Willamette Valley/Metro- Rumblings of the first spring chinook of the year are coming from some reliable sources. As is often the case, the first spring salmon typically comes from plunkers working Meldrum Bar in pursuit of winter steelhead. Although January chinook have been encountered in recent history, it’s typically a sign of a strong run- which would go against biologists predictions for the Willamette run this year.
With frigid weather this week, the flow at Willamette Falls has moderated and the water temperature has fallen once again. Steelhead are being caught by plunkers working the bank at Meldrum Bar. Sturgeon fishing was slow over the last retention period. The Middle Fork Willamette has been producing trout on nymphs for hardy fly fishers willing to brave the cold.
Steelheading on the Clackamas has been slow to fair.
Sandy anglers have been taking winter steelhead daily with the season fully underway at this time of year reports pro guide Trevor Storlie (503-307-5601). Side-drifters are taking fish with a variety of baits and lures and plunkers working the Sandy below the I-84 Bridge have been catching fish as well.
The number of winter steelhead crossing at Willamette Falls has been low, resulting in fairly low numbers on the Santiam system. The recent dry weather and low freezing level has allowed the water flows to moderate, however, creating improved fishing conditions.
Trout stocking will resume the week of January 28th.
Northwest – Steelhead action in the Tillamook area finally gave-way over the weekend. After nearly 6 weeks of poor water conditions, the Wilson River came into shape on Friday and great numbers of quality fish were taken over the weekend stated pro guide Chris Vertopoulos (503-349-1377). Double-digit days were common on Saturday with one boat reporting 17 landed steelhead for the day’s effort. Although a good number of wild fish were collected to jump start the broodstock program, great numbers of hatchery fish were caught from Siskeyville to Sollie Smith Bridge. Robert Campbell of Oregon City landed a 20.5 pound hatchery steelhead sidedrifting on Sunday.
The logjam on the Trask has broken up and a mix of mostly wild fish and an occasional hatchery stray were caught over the weekend.
The Nestucca also produced some good fishing over the weekend but it wasn’t as popular or productive as the Wilson. Cool weather with no precipitation predicted until late in the weekend should make for challenging conditions for steelheaders on all north coast streams.
Smaller streams like the North Fork Nehalem and Necanicum reported slow fishing this week with more rain and warmer temperatures needed to stimulate better fishing. Regardless of what river you fish, when air temperatures warm in the early afternoon, steelhead will become more active.
Sturgeon fishers had ample opportunity last weekend to target Tillamook Bay keepers. Although keepers were caught, many were skinny and most anglers opted to release them in hopes for a higher quality fish. Sand shrimp was the best bait and most of the fish were taken in the middle channel.
Calm seas greeted boaters at mid-week but effort was low for anglers pursuing offshore crab and bottomfish. Most coastal bar conditions will be too rough for weekend passage.
On occasional fresh hatchery steelhead is still available for Alsea anglers reports pro guide Bill Kremers (503-602-0881)
Pro guide Jim Stevenson (503-881-5289) reports the red-hot Siletz has dropped off steadily since the river started dropping and clearing. Only a rare steelhead is being taken but the fishery will likely light up again on the next weather change.
Crabbing has been very slow this week in Yaquina and Alsea bays.
Pro guide Bill Kremers (541 754 6411) reports that fishing on the Alsea has slowed but that plugs are working best.
Steelheaders on the Siuslaw encountered some jumbo steelhead over the past weekend. Pro guide Jeff Jackson (541-268-6944) adds that the Siuslaw is in good shape with Whittaker to Wildcat and Wildcat producing good catches of steelhead.
Southwest – Dry, cold weather this week has allowed the Umpqua system to drop and clear into fine shape for steelheading. Anglers have hooked some large hatchery fish recently.
The Siuslaw is finally in shape and producing well for steelhead from Whittaker to Linslaw reports pro guide Jeff Jackson (541-268-6944).
Coquille steelheaders have encountered both native and hatchery fish over the past week, the combination of which has provided fair to good fishing with bait drawing more attention than lures or scented yarn. As with many south coast rivers, this one is getting a little skinny for best results, but rain this weekend should improve conditions.
The Rogue River water level and flow has been declining over the past week. Steelheading has been fair in the lower river although there have been brief periods which provided multiple hookups after which, action has fallen off. With the water temperature below 40 degrees, the Grants Pass stretch has yet to provide decent fishing for winter steelhead.
Seals have become a nuisance on the Chetco River as high as Loeb Park. Fortunately for anglers, steelheading has been good above this stretch for those downsizing offerings in the low, clear water. Steelhead are being taken throughout the system. Rain showers later this week will provide additional flow and a little color, both of which are needed here.
Eastern – Expect to find snow on the ground on the chilly east side where the Metolius has been providing fly anglers with fair fishing.
Float ice is hampering steelheaders on the Imnaha and Grande Ronde Rivers.
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