Willamette Valley/Metro - Spring Chinook fishing on the Willamette River remains sporadic. Small flurries of fish are occasionally caught in all the usual places, but many anglers are still singing the blues. Every third or fourth day, a good report of 25 nets spotted will come from the head of Multnomah Channel. The Columbia River at Davis Bar continues to produce sporadic results but should be consistent through the closure.
The lower McKenzie has been fishing very well. March Browns love rainy weather and redsides love March Browns. When the hatch is on, fishing has been great for fly anglers.
Counts of summer steelhead are gradually ramping up although fewer than 1,400 have crossed, a stronger showing than the last couple of seasons. Santiam fishing is dependent on these Willamette fish. Hatchery fish are being recycled from the hatchery down to Waterloo on the South Santiam to allow anglers another chance at them.
Steelhead fishing on the Clackamas River is tapering off, but local die-hard's continue to squeak out a fish or two. With warmer temps and spring run-off in full swing, the river remains on the high side. The upper river will fish better in this case so anglers would be wise to focus their efforts upstream.
The Sandy River still offers mediocre opportunity for late winter and early summer steelhead. Here, spring run-off has yet to take hold and the river remains very fishable. The water between Oxbow Park and Dabney Park has the most to offer for boaters while the upper river fares better for bank bound anglers.
Northwest – Spring chinook are the primary focus in the district with a noticeable up-tick in catches in the lower Columbia River. Clifton Channel at Tenasillahe Island has been especially productive but catches may slow with the recent river rise. Managers will meet today to discuss the recreational catch to date and determine if more time is warranted. The gillnet fleet fished on Tuesday and did well but the surprise was the presence of shad in the catch. One boat brought in 20 shad for the 9 hour opening; shad typically don't begin to show for another month.
Steelheaders were forced to take a hiatus for part of the week as rain-swollen rivers put most viable systems out of reach. The Wilson, Trask and Nestucca Rivers are just now coming into shape and should fish fair into the weekend. Winter steelhead, both fresh and spent, along with an occasional summer steelhead should be available. Still a month away from peak, the district's first spring chinook should show in the coming days.
After a week of rough ocean conditions, a window of opportunity may come about as early as Friday. Ocean fishing for sea bass and lingcod should be good. Rumors of productive chinook fishing relatively near-shore were reported last week out of Garibaldi.
Crabbing remains best in the ocean when conditions allow but only fair in north coast estuaries.
Southwest- Springtime weather in Oregon can be tumultuous, as has been the case recently. Between storm fronts, central coast offshore anglers have enjoyed good results for lingcod and rockfish. Ocean Chinook is open through April 15th although an extension or additional dates will be announced shortly.
Offshore conditions are marginal this week but there should be opportunities for a quick morning jaunt for bottomfish at nearshore reefs and kelp beds.
Fishing for red-tail surf perch will be good but only on days when wave action and tidal stages cooperate with beach anglers.
Most south coast steelheaders are hanging up their gear this late in the season and targeting spring chinook which are just getting underway.
Umpqua mainstem flows hit 16,000 cfs overnight on April 8th but will be dropping this week. Early spring chinook fishing should be fair to good as the water clears. Low water woes on the South Umpqua were alleviated with rainfall over the past weekend but it will be dropping rapidly.
While the lower Rogue was on the rise and turning muddy into the early hours of Tuesday, April 9th, it has been dropping since. This freshet will ensure decent numbers of chinook will await weekend springer hopefuls. Spring chinook have been running large this season. The middle river was also subject to high, roiled water as storms passed through but will be recovering this week. Upper river steelheaders are taking the occasional bright steelhead amidst the dark and spawned-out specimens. A few springers will be their way into the Cole Rivers Hatchery facility. Beware that access from the Hatchery Hole to McGregor Falls will be closing at 7 PM.
Offshore anglers have taken limits of lingcod and good catches of rockfish whenever ocean conditions have allowed launches. The Chetco River is now closed to fishing.
Eastern – Hatches on the lower Deschutes are light and variable so nymphing remains the most effective tactic. Pelton Dam to the Northern Reservation Boundary opens April 27. Although March Browns are just getting underway, fly anglers are already anticipating the Salmonfly hatch.
Fall River has been rewarding fly anglers with fair to good catches although it's been on one day, off the next.
Mann Lake has been fishing well for fly anglers using wet patterns.
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