Updated for the week of October 7th – October 13th, 2005
Oregon Fishing Update
Columbia River - The sturgeon opener in the gorge was not as good as one would think (after such a prolonged closure) but action was good for those versed in the area. Limits weren't easy but those that worked at it found some quality keepers in the water closer to the deadline. Shaker action wasn't all that impressive either but those fishing closer to Horsetail and Multnomah found fair results for fish that averaged less than legal. A few oversized fish remain in the catch. The Portland to Longview stretch produced minimal results.
Crabbing in the lower river continues to pick up as expected for this time of year. Limits are becoming more common as males begin the mating ritual in nearby waters. Crabbers soaking pots near Buoys 20 and 22 find the best results and a dampening tide series will allow for greater opportunity for longer soak times.
Mid Columbia/Deschutes River - The mouth of the Deschutes continues to produce best when there is little competition from Native American netting activity. Steelhead counts are beginning to pick up at the Dalles and John Day Dams indicating these fisheries should once again pick up. These are most likely fish that have been in a holding pattern for much of the summer in anticipation of cooler water temperatures. Trollers at the mouth of the Deschutes should continue to see good opportunities this week while John Day Pool anglers will have to wait a bit more for good results.
North Coast - Tillamook anglers have been a bit disappointed after the previous weeks results. Chinook are still very available and the bite seems to be picking up but the fishery went through several days of slow fishing when last weeks weather change was happening. The more intense tide exchange put the bite into the middle and upper bay early in the week but a weaker tide series during the mid-week may put it back at the jaws. The ocean has been closed with a big SW swell and the ocean forecast is not looking good for anglers wishing to go to the big pond. Spinners have been the ticket in the bay as seaweed plagues herring trollers- they have a hard time fishing weed free for any length of time. Coho were caught in good numbers on Monday but almost all of the fish were of wild origin.
The Trask and Wilson River both produced catches of Chinook on Sunday and Monday. Most effort took place on the Trask but the very few anglers working the lower Wilson reported good success in tidewater.
The Nestucca was also good to bobber anglers prior to the slight rise in river levels. A shot of fish went into Three Rivers but by the weekend, water levels will once again make it difficult to take fish above tidewater. The Salmon River is busy with anglers as well with most concentrating just above the Hwy. 101 Bridge. Action has been sporadic.
The Nehalem is producing 3 to 5 fish per day for seasoned professionals. Seaweed doesn't seem to be such a problem here but the bulk of the action is taking place at the jaws on trolled herring.
Mid-Coast - Bottom fishing has slowed slightly out of Depoe Bay and Newport with the seas cooling, but it's still well worth the trip. Crabbing has been very good for large, hard-shelled Dungeness at Yaquina Bay but the salmon fishing has fallen off with the last rains drawing chinook upstream.
The Siuslaw has been producing chinook reliably but not in great number. Coho are also present but few are of hatchery origin. Spinners seem to be more effective than bait. A few large fall chinook have been caught recently in the bay.
The lower Umpqua River is producing chinook from above Big Bend down into Winchester Bay. Bobber fishermen at Winchester Creek are taking chinook on both cured salmon eggs and anchovies. Crabbing has been good.
South Coast - No reports as yet on the Siltcoos wild coho fishery which started on October 1st, but this one should be producing for trollers dragging spinners. Tahkenitch also opened on that date.
Chinook fishing is fair to good in the lower Coos and Coquille Rivers for trollers dragging herring.
It's still slow going for chinook on the Rogue River and now that the fish are scattered it's slow throughout the system. Trollers in the bay are picking up a few. Summer steelhead fishing is good in the Grants Pass stretch as well as in the upper fly-fishing-only area. Where bait is allowed, anglers are targeting steelhead with salmon eggs where they're feeding below spawning chinook.
Crabbing is good in the estuaries at Charleston and Bandon. Crab quality should improve overall as fall approaches, with more solid meat in the legs.
Chinook salmon anglers are back on the ocean beginning Saturday for the annual "bubble" fishery off the Brookings coast.
Willamette Valley/Metro- Sturgeon fishers had one day on the lower Willamette and in Multnomah Channel following the re-opening October 1st. Reports indicate few keepers but we'll get another chance Thursdays through Saturdays the rest of the month.
The water visibility at the Sandy River has made fishing tough this week. It's as much as half a foot at Cedar Creek, less as one travels downstream. Give this one a few days to clear then hit it for coho.
Coho are present in good number in the Clackamas river although the aren't cooperating well with the spinner crowd. There are lots of fish showing between Barton and Carver. A few have been taken on cured salmon eggs.
McKenzie river levels have dropped nicely and trout fishing is in a seasonal upswing. Long-rodders rejoice. Steelhead are present as well.
With coastal rivers producing chinook following the welcomed rainfall and given the swift flow of the river (about 2000 cfs at Niagara), few anglers are fishing the North Santiam. This river is stunning in the Fall, however, when foliage puts on the best show of the year.
Trout fishing- Waters stocked this week with State-raised rainbows include Mt Hood Pond and Dexter Reservoir. The venerable Henry Hagg Lake received 8,000 eight-to-10 inchers on Monday. Taylor Lake in the Deschutes watershed was also planted this week.
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