Willamette Valley/Metro - Bonneville numbers remain depressed as we enter the winter blues. If you're into wildlife watching, go to the Bonneville area and watch the Stellar Sea Lions chow down on your broodstock sturgeon; it's epic this time of year. Sorry, is my frustration playing out? Warmer temperatures may produce some coho catches in the gorge but other than that, action is slow.
With the Willamette River water level rising and turning muddy, Sturgeon fishing on the lower river has only improved. With many anglers awaiting the arrival of winter steelhead, the catch-and–release action has been a fun interim alternative.
McKenzie River and the Santiams will blow out this weekend and remain unfishable into the coming week.
Once the Clackamas River recovers from storms due to arrive Saturday and Sunday, there may still be a few summer steelhead and coho available but most anglers are hoping for early winter steelhead.
No catches of winters have been confirmed from the Sandy although there are still summers and a few coho, most of which are dark. Expect the river to recover sufficiently to fish by mid-week.
Northwest – A flurry of great action took place last Sunday when air and water temperatures warmed and staging estuary chinook made a run upriver on the Trask and Wilson Rivers. Action has slowed since and only an occasional pod of chinook will roll through the Tillamook district into mid-December. The Kilchis is an option too.
Early winter steelhead should be available on some north coast systems. The North Fork Nehalem is producing a few winter steelhead but only from the handicap ramp, much to hatchery worker's surprise. There hasn't been much interest however. It's still early. Other early winter steelhead options are the Wilson, Kilchis, Three Rivers and Necanicum systems.
Weaker tides this weekend could produce some fair bay crabbing. The lower Columbia is the best option but sport crabbers will have to put up with commercial gear that will start soaking on November 28th.
It's transition time in this district; limited opportunity exists.
Southwest- Winter fishing for rockfish and lingcod is excellent when boats can get out. Launches should be possible early next week. In addition, ocean crabbing becomes legal once again starting December 1.
In last week's newsletter, the closure of Tenmile, Tahkenitch and Siltcoos was stated incorrectly. All of the above lakes will open for wild coho fishing through December 31st, 2014. Thanks and a tip o' the fishing hat to subscriber Bill S. for catching the gaff.
The first winter steelhead of the season may be caught on the Alsea as conditions improve in the coming week.
Native steelhead will be available on the mainstem Umpqua when it drops and clears sufficiently following the storm front due to hit this coming weekend.
The Rogue is forecast to blow out this coming Saturday and Sunday. Even the upper river will experience a significant rise. Once it recovers, fishing will continue for the tail-end of the Chinook run and summer steelhead.
The Chetco should clear sufficiently to plunk early next week with backbouncers and plug-pullers getting in on the action around mid-week. Fishing has been decent as Chinook commonly run big at this time of year as the run is winding down.
The late Chinook run on the Elk and Sixes has rewarded anglers with nice fish following every recent freshet as the rivers rapidly drop and clear.
Eastern – The lower Deschutes has been fair to good for trout and summer steelhead although the water has been roiled from muddy outflow below White River.
Enthusiasts of cold-weather trolling are getting their fix (as well as some dandy lake trout) at Crescent Lake.
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