Willamette Valley/Metro - Catch rates don't justify the effort for Columbia River sturgeon anglers. As water temperatures continue to drop, biters will become even more lethargic. Look to the Willamette for warmer water temperatures and better action.
Fresh smelt may soon enter the lower Columbia. Managers are expecting another poor return of smelt to the Columbia and Cowlitz Rivers with a pending decision on an ESA listing for this popular baitfish due out this spring. Sport dippers may still get a limited season on the Cowlitz, likely to be a 12 - 24 hour season one day per week.
Weather this week has drove water temperature down on the lower Willamette to near 40 degrees. It remains to be seen how this cooling affects sturgeon fishing. Winter steelhead are being caught by plunkers at Meldrum Bar.
Small flies are taking trout from the low, clear waters of the McKenzie. Expect very little company given the cold temperatures. The water temperature was 37 and dropping at Vida on Tuesday this week.
The upper North Santiam will offer the best chance of a hookup with wild winter steelhead now as water from Detroit is warmer than that in the lower river. A couple of winters have been taken on the Clackamas River but it's still early for this fishery.
Results have been better on the Sandy where early catches have been above average. Wind this week has made fishing a challenge.
Northwest - Although steelheaders are typically in full swing by this time on the north coast, water and traveling conditions are less than ideal for even the most motivated anglers. Frigid early mornings put fish off the bite and make casting challenging as rod guides often ice up in the below freezing temperatures.
Larger streams offer the best opportunities as fish will likely hold in the deeper slots and holes, awaiting the next rain freshet and warmer weather to draw them upstream.
The Wilson and Nestucca Rivers will be the best bets but anglers should focus their efforts on the warmest times of the day. Bobbers and jigs or nickel spinners work best under these conditions but persistence will be required to entice the lethargic fish in these cold conditions. Chinook are still present on these systems as well but action is slow. The freshest fish will be found downstream of Sollie Smith Bridge.
The North Fork Nehalem and Necanicum Rivers should be peaking right now but these systems are so clear and low that fish aren't moving and those that are present, are not biting.
Tides in Tillamook Bay are still adequate for sturgeon but a cold east wind is making it too uncomfortable for most. Although most anglers target the last few hours of outgoing tide, the first part of incoming tide can be equally productive.
Although a large swell still persists, ocean anglers and crabbers are finding favorable conditions to pursue offshore bottomfish and large Dungeness crab. Catches have been good. The swell is forecasted to continue to moderate making for even better opportunity through tomorrow. Wind waves are expected to increase by Saturday.
Southwest - Following a slow season for winter steelhead in some locations last year, ODFW biologists are predicting good runs and catches on southwest Oregon rivers with results starting early.
Plunkers on the Umpqua have been taking a few steelhead. Sheepshead has been particularly productive. While Umpqua anglers are taking a few and flow is adequate, the water is too clear to fish as well as it could.
Coos anglers have taken a few early winters but this fishery has yet to get underway. Rain would improve results here. Bay fishers are taking good numbers of rockfish and perch. Crabbing has been excellent.
The Coquille is expected to provide good results for steelheaders as is the Millicoma where steelheading has been worthwhile recently. Historically, catches start early on the Millicoma.
Winter steelhead continue to enter the lower Rogue. While it's early for this fishery, it should be very good this season, once it gets underway.
Crabbers dropping pots in the ocean out of the Port of Brookings have been taking consistent limits of large, hard Dungeness. Steelhead have started entering the Chetco River where anglers have scored a few but it's the tail of the chinook season here with winter steelheading yet to take off.
Chinook are holding in the low waters of the Elk and Sixes rivers and are not cooperating with anglers. Rain is needed here to re-invigorate this fishery.
Eastern - Hard core fly fishers are taking redsides on the Deschutes around Mecca Flats. Browns are taking streamers on the middle Deschutes but fishing is slow to fair.
Crescent Lake has been fair for Mackinaw on the troll in frigid conditions. It will remain accessible until snow falls here.
Pro guide Steve Fleming (1-888-624-9424) warns of hazardous ice on the John Day River during what is typically a very good time to target steelhead. A warming trend is needed but several night of near zero temperatures has expansive tracts of water locked up in a freeze.
Pro guide Mac Huff (1-800-940-3688) reports there are good numbers of steelhead present in the Grande Ronde system but anglers will have to also be crafty when targeting these fish. Bobbers and jigs will work when cast between the ice flows but fly anglers will have to wait until the warmest part of the day to have the best chance at a fish.
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