Willamette Valley/Metro – With the cold snap gripping the region, catch and effort will both suffer for metro anglers this weekend. It’s not like we’re missing all that much, but some die-hards will keep after the spring Chinook on the Willamette before it blows out early next week, well, because they are springers.
There’s not much going on in the mainstem Columbia but fishery managers roped in an impressive prediction for fall coho back to the Columbia this year, maybe as many as 1.6 million fish! I know, it’s hard to have faith with predictions these days, but even if we get half of that, Katy, bar the door!d
Spring Chinook seasons are likely to be set soon. Modeling suggests we may get until April 4th on the mainstem Columbia, but it looks like we’ll get to fish downstream of St. Helens this year, thanks to a more robust Cowlitz River return.
Steelheaders on the Clackamas aren’t impressed with early season results, but when temperatures warm next week, it should provide options, but with warming weather comes low level snow and ice melt so rivers are forecasted to rise here too.
Pro guide Jeff Stoeger (503-704-7920) of O2BFISHN reports, “Hello All. I hope that everyone is doing well. Fishing has stayed the same as the last few weeks, a fish here and there and hoping to see more fish in the next couple of weeks. The river has done a little roller coaster action and will drop with the weather forecasted for the next few days to show snow and possible ice. If it does snow and your out fishing from the bank you will want to make sure that you watch your step for snow will stick to your felt soles and they seem to be like skates. Also with the weather being cold keep a eye on your guides for ice build up and also watch your line on the spool. It will freeze up and you can snap your line braid or mono.”
See more of Jeff’s report by becoming a paid member HERE!
North Coast Fishing Report – It wasn’t an impressive week for north coast steelheaders. It started off pretty good late last week, but the Wilson tapered quickly with the Nestucca only showing slight signs of productivity for the week’s effort most guides put in. There’s still a lot of season to go, but anglers will have to work for them this year it appears.
The Trask had some fish early this week too, but like the other systems, it tapered quickly.
Other early season streams are booting out spent steelhead, making for good sport, but poor table fare. The NF Nehalem, Necanicum, Three Rivers, Big and Gnat Creek and the Klaskanine River fall under this category. The mainstem Nehalem didn’t quite come into shape for productive fishing this round but some fish were had around tributary mouths.
The Siletz is becoming more consistent, but the cold weather snap will stall the bite here.
The Alsea has been mediocre all season, but should improve when temperatures do in the coming weeks.
Anglers that got offshore for bottomfish in recent days didn’t regret it. Decent crabbing and excellent bottomfishing was had by all. That window may not open up again anytime soon.
Bay crabbing remains fair with better tides this weekend, but you won’t appreciate the weather.
Central and Eastern Oregon Fishing Reports – From avid angler Tim Moran (Repeat from last week):
Snow and cold temps were the norm this week in central and eastern Oregon. I was out on the property in Terrebonne this week (building the dream home and fishing camp and global headquarters for Valalla Outfitters! The low Tuesday was 11 so fishing is a noon to 4pm kinda sport right now. As reported last week, news is tough to come by – some of my fishing contacts have holed up for the winter while others take their fishing addiction to places a 1000 miles or more south of here and chase Tarpon, Bonefish and Dorado. But I digress…there is some fishing available to us hardy anglers and I did get some intel so here we go…
The Crooked is low and clear and really cold in the canyon but if you get there late and leave early you can get on a few fish.
The Fall River is a good winter river and should hold up too. Small nymphs will be the key here too and swinging a smaller black wooly and then stripping it in can be a way to entice strikes too.
The Lower Deschutes – Checking in with a few of the guides that are still out there, the reports of good winter fishing are there. The river doesn’t see much pressure and on a day (or days) like we are going to get this week – so it’s a great time to be out there with the river to yourself. The Middle Deschutes has been hit and miss with some anglers getting a few rainbows from 9 to 14 inches and a couple of nice Browns in the 22 inch class, while others have put in their time and not gotten a hit… Such is winter fishing!
Prineville Reservoir – It’s tough to fish right now and will be until the ice around the edges melts off. Obviously it’s not thick enough to stand on, but it’s thick enough and far enough out to hamper fishing until we get a little warm up!
Forecast calls for a little more snow rain mix this week with moderate temps so if you get out, it should be comfortable and the fish should be a bit more active.
SW Oregon Fishing Report – From ODF&W’s Recreation Report
- For Free Fishing Weekend, Lake Selmac (Selma) and Reinhardt Volunteer Park pond in Grants Pass will be a great places to take the family fishing for rainbow trout this weekend as they will be stocked late this week. 2/10/21
- Lost Creek and Willow lakes are good bets for trout fishing. Both have good boat access. 2/10/21
- Cooper Creek Reservoir can be a great place to pick up some trout or bass. Cooler weather will keep the crowds away, but the fish are still willing to bite for the right angler. 1/20/21
Trout fishing on most rivers and streams closed Oct. 31.
All tributaries to larger river systems such as the Rogue, Applegate and Illinois are closed to fishing, unless noted in the regulations exceptions section of the SW Zone.
Rivers in the Coos and Coquille basin are at very fishable levels.
Local fish biologist Mike Gray offers these video tips for winter steelhead fishing in the Coos, Coquille and Tenmile systems.
Rivers and streams to fish this week:
- Water conditions in the Chetco, Elk and Winchuck rivers are prime for winter steelhead fishing. Local fish biologist Steve Mazur in Gold Beach offers these video tips for winter steelhead fishing in south coast rivers. 2/3/21
- Middle Rogue around Galice would be a good place to target half-pounders. Summer fish are still around, and will be colored up and down migrating. Winter fish are still few and far between in the Middle Rogue but are showing. 2/3/2021
- Rivers in the Umpqua should be a good bet until Sunday when a lot of rain is in the forecast. Anglers are tying into a few nice-size fish. 1/27/21
SW Washington – Terry Otto has put together another smashing report for SW Washington. What you will read below is an abbreviated version of what Terry’s “FULL VERSION” report will look like in the months ahead. Sign Up for Terry’s PAID version that started last week. With this level of detail, you won’t want to miss a single week! It’s JUST $0.32 cents per week! Here’s Terry’s summary for this week. SUBSCRIBE to the full SW Washington version HERE!
Southwest Washington Fishing Update and Forecast
Covd-19 Update—With the Covid-19 virus spiking in Washington State, anglers are reminded to please fish only with members of their own household, avoid crowded areas, and use social distancing and wear a mask to protect themselves and others from the disease. No one wants a return to last spring’s lockdowns, so please do your part to make sure fishing and hunting remain open statewide.
Steelhead picking up in spots, trout stockings boost fishing. Still no decision on smelt dip in the Cowlitz River
Vancouver Metro Area
Steelheading is picking up in some tributaries, but low, cold water could affect the bite, especially in the smaller tribs. Trout stockings continue to boost fishing in the local lowland lakes, and kokanee anglers continue to do well.
There is a winter advisory in effect for this week and into the weekend, with snow and cold temps expected. The low snow level will mean cold water and possibly slow fishing, and will possibly keep many anglers off the water.
A smelt dip in the Cowlitz is still a possibility, but slow commercial catches and worries about the Covid-19 pandemic have the fishery on hold. If case rates in Cowlitz County drop or hold, a fishery could still be allowed.
Lewis and Washougal Rivers Fishing Report—A few anglers continue to fish for steelhead in the Lewis River, although the hatchery run is over. Wild steelhead are biting in the river, and should be available until the end of March. Most of the fishing has been centered around the hatchery and the reach down to the golf course, but there has been some effort in the river from the hatchery to Merwin Dam as well. The river is in good condition and some wild steelhead are being caught.
The Washougal River did lift a little last week but has dropped again, and that makes the fishing difficult. There are plenty of anglers targeting the river, and even though the river has been low, a few fish are still being caugh. Most of the public access is in the lower three miles of the river, and the steelhead have been moving through the river quickly following a freshet. The steelhead have been biting drifted gears and bobber and jigs or bait.
Salmon Creek Fishing Report—Anglers continue to have a tough time getting steelhead to bite in the creek, with the action rated as poor. This month should see more fish pull in, although low, cold water will make the fishing tough until the next freshet arrives. Anglers do well here by casting metallic pink 3.5 Maglips, jigs, and beads or bait. Spinners will work, too.
Merwin and Yale Lakes Fishing Report—Kokanee fishing in both lakes is rated as fair to good, with John Thompson of Sportsman’s Warehouse in Vancouver, (360) 604-8000), reporting that some anglers are getting limits every time out, but others are struggling. With the fish still holding in the upper water column, flat-line trolling has been the way to go. As has been the case all winter, pink and orange hootchies are fishing well when tipped with yellow corn.
Local Lakes Fishing Report—Klineline Pond was stocked with 1,500 catchable rainbow trout, and battleground Lake was stocked with 3,000 catchables on February 1. Lacamas Lake is also giving up some trout.
Longview Area
Cowlitz and Kalama Rivers Fishing Report—The Cowlitz is still fishing slow, although it is getting better bit by bit. Last week, Tacoma Power employees recovered 52 winter-run steelhead adults during five days of operations at the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery separator. In last week’s creels above the I-5 Bridge, 53 bank rods kept four steelhead, while 14 boats/49 rods kept five steelhead and released one steelhead. Dave Mallahan of Dave’s Guide Service (360-201-9313), reported that he was able to get a few biters this week, but he felt like the sea lions massed at the mouth of the river may be slowing the steelhead from moving into the upper river. His fish came while bobber-dogging with beads and bait, and he said that bobber-dogging was out-fishing side-drifting and other methods by about 10 to one.
The Kalama is fishing a little better, and according to Thompson, anglers floating the lower river are doing pretty good. Just about anywhere from the rough launch at the red barn down to the Modrow Bridge was producing fish. The lower river lends itself to pulling plugs, fishing bobber and bait or jigs, or bead fishing is drawing bites. Up in the canyon, the best bet for bank anglers, bobber fishing works well, but anglers can also take fish with hardware and by drift fishing. Local Lakes Fishing Report—Kress Lake and horseshoe Lake are both fishing well for trout and excess steelhead. Riffe Lake is still fishing well for coho.
Covd-19 Update—With the Covid-19 virus spiking in Washington State, anglers are reminded to please fish only with members of their own household, avoid crowded areas, and use social distancing and wear a mask to protect themselves and others from the disease. No one wants a return to last spring’s lockdowns, so please do your part to make sure fishing and hunting remain open statewide.
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