Oregon fishing reports

Willamette Valley/Metro- Just as the weather turns for the better and the rivers begin to drop into shape, another storm front enters the region sending them back into the willows. The Willamette is high and off color and will remain so for at least another week to ten days, depending on the next set of storms. This should not deter the angler wanting to catch and release sturgeon. Fishing has been good despite the high water and a growing handful of eager fishermen are taking part. Smelt, squid, herring and sand shrimp fished in 20-80 feet of water remains the main-stay. From the mouth at Kelly Point Park up to Oregon City is the place but don't ignore the Multnomah Channel. The Columbia River will offer also similar opportunity, using the same baits in the favorite hang-outs. Pressure should be light. Nothing confirmed yet, but a few steelhead should be ringing bells at Meldrum Bar on the Willamette, expect an improvement when the water begins to clear.

McKenzie levels reached bank full briefly on November 21st, remaining high since that date.

 

Following the last rain storm, the entire Santiam system is too high to fish and will remain so through the coming weekend.

The Clackamas is green, but on the high side as of this writing, but another rise is likely by the weekend. Little opportunity is available here until the river recedes again. About the only possibility would be plunking large spin n glo's at Riverside Park. Target fish close to shore as fish are most likely to take the path of least resistance.

 

The Sandy River has already given up a couple of winter steelhead from the lower river. High water conditions will make fishing difficult to futile this week. Like on the Clack, plunking the lower river with big winged bobbers could produce a fish or two for the eager angler.

Northwest – The Tillamook district remains the best place to intercept fresh-run chinook and the Wilson tops the short list of prospects. Anglers working the Wilson from the Highway 101 Bridge downstream are taking fish first thing in the morning as well as around high tide. Back-bounced bait and plugs are taking most of the fish.

 

Although the Kilchis, Trask and Tillamook Rivers all remain options, the area is expected to receive more precipitation and high winds which could put systems out of reach again by the weekend.

 

Tillamook Bay itself is only producing a rare troll-caught chinook and may continue to do so through mid-December. Coho fishing closes on most coastal systems beginning December 1^st. The run was likely over-predicted.

 

Sturgeon fishing in Tillamook Bay should be underway with late afternoon tides producing a few keepers in the west and center channels. Crabbing will be poor except for the lower Columbia, where it’s excellent near high slack.

 

Most anglers will begin focusing on winter steelhead with the North Fork Nehalem, Necanicum, Three Rivers, Wilson, Nestucca and Kilchis most likely to produce in that order. Steelhead are taken daily now near the North Fork Nehalem hatchery and should continue through early January.

 

Southwest- Boats launching out of central Oregon ports found deep water ling cod on the bite Monday this week with rockfishing somewhat slower.

 

Wild coho may be taken from Tenmile, Siltcoos and Tahkenitch Lakes through the end of December although river systems will close on November 30th. Check your preferred river system to be certain quota remains available before fishing.

 

Ocean crabbing opens on Saturday, December 1st but will be delayed until at least December 15th for commercial efforts. Bay crabbing has been a washout - literally - with fresh water entering coastal estuaries.

 

High water will prevent effective fishing efforts on south coast streams and rivers through the coming weekend.

 

The Rogue will get slammed by another round of storms this week but will be a decent prospect for winter steelhead when it recovers. Fishing for late summer steelhead has been decent on the middle Rogue when conditions have allowed. Upper Rogue waters came into shape on Black Friday, producing good catches of summer steelhead two feet or better in length. Fishing will remain good until the next storm hits.

 

Just as the Chetco has started recovering from the last round of rainfall, another storm front is forecast to hit the southwest on Thursday, and with it, another blowout of the river. The National Weather Service issued a hazardous weather outlook over this period for Curry County. When it drops and clears, target winter steelhead here.

 

Anglers on the Elk River caught decent numbers of chinook over the past weekend. Further dropping and clearing this week will be followed by another rise and roiling late this week.

 

Eastern – Several nice summer steelhead were taken in the high but dropping waters of the Deschutes over the past weekend. Local redsides were also cooperative.

 

The John Day Pool will remain a strong option for steelhead trollers although success rates should begin to drop in the coming week. Wild fish still make up the bulk of the catch.

 

Soapbox Update: NSIA’s 13^th Annual Banquet is this Saturday, December 1^st. We’ll get to revel in huge successes this year as NSIA’s participation in discussion have helped bring a significant change about how the states of Oregon and Washington manage the Columbia River. Join us in this fun-filled event by checking out details here: www.nsiafishing.org.

 

SW Washington- Winter steelhead are starting to show on some district streams with the Cowlitz likely to produce the best early run catches of the big 3. The Kalama, Lewis and Washougal are all winter steelhead options too but don’t receive the same hatchery returns as the Cowlitz.

 

The Lewis remains the best bet for late run chinook when the flows become fishable. Although many of the fish are dark, some fresh run fish should still be available through mid-month.

 

Check the WDF&W web site for razor clam openings; they are scheduled through December 1^st.