01-29-2005, 02:45 PM
Oregon Fisheries Update
January 21st – January 27th, 2005
Sportfishing the Columbia is less than inspiring these days. Sturgeon are not cooperating with sportanglers likely due to cold water temperatures. An anglers best bet would be downstream of the influence of the Willamette River but don't expect good results until the water warms a bit and a fresh batch of smelt appear.
Crabbing would be a poor option since there is so much commercial gear out there.
The Tillamook district is also nothing to write home about. The poor showing of hatchery steelhead and the fact it's too early for the wild steelhead to show is a good reason to stay home and mow the lawn? What??? Mow the lawn! Better go fishin'. The bigger rivers offer the best opportunity over the weekend but again, don't expect much.
A combination sturgeon/crabbing trip may be a better option this weekend however although the tides aren't dynamite for sturgeon fishing. A gradual outgoing flow in the late afternoon may offer some opportunity however. Crabbing in Tillamook estuaries is fair but the ocean may offer some opportunity if the swell calms down.
Sturgeon fishing is gradually improving in the Willamette River and Multnomah Channel as the temperature is slightly warmer than the Columbia. As on the Big River, fishing will be best on the next decent tidal series. Oh yeah, if and when you go, use smelt for bait!
Steelheading is fair for natives but dismal for hatchery fish on the Siletz. Release wild fish carefully.
Crabbing has been fair to good on at Yaquina Bay and out of Waldport. Rockfishing has been fair to for anglers fishing the jetty on Yaquina Bay. Eight rockfish and two lings may be kept per day this year.
The Clackamas is slow for steelhead. Prospects are somewhat better on the Sandy but dramatic improvement is unlikely until we get more rain.
South coast anglers are doing well on the Coquille, Umpqua and Rogue Rivers. Elsewhere it's slow due to low, clear water.
Prospects are bright for fly fishermen on the Grande Ronde River on the East side of the state.
No trout stocking took place this week.
South coast rivers, while hit with rain and suffering from high water, offer come of the better prospects. Steelheading should be OK this weekend and is expected to pick up on the Umpqua and Rogue as these rivers drop. The winter steelhead season is winding down on the Siuslaw.
Tillamook Bay sturgeon fishing was not bad prior to the rain and the recent flood shouldn't hurt this fishery either. Shrimp (both mud and sand) will remain the best bait for winter sturgeon. The Nehalem bite may get started as well. Crabbing will slow in the north coast estuaries.
The Clackamas is recovering, dropping with improving color, but the fish are nowhere to be found. Sandy anglers report that it's still muddy. Eagle Creek has good color but seems relatively fish-free.
Trout have been planted this week in Olalla Creek Reservoir and Big Creek Reservoirs numbers 1 and 2.
Soapbox Update:
HELP US HELP YOU!!
Be sure to catch us at the 2005 Portland Sportsman show. The dates for this years show is February 9th – 13th and we will be in booth #317 with plenty of fishing supplies and information. I will also be giving the 2005 run forecast information in the Blue Theater on Feb. 10th at 6:00 p.m., the 11th at 7:00 p.m., and at noon on the 12th. I have some exciting news about our upcoming sportfisheries and will give you insight you won't find anywhere else. After the presentation, feel free to stop by the booth for any other questions you may have.
Always more at the website: http://www.theguidesforecast.com/
January 21st – January 27th, 2005
Sportfishing the Columbia is less than inspiring these days. Sturgeon are not cooperating with sportanglers likely due to cold water temperatures. An anglers best bet would be downstream of the influence of the Willamette River but don't expect good results until the water warms a bit and a fresh batch of smelt appear.
Crabbing would be a poor option since there is so much commercial gear out there.
The Tillamook district is also nothing to write home about. The poor showing of hatchery steelhead and the fact it's too early for the wild steelhead to show is a good reason to stay home and mow the lawn? What??? Mow the lawn! Better go fishin'. The bigger rivers offer the best opportunity over the weekend but again, don't expect much.
A combination sturgeon/crabbing trip may be a better option this weekend however although the tides aren't dynamite for sturgeon fishing. A gradual outgoing flow in the late afternoon may offer some opportunity however. Crabbing in Tillamook estuaries is fair but the ocean may offer some opportunity if the swell calms down.
Sturgeon fishing is gradually improving in the Willamette River and Multnomah Channel as the temperature is slightly warmer than the Columbia. As on the Big River, fishing will be best on the next decent tidal series. Oh yeah, if and when you go, use smelt for bait!
Steelheading is fair for natives but dismal for hatchery fish on the Siletz. Release wild fish carefully.
Crabbing has been fair to good on at Yaquina Bay and out of Waldport. Rockfishing has been fair to for anglers fishing the jetty on Yaquina Bay. Eight rockfish and two lings may be kept per day this year.
The Clackamas is slow for steelhead. Prospects are somewhat better on the Sandy but dramatic improvement is unlikely until we get more rain.
South coast anglers are doing well on the Coquille, Umpqua and Rogue Rivers. Elsewhere it's slow due to low, clear water.
Prospects are bright for fly fishermen on the Grande Ronde River on the East side of the state.
No trout stocking took place this week.
South coast rivers, while hit with rain and suffering from high water, offer come of the better prospects. Steelheading should be OK this weekend and is expected to pick up on the Umpqua and Rogue as these rivers drop. The winter steelhead season is winding down on the Siuslaw.
Tillamook Bay sturgeon fishing was not bad prior to the rain and the recent flood shouldn't hurt this fishery either. Shrimp (both mud and sand) will remain the best bait for winter sturgeon. The Nehalem bite may get started as well. Crabbing will slow in the north coast estuaries.
The Clackamas is recovering, dropping with improving color, but the fish are nowhere to be found. Sandy anglers report that it's still muddy. Eagle Creek has good color but seems relatively fish-free.
Trout have been planted this week in Olalla Creek Reservoir and Big Creek Reservoirs numbers 1 and 2.
Soapbox Update:
HELP US HELP YOU!!
Be sure to catch us at the 2005 Portland Sportsman show. The dates for this years show is February 9th – 13th and we will be in booth #317 with plenty of fishing supplies and information. I will also be giving the 2005 run forecast information in the Blue Theater on Feb. 10th at 6:00 p.m., the 11th at 7:00 p.m., and at noon on the 12th. I have some exciting news about our upcoming sportfisheries and will give you insight you won't find anywhere else. After the presentation, feel free to stop by the booth for any other questions you may have.
Always more at the website: http://www.theguidesforecast.com/