Thursday, November 28, 2013

Oregon fishing report 11/29/13

Willamette Valley/Metro - Few, if any anglers are venturing out to fish the lower Columbia since the cold weather hit. Catch and released sturgeon fishing should produce for anglers willing to brave the frigid weather.

A few bank anglers are lining up along Meldrum Bar waiting for the first winter steelhead ring their bell. Catch and release sturgeon fishing should be good in the harbor above and below the St. John's bridge as well as in the Milwaukie section.

McKenzie water levels are at seasonal average following the freshet over the past week. While there are no winter steelhead here, redsides will cooperate with long-rodders throwing Caddis imitations.

Fish passage at Willamette Falls is nil. While there are coho in the North Santiam, they have been challenging to hook and are starting to show their age. At least water conditions will be decent for the three-day weekend.

Lack of effort on the Clackamas River leaves little to report. The first winter steelhead could be caught within the week, though the bulk of the run isn't due to show until sometime in January.

The mid-week holiday will likely bring out a few anglers to try the Sandy River in hopes of catching a Thanksgiving steelhead. Cold, windy weather will make the fishing tough to bear but a steelhead or two will likely hit the bank.

The 2014 Oregon Sport Fishing regulations are now available online, at ODFW offices and at most places that sell hunting and fishing licenses.

Northwest – The only thing left on the lower Columbia is sport crabbing. Although crabbers fishing close to the Oregon side struggled for good catches over the weekend, those crabbing lower Desdemona Sands fared well. The commercial crabbing delay will afford the sport fleet additional opportunity if the weather cooperates. East winds hampered effort last weekend.

Thanksgiving is the traditional winter steelhead kick-off and rumors of early season steelhead are starting to trickle in. The Kilchis, Wilson, Necanicum, North Fork Nehalem, Three Rivers and Nestucca systems should all produce rare, early season opportunities. The North Fork Nehalem and Three Rivers are likely to be prime targets for bank anglers, there have been confirmed catches on the North Fork. Match your bait size to water conditions using small baits in clear water and larger offerings when rivers run colored.

Late season chinook fishing on the Wilson and Kilchis systems has been disappointing. Despite historic hot fishing on a few of these north coast systems, these late November fish have been largely absent. There should remain a rare opportunity for a December chinook but anglers should not count on any consistency.

Ghost Hole trollers haven't been deterred but catches remain poor. Crabbing in Tillamook Bay was fair at best over the weekend along with most north coast estuaries. Tides will get challenging by the weekend.

An unprecedented period of calm ocean conditions last week produced great catches of bottomfish, especially large lingcod for deep-reef fishermen. Seas are expected to sour by the weekend with limited opportunity throughout the winter months. The delay for the commercial crab fleet may also yield fair ocean catches after December 1st however most keeper males migrate to deeper water this time of year.

Southwest- Large lingcod were taken over the past weekend out of central Oregon ports and rockfishing has yielded good catches as well. Limits or near limits of bottom fish are common at this time of year. Getting out is the trick.

Offshore conditions look mixed over the coming weekend with a friendly ocean predicted for Saturday, November 30, deteriorating into Sunday. Check conditions late this week to launch safely.

Recreational ocean crabbing will open on December 1 but commercial efforts scheduled for that same date will be delayed until December 15 or later as samples indicate Dungeness are not up to strict standards.

It remains to be seen if fresh winters show this week on the Alsea although coho are being caught on pink spinners and plugs. Steelheading is likely to heat up following the next round of rainfall.

While crabbing slowed in Coquille tidewater and Coos Bay following rainfall early last week, it will be improving with dry weather this week. Chinook are coloring up.

Chinook fishing in Rogue Bay is all but wrapped up for the year. Lower Rogue flows are back to pre-freshet levels with adult steelhead and half-pounders being caught near Agness. Results have been sporadic on the middle river for anglers using either bait or lures. Steelheading should be good on the upper river on Black Friday though it'll be for summers, not winters, and most are showing colorful signs of their lengthy freshwater residence. There is considerable pressure above Shady Cove where bait is allowed but drifting cured eggs has been effective.

Rockfish and lingcod are available in the ocean just outside Brookings Harbor and results for anglers using jigs has been good. Last week's storm raised Chetco levels rapidly but levels fell almost as fast with dry ground soaking up the water. Plunkers scored initially and then driftboaters as water levels dropped although overall it was just fair fishing. Expect low, dropping levels over the coming weekend with more rain in the forecast early next week.

If rain falls in the coming week as predicted for the southwest corner of Oregon, there should be some decent chinook fishing on the Elk River. Sixes River has been getting driftboat traffic but producing few fish in low water.

Trout fishing has yet to heat up as expected as the weather cools at Diamond Lake. Bait anglers are catching a few fish however.

Eastern – Water temperatures are good on the lower Deschutes although air temps will have guides icing up. Trout fishing is fair to good with Caddis hatching afternoons. Steelhead are scattered in the river but slow to bite or strike in frigid weather. Try mid-afternoons.

Results have been mixed for trollers at Crescent Lake with some boats landing several large lake trout while others have blanked.

Lake Billy Chinook is producing fair to good kokanee catches and the occasional bull trout to trollers. Avoid the Metolius Arm as it's closed at this time of year.

Off-season trollers at Green Peter are catching some kokanee.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Oregon fishing report

Willamette Valley/Metro - Catch and release sturgeon fishing will produce for anglers willing to give it a try below Bonneville Dam. The Bonneville Pool fishery will be discussed on Tuesday of next week; managers will confer with stakeholders on 2014 season structure beginning at 6:30 p.m. at The Dalles Screens Shop, located at 3561 Klindt Drive in The Dalles.

Catch and release sturgeon is about all that's available on the Willamette River. Anglers are already starting to line the bank at Meldrum Bar and soon the first winter steelhead of the season will be taken.

The McKenzie River could be a stretch this week. Dry weather is forecast but levels were rising recently. Take an assortment of nymphs and dries if you try it.

North Santiam levels rose dramatically mid-week although anglers will find it dropping by the weekend. Coho are available but few are being caught.

A few local anglers continue to fish for late summer steelhead and mostly wild coho salmon on the Clackamas River. Anglers must cover a lot of water to find a willing biter, as there are very few fish per mile of river.

Sandy River anglers are waiting for winter steelhead to arrive. The first of which could be taken any day now, but the run won't show in earnest until sometime after Thanksgiving.

Northwest – North coast anglers are hoping for one last strong crack at Tillamook district chinook. The recent high water will give driftboaters ideal conditions by the weekend. Chinook and some chum, possibly an early steelhead should be available on the Wilson and Kilchis Rivers. The Trask may also get a few late, fresh chinook. Bank anglers and boaters alike should score some results. Anglers are no longer allowed to target chum salmon as they are spawning in good numbers on the Kilchis and Miami Rivers right now.

Tillamook Bay trollers may also find a few fresh fish late this week, working the Ghost Hole and Bay City areas. The lower bay will likely produce the best catches as most chinook are destined for the Wilson, Kilchis and Miami rivers. Recent rains may clear out juvenile crab enough to produce some sturgeon catches in the upper bay. Sand shrimp will produce best. Crabbing will likely be challenging despite good tides coming up.

The Nestucca is likely over for the season, winter steelhead will show below Three Rivers and in Three Rivers itself by month's end.

Netarts crabbing will likely be fair at best but the lower Columbia will draw a lot of interested crabbers this weekend. Recent reports state success rates aren't what most are used to but this weekend will likely be good. An attempt for a late coho will be futile however.

Southwest- Offshore forecasts were off the mark earlier this week but long-range predictions indicate a friendly ocean for the weekend. It's best to check at the last minute. Rockfish and lingcod will reward those able to launch.

Fishing for wild coho has been slow on Siltcoos Lake and will remain so until a decent rainfall. The fishery overall has been disappointing.

Crabbing has picked up at Winchester Bay and is reported to have produced a few limits recently.

Coquille trollers are using spinners to connect with chinook but many are showing signs of age. A freshet will bring in brighter, late-season fish.

Little is happening on Rogue Bay although a few chinook are being taken near Indian Creek. Lower river fishing is slow with the exception of half-pounder catches near Agness. Steelheading on the middle Rogue is spotty but has been best at tributary mouths. Steelheaders have continued to fare well on the upper Rogue with summers on the move and coho in the mix thanks to a little rain over the past week.

Boats launching out of Brookings have been able to slip out to the ocean occasionally to jig up rockfish and a few lingcod. Chetco water flows got a little help from Mother Nature earlier this week but as the weekend approaches, levels will once again be dropping. Steelheaders report taking a few winters recently.

Rain is needed to get the chinook fishery underway on the Elk and Sixes rivers, early December is often peak.

Eastern – Steelhead are scattered on the lower Deschutes but catches remain poor to fair. Chinook and summer steelhead counts have dwindled to single digits at Sherars Falls, another sign of the change in seasons.

Nymphing is generally most effective in the Metolius at this time of year although there are occasional hatches. Fly anglers throwing streamers are taking a few large bull trout. Pressure on the river is light in November.

Fishing for steelhead is reported as fair on the Grande Ronde River.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Oregon fishing reports

Willamette Valley/Metro - Salmon fishing below Bonneville Dam is done. Catch and release sturgeon fishing should provide some action.

Very little is happening on the Willamette River. Catch and release Sturgeon fishing is about the only game in town and few anglers are showing any interest. Expect the first winter steelhead to be caught around Thanksgiving at Meldrum Bar.

The rising waters of the McKenzie through November 8th have turned around and are gradually moderating. While the river is still a little high, nymphs will fool redsides here.

Fishing is slow on the North Santiam but coho have continued to cross the Willamette Falls at a rate of 30 or 40 a day. There should be some available to target. It was a slow season for summer steelhead.

Little is available on the Clackamas other than a handful of late summer steelhead and the odd wild coho salmon. Winter steelhead typically show up here the first week of December.

After a poor return of fall coho, Sandy River anglers await the first winter steelhead. Expect a few to show up in the lower river just after Thanksgiving.

Northwest – The North Coast Rendezvous ended up producing around 40 chinook for about 120 “angler days” indicating that chinook fishing remains challenging for even some of the region's best. Catches were most productive for driftboat anglers working the lower Wilson and Kilchis Rivers with fewer coming from Tillamook Bay itself. Since the rivers have dropped, focus again turns to Tillamook Bay with the Ghost Hole and Bay City again producing an occasional chinook. Interest has certainly dropped off even though fresh chinook can still be caught into mid-December.

Anglers will keep a keen eye on river levels, where driftboaters can access fair numbers of returning chinook, particularly to the Kilchis and Wilson Rivers. Females, often still bright and laden with sea-lice, can often still cut pale in color, making for poor table fare. Bucks however can be a great holiday bonus as long as they are still sliver-skinned. Sporadic precipitation should keep the lower reaches of north coast systems fishable through the weekend.

The upcoming minus tide series may yield some sturgeon in Tillamook Bay. This fishery may be the last-ditch option for anglers seeking consumptive opportunity for sturgeon in Oregon. November typically marks a winter migration into coastal estuaries where sturgeon forage on clams, shrimp and juvenile Dungeness crab. The west and middle channels of Tillamook Bay often produce fair catches well into the New Year. Sand shrimp will make the best bait.

The minus tide series will also bode well for clam diggers on the north coast. Razors should be available along Clatsop Beaches if the surf forecast remains accurate. Bay crabbing will likely be challenging on the extreme tide series.

The offshore forecast may be conducive to offshore bottomfishing. Deep-reef action should persist for large lingcod but sea bass should also be plentiful along nearshore reefs.

Southwest- Certain stretches of the Oregon coast produce particular species of fish on diverse schedules. chinook fishing in starts to shine on the south coast at this time of year. The Elk and Sixes Rivers should provide some of the best late fall opportunities.

Fishing for wild coho has been poor for Tahkenitch and Siltcoos Lake trollers.

While crabbing in bays has been spotty, results should improve as winter approaches. Heavy rains will stall catches but large, deep bays such as Winchester and Coos are most likely to remain productive.

Anglers trolling spinners on the lower Coquille have been landing some large chinook over the past week.

Chinook fishing is slow at Rogue Bay with only the occasional Indian Creek fish hooked. Slow fishing in the lower Rogue should improve with rain. Steelhead catches dropped off to just a few on the middle river. Summers are being taken on the upper river with bait allowed only above Shady Cove boat ramp. A few coho are in the upper Rogue but rarely bite in this stretch.

Anglers stood shoulder-to-shoulder, fishing "guerilla style" following the opening of the Chetco River on November 2nd. Scores of salmon are stacked in holes awaiting the next freshet which would allow upstream progress. Bobbers and bait flung, lines snarled and epithets were spoken. Regardless, fishing has been good.

Elk River anglers fishing the mouth are taking a few chinook.

Trout fishing is expected to improve at Diamond Lake as fish feed heavily in preparation for the winter months ahead. The weather is getting colder and snow has been falling occasionally.

Eastern – As predicted, steelheading on the Deschutes has shown some improvement now that chinook spawning is over. With summers scattered throughout the lower river, there are plenty of opportunities. Redsides have been cooperative during daytime Blue-Winged Olive hatches and again late in the day with Caddis patterns.

Low waters of the Crooked River have continued to produce fish. Trout catches are decent in the stretch below Bowman Dam while the river below is producing whitefish.

Thursday, November 07, 2013

Oregon fishing report

Willamette Valley/Metro - On the lower Columbia River, fishing from a boat is restricted to below Beacon Rock. Bank angling is allowed upstream of Beacon Rock to the deadline right below the dam. Dark fall Chinook salmon are present and anglers are encouraged to let them spawn in peace. Catch and release sturgeon fishing may be a good option. Little is happening on the lower Willamette River, however catch and release sturgeon fishing will likely produce for anglers not concerned with taking something home.

McKenzie flows have increased slightly with rainfall this week. Expect levels to rise as fall rains continue this week. Caddis patterns remain predominate if water conditions cooperate.

North Santiam water conditions will be variable this week and likely unsuitable in some places for drift boating. Coho are scattered with best numbers from Neal Park to Jefferson. They'll hit jigs or spinners occasionally.

Nothing to report on the Clackamas River. A few late summer steelhead are present in the upper stretch between Barton and Rivermill dam. Also, a few coho might be present in the deeper holes up to Eagle Creek.

If anything is available on the Sandy River it would be a straggler coho salmon. Winter steelhead are up next and the first of which should show around Thanksgiving in the lower river.

Northwest – North Coast fishing report – Tillamook chinook fishing remains hit or miss in the district despite a traditional productive period of the season. Wilson and Kilchis River chinook should make a stronger showing this week, which could last into early December. Target salmon in the lower bay as the low tide exchange should keep fishing most productive down-bay from Bay City.

North coast rivers will receive another round of precipitation which could make driftboating on the Trask, Wilson, Kilchis and Nestucca Rivers productive again for chinook and some chum salmon. The Necanicum has been producing catches lately too.

The peak of the chinook run has passed on Nehalem Bay. A few late fish will be taken from now until Thanksgiving. Bobber fishing in tidewater is underway and anglers are sorting through a lot of dark fish to catch a bright keeper. Crabbing in the lower bay has been slow to average. A few silvers are still present up to the hatchery on the NF Nehalem River.

The next rise in water levels will bring in the tail end of the run. Winter steelhead will follow around Thanksgiving time.

The Siletz has a few late chinook and the next rain should push a few more into the lower river. Expect the best opportunity for quality fish in the upper tidewater section and lower river between Strom and Ojalla Parks.

Southwest – Offshore bottom fishing out of Newport and Depoe Bay was excellent through late last week, Limits of rockfish and ling cod were the norm. That changed when the weather turned foul over the weekend with some charter offices closing until there's an improvement in conditions.

Crabbing in large, deep bays such as Coos or Winchester will improve at this time of year unless rain decreases salinity, forcing Dungeness out to the ocean.

Of the southwest rivers open for wild coho, catches have been best on the Umpqua where just over half of the 3,000 fish quota has been taken. Fishing for wild coho has been improving on Tahkenitch Lake.

Reports early this week indicate good numbers of coho but few Chinook on the Siuslaw. It remains to be seen what changes occur with rainfall.

Few boats are trolling Rogue Bay now with marginal success. Many of the Indian Creek Chinook are turning dark at this stage of the season. Salmon and steelhead catches have slowed at Agness although steelheading is fair but steady on the middle river. On the upper Rogue, with the flies-only restriction over, bait fishers are hitting the stretch above Shady Cove boat ramp. From that point downstream to Fishers Ferry, only flies and lure may be used. Catches have been fair to good throughout.

The Chetco opened above tidewater on November 2nd with a temporary bag limit of one wild Chinook per day due to low water conditions. Fish bobber and bait in deep holes to hook up. Flows are forecast to improve somewhat in the second week of November but significant improvement may take a few weeks. Chinook may not be kept above Nook Creek.

Elk River flow and level remain low with the water running clear. The southwest corner of the state has received insufficient rainfall to improve conditions.

Eastern - While the Crooked River, Deschutes River and the Metolius River remain open. most central Oregon streams closed at the end of October.

Fly fishing caddis patterns on the lower Deschutes has continued to produce fair numbers of redsides. Steelheading is improving now that Chinook spawning has wrapped up.

Fly casters on the Wallowa River are limited to whitefish as retention of trout closed at the end of October although catch-and-release is allowed. A few steelhead were caught over the past week.

Steelheading has picked up on the Grande Ronde with success rates at 50% for anglers in the Troy area according to ODFW checkers.