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.
