Oregon fishing report

Willamette Valley/Metro- Fishery managers continue to look at good passage rates over Bonneville. Of particular interest is the jack count. Court ordered spill in recent years has drastically improved survival rates, which will translate into excellent opportunity next season. Managers will likely meet later this week to discuss options for a re-opener downstream of Bonneville Dam.

The water has remained clear and is warming in the lower Willamette with the flow fairly stable. Chinook fishing slowed this week but should improve with stronger tides. Over 2,000 springers crossed at Willamette Falls on May 5th. Anglers working the Oregon City area cite the importance of sizing down baits for willing springers. Shrimp and egg combinations are working the best but keep the size of your egg clusters to 10 to 15 berries. The Middle Fork is fishing well for trout.

McKenzie fly anglers are enjoying good fishing for trout with the water cold but stable and a variety of dries and nymphs effective. Look for stoneflies starting to hatch. A few summer steelhead are being taken.

Steelheading is slow on the Clackamas although there are a few springers in the lower river. The spring chinook run should peak later this year as high, cold water will influence success for the next few weeks. Fishing could remain good into July this season.

Sandy fishing remains slow. Steelhead remain the primary focus. Only a few summers are around with an occasional late winter run being taken. Fly fishers interested in two-handed casting will want to check out the Spey Class at Oxbow Park Friday through Sunday this week.

Summer steelhead fishing has been fair on the South Santiam.

Northwest – Effort has all but disappeared for steelhead on the north coast. Some summer run fish should be nosing into the Wilson and Nestucca Rivers.

Spring chinook have been caught in the upper bay and Trask tidewater. The fishing will only improve from here with favorable tides beginning around the 15th for upper bay trollers. This should be the first good push of springers on Tillamook Bay although the better fishing is likely to happen later in the month.

River levels are dropping which should aid estuary anglers. A small bump in river levels is in the forecast just after the weekend which could provide a rare opportunity for driftboaters on the Trask and Wilson Rivers for spring chinook and a rare summer steelhead.

There should still be some sturgeon available in Tillamook Bay with the upcoming minus tide series. Keepers should be available for those soaking shrimp in the upper and middle estuary.

Ocean enthusiasts may have a welcome opportunity this weekend with swell forecasts tolerable for those seeking bottomfish, offshore chinook, crab and halibut. With the limited opportunity that has presented itself this season, action should be great.

The all-depth fishery for halibut opens up today through Saturday and action should be excellent for those willing to make a run. The hot spot out of Garibaldi is about 24 miles NW of the jetty tips.

Southwest – Bottom fishing has been worthwhile off the central Oregon coast with near-limits the rule for rockfish along with a few lingcod. Halibut may be taken seven days a week inside the 40-fathom line with all-depth fishing opening Thursday through Saturday this week.

Crabbing has produced only fair results in Winchester Bay. Spring chinook catches have picked up on the Umpqua mainstem. North Umpqua steelheading is fair while the South Umpqua remains closed.

Little effort for ocean chinook has taken place out of Charleston. Crabbing has been fair with best results in the lower bay.

Boats crossing the bar out of Gold Beach have experienced good fishing for rockfish and fair to good ling catches when offshore wind has allowed access. Ocean salmon fishing was a bust for the most part over the past week. Spring chinook are being hooked daily on the lower Rogue although more wild fish are showing up in catches. Results have slowed as the water clears. Fishing for springers has been fair on the middle river. Upper Rogue steelheaders are catching a fair to good number of fish with many in decent condition for this time of year.

Offshore bottom fishing has been rewarding for boats launching out of the Port of Brookings with charter and recreational anglers taking limits. Ocean chinook fishing will open on Saturday, May 14th. Surf perch fishing has been good off area beaches.

Diamond Lake anglers will have to wait for the spring thaw as ice covering the water has become too soft to walk on. Hopes are high for Memorial Day weekend.

Eastern – Big stoneflies are just starting to show on the lower Deschutes. Warm weather this week should trigger the hatch. Nymphing has been taking redsides this week. Salmonflies are evident on the middle river.

The Umatilla is an option for spring chinook anglers. Although the count is only a few hundred fish, the action should jump in the coming weeks as this run builds over time.