Willamette Valley/Metro - Huge numbers of steelhead continue to pour over Bonneville Dam with over double the return rate this year than last. Peak passage last year took place in mid-August but now is the time to go as water temperatures will rise, putting catch rates on the drop. Small brass and red spinners should take fish along shore edges in the gorge while hot colored spin-n-glos will work for beach anglers in the current minus tide series.
Summer chinook numbers are dropping fast but an occasional fish is still being caught in the Bonneville fishery.
As flow continues to drop on the lower Willamette, water temperatures remain in the high 60s, down from the mid-70s a week ago. Over 60,000 adult spring chinook and 22,000 summer steelhead have crossed Willamette Falls and are now in the tributaries. Fishing is poor in the lower river although the Middle Fork is a great level and color, producing decent catches of rainbows and cutthroat.
Steelheaders continue to catch a few below Leaburg Dam on the McKenzie. Trout fishing is good with evening's best.
Fishing has been slow for steelhead on the Clackamas. In the warmer weather, river rafters have inundated the lower river making for challenging fishing conditions for most of the day. Target steelhead early in the day with the McIver Park area offering up the best prospects.
The Sandy is nearing the end of the summer steelhead season. Early mornings will produce the best possibilities but target steelhead from Dodge Park and upstream.
Trout have moved deeper at Diamond Lake with best catches coming in 30 to 40 feet of water. A toxic algae advisory is in effect here suggesting people remove internal organs and skin before cooking trout.
Northwest - Morning seas have allowed for coho effort to take place on the north coast with Garibaldi remaining a productive port for the south of Falcon fishery. Mixed reports are coming in however with some boats doing better than others but the most consistent fishing seems to be in water deeper than 200 foot. Wild fish are making up the significant portion of the landed catch but most anglers are impressed with the size of the coho this early in the season. Chinook catches are rare and will likely continue to be that way.
Anglers working the ocean out of the mouth of the Columbia are also reporting good catches but seas haven't been as friendly, especially after mid-morning. Anglers continue to focus their effort SW of the CR Buoy but risk a bumpy ride home if they don't get an early limit. Seas are forecasted to be rough for the next few days.
Ocean crabbing on the north coast is improving but a mix of hard and soft-shelled crab are in the catch. Estuaries from Nehalem to the Nestucca are also improving for sport crabbers.
Catch rates of sturgeon are showing a marked increase although effort remains low. Anchovies remain a top bait and as water temperatures continue to warm, they should become even more effective. The catch is best above the Astoria/Megler Bridge as sculpin are plaguing fishers in downstream areas.
Southwest - Offshore ocean forecasts are marginal for the coming weekend. Launches may be hampered by morning minus tides.
Ocean salmon fishing is slow despite showing slight improvement in catches. A few coho anglers have landed large chinook while trolling shallow water offshore.
Tuna fishing is expected to improve this week as warm water once again moves closer to shore.
Better than average catches of near-shore halibut filled the quota early this season, resulting in a closure of the fishery on Saturday, July 17th.
Sturgeon fishing has been worthwhile in the lower Umpqua although many of the fish hooked here are oversized. Smallmouth bass results have been good around Elkton. North Umpqua steelheading is slow.
Anglers out of Gold Beach have experienced fair but improving results for large fall chinook in the lower bay. Steelheading on the Rogue above Gold Ray Dam has been productive for smallish but feisty sea-run rainbows. These fish are willing to make a grab at a variety of offerings from bait to flies and plugs.
Area beaches are producing good catches of pinkfin perch.
Eastern - Water in the lower Deschutes has been pushing 70 degrees but according to PGE, should start cooling around the 1st of August which will improve summer steelhead prospects. The middle Deschutes has been producing brown trout in the evenings. Upper river anglers are taking small brook trout.
Large, dry stonefly imitations are taking fish on the Wallowa River all day long. Fish near the bank. Spring chinook fishing will close on the Wallowa and Imnaha Rivers beginning July 26th after an extension earlier in the month.
Prineville Reservoir anglers are reporting catching larger trout than usual. Pine Hollow is also producing good catches of rainbow trout.
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