Willamette Valley/Metro - Last weekend's Willamette River sturgeon opener was disappointing for many anglers intent on getting their last keeper sturgeon this season, or possibly for years to come. A few shorts and a rare keeper were reported, but very little action was had river wide. Another three-day opener will be given this weekend (July 18, 19 and 20), but enthusiasm is low. Shad fishing is done, salmon fishing is also done, so warmwater fish are all that's left on the table for Willamette River anglers. Smallmouth bass and walleye are available in the mainstem Willamette and Multnomah Channel.
The Columbia River shad run has died below Bonneville Dam. All that remains to catch is a few summer steelhead, of what appears to be a low return for 2013. Catch and release sturgeon fishing has drawn little effort but its suspected that good numbers are feeding on leftover shad below the dam.
With steelhead numbers low this season and spring chinook making only a modest showing in the Santiams, fishing has been a challenge here.
Although the McKenzie has been fluctuating over the past several days, the level has continued to gradually drop. Large redsides and some beautiful cutthroat are being caught by fly fishers on the upper river. Caddis dries and nymphs such as Hare's Ear and Prince Nymphs have been effective.
The Clackamas River is low and clear and will give up the occasional summer steelhead if you are willing to put in the time. Early morning and late evening offers the best opportunity, when the swimmers and rafters are off the water.
On the Sandy River, the conditions are similar to the Clackamas. Expect low water, with some color to it thanks to the melting glacier. Summer steelhead and the rare leftover springer can be found in rested water, if you put in your time. The upper river from Oxbow Park upstream offers the best chance at a fish.
Northwest – Coho anglers out of the lower Columbia continue to struggle during a time that should mean easy limits. Fish are largely scattered with the cooler water with baitfish largely absent. The best action has been off of Gearhart and Seaside with nice sized coho coming from depths greater than 200 feet. Biters have also been found uncharacteristically deep with coho coming from 75 to 100 feet down in some instances.
Coho fishing with the rare chinook seem available out of Garibaldi. Most anglers are targeting fish north of Twin Rocks in 200 foot of water of better. Crabbing reports indicate improved catches. When the weather cooperates, albacore will be high on the bucket list.
Nearshore halibut continues to produce fair results with Pacific City one of the highest producing ports this season. The season is scheduled to continue to run Thursdays through Saturdays until the quota is attained.
Chinook are starting to show in the lower Nehalem. Herring trollers working the mouth and Wheeler should expect to see improving catches in the weeks to come with the peak likely in early August. Bay crabbing remains fair at best.
Area rivers remain low and clear but morning cloud-cover should improve opportunities. Summer steelhead in the Wilson and Nestucca Rivers will become the primary focus as spring chinook begin to deteriorate. Hardware in the early morning will occasionally take fish.
Southwest- Boats launching out of Depoe Bay caught plenty of rockfish and lingcod over the past weekend. Coho fishing was also very good.
Properly equipped recreational boats are planning tuna trips this week. Commercial boats are getting into large albacore out of central Oregon ports. Charters are now scheduling tuna trips.
Crabbing in bays has been good for numbers, poor for keepers which have been few and mostly softshells at this time of year. Ocean crabbing is somewhat better.
With high wind keeping boats off the ocean out of Gold Beach over the past week, anglers were thankful for some good days trolling for chinook on the bay. The bite dropped off late in the week however, and was off by Sunday, July 14th. Ocean conditions are expected to improve in the week to come. Lower river fishing is slow and middle Rogue results have been poor. Springers continue to be taken on the upper Rogue early in the day with steelhead fishing turning on in the evening.
Ocean conditions out of the Port of Brookings allowed boats to troll for chinook within a mile of the coast. Conditions further improved throughout the week but with the ocean full of baitfish and krill, salmon are feeding heavily on natural forage and as a consequence, biting light. Hatchery coho catches have been decent.
Eastern – The lower Deschutes opens to hatchery fall chinook fishing on August 1. With a good return expected, the daily bag limit will be two adults and five jacks. The season is scheduled to continue through October.
Crane Prairie anglers are hooking fair to good numbers of rainbow and brook trout with the occasional larger "Cranebow" showing up in catches.
Olallie Lake is fishing well, producing good-sized trout.
No comments:
Post a Comment