Oregon fishing report

Willamette Valley/Metro - On the Columbia River below Bonneville Dam, anglers continue to catch fall chinook although the bite is becoming sporadic and many of the fish are getting quite dark. A large portion of the chinook present will spawn right below the dam. Anglers should take note and consider letting these fish spawn in peace. Saturday's sturgeon opener on the Willamette River below Willamette Falls proved to be quite productive for many anglers and the turn-out was also surprising. Many reports came in of boats limiting with three, four or five keepers from Oregon City, Milwaukie, the Portland Harbor and Multnomah Channel indicating the river has plenty of fish in it for catch and release entertainment. Anglers slightly exceeded their 1,000 fish quota by about 200 fish. Bass and walleye anglers have an extended late season stretch of good weather to cash in on. Water temps are still in line for productive fishing.

The weather is beautiful and the fishing is fine on the lower McKenzie. Just go. Take October and other Caddis patterns along with some Adams and some Prince, Possie Bugger and similar nymphs.

The Santiam system has good numbers of coho for those who can crack the code on the challenging fish. Popular lures are jigs and spinners. Try from the rest stop on the mainstem up the North Santiam for the best chance of a hookup.

Not much to report on the Clackamas River but low water and the occasional silver salmon being caught. The next rain might bring a few more into the system.

Water is getting low on the Sandy River as well and a few silvers are still in the system. Best action is reported from the mouth and up near Cedar Creek. Jigs and spinners are the go-to lures with cured roe being the bait of choice.

Northwest – After a great early season, Tillamook Bay fishing has slowed as it has in years past at this time. Historically, mid-October to mid-November has produced great catches and that remains to be seen this year. With an already strong showing of Wilson chinook, the run that fuels the late season bite, anglers remain hopeful and results are likely to improve. Ocean fishing for chinook will close after October 31st but has remained one of the best options lately. Deep reef bottomfish seekers have been taking advantage of the all-depth opportunities and being rewarded accordingly. Ocean crabbing will remain closed until at least December 1st but is slightly improving in coastal estuaries.

The Nehalem remains an option although it too has slowed slightly. The run here is likely to taper after this week but persistent anglers may still be rewarded. Bobber fishers are taking fair quality fish in tidewater using eggs and shrimp combinations.

Another good round of precipitation will do the north coast systems some good but there is none in sight. Until then, anglers should target the tidewater sections of the Nestucca, Siletz and Alsea with the Salmon a distant second choice. Bobber and bait will take the most fish but trollers will take some fish too.

The lower Columbia is absent anglers but crabbing will only get better through late November. Pick the softer tides to maximize catches. Good clamming tides won't come around again until early November.

Southwest- Bottom fishing out of central Oregon ports has slowed. Everyone is still catching rockfish and lings but not limits as they were last week.

As ocean water temperatures drop, it appears that tuna hopefuls have made their last run for the season.

Long-range offshore forecasts look favorable for ocean launches although conditions are predicted to become more challenging late in the coming weekend.

Bay crabbing is expected to show improvement with salinity levels good and weather conditions friendly this week.

Catches of rockfish and lingcod have been good when boats have been able to get out on the ocean from Gold Beach. Trollers in Rogue Bay are taking decent numbers of chinook and coho. Fishing off the mouth of Indian Creek has picked up with chinook gathering to run up to the hatchery on that tributary. Steelhead and coho are available in good number around Agness. Anglers on the middle river are catching steelhead on an assortment of baits and lures. The upper Rogue is fishing well as summer steelhead continue to lie in tailouts below spawning chinook. Fly casters will score with egg patterns.

With the ocean closed for salmon fishing, trollers are working Brookings Harbor while shore-bound anglers cast spoons and spinners from the crab pier but chinook catches have been only fair at best. Fish with the tides for best results. The Chetco River opens above River Mile 2.2 on November 2nd.

While the Elk River is running low and clear in the absence of precipitation, it gave up more than a dozen chinook on Sunday, October 20.

Trout catches continue to slowly improve at Diamond Lake with bait fishing on the north end yielding the best results.

Eastern – Trout fishing remains better than steelheading on the lower Deschutes although fresh summers continue to enter. Water level and flow have improved with upstream irrigation efforts shut down.

Fly anglers are reminded that during extended mild, sunny weather, trout will be making terrestrials a significant part of their diet.