is underway.

Most anglers fishing out of northern ports such as Garibaldi are targeting albacore. Ocean conditions have been exceptional, allowing boats easy access to ample numbers of the new favorite for saltwater anglers.

Crabbing makes a nice additional option to saltwater harvest although the bulk of the Dungeness remain in a soft-shell state.

The Nehalem is producing fair catches of chinook both inside the bay at Wheeler as well as near the estuary entrance. This fishery should only improve in the coming weeks although stronger tides will produce better results higher in the estuary.

North coast systems transition to fall salmon regulations where wild or hatchery chinook are open to retention. Check the ODF&W web site for more specific fall salmon regulations for both chinook and coho.

August can be the peak month for tidewater trolling for sea-run cutthroat trout.

Southwest – Recreational boats are catching albacore out of Newport and Depoe Bay whenever ocean conditions allow. With warm water and tuna moving closer to shore, charters are also making regular trips.

Bottom fishing has remained good off the central coast. Ocean crabbing is producing mostly limits although many are soft.

Coho catches slowed after anglers posted good catches (although few hatchery keepers) at the close of the fishery on July 31st. A non-selective (fin-clipped or not) coho fishery opens September 1st through 3rd and every Thursday, Friday, Saturday from September 6th through September 22 or a quota of 10,000 fish.

The summer all-depth halibut season opens from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain starting August 3rd and 4th, then every other Friday and Saturday through October 27th or a quota of approximately 53,000 pounds.

Chinook fishing has been fair to good out of Winchester Bay. Steelheading is fair on the North Umpqua while bass fishing is good on the South Umpqua.

Chinook catches have been good out of Charleston and tuna boats are taking good numbers at 25 or more miles out of port this week.

Bottom fishing out of Gold Beach has yielded limits whenever offshore conditions have allowed ocean access. Chinook are in the Rogue estuary in good number, which has resulted in improved catches. The lower Rogue has produced on the incoming tide. Fishing on the middle river is slow. Upper Rogue steelhead catches are good. Spring chinook may no longer be targeted above Dodge Bridge as of August 1st.

Large schools of baitfish in Brookings Harbor has created an alternative troll fishery inside the bay. Trolling anchovies will produce a few salmon and while not a hot fishery, it is a viable alternative when boats are unable to cross the bar.

Eastern – Redside fishing is fair on the lower Deschutes early and late in the day while steelheading is slow. Chinook fishing opened August 1st from the mouth at the I-84 bridge upstream to Sherars Falls. The warm water situation should improve as additional water releases are scheduled to start the 1st of August. Only a handful of fish have been counted at Sherars Falls since July 1st.

Walleye and smallmouth bass are providing good to excellent opportunity for anglers in the reservoirs above Bonneville Dam. Action may slow as water temperatures warm.

SW Washington – Most anglers remain focused on the mainstem Columbia for steelhead action and rightfully so. Deep water anchor anglers are still picking up good numbers of fish on plugs and the occasional spinner. Bank anglers can produce good numbers of steelhead on the upcoming strong tide series, especially if lures are tipped with coon shrimp.

Although the Cowlitz and Kalama are producing an occasional steelhead, the action will get much better later in August when salmon become another target. A fair return of chinook is forecast for many district systems.

The Drano Lake fishery is only producing moderate results. Steelhead numbers over Bonneville are fewer than anticipated for this time of the year. There may still be a sizable number coming as flows and temperatures have varied wildly compared to most normal years.

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