Willamette Valley/Metro- Columbia River trollers remain perplexed as to why their efforts continue to go unrewarded. Cold water temperatures and high flows are the likely cause for all the frustration. Although springers seem to be present, action will likely remain subdued until water temperatures rise into the higher 40’s. With catch rates poorer than expected, anglers are hopeful for an extension past the proposed April 6th closure. Recent test-netting results indicate there are a lot of steelhead in the mainstem Columbia with a high percentage of them being hatchery fish.
Sturgeon effort remains low as spring chinook interest grows. An occasional keeper is coming from the Portland to Longview stretch but the best catch and release opportunities continue to come from the lower Willamette River.
Willamette level and flow peaked over the past weekend and has started to moderate although water temperatures remain low for best results with spring chinook. The "Spring Fishing Classic" annual salmon derby takes place March 31st regardless of water conditions. Register at Fisherman's Marine.
McKenzie levels will be dropping this week and it may fish if the water clears.
North Santiam levels are forecast to be moderating later this week with wild steelhead in the river.
A few steelhead were taken on the Clackamas this week before the water came up. It is dropping and may fish late in the weekend.
Steelheading has been good at times on the Sandy but winter has been slow to lose its grip as snow fell on the banks early this week. Fish should be well distributed throughout the system with bobber and jig fishers more likely to work the upper reaches near Marmot.
Northwest – Steelheaders remain hampered by high, cold water and inclement weather. Snow continues to create hazardous traveling conditions but numbers remain strong when anglers can fish. The Wilson River began fishing again on Monday with a good bite coming at the acclimation pond near Donaldson’s. Good numbers of wild and hatchery fish will be available into mid-April.
With other systems still too high over the weekend, the Kilchis fished great in the clearing conditions. Sidedrifters did exceptional over the weekend. The Necanicum was another good option recently although wind-blown debris makes this river more hazardous to float. This will be the last full week of targeted steelhead fishing on some north coast streams so check regulations before heading out in early April.
Another hydrograph bump mid-week may put the bigger systems like the Nestucca and Wilson off until the weekend. When temperatures do warm and river levels stabilize, the fishing should be excellent. The mainstem Nehalem has been too high for most of the season.
Many coastal lakes have been stocked with trout in preparation of spring break week. Lake Lytle and Cape Meares Lake should offer up good opportunity for Tillamook County anglers. Bait fished from shore or trolled flashers and worms will likely produce the best results.
Southwest – While ocean conditions have kept boats at bay much of the season so far this year, now that spring is here, wind and wave action will allow additional opportunities. Lingcod fishing in particular will be rewarding through April and May. Rough seas are forecast until Sunday, March 25th.
Many offshore recreational boaters as well as commercial charters are looking forward to the ocean salmon season as it is expected to be a very good one this season. Offshore salmon fishing opened March 15th off the central coast while the south coast ocean troll fishery will open in May for an estimated 2.4 million Klamath and Sacramento River bound chinook.
Crabbing has slowed with fresh water washing into Winchester Bay. The Umpqua system is likely to crest on Friday this week then begin dropping and clearing into the weekend.
This week's freshet comes just as steelheading is winding down on the lower Rogue but it will also bring in fresh spring chinook which will be the primary focus of anglers as river conditions improve. While the Rogue is spewing mud out into the ocean at this time, it is predicted to be recovering by the weekend to come. Upper Rogue steelheaders deploying plugs in migration lanes will have a decent prospect for winter steelhead.
Dropping early this week, the Chetco will rise to blow-out level by the coming weekend although it is forecast to drop once again and may fish by Sunday,
As water drops and clears, expect good results from the Elk and Sixes river through the end of the month.
Eastern – Various bugs are showing on the Metolius with nymphing effective between hatches while bull trout are inhaling streamers.
Trollers working Lake Billy Chinook are still catching some quality lake trout and bull trout as well. The season is waning however as anglers refocus their efforts on trout in the coming months.
The Crooked River, while running low, has continued to fish well with nymphs effective in the morning and matching the Blue-Winged Olive hatch taking trout in the afternoons.
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