Willamette Valley/Metro - Columbia River spring chinook fishers are still anxiously awaiting improving success rates. Test netting in the lower river indicate a higher number of fish present with higher interception rates of mainstem Columbia chinook. Willamette bound chinook still make up the bulk of the catch but that will likely change this week. Anchor anglers and trollers working the Kalama to Astoria area are still struggling for success; an indication the run is either late or going to come in under-predicted again. High, cold water is most certainly delaying migration and thus catch rates; an extension is likely, with an emphasis on likely.
Willamette River trollers had a good week from Sellwood downstream. The Oregonian's own Bill Monroe tallied 2 keepers last week, trolled herring was the ticket. River flows are once again expected to rise and muddy however, likely to once again put the fishery on hold until early April.
McKenzie level and flow moderated over the past weekend and fly fishers responded. While March Browns hatched in modest number, nymphs were more effective and catches were fair to good. Precipitation this week will affect the river but good times are ahead for McKenzie long-rodders.
The entire Santiam system is on the rise, a trend which is forecast to continue through the weekend to come.
The Clackamas is in peak season (mid-March to mid-April) and although the fishing has not been up to par like previous years, a mix of summer and winter broodstock fish should continue to provide some opportunity in the coming weeks.
Smelt are just a memory for Sandy River dippers but the season's first spring chinook were confirmed recently. The Sandy continues to provide good opportunity for steelhead as both winter broodstock fish and summer steelhead are available. A flurry of summer steelhead catches were recorded in the Oxbow area on Saturday and Sunday.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will hold two free youth fishing events on Saturday, April 5th, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Canby Pond and Cottage Grove Pond will be stocked with trout for these events. Volunteers will be on hand to help and assist kids.
Northwest – North Coast steelheaders have beat the rivers to a froth, compromising action last weekend on the districts two favorites; the Wilson and Nestucca. Both systems will continue to produce fair results into early April but action will quickly taper after the first week. Spring chinook fishing opens on April 1st but success rates won't climb until mid-May.
Many smaller streams close on April 1st as well as the upper reach of the Nehalem River above the Highway 26 Bridge at Elsie. Trout won't open until late May to protect schools of wild and hatchery smolts making their way downstream to the estuary in the coming weeks.
Offshore enthusiasts were able to take advantage of good bottomfishing over the weekend. Willing sea bass and lingcod fell to jigs and baits on rocky reefs and along jetties.
Razor clamming was challenging and crabbing is still leaving many disappointed.
Southwest- Offshore conditions allowed sport and charter boats to launch over the past weekend, seeking bottom fish. Catches were fair to good with some large lingcod boated.
Lingcod hookups have been occurring for anglers fishing off rocks and jetties when the ocean has laid down. These are frequently a surprise as lings will grab kelp greenling struggling on angler's lines. Rockfish are also being taken on jigs or bait.
While ocean salmon fishing has been open since mid-March, catches have been slow. Trollers are hooking a few offshore outside of Coos Bay and the mouth of the Rogue River. Offshore salmon fishing is closed south of Humbug Mountain.
Fishing for surf perch has continued to improve for anglers casting bait off ocean beaches. Best results will occur during the last two hours of an incoming tide.
Water will be rising on the mainstem Umpqua although spring chinook will be available as it recovers in early April. Hatchery winter steelhead catches have been good on the South Umpqua. Drifted, cured eggs have been taking the most fish.
With water conditions improving in Coos Bay, crabbing is expected to improve as will results for anglers fishing for rockfish and lingcod from the jetties.
Spring chinook catches picked up late last week on the lower Rogue but slowed again as the water dropped and cleared. Half-pounder fishing has been very good at times in the Agness stretch. Rain this week should improve flow and color, boosting angler's chances of a springer hookup. Bait has been most effective on the middle river but most steelhead hooked here have spawned. Just as winter steelhead catches were picking up on the upper Rogue with improving water levels, water will be on the rise again this week.
Boats fishing just outside Brookings Harbor have done well jigging for rockfish and lingcod. Steelheading is winding down on the Chetco with most of the fish spawned out and of poor quality.
Steelheading was good on the Elk when flows were up but catches fell off as the river dropped and cleared late last week.
As predicted, Diamond Lake ice fishing is done for the year. Trout fishers will be awaiting the spring thaw at which time catches are expected to be good.
Eastern – Lower Deschutes flows are good for fishing and the color has improved over that of a week ago. Hatches are picking up as have results for redsides although nymphing is often still the more productive technique here.
Trollers are catching a few kokanee and larger, holdover rainbows at Haystack Reservoir.
Davis Lake is open and accessible but bass are inactive in cold water.
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