05-14-2005, 01:23 PM
Oregon Fisheries Update
May 13th – May 19th, 2005
And now it's shad they're picking on! That's right! While a directed spring Chinook gillnet fishery is taking place on Young's Bay and Blind Slough just off the mainstem of the Columbia, the sport shad fishery is CLOSED to anglers! What's wrong with this picture? See more details in the full report but plan on a better explanation in next weeks report!
Meanwhile, one of the few remaining fisheries on the Columbia is the sturgeon fishing. And it is great in the gorge and good in the Portland to Longview stretches. Keepers-a-plenty are coming from the gorge and an odd absence of oversize fish. Fresh shad are being used for bait but with little success for the catch and release, big fish fishery.
Estuary sturgeon fishing opens on 5/14 (Saturday) and scouting guides aren't all that confident. The fish are likely spread out so plan on putting in some time to find results. Fresh shrimp will be key to your success along with a young man on board to keep pulling your anchor in search of biters.
Halibut fishing out of Astoria has been great with some fish going to 60 pounds. Bottomfishing remains great as well and the seas are forecasted to be a bit unfriendly into the early weekend.
Bass fishing in the Celilo Falls area is picking up. Arlington is reaching peak time as well. Plastic worms on the bottom or crankbaits are taking some fish.
And speaking of bass, a new state record smallmouth bass was taken on Hagg Lake on 5/10. More details will be revealed as we get them. A local youth was responsible for the catch!
Tillamook springer action was less than impressive except for a fair bite over the weekend in the upper bay. Tides are switching to a lower bay focus so hopefully the weather will cooperate.
Pro guide Chris Vertopoulos (503-349-1377) reports the action wasn't what most would expect for ideal river conditions on the Trask and Wilson. It likely won't improve by the weekend either.
The Nestucca is putting out a few opportunities for those willing to work for them. Pro guide Jesse Zalonis (503-392-5808) reported. The lower stretches will likely produce the best results as flows drop.
The halibut fishing will likely be great over the weekend out of Garibaldi. Bottomfishing has been great too but watch those seas!
Sturgeon fishing on Tillamook Bay will likely drop off as many-a-keeper have been culled from the fishery. Most of the sturgeon focus will be on the lower Columbia from now on. Crabbing in the bay has been good but even better in the ocean!
Surf perch are still a viable option when the waves are down. Sand shrimp takes these fish rather easily.
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:
Pro Guide Jeff Knotts (509) 366-4052 reports that Mid Columbia anglers are taking a few fish in the Umatilla area. With recent poor passage at Bonneville Dam, action should drop off unless the fish make a remarkable come-back.
Pro Guide Bob Barthlow (509) 952-9694 reports slow fishing at the mouth of the Wind River. Also hampered by low counts, this fishery will likely not materialize this late in the season. It has been a disappointment.
Merwin Lake is still producing limits of kokanee for those willing to work for them. As water temps rise, it may become more challenging.
The Kalama has been a hard sell. Boaters are doing considerably better than bank anglers but it is still a challenging go. The Cowlitz is much the same way with fishing success low despite high numbers of fish returning to the salmon hatchery.
Snake River fishing is “out” as the flows have made for challenging conditions. There are a few springers present but it is not worth a great deal of time according to Pro Guide Pat Long (509) 751-0410.
Pro Guide David Child (509) 962-5523 reports that the Yakima River continues to hold its own. Flows will dictate what is hatching but overall, the precipitation will not cause adverse conditions on this river.
SOLD OUT
We've sold out at out Bounty on the Bay event! Thanks to all participants and we look forward to a wonderful event!
---------------------------------------
May 14th is also the Nestucca River clean-up! Headed by guides Jesse Zalonis and Marty Peterson, volunteers are meeting up at Nestucca Valley Sporting Goods on the morning of 5/14. For more details, contact Marty at (503) 392-4269 or Jesse at (503) 392-5808.
There is always more at the website: http://www.theguidesforecast.com/
May 13th – May 19th, 2005
And now it's shad they're picking on! That's right! While a directed spring Chinook gillnet fishery is taking place on Young's Bay and Blind Slough just off the mainstem of the Columbia, the sport shad fishery is CLOSED to anglers! What's wrong with this picture? See more details in the full report but plan on a better explanation in next weeks report!
Meanwhile, one of the few remaining fisheries on the Columbia is the sturgeon fishing. And it is great in the gorge and good in the Portland to Longview stretches. Keepers-a-plenty are coming from the gorge and an odd absence of oversize fish. Fresh shad are being used for bait but with little success for the catch and release, big fish fishery.
Estuary sturgeon fishing opens on 5/14 (Saturday) and scouting guides aren't all that confident. The fish are likely spread out so plan on putting in some time to find results. Fresh shrimp will be key to your success along with a young man on board to keep pulling your anchor in search of biters.
Halibut fishing out of Astoria has been great with some fish going to 60 pounds. Bottomfishing remains great as well and the seas are forecasted to be a bit unfriendly into the early weekend.
Bass fishing in the Celilo Falls area is picking up. Arlington is reaching peak time as well. Plastic worms on the bottom or crankbaits are taking some fish.
And speaking of bass, a new state record smallmouth bass was taken on Hagg Lake on 5/10. More details will be revealed as we get them. A local youth was responsible for the catch!
Tillamook springer action was less than impressive except for a fair bite over the weekend in the upper bay. Tides are switching to a lower bay focus so hopefully the weather will cooperate.
Pro guide Chris Vertopoulos (503-349-1377) reports the action wasn't what most would expect for ideal river conditions on the Trask and Wilson. It likely won't improve by the weekend either.
The Nestucca is putting out a few opportunities for those willing to work for them. Pro guide Jesse Zalonis (503-392-5808) reported. The lower stretches will likely produce the best results as flows drop.
The halibut fishing will likely be great over the weekend out of Garibaldi. Bottomfishing has been great too but watch those seas!
Sturgeon fishing on Tillamook Bay will likely drop off as many-a-keeper have been culled from the fishery. Most of the sturgeon focus will be on the lower Columbia from now on. Crabbing in the bay has been good but even better in the ocean!
Surf perch are still a viable option when the waves are down. Sand shrimp takes these fish rather easily.
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:
Pro Guide Jeff Knotts (509) 366-4052 reports that Mid Columbia anglers are taking a few fish in the Umatilla area. With recent poor passage at Bonneville Dam, action should drop off unless the fish make a remarkable come-back.
Pro Guide Bob Barthlow (509) 952-9694 reports slow fishing at the mouth of the Wind River. Also hampered by low counts, this fishery will likely not materialize this late in the season. It has been a disappointment.
Merwin Lake is still producing limits of kokanee for those willing to work for them. As water temps rise, it may become more challenging.
The Kalama has been a hard sell. Boaters are doing considerably better than bank anglers but it is still a challenging go. The Cowlitz is much the same way with fishing success low despite high numbers of fish returning to the salmon hatchery.
Snake River fishing is “out” as the flows have made for challenging conditions. There are a few springers present but it is not worth a great deal of time according to Pro Guide Pat Long (509) 751-0410.
Pro Guide David Child (509) 962-5523 reports that the Yakima River continues to hold its own. Flows will dictate what is hatching but overall, the precipitation will not cause adverse conditions on this river.
SOLD OUT
We've sold out at out Bounty on the Bay event! Thanks to all participants and we look forward to a wonderful event!
---------------------------------------
May 14th is also the Nestucca River clean-up! Headed by guides Jesse Zalonis and Marty Peterson, volunteers are meeting up at Nestucca Valley Sporting Goods on the morning of 5/14. For more details, contact Marty at (503) 392-4269 or Jesse at (503) 392-5808.
There is always more at the website: http://www.theguidesforecast.com/