Oregon fishing report

Willamette Valley/Metro- With Columbia River salmon action still as cold as the weather, anglers remain hopeful that the peak of the run is running behind. Fishery managers are still reluctant to promise more sportfishing opportunity past the April 6^th proposed closure date but it seems likely to happen unless indicators point to an over-prediction. Test netting indicates that there are ample numbers of chinook present but high numbers of steelhead remain in the system. The commercial fleet decided to suspend efforts again this week which should provide additional opportunity for sport anglers into the weekend.

The Willamette remains a muddy mess, affecting success rates downstream but plunkers working the lower Columbia River islands are finding a few fish that are hugging the shore line in the higher flows. Anglers should scent gear heavily to assist in finding a motivated biter.

Lower Willamette flows are moderating with the water temperature gradually rising past the mid-40s but with visibility less than a foot. It'll be a while for conditions to be conducive for spring chinook results. Fish passage at the Falls has been slow in high water.

The McKenzie will be in decent shape for trout fishers with only showers in the forecast over the coming weekend and March Browns emerging in the afternoon.

Recent snow and rain will put the Santiams out of shape for at least a week.

Clackamas water levels are on the rise, putting the river out of shape for steelheading this week.

Water will be high and roiled on the Sandy River with levels forecast to drop next week.

 

Catch the 2012 Saltwater Sportsmen's Show Saturday and Sunday at the Oregon State Fairgrounds in Salem.

Northwest – Steelheaders had another successful week last week when flows slowed and rivers cleared. Double-digit opportunities were reported on the Wilson as soon as the river was fishable and although action slowed by the weekend, savvy anglers still posted good results. Fishing icon Buzz Ramsey put in several days on the Wilson and Trask Rivers, taking fish on the maglip 3.5 and corkies with or without bait. The Trask is coming on-line more consistently as we approach April. Some quality fish will continue to come from this system into mid-April.

The Nestucca has also been putting out consistent numbers of wild and hatchery fish. With the run as good as it gets, fresh steelhead will be available into mid-April here too with some summer steelhead likely to show in the coming weeks.

Smaller streams are getting low and clear but predicted rainfall may make them a fair option before some close after March 31^st. The Kilchis will remain open but the Necanicum and North Fork Nehalem close beginning in April.

Although effort remains light, sturgeon anglers took a few keepers from Tillamook Bay on the early morning outgoing tides this week. Keepers are likely to remain in the system into the summer months but the larger population of fish that come into the estuary during the winter months are likely to begin moving back towards the Columbia.

The weekend brought a rare opportunity to harvest fish and crab offshore. Although only a few saltwater anglers took advantage of it, lingcod fishing was good and crabbing was fair. The next window appears to be a ways out again.

Trout fishing was fair for those taking advantage of recently stocked lakes such as Lake Lytle and Cape Meares Lake. Trolled flashers and worms worked most consistently.

Southwest – Lingcod catches were excellent for charters out of central Oregon ports on Monday this week. While ocean conditions are forecast to disallow trips this week, this is a great time of year for bottomfishing. Cabezon may be kept starting Sunday, April 1st.

High swells for much of the ocean crabbing season has limited prospects. Crabbing in bays and estuaries has been slow with fresh water reducing salinity levels.

Surf perch have been taken from southern beaches when wave action has moderated. Stretches near river or bay mouths are generally best.

Siletz and Alsea rivers are good bets for late winter steelhead when they recover from the freshet this week.

Sturgeon fishing and crabbing have been slow in Winchester Bay. With the spring chinook fishery getting started on the Umpqua, water levels will be rising through Sunday, April 1st. As the water drops, results for springers are expected to improve.

Plunkers have scored a few springers this week on the lower Rogue but it won't be fishable this weekend as heavy rain will push flows over 35,000 cfs by the last day of March according to NOAA predictions. While the upper Rogue or Applegate River can sometimes offer possibilities during high-water events, neither will be an alternative this week.

Fishing for all species closes at the end of day Saturday, March 31st on the Chetco River. Water conditions won't be conducive to steelheading as the date approaches however, as water flow is forecast to be rising to blow-out levels this week.

The Elk and Sixes Rivers are swollen this week. Both will close to fishing at the end of March.

Eastern – While Caddis, Blue-Winged Olives and midges are in evidence on the Deschutes during the warmth of afternoons, March Browns are due so be prepared to match that hatch if and when it occurs. The weather should be fair over the weekend and results with redsides should be fair to good.

Metolius fly anglers are hooking bull trout on streamers.

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SW Washington – Steelheaders are still scoring fair catches on the Cowlitz River with the Lewis and Kalama still options for late season steelheaders. Spring chinook should begin to show in the coming weeks. Most anglers remain focused on the mainstem Columbia for spring chinook.

Just 30 spring chinook have passed Bonneville Dam making the Drano Lake and Wind River fishery a poor prospect this weekend. Action is more likely to peak in late April and early May.