03-26-2005, 03:14 PM
Oregon Fisheries Update
March 25th – March 31st, 2005
Columbia River salmon fishing is starting to heat up but far from great results. Better catches are getting reported every day although recent tides have favored the herring trollers. This weekend will likely be the best yet as gillnets will not have fished for almost 2 weeks!
With the remarkable addition of a Washington version of The Guide's Forecast by pro guide Kevin Newell, this weeks full version report comes in at over 5,600 words! Take advantage of this citadel of knowledge that Kevin brings to the program and subscribe today!
Sturgeon fishing on the Columbia remains disappointing. Don't waste your time in this fishery.
Tillamook area steelheading was not what most expected after the recent rainfall. There were some good results posted just prior to the rain but the precipitation has spread the fish and river levels are quickly dropping back to low.
Sturgeon fishing in Tillamook Bay as well as crabbing remains fair. The upper and middle sections of the bay are producing best for sturgeon.
The big news on South Coast rivers isn't declining winter steelhead run but rather the kickoff of the spring chinook season on the Umpqua and Rogue Rivers. Expect to encounter these early fish low on the river.
Counts at Willamette Falls indicate a gradual, seasonal improvement in the numbers of springers and summer steelhead crossing.
Rain had little effect on the levels and quality of fishing at the Sandy and Clackamas Rivers, but seasonal improvement is expected in the coming weeks.
Smallmouth bass are active and cooperative in the upper Willamette River. Fishing for smallies has been fair to good on the John Day River (East side).
Only Hebo Lake is scheduled for trout planting this week although most lakes and ponds in the Willamette Valley and along the coast were heavily planted last week in anticipation of spring break.
Full length subscribers will note a significant section on Washington fishing this week. The Guide's Forecast- Washington edition is coming to fruition as requested by our numerous readers and pro guide Kevin Newell (360-430-2521) is doing a bang-up job of making it happen. Enjoy the fruits of his labor and for our free version subscribers, here is a re-cap of the Washington report:
Lewis River steelhead fishing has slowed and the salmon have yet to show up on force. Trout fishing in the reservoir (Merwin Dam) is picking up nicely for kokanee.
Kalama steelheading for broodstock and native fish is still happening. Even a few spring Chinook have been taken in recent days despite the low water.
On the Cowlitz River, steelhead fishing is much more consistent that spring Chinook fishing. There was however a batch of salmon that provided some sport in recent weeks.
An early morning bite has been taking place for Puget Sound anglers- especially in the Bellingham and Hood Canal areas. Keep the rigging deep as these fish are low to the ground! As is the case with most years, the fish are not large.
A few rivers on the Olympic Peninsula are producing some quality size steelhead. The Bogachiel and Hoh are two of those rivers. Low levels are making fish a bit easier to target but anglers must practice stealth technique.
Soapbox Update:
Many sports crab enthusiasts aren't aware of the commercial effort which takes place in bays and estuaries along the Oregon coast, as they work only weekdays and at night. Senate Bill 729 would eliminate commercial crabbing competition in the estuaries (although the Columbia would not be effected). Those who would support this measure are urged to write their legislators to that effect.
Always more at the website: http://www.theguidesforecast.com/
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March 25th – March 31st, 2005
Columbia River salmon fishing is starting to heat up but far from great results. Better catches are getting reported every day although recent tides have favored the herring trollers. This weekend will likely be the best yet as gillnets will not have fished for almost 2 weeks!
With the remarkable addition of a Washington version of The Guide's Forecast by pro guide Kevin Newell, this weeks full version report comes in at over 5,600 words! Take advantage of this citadel of knowledge that Kevin brings to the program and subscribe today!
Sturgeon fishing on the Columbia remains disappointing. Don't waste your time in this fishery.
Tillamook area steelheading was not what most expected after the recent rainfall. There were some good results posted just prior to the rain but the precipitation has spread the fish and river levels are quickly dropping back to low.
Sturgeon fishing in Tillamook Bay as well as crabbing remains fair. The upper and middle sections of the bay are producing best for sturgeon.
The big news on South Coast rivers isn't declining winter steelhead run but rather the kickoff of the spring chinook season on the Umpqua and Rogue Rivers. Expect to encounter these early fish low on the river.
Counts at Willamette Falls indicate a gradual, seasonal improvement in the numbers of springers and summer steelhead crossing.
Rain had little effect on the levels and quality of fishing at the Sandy and Clackamas Rivers, but seasonal improvement is expected in the coming weeks.
Smallmouth bass are active and cooperative in the upper Willamette River. Fishing for smallies has been fair to good on the John Day River (East side).
Only Hebo Lake is scheduled for trout planting this week although most lakes and ponds in the Willamette Valley and along the coast were heavily planted last week in anticipation of spring break.
Full length subscribers will note a significant section on Washington fishing this week. The Guide's Forecast- Washington edition is coming to fruition as requested by our numerous readers and pro guide Kevin Newell (360-430-2521) is doing a bang-up job of making it happen. Enjoy the fruits of his labor and for our free version subscribers, here is a re-cap of the Washington report:
Lewis River steelhead fishing has slowed and the salmon have yet to show up on force. Trout fishing in the reservoir (Merwin Dam) is picking up nicely for kokanee.
Kalama steelheading for broodstock and native fish is still happening. Even a few spring Chinook have been taken in recent days despite the low water.
On the Cowlitz River, steelhead fishing is much more consistent that spring Chinook fishing. There was however a batch of salmon that provided some sport in recent weeks.
An early morning bite has been taking place for Puget Sound anglers- especially in the Bellingham and Hood Canal areas. Keep the rigging deep as these fish are low to the ground! As is the case with most years, the fish are not large.
A few rivers on the Olympic Peninsula are producing some quality size steelhead. The Bogachiel and Hoh are two of those rivers. Low levels are making fish a bit easier to target but anglers must practice stealth technique.
Soapbox Update:
Many sports crab enthusiasts aren't aware of the commercial effort which takes place in bays and estuaries along the Oregon coast, as they work only weekdays and at night. Senate Bill 729 would eliminate commercial crabbing competition in the estuaries (although the Columbia would not be effected). Those who would support this measure are urged to write their legislators to that effect.
Always more at the website: http://www.theguidesforecast.com/
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