Portland/Metro Fishing Report - Coho numbers are starting to build at Willamette Falls but the better fishing happens in about a month from now. Some anglers are casting spinners in hopes of willing coho at the mouth of the Clackamas River and at Meldrum Bar.
Anglers searching for a piece of the much anticipated fall Chinook run on the mainstem Columbia are finding success in the Portland/Metro area. Trollers working 360° flashers with artificial baits such as Spinfish and Brad's cut plugs as well as spinners (of course), are finding good success in what most call peak season. The Bonneville reach is producing well and will likely continue to do so well into October.
The Clackamas River - More coho are starting to show in the Clackamas, hoping for an early rain to stimulate easier migration. A significant river rise is in the immediate forecast, this will certainly inspire a run into the Clackamas, ultimately destined for Eagle Creek.
Avid angler Jeff Stoeger reports on the Sandy River - "This week we could see some good coho action on the Sandy. The weather forecast is for rain starting on Friday and going all the way through Sunday. The weather service is calling for 1 to 3 inches of rain with the most taking place on Saturday.
I would have all gear and rods ready to go and hit the river. Most rivers in the metro area will see good numbers of fish and don't be surprised to see lots of people fishing the most popular places. The river is running at 7.65 ft and should jump to mid 8ft range if we get the rain forecasted. The water temperature is around 61 degrees and will drop as they are forecasting snow over the weekend which is greatly needed.
Find the full report and forecast for Chinook and Steelhead members for the Sandy and the Clackamas from this page here.
Willamette Valley Fishing Report by Glenn Zinkus
Alton Baker Canal: Was stocked last week with 1200 legal trout, and this week again with 700 plus legal trout. This is a good option for bait fishing with the kids.
Detroit Reservoir: Update on Detroit Lake Ramps and Parking: The low water ramp is in use at Detroit Reservoir. Parking is only allowed at the main parking lot. This is to free up space at the only ramps that are usable and allow more boaters access and egress.
Green Peter Reservoir: Green Peter Reservoir is getting low. The Thistle Creek boat ramp is accessible in the near term, and soon the reservoir will be less accessible. Catches of kokanee being reported – trolling with downriggers in depths in and around 40 feet.
South Santiam Trout: Possibilities below Foster Reservoir, but the upper South Santiam is a mere trickle above the reservoir except for the popular deep swimming hole sections. The South Santiam level above Foster will come up with the incoming rain.
Willamette River – From Harrisburg, to Corvallis, to Albany: A great option for warmwater fishing. This, along with some private farm ponds, remains one of the viable fishing alternatives in the upper portions of the Willamette system. Evening fishing for smallmouths, especially in the slow water sloughs. Flyfishing with leech patterns and top waters is especially good.
Clear Lake: Clear Lake water temperatures are good. Clear Lake has been fishing nicely for conventional gear. Reports of catches of hatchery trout using the usual bait fishing methods.
Find the full report and forecast for Chinook and Steelhead members for the Willamette Valley from this page here.
North Coast Fishing Report - The Buoy 10 season is peaking right now and it's become clear, we're NOT getting 1.6 million coho back to the Columbia River this year. I'm not sure we're getting half of that. None-the-less, Buoy 10 coho remains productive, but that could all change with this weekend's weather forecast. Coho has now re-opened above Tongue Point, which often fishes best on a soft tide exchange, which is currently underway.
Although the non-select coho season wasn't as red hot as most had hoped, it did produce fair catches for many participating in the fishery. Managers liberalized the season further however, it's now open 7-days/week in the ocean, south of Cape Falcon near Manzanita. A limited wild coho retention season is also underway, go HERE to view the details for opportunity on the north coast.
Fall Chinook season is well underway for many north coast estuaries. Tillamook has been producing well in recent days with the Nestucca, Salmon and Alsea also good early season options. The Nehalem is slow to start for fall Chinook.
The Siletz is starting to see some fair numbers of Chinook in the lower reaches of tidewater. It will only get better from here.
Bay crabbing continues good for semi-hard Dungeness crab. The ocean is better for numbers, but worse for quality.
Albacore remain far offshore and catches remain sporadic. It's been a disappointing season for most tuna chasers.
See the full report and forecast for Members for Chinook and Steelhead Members right here.
Central Oregon Fishing Reports - Contributor Glenn Zinkus reports:
Hot Fishing On East Lake
An autumn weather pattern is blowing in for the weekend. A cold front is approaching, and rain will start on Friday night, staying through the weekend, and maybe even into Monday.
Lower Deschutes River: Water temperatures range from lows of 55 degrees to highs of 57 degrees near Madras.
Lower Deschutes reports indicate that fishing is still going strong. Action on top with Micro Caddis patterns.
Middle Deschutes River: Some new reports from The Fly Fishers Place indicate the Middle Deschutes is fishing well again; euronymphing in the morning and caddis.
Jeff Perin at The Flyfisher’s Place recommends being ready with Purple Haze, X Caddis, and yellow sparkle dun flies when there are hatches and the trout are looking up.
Upper Deschutes River: The upper Deschutes is fishing well. The Upper Deschutes closes on September 30, so just two weeks left.
Nymph fishing is going strong, and this is a great river for Euronymph techniques.
Haystack Reservoir: Fill level is 31 %. Bass fishing has been excellent. Early mornings and evenings with topwaters is outstanding right now.
Lake Billy Chinook: Reports of good kokanee fishing in both the Deschutes and Metolius arms. Jigging with gold and silver colors.
Crooked River: Crooked River flows are 183 CFS at the dam. Fishing is great with afternoon dry fly fishing with heavy PMD hatches. Nymphing is also great when the dry fly action is off.
Fall River: Fall River was stocked earlier this month with 1000 trophy trout. There have been some PMD, BWO and caddis hatches, as well as some action on terrestrials (ants, beetles, hoppers) and mahogany duns are starting up.
Metolius River: The Metolius in September is one of the standout fishing opportunities. We are into prime fall green drake time, with the size 10 green drakes and the smaller, size 14 Drunella flavillinea drakes all coming off, often at the same time.
Prineville Reservoir: Josh Pardee for Tim’s Fishin Tackle Shop in Lapine reports ridiculously good fishing for Crappie in Prineville Reservoir. The reservoir is at 25% full as of today.
Trolling for Macks in depths of 90 to 100 feet. Silver spoons are producing.
North Central Oregon/Mid-Columbia Waters:
This week’s report from Gorge Outfitters Supply (541-739-2222) in Rufus, between the John Day and Deschutes Rivers includes updates on the salmon.
Salmon fishing is awesome at the mouth of the Deschutes. Egg fishing is effective – lots of salmon caught on eggs.
Check out Glenn's detailed report with much more information and forecast in this week's paid version for Chinook and Steelhead Members both!
Eastern Oregon Fishing Report - Contributor Glenn Zinkus reports bi-weekly, here is last week's report.
Owyhee Trout Action. Northeast Oregon Has Good Options.
Weather Outlook Across Central and Eastern Oregon:
There will be showers and thunder showers in the region on Friday.
Temperatures in Northeast Oregon peak in the low 70s on the weekend, and will be in the 60s, near 70 through next week. Night temperatures are in the 30s and 40s.
There is on and off smoke haze in the Cascades, High Desert, and Southeast Oregon
Southeastern Oregon, in the high country, will have rain on Friday. Sun and weekend high temperatures peak in the low 80s on the weekend, and 70s during next week. on the other days. Nighttime temperature dip to the 30s and 40s. Ana Reservoir: LIKELY AFFECTED BY SMOKE FROM THE BOOTLEG FIRE There are reports of good fishing on Ana Reservoir for legal and trophy size trout.
Blitzen River: The Blitzen still gets too warm during the afternoons, but early morning temperatures are in the high 50s. Fishing is viable for a few hours during the morning. Flows of 23 to 26 CFS are really low, near historic low averages.
Lofton Reservoir: Affected by the Bootleg fire. Inaccessible.
Owyhee River: There are some good blue wing olive hatches right now, as well as action on hoppers, ants and beetles.
Wallowa Lake was stocked in August with 5400 legal size trout and 180 trophy trout. The lake remains one of the viable fishing options in the northeast. Rob at the The Joseph Fly Shoppe thinks Wallowa Lake is one of the best in Oregon right now for stocked trout.
The kokanee bite is on. Kokanee catch rates are good.
Northeast Oregon High Lakes: Straight from The Joseph Fly Shoppe – “We are getting some better fishing reports this year compared to last year, but numerous lakes still fishing tough.
Lostine River: Rob at The Joseph Fly Shop reports that Lostine River is a good option. Water levels are low, but the water is cool. Check out Glenn's detailed report and forecast in this week's paid version for Chinook and Steelhead Members both!
Check out Glenn's detailed report and forecast in this week's paid version for Chinook and Steelhead Members both!
SW Oregon Fishing Report - Contributor Jeff Rome reports:
Rain is coming and will get fish moving.
Summer Steelhead and Half pounders are scattered in the lower Rogue and up through Grants Pass and up through Gold Hill area. Dropped river flow from last week's 1400 cfs is now down to 816 cfs as of today. Rain is in the forecast for this weekend with some totals over an inch on the coast and hopefully significant amounts to help with the numerous wildfires. The rain at the coast is expected to move the bay hovering fish upriver to spawning grounds. I suspect that the next couple of weeks should be good for half pounder fishing. A blustery marine forecast for most of the Southern Oregon coast is expected through the weekend so ocean fishing will be off the agenda. Non selective coho season opened back up September 10th with both Chinook and coho catches were excellent last weekend mostly towards Coos Bay and North. My best bet would be to try out your rain gear (in prep for winter steelhead season) and try some river fishing on the Rogue anywhere from the bay on up through Gold Hill.
Andy Martin- Brookings Fishing Charters 541-813-1082, suggests a window of opportunity Labor Day into this week has led to excellent halibut catches and bottom fish The weekend at least through Saturday looks good for getting out and targeting halibut, bottom fish, or salmon. The Rogue Bay is still producing Chinook with lots of jacks in the mix. Half pounders are between Lobster Creek and Agness and will be moving upriver.
Smallmouth bass anglers are catching good numbers of bass in the South Fork Coquille below the mouth of the Middle Fork and in the mainstem Coquille River. There is no size limit or daily bag limit on smallmouth bass in the Coquille River. It’s recommended to catch and keep as many as one can to help keep the population at bay since these fish are not salmon, trout, and steelhead friendly.
The limited wild coho season started in Coos Basin on Sept. 15 and goes through Oct. 15. Anglers will be allowed to harvest 1 wild coho per day with 2 for the season in the Coos Basin. There have been a few wild coho in the estuary around the airport and in Marshfield Channel.
Diamond Lake-Colder temps and lower lake level is making trout catches more challenging. Fly fishers seem to be doing slightly better and will be mostly in mid-morning or late evening.
COQUILLE RIVER BASIN- Striper fishing is starting to pick up again in the lower Coquille River. Striped bass can be found in the river from near Johnson Mill Pond to Rocky Point in the lower estuary.
On the upper Rogue, anglers are catching trout and summer steelhead. Anglers can only retain hatchery trout (5 per day) and hatchery steelhead. It’s been a pretty good august for steelhead anglers and should only improve through September.
Check out Jeff's detailed report, multiple lake updates, and forecast in this week's paid version for Chinook and Steelhead Members both!
SW Washington Fishing Report by Terry Otto
Columbia back on for Chinook above Warrier Rock, and catches have been good in local hog lines. Tributary fishing is picking up, and blessed rain is on the way. This weekend should be very good to salmon anglers.
Vancouver Metro Area
Hog lines in the Vancouver area are getting Chinook on wobblers, but if you aren’t on the water at daybreak, you will miss the bite. Most anglers are fishing until about 8 and then going home, but the early bite has been excellent. The tributaries are really kicking out a lot of coho, even with the low water. The Lewis has been the best bet.
Warm water fishing is excellent as the fish prep for winter, and trout are beginning to get active. Once the water cools off a bit more the stockings will start at local lowland lakes.
Lewis and Washougal Rivers Fishing Report—The Lewis continues to produce lots of coho for both bank and boat anglers. The hatchery has been the best area, with the fish concentrated in the Meat Hole. Twitching jigs has been the best method, and the salmon egg bite has slowed a bit. Just about any jig with some pink on it will draw bites. In the faster water anglers are getting the fish by drifting corkies, sometimes tipped with bait.
The Chinook are slowing down and have spread throughout the river. Anglers may not keep any un-clipped Chinook until October 1.
The river is really low, so the fish are stacked up in just a few deep holes. They can be found in the faster water early morning but move off these spots once the sun climbs.
The Washougal River is still prohibitively low, but the lower holes have schools Chinook in them, and a few anglers are getting them to bite. Most of the fish in the system are tules, but there are bright fish as well, and those are more likely to bite than the tules. Bait and bobber is working, and a few have fallen to other methods.
Merwin and Yale Lakes Fishing Report—John Thompson of Sportsman’s Warehouse in Vancouver, (360) 604-8000), reports that anglers have begun getting the kokanee to bite by jigging, and the schools are beginning to move toward the bays where they will spawn. The Speelyai Bay area should produce well over the next couple weeks. Anglers are still getting the fish to bite trolled baits, with the depths varying some whether or not the sun is shining. The best depths are reportedly from 20 to 60 feet. Kokanee flashers trolled ahead of hootchies tipped with corn is still one of the best ways to get the fish to bite. Most anglers are leaving with limits.
Longview Area
Cowlitz and Kalama Rivers Fishing Report—Fishing is slow and spotty, at least for keepable salmon, according to Thompson, and the most recent creel surveys backs that up. Below the I-5 Bridge four boats/16 rods kept one coho jack and released 17 Chinook. Chinook retention is closed on the Cowlitz this year. Above the bridge fishing is very poor, and only a few anglers are fishing up there. The river’s early coho are mostly headed to the Toutle River, and reports are that anglers are now gathering where the Toutle meets the Cowlitz. Even though the releases are a shadow of what they once were, with this year’s strong return the fishing could be decent. Drifting has always been the favored method here, but other coho methods can work sometimes.
The lower Kalama River holes are full of coho, and anglers are getting their share. It seems that just about everything will take the fish, including jigs, bait, spinners, and drift gear in the fast water. The fish are stuck below the fish collection weir below the Modrow Bridge, and will be until the river lifts. Fishing pressure has been fairly strong, and most mornings late comers may have a tough time fishing room to fish. Remember the river is closed to fishing for 1000 feet below the weir, and the river has a fly-fishing only reach, from the natural gas pipeline crossing to the deadline at the intake to the Fallert Creek Hatchery.
Columbia River Gorge
Anglers continue to do well for Chinook and a few coho at the mouths of the White salmon River, where jigging with wobblers has been effective, and the Klickitat River, where more anglers are trolling. The Chinook are slowly entering the lower Klickitat River, but low water has prevented much of a run, and the river has been brown. The rains predicted for this weekend could change that. If you fish the Klick, give Carl Coolidge of the Klickitat Canyon Market 509-369-4400 a call. He will let you know if the river is in fishable condition. Coolidge also offers a shuttle service.
Check out Terry's detailed report (he crushes it every week!) and forecast in this week's paid version for SW Washington Members!
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