Oregon fishing report for 3/28/14

Willamette Valley/Metro - Columbia River spring chinook fishers are still anxiously awaiting improving success rates. Test netting in the lower river indicate a higher number of fish present with higher interception rates of mainstem Columbia chinook. Willamette bound chinook still make up the bulk of the catch but that will likely change this week. Anchor anglers and trollers working the Kalama to Astoria area are still struggling for success; an indication the run is either late or going to come in under-predicted again. High, cold water is most certainly delaying migration and thus catch rates; an extension is likely, with an emphasis on likely.

Willamette River trollers had a good week from Sellwood downstream. The Oregonian's own Bill Monroe tallied 2 keepers last week, trolled herring was the ticket. River flows are once again expected to rise and muddy however, likely to once again put the fishery on hold until early April.

McKenzie level and flow moderated over the past weekend and fly fishers responded. While March Browns hatched in modest number, nymphs were more effective and catches were fair to good. Precipitation this week will affect the river but good times are ahead for McKenzie long-rodders.

The entire Santiam system is on the rise, a trend which is forecast to continue through the weekend to come.

The Clackamas is in peak season (mid-March to mid-April) and although the fishing has not been up to par like previous years, a mix of summer and winter broodstock fish should continue to provide some opportunity in the coming weeks.

Smelt are just a memory for Sandy River dippers but the season's first spring chinook were confirmed recently. The Sandy continues to provide good opportunity for steelhead as both winter broodstock fish and summer steelhead are available. A flurry of summer steelhead catches were recorded in the Oxbow area on Saturday and Sunday.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will hold two free youth fishing events on Saturday, April 5th, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Canby Pond and Cottage Grove Pond will be stocked with trout for these events. Volunteers will be on hand to help and assist kids.

Northwest – North Coast steelheaders have beat the rivers to a froth, compromising action last weekend on the districts two favorites; the Wilson and Nestucca. Both systems will continue to produce fair results into early April but action will quickly taper after the first week. Spring chinook fishing opens on April 1st but success rates won't climb until mid-May.

Many smaller streams close on April 1st as well as the upper reach of the Nehalem River above the Highway 26 Bridge at Elsie. Trout won't open until late May to protect schools of wild and hatchery smolts making their way downstream to the estuary in the coming weeks.

Offshore enthusiasts were able to take advantage of good bottomfishing over the weekend. Willing sea bass and lingcod fell to jigs and baits on rocky reefs and along jetties.

Razor clamming was challenging and crabbing is still leaving many disappointed.

Southwest- Offshore conditions allowed sport and charter boats to launch over the past weekend, seeking bottom fish. Catches were fair to good with some large lingcod boated.

Lingcod hookups have been occurring for anglers fishing off rocks and jetties when the ocean has laid down. These are frequently a surprise as lings will grab kelp greenling struggling on angler's lines. Rockfish are also being taken on jigs or bait.

While ocean salmon fishing has been open since mid-March, catches have been slow. Trollers are hooking a few offshore outside of Coos Bay and the mouth of the Rogue River. Offshore salmon fishing is closed south of Humbug Mountain.

Fishing for surf perch has continued to improve for anglers casting bait off ocean beaches. Best results will occur during the last two hours of an incoming tide.

Water will be rising on the mainstem Umpqua although spring chinook will be available as it recovers in early April. Hatchery winter steelhead catches have been good on the South Umpqua. Drifted, cured eggs have been taking the most fish.

With water conditions improving in Coos Bay, crabbing is expected to improve as will results for anglers fishing for rockfish and lingcod from the jetties.

Spring chinook catches picked up late last week on the lower Rogue but slowed again as the water dropped and cleared. Half-pounder fishing has been very good at times in the Agness stretch. Rain this week should improve flow and color, boosting angler's chances of a springer hookup. Bait has been most effective on the middle river but most steelhead hooked here have spawned. Just as winter steelhead catches were picking up on the upper Rogue with improving water levels, water will be on the rise again this week.

Boats fishing just outside Brookings Harbor have done well jigging for rockfish and lingcod. Steelheading is winding down on the Chetco with most of the fish spawned out and of poor quality.

Steelheading was good on the Elk when flows were up but catches fell off as the river dropped and cleared late last week.

As predicted, Diamond Lake ice fishing is done for the year. Trout fishers will be awaiting the spring thaw at which time catches are expected to be good.

Eastern – Lower Deschutes flows are good for fishing and the color has improved over that of a week ago. Hatches are picking up as have results for redsides although nymphing is often still the more productive technique here.

Trollers are catching a few kokanee and larger, holdover rainbows at Haystack Reservoir.

Davis Lake is open and accessible but bass are inactive in cold water.

Oregon fishing report 3/21/14

Willamette Valley/Metro - Anglers are getting back on the mainstem Columbia in anticipation of an ample spring chinook run that has yet to show. Cold, high water has slowed migration but it's time to start seeing increasing catch rates and action in the Kalama area is starting to improve. Herring trollers are starting to show at Davis Bar and although action still won't peak for a few more weeks, nets should start to fly on a more regular basis. Commercial test netting on Sunday showed a higher incidence of steelhead than spring chinook and more Willamette bound chinook than upper Columbia bound salmon.

Water conditions are starting to improve on the Willamette and catches should too. The Sellwood area is likely to be a hot spot but the head of the Multnomah Channel and Oregon City should start to see action as well. Herring produces best in the colder flows.

McKenzie River levels are high but dropping this week. With dry weather in the forecast, fly anglers should be able to find some fishable riffles and runs by the weekend.

Water level, flow and color will be good on the Santiams for the coming weekend. Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of fish in the system. With summer steelhead starting to enter, hopefully that will change in the months to come.

The Sandy and Clackamas steelhead fisheries are improving and the test fishery in the mainstem Columbia indicate there are many more to come. More hatchery fish than wild ones were caught in the test fishery so those broodstock fish are going to make a showing. Steelhead should be well distributed throughout both of these systems but the lower reaches will likely produce the more aggressive biters as they will have just entered the system.

Large numbers of smelt have been spotted in the Sandy River. Saturday, March 22nd is the last day sport dippers can participate and it's only open from 6:00 a.m. until noon. If you don't own a dip net, one may be available for rent in the Troutdale area from a local retailer.

Northwest – Steelheaders have had great river conditions to take advantage of late returning wild and broodstock steelhead. The Wilson and Nestucca remain the top targets with both systems producing consistent catches this week. Most anglers would classify this season as sub-par but with peak season upon us, this is the time to go. The lower reaches of the Wilson and Nestucca will likely start to produce the better results, given the dropping water conditions and an improving tide series.

Smaller systems such as the Kilchis, Necanicum and Trask Rivers, will also produce the best in the lower reaches and catches will largely be comprised of wild fish.

Small side-drifted baits will always be a good option but drifted beads, jigs under bobbers and plugs will become more effective in the dropping flows.

The ocean forecast finally starts to look favorable by the weekend. Anglers have not had ocean opportunity for several weeks so lingcod and sea bass will be willing to bite when conditions allow.

Ocean and bay crabbing will be fair at best but the lower Columbia remains the best option. High tide exchanges will make estuary crabbing challenging and bar crossings hazardous.

Southwest- Prospects for bottom fishing are good at this time of year although offshore conditions have been mostly uncooperative. Wind and waves this week are unsettled although trending toward improvement on Saturday. Rockfish, lingcod and ocean crab await those who are able to launch safely.

Surf perch fishing is improving particularly near bay entrances and river mouths. Rock and jetty fishing will be productive anytime the ocean lies down with best results at slack tide, either high or low.

Steelheading is improving on the Umpqua as the water drops and clears this week. Fishing for hatchery winters is worthwhile on the South Umpqua where they're hitting bait and a variety of lures.

Crabbing in Coos Bay should showed some improvement this week as salinity levels are returning to normal following the last freshet. Winter steelhead will be scattered on the Coos and Coquille Rivers.

As the lower Rogue River dropped into shape late last week, plenty of anglers hit the water, mostly targeting spring chinook although catches were light. It's still considered quite early in the run for best results. Springer fishing will definitely improve into April and May. Grants Pass flows should be less than 5000 cfs by the weekend with side-drifters and drift-fishers scoring winter steelhead.

Flows from Lost Creek Reservoir have been reduced this week to 2,900 cfs; a far more fisher-friendly condition. Catches of winter steelhead in the upper Rogue have been fair to good and will continue to improve.

Chetco River flows are dropping and will have achieved low and clear conditions by the weekend to come. Winter steelhead are scattered although stealthy techniques will be required to hook them.

Springtime temperatures have kept the ice unsafe for anglers at Diamond Lake. With March 20th the first official day of spring, the ice-fishing season here may be over.

Eastern – Although the Deschutes is still a little high, water color is good and the level is dropping daily. Midges, Blue-Winged-Olives and Caddis are on the menu for redsides. Results for fly fishers has been fair.

The Metolius has dropped and is exhibiting good color this week. Blue-Winged-Olives have been observed hatching with trout responding accordingly.

Wallowa Lake is producing good numbers of kokanee, including some 40-fish limits although the majority are predictably small.

Oregon fishing report

Willamette Valley/Metro - With all the wild weather last week, catch and effort for Columbia River spring chinook was low. Now that a high pressure system is building over the region, anglers will be anxious to get after salmon as we near peak season. With the large return predicted this year, if they are going to show, action should start to get more consistent. Willamette fish will be hard to access with this river still running colored; likely to last another week. Mainstem Columbia fish should start to show despite a later run timing. Columbia springers most often exhibit a dark chin versus the Willamette “snow bellies” that have a bright white chin and belly. Willamette springers also tend to cut more pale in color than mainstem Columbia springers. Target fish upstream of the mouth of the Willamette at Kelly Point Park where the river will run more clear. Small, green label herring with a flasher will be an anglers best bet, at least until the water warms and continues to clear.

The Willamette will remain a challenge although Meldrum Bar plunkers may take an occasional salmon or steelhead until flows subside.

McKenzie River levels were high but dropping on Tuesday this week. It will need to improve dramatically to fish by the weekend although dry weather is in the angler's favor.

The Santiams are high this week but will be dropping rapidly over the coming weekend. Fishing will be slow although summer steelhead and the first spring chinook are due at the end of April and into May.

Clackamas and Sandy River steelheaders have been sidelined for much of the week but these rivers could come in by the weekend. The first strong batch of broodstock steelhead should be present for anglers working the softer water as the flow drops. Small clusters of eggs or sand shrimp should produce the best results until the water clears by the middle of next week barring another major rain event.

A free spey fishing class will take place at the Oxbow Boat Ramp on March 22 from 1 PM to 3 PM. Extra rods will be available to fly fishers without spey gear.

Northwest – Steelheaders have been met with a mix of conditions but twice in the last week, the larger systems reached near-flood stage. Smaller streams such as the Kilchis fished well on Saturday and Monday, producing quality sized fish on baits and beads. Russ Hughes of Tierra Del Mar near Pacific City landed three fish topping 10-pounds on Monday, drifting small beads under a bobber. Even though the river was still running high, the river was producing good catches for wild steelhead for most boats floating the small system.

The Necanicum fished well on Saturday as well although this system seemed more laden with spawned-out hatchery fish than fresh wild ones. These small streams went back out by Saturday afternoon but will fish well for just the next few days.

Larger systems such as the Wilson, Nestucca and Trask should fish very well by the weekend. Late-run broodstock steelhead should be readily available on the Wilson and Nestucca and the Trask should produce good results for wild fish. Baits will be best on these systems until flows drop and by late in the weekend, bobbers and plastic worms or jigs and plugs should start to produce.

The Nehalem will likely remain out of reach through the weekend but if the drying trend continues, it should fish well by the middle of next week. It should be peak season on this system if the weather cooperates.

Offshore opportunity still looks to be limited with the upcoming ocean forecast. Ample numbers of lingcod and sea bass await in calmer seas. Crabbing will likely be poor in both the ocean and estuaries.

Southwest- Dry weather this week will make for pleasant outings on the coast. If offshore conditions defy the forecast and mellow out sufficiently for boats to launch, bottom fishing will be excellent and ocean crabbing is picking up according to recent reports.

March 22 to March 29 is Spring Whale Watch Week on the Oregon Coast.

Winchester Bay has been poor for crabbing. Steelheaders on the Umpqua will be rewarded with improving water conditions this week. The mainstem will provide catch-and-release action for natives while South Umpqua anglers will find good flows and color as well as hatchery keepers.

Crabbing remains slow in Coos Bay which has yet to recover from the last passing storm. When the salinity level returns to normal, Dungeness will follow.

Flows on the lower Rogue are moderating as fishing improves. Winter steelhead have been taking plunked Spin 'n' Glos but drift gear will be effective by the coming weekend. Springers are being caught, about half of which are hatchery keepers. Chinook results will improve in coming weeks. Steelheading on the middle Rogue has been slow to fair but is expected to improve as numbers build and water conditions improve. Catches of winter steelhead picked up early this week on the upper Rogue. Bait has been most effective.

Applegate steelheaders are taking fish this week with hardware most effective. No boat angling is allowed here.

Fishing for lingcod and rockfish has been excellent on jigs when boats have been able to slip just outside the entrance to Brookings Harbor. Chetco levels are rapidly dropping with dry weather and the river will produce winter steelhead this week.

Elk River steelheaders have scored when water conditions have been good although this system goes from just right to too low rapidly. Jigs and drift rigs are taking fish.

The surface of Diamond Lake remains slushy and is unsafe for fishing. It remains to be seen if ice fishing will be possible again before the spring thaw.

Eastern – The lower Deschutes is dropping and clearing but fishing is slow. Trout are rising to a hatch of small black stoneflies on the middle Deschutes.

Waters of the Grande Ronde River were still running muddy early this week. It will take some time to clear.

Crooked River levels are coming up slightly with trout rising to midge and caddis patterns in crowded conditions.

Oregon fishing report

Willamette Valley/Metro - Spring chinook have been taken at Davis Bar this season with many anglers hopeful that as March progresses, so will catches. In just another 2 weeks, catches should dramatically improve based on water temperatures and flow. The often turbid Willamette won't affect anglers working from Davis Bar across from the mouth of the Willamette, upstream.

Another rise in river levels will keep Willamette River springer hopefuls sidelined for at least another week. It hasn't been a prosperous start to the salmon season but hopes weren't running high given the mediocre prediction this year. Sturgeon catch should remain good, if not great for those in pursuit. Anglers lucky enough to have fresh smelt to fish should produce awesome catches.

As of Tuesday this week, water levels on the McKenzie River were headed for bank full stage. With more rainfall on the way, it's not likely to be fishable for a while.

Expect the North Santiam to be a raging torrent this weekend and it won't disappoint. While the South Santiam is high, it is forecast to drop rapidly into the coming weekend. There may be some native winter steelhead staging in the lower sections to provide catch-and-release action.

Overall, Sandy River anglers have been largely disappointed with the season and currently, the river is turbid and in need of dropping to see improvements in the catch. The upper reaches from Dodge Park to Cedar Creek offer up the best chances in higher flows but be sure to match your offerings to water conditions; bigger and brighter offerings in high water, most subdued colors in clear.

The Clackamas saw its first push of fish late last week with anglers taking fair numbers around Cross Park and vicinity. There were some large hatchery broodstock fish taken and Meldrum Bar lit up with fish on Thursday and Friday. The ratio of wild to hatchery was near 50/50, indicating that the Clackamas hatchery component is underway. Action will improve when flows drop.

Hagg Lake was slow at the opener on March 1 but a few nice fish were landed. The local store weighed four over seven pounds. It was heavily planted again this week.

Northwest – North Coast steelheaders had to put up with another significant rise in rivers levels late in the weekend with another rise forecast for Friday. The late season return of wild and hatchery fish was markedly better than the early returns so there is hope for a salvaged season.

The Wilson and Nestucca will remain primary targets of interest but wild fish should be available in all open north coast systems. By Saturday, if river levels cooperate, action should be good on most smaller systems such as the Necanicum, Kilchis and upper Trask and Nestucca systems and by Sunday and early next week, most systems should be fishing good.

The Nehalem will remain colored for another several days but fair numbers should be returning by this time when conditions cooperate.

No sign of calming seas but when saltwater anglers are able to get out, fishing has been productive. Jiggers did well at the mouth of the Columbia last week with limits of sea bass and lingcod easily attainable. Tides and conditions have to match perfectly for good catches however.

Razor clamming was good as well last week but the next set of minus tides won't happen until late in the month.

Southwest- Charter boats launching out of central Oregon ports in less-than-optimum conditions early this week caught plenty of fish despite wind and rain. They reported seeing whales beginning their northern migration, a sure sign that spring is coming. All-depth bottom fishing will continue through March.

The projection for the 2014 ocean salmon fishing has been released, predicting around 25% fewer Chinook off the southwest coast than in 2013. Anglers are reminded that last season was outstanding so this year still looks pretty darned good.

Surf perch fishing is picking up on south coast beaches with best results on the last two hours of incoming tide on days when the ocean is somewhat calm.

Umpqua water levels are rising and it's getting muddy. While there may be a springer or two in the river by now, it'll be a week or more until conditions allow for fishing. Good numbers of hatchery steelhead are entering the South Umpqua now which will reward steelheaders as the peak of the season is mid-March through early April and improving water conditions should coincide with that timeframe.

Fishing was good on the Rogue over the past week. The first spring Chinook got caught. Then the rain came. Water levels on the lower Rogue are rising at this writing and are forecast to rollercoaster through the coming weekend. Averaging it out, it will be mostly high and off-color. The Grants Pass stretch upstream will be no better. The upper Rogue, which will usually offer a little respite from lower river torrents, is forecast to top 9,000 cfs by the coming weekend. Look to mid-March for the next steelhead (or springer) opportunity on the Rogue.

Boats fishing just outside Brookings Harbor are doing well with jigs for rockfish and ling cod. The Chetco River blew out on March 4th with levels expected to rapidly rise and fall over the coming week. This will put the kibosh on steelheading for a while.

The Elk River has had decent numbers of winter steelhead enter. It will be rising and falling over the coming week with steelheaders scoring when they hit it as it drops and clears.

Eastern – Deschutes water levels have continued to drop and the clarity is good as of early this week. There will be a few redsides around which may show some interest but results are expected to be fair at best. Waters of the Deschutes are scheduled to open for spring Chinook on April 15, 2014, with a good run expected following a river-wide closure last season.