Portland/Metro Fishing Report – With Willamette River spring Chinook and lots of other options on tap for the weekend, for once in a long time, anglers will have to wonder what fishery will be best for them.
Just yesterday (Wednesday), fishery managers once again extended the mainstem sportfishery, while also allowing a 1-day mainstem gillnet fishery, the first since 2016. The gillnets will fish on Monday, sport anglers will fish into the summer Chinook opener. It’s nice to see this fishery turn around! See the press release HERE.
Columbia River catches are good, but it’s likely success will start fading by next week. High water is more conducive to anchor fishing and bank fishing, giving those versed in high water tactics a strong advantage. Plugs produce good catches downstream of Bonneville, but those with a Washington fishing license should explore the Hamilton Island fishery as bank anglers fishing there, do very well under these current conditions. Paid subscribers, see Buzz Ramsey’s article on this fishery HERE.
Willamette River spring Chinook anglers will see catches explode this week, particularly in the Oregon City area, where springers have been staging, waiting to ascend Willamette Falls after a prolonged period of high water. Fishing will be excellent this weekend, and into next week. Downstream trollers should also enjoy improved catches, but Oregon City will be the hot spot.
Willamette River spring chinook Tony Meyers
Shad will be showing soon.
It’s still early and the river remains high, but the Clackamas is due to pop off with both spring Chinook and summer steelhead. Both species have been depressed in recent years, but anglers are hopeful for a rebound in action this season.
The Sandy looks promising as avid angler Jeff Stoeger reports, “This week’s report is very promising for there were fish caught throughout the entire river. A buddy caught three very nice late winters in the lower river on diver and fresh shrimp and they were nickel bright. He also lost a nice sized springer at the boat fishing shrimp. He was fishing all the deep holes using bait and then pulled plugs in normal plug water.”
Check out the upcoming stocking schedule HERE.
Find the full report and forecast for Members on the Sandy and the Clackamas from this page here.
| And we want you to be safe! That’s why The Guide’s Forecast has produced this fine ocean bar and safety video for your viewing FREE! Check it out and pass it along, let’s pray for a safe and prosperous boating season this year! https://youtu.be/CndLecDMVqg |
North Coast Fishing Report – We are still largely in transition period for North Coast anglers. The new kid on the block is Pacific halibut, which anglers got a crack at earlier this week. Calm seas and an unmolested fishery produced good catches for many anglers fishing out of Newport particularly. Spring Chinook are yet to show in any great number.
Mid May is typically when we start to see better spring Chinook catches in Tillamook. We are just now entering peak period, and fishing should improve from here. There have already been some fair catches in the West channel but early morning tides this week are more conducive to upper Bay trollers working the Memaloose Boat Ramp area, using spinners or herring for bait.
Local area rivers have been in good shape for those interested in the unique opportunity for drift boating in pursuit of spring Chinook. The Trask River in particular has the best return of adults in the basin, particularly because no other river systems receive hatchery plants.
Summer steelhead should also be making their way back to the Wilson, Nestucca and Siletz Rivers. there have been a few reportedly caught. the Wilson and Siletz will be the two best North Coast options.
As is commonly the case, many North Coast anglers look to the salt this time of year. Between the halibut opener, ample opportunities for bottomfish, crab, and this year, a good opportunity for saltwater Chinook, there is reason to keep a watchful eye on ocean weather.
The catch and keep sturgeon fishery was far from good, unless you consider 1 keeper for every 136 rods “good.”
See the full report and forecast for Members right here.
Central Oregon Fishing Report – Contributor Glenn Zinkus reports:
Lower Deschutes River:
The Lower Deschutes bumped up earlier this week, on May 15 and 16, but is dropping – currently right around 4080 CFS in Madras and 6390 CFS at Moody. Water access is good, with summer-like flows along the Warm Springs stretch.
Salmon flies are now prevalent everywhere from Maupin to Warm Springs, it’s prime time and happening now. The bugs are flying around and active on the warmer, sunny days. Anglers are into fish. When the air is cooler and it’s overcast, nymphs are still a way to go.
Middle Deschutes River: River level is just right. When I was last there, there is now a lot of stonefly activity – golden stones and stone flies. The Middle Deschutes is starting to fish well now. Our friend Josh Pardee reports that the Deschutes is fishing well in and around Bend for browns during April.
In addition, there is a mix of PEDs, PMDs, and some caddis on the river from Bend to Steelhead Falls.
Haystack Reservoir: ODFW stocked Haystack with several hundred big rainbows (broodstock) in January, and several hundred more went in again during February. Haystack was stocked with 75 brood stock trout this past week, so there are some big ones there.
Our friend from Central Oregon Fishing Report, Josh Pardee says that Haystack has been fantastic for rainbows. Haystack is at 84% full today. Josh reports that the rainbows are moving out of the canals and into the Reservoir.
Jeff Perin at The Flyfishers Place suggest wade fishing is good near the dam or launch a boat or pontoon and fish drop-offs. Black, red and olive chironomids are great right now, as well as black, olive and maroon leech patterns.
Lake Billy Chinook: Kokes, from all the reports, are being caught. Effective colors include purple, pink, orange and brass.
There has been some exceptional bull trout fishing in LBC in recent days, look to the Metolius Arm.
Crooked River: Crooked River fishing has improved through April and these first two weeks of May. Flows are good at 125 CFS, but the water is still a bit dirty. Josh Pardee estimates the visibility is 4 to 5 feet.
Fall River: The weather over the past week at Fall River has been cold this midweek, slowing down the surface activity including PMDs and caddis. With a bit of a temperature bump this weekend, insect activity will pickup. Jeff Perin says “bring your green drakes to Fall River”.
Fall River was stocked during the week of April 11th with 1000 trophy trout, and just stocked last week with the same.
Check out Glenn’s detailed reports and forecasts right here for Chinook and Steelhead Members both!
SW Oregon Fishing Report – Contributor Jeff Rome reports:
This weekend’s weather outlook for most of SW Oregon looks to be promising for a lot of variety of fishing options….. well, all except for getting on the ocean. Trout fishing opens back up for the Rogue and most other rivers and streams on Sunday the 22nd!
It’s going to be around 80+ around the Rogue valley so some springer fishing from Gold Hill on up or below Hog Creek on the Rogue could be a good option.
Not feeling that, well then hit the lower Rogue that is continuing to see fresh fish with a guide or take the boat out and get in on the springer fishing there where river conditions are improving into the weekend.
Not into that, well how about hitting the plethora of coastal and inland lakes and ponds for some great spring time trout and bass fishing. Many are well stocked and conditions great. If the surf isn’t too bad, surf perch fishing along the sandy beaches and jettys could find some good dinner fare.
Crabbing and surf perch out of Winchester Bay is also good. South jetty at Newport is popular for perch and rockfish
Into fly fishing? The upper Rogue is still producing some steelhead and the Mayflies are hatching. Try the Holy water.
Whatever type of fishing you want…. with the exception of offshore (for now), there’s good fishing to be had all over, so get out and enjoy it!Jeff’s detailed report, multiple lake updates, and forecast in this week’s version for Members!
Receive these Oregon fishing reports in your email on Thursday nights by signing up here.
Find out more about becoming an Oregon Member here!
No comments:
Post a Comment