Oregon fishing update

Oregon Fishing Update

Willamette Valley/Metro - As per usual for this time of year, sturgeon action seems to be slowing in the gorge for keepers and shakers. Although water temperatures stabilized last week, freezing levels and food supply should send them downstream for until early spring.
Flows at Willamette Falls have increased slightly with the water temperature rising to 42 degrees and the visibility currently unaffected but likely to color. Anglers have been hoping for river temps to increase as this should improve the sturgeon bite.

Winter steelhead are on the move at the Falls in modest numbers, jumping to double digits on December 10th and pushing the total over 170.

A couple of winter steelies have fallen to early optimists on the Clackamas but plunkers at Meldrum Bar below the mouth have a better chance of a hookup.

One lone hatchery winter steelhead has been confirmed form the Sandy River. The water is likely to be roiled by this weekend. Look for steelheading to start up here in January.
Fishing has been challenging in the high waters of the North Santiam, but the swift flows have caused hatchery summer steelhead to seek shelter near the smaller tributaries where anglers are catching a few.

Walling Pond and Walter Wirth Lake are scheduled to be planted with eight to 10 inch rainbows this week.

Northwest – North Coast anglers seized another good week of salmon and steelhead fishing in the Tillamook district. With the log jam on the Trask opened up for navigation, fishing was very good with bright fish in the high 30 pound class taken. Most streams have already begun to rise putting these fish in jeopardy through the weekend.

Although the action slowed after excellent success the week before, some fresh salmon were still being taken in the lower stretches including tidewater. Backbounced eggs and backtrolled plugs were the ticket.

Pro guide Jesse Zalonis (503-392-5808) reports, "The Nestucca also continued to put out bright chinook but this run should fade and winter steelhead fishing should be in full swing when flows drop." Pro guide Jim Nicol (503-550-3166) adds "Three Rivers will be a good option for bank anglers while boaters working the mainstem Nestucca below the entrance of Three Rivers should start to take steelhead as early as Sunday."

The North Fork Nehalem is getting steelhead back to the hatchery and should be a top option when the rains taper. It's neighbor the Necanicum is also a strong option but high winds and saturated streambanks will make this dynamic river a navigational hazard- be prepared.
Gnat Creek and Big Creek will also be options as they fish best when most other north coast rivers are too high for success. Bank access may be a problem however as some areas are well posted.

Crabbing is excellent on Netarts Bay and may remain that way through the weekend.
Razor clam digging may be an option by the beginning of next week. Clatsop area beaches will produce the best results.

On the Alsea, pro guide Bill Kremers (541 754 6411) reports, "The Alsea River went up to 10 feet today and suppose to go higher for the next couple of days. I spent the day fin clipping steelhead at the North Fork hatchery. Something like 55 steelhead showed up at the hatchery, so the run is on. Hopefully the river will drop by early next week with some good fishing."
Southwest – Steelheading is fair on the mainstem and North Fork of the Umpqua River.

Pro guide Jeff Jackson (541-268-6944) reports, "The Siuslaw fished good for chinook last week but has since blown out. When the flows recede, steelhead fishing should pick up with plunkers taking the first fish on spin-n-glos and small baits."

Siltcoos and Tahkenitch Lakes close on December 15th but the fishery has been productive.
The Coos River is delivering some decent winter steelhead fishing while the run has started up on the Coquille where fishing is fair and improving.

Anglers on the Sixes scored bright Chinook once again over the weekend as the run winds down and thoughts turn to winter steelhead.

Winter steelheading on the lower Rogue remains slow although a few half-pounders are being taken. Summer steelhead fishing is spotty on the upper river due to chilly water temperatures.
A series of days when the ocean was flat late last week allowed crossing out of Port Orford where anglers scored limits of rockfish and lingcod. The lings ranged from the low twenties to 35 pounds.

Fall Chinook fishing is holding up on the Chetco with winter steelhead coming on strong. Metalheads are ranging from 10 to 14 pounds with an 18 pound hatchery fish taken recently.
Ocean crabbers are taking large, firm Dungeness in 100 to 120 feet of water where the bottom is sandy. Following the lengthy ocean closure, December crabbing is always reliable. Tides will be soft over the weekend, favoring crabbers, but we will move into a series of late-day minus tides by mid-week.

Eastern - Pro guide Mac Huff (800-940-3688) reports, "Grande Ronde and Imnaha anglers are putting in about fours hours for each steelhead taken. Pressure is light. Upcoming winter storms may deter travelers but with the freezing level dropping, flows should stay relatively consistent."