Willamette Valley/Metro - Summer steelhead success is peaking with gorge anglers taking respectable numbers of keepers. An equal number of natives are being caught but must be released unharmed. Dam passage for steelhead at Bonneville is peaking right now and the fall chinook run is just getting underway although metro area catches have been light.
Willamette fish passage data through the end of July indicates steadily declining numbers of chinook and steelhead as the water temperature languishes in the low 70s. None-the-less, the run size for Willamette springers was underestimated, producing an above average catch this year. Jack counts to date are less than 2009 indicating a slight downturn is possible for next year’s adults.
Upper river slots continue to produce summer steelhead for persistent anglers.
Trout fishers on the lower McKenzie should do well for hatchery trout. There are still some springers available here but many are darkening.
North and South Santiam fishing has been tough although jigs have hooked a few fish.
Water on the Sandy is low and milky while the Clackamas is low and clear. Fishing is slow but stealthy summer steelhead anglers still stand a chance for early morning success.
Northwest – Buoy 10 anglers are still waiting for chinook catches to break loose. A few chinook are being taken on the incoming tide on both the Washington and Oregon sides. If the chinook prediction is to come to fruition, chinook catches will light up this week. Herring is producing the most strikes but an occasional fish is being taken on spinners.
With a $1000.00 big fish prize, anglers should register now for the Buoy 10 Challenge on August 27th. Go to: www.nsiafishing.org for details.
Ocean fishing out of the mouth of the Columbia has slowed since SW winds chilled the bite. Chinook are starting to show in better numbers and the coho are large but scattered. Some anglers are going unprecedented hours without a strike but fishing should improve dramatically this week.
Soft-shelled crabs are still present for ocean crabbers but action is picking up for those working the lower Columbia River downstream of Hammond. With recreational salmon trollers increasing in number, be mindful about where you place your gear. The current strong incoming tide may cause crabbing success to slow. Crabbing is also picking up in other north coast estuaries.
Salmon catches remain light out of other coastal ports.
A few chinook are starting to show on Nehalem Bay but catches are expected to remain light for much of the season. Nearshore catches indicate chinook are starting to stage near estuary entrances signaling the beginning of the run is near. Tillamook Bay should be a top producer this year.
Tuna schools have moved closer to shore with fair fishing reported inside of 40 miles. Trollers are still taking fair numbers of fish but albacore are beginning to respond well to live anchovies for bait. Peak weeks for this fishery will last through mid-September.
Southwest – Crabbing has continued to improve in coastal bays and estuaries. Ocean crabbing is slow to fair.
Although the Coos and Coquille systems have been slow for chinook recently, the action should pick up in the coming weeks with the peak happening later in September.
The Rogue estuary is getting heavy boat pressure although chinook results are only fair at best despite plenty of fish in the bay. On a brighter note, local sporting goods store have been able to obtain anchovies which is considered the most effective bait for chinook. The middle river is slow while springer and steelhead catches remain fair to good on the upper Rogue.
Half-pounder steelhead have entered the lower Rogue in fair numbers and action is picking up for anglers using flies or small spinners.
Offshore winds are forecast to moderate but swell and period are marginal for bar crossings out of Brookings. Outgoing morning tides will once again complicate launch efforts. Bottom fishing has been excellent for ling cod as well as rockfish. Anglers are reminded that the Chetco River is closed to all angling above River Mile 2.2 August 1st through November 5th.
Diamond Lake has been producing good catches and some limits of trout averaging over a foot in length in about 25 feet of water.
Eastern – Redside results have slowed on the lower Deschutes with caddis hatches fading and mid-summer dog days in full force. Nymphing is still effective although the time between strikes and the amount of water that must be covered have increased.
Steelheading on the lower Deschutes is best at first light until the sun is on the water. With moderate air temperatures, anglers have been scoring good numbers of steelhead on spinners despite the warmer than usual water temperatures.
Down riggers fishing 50 to 60 foot depths are accounting for good numbers of fat kokanee at Green Peter.
Kokanee fishing has been worthwhile for trollers at Odell.
SW Washington – Although brief periods of productive fishing have been experienced at the mouth of the Cowlitz, overall action remains fair at best. Anglers working the area should begin to shift focus to fall chinook although peak catches won’t happen for another 3 weeks.
The Lewis remains an option for summer steelhead seekers but catches remain light, even for persistent anglers.
Bonneville counts continue to inspire Drano Lake trollers and with “B” run steelhead soon to migrate, quality fish to 20 pounds are a possibility.
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