Fishing report for the week of volume 3 issue number 41 Columbia River Fishing Report - Pro Guide Shane Groshong of Fish-On Northwest Guide Service wrote this, "Sunday [02/24] I fished the Columbia for sturgeon in St. Helens where we landed a number of fish with no keepers. Smelt with sandshrimp added seemed to be the ticket. Wednesday [02/27] I fished the Columbia near St. Helens where we landed a bunch of fish in the 38- 41 1/2 inch mark, but still could not find a keeper in the bunch. Today I found most of our fish in 30-35 feet of water and of course smelt was the bait of choice." Kelly Point has been a hot spot for sturgeon fishermen, but it's no secret. Those 'in the know' are seeking depressions in the flats and finding current at around 35 to 40 feet for success. Fishing in the Gorge below Bonneville Dam had slowed as the lower Columbia sturgeon fishing is coming into its own. The Guide's Forecast -The springers are coming! The springers are coming! Yes, it's true, but they're not present yet in sufficient number to create much optimism on the Big River. Anglers are better advised to stick with the Willamette or perhaps try the Multnomah Channel where occasional fish will be taken. Sturgeon fishing is too hot to be anything but optimistic about the upcoming week, but the tournament this Saturday, March 2nd is sure to put a dent in the numbers.
 Willamette River and Santiam Rivers Fishing Report - Steelhead continue to climb the fish ladder at Willamette Falls, although the bulk of the run at this time remains natives. Pro Guide Aaron Helfrich writes, "Steelhead on the Santiams should be picking up. I have not had the chance to fish there yet, but there are 7000 steelhead over Oregon City Falls. The Guide's Forecast - Look for numbers across the Falls and into the Santiam to increase. The recent dry weather has created good fishing conditions on the North Santiam for catch-and-release winter steelhead fishing. Fly-rodders are also taking a few.
Clackamas and Sandy River Fishing Reports - Pro Guide Trevor Storlie of Red's Guide service sent this about the Sandy River, "Last week was a little slow. I fished on the Sandy only one day "due to the great keeper bite in the Gorge." We hooked 2 fish 1 hatchery and 1 nice native. Most boats had not hooked fish. The water was still low and clear. Since then we had a great hit of rain. The river is now back in shape and should have a new batch of fish. Still waiting on that 1st Springer. Good reports still coming out of Dodge park and Marmot. 60 fish were recycled down to the lower stem. The Guide's Forecast - While the Clackamas and Sandy Rivers remain pretty much a steelhead show, the focus will change in the next few weeks to spring chinook as this run is just getting underway.
North Coast District Fishing Report - Nestucca River anglers are reporting some very good catch-and-release fishing now for broad-shouldered native steelhead. Pro Guide Jesse Zalonis reports, "The Nestucca has become lower and clear. Low water tactics the norm for me. The productivity has slowed a bit but we are still having descent days. I expect the next rain will give us another fresh shot of fish. Dark plugs, floats and jigs, and small drift gear should produce a bite. Fish are spread through-out the river. Try artificials on the upper river above Blaine and you should find them some where." Thanks for the help, Jesse. The Wilson River is running at 4.7 feet with good color although it could use a little more of it. Native fish are abundant and scattered. Pro Guide David Johnson sent this, "I fished the Trask yesterday and we hooked half a dozen or so fish, landed four. We caught fish on every technique we tried except plugs. It's getting pretty clear with this great weather we're having so I'd expect for fishing to slow until we get another shot of rain." We appreciate our reports, David! Pro Guide Grant Scheele wrote this after fishing the Siletz, "Fished Saturday & Sunday and struggled. We hooked 5 and landed 3 nice broodstock Steelhead in two days. All were caught drifting eggs. River was a little dirty so I expect better fishing through the rest of the week." Thanks for the report, Grant. The Guide's Forecast - Although we're supposed to get a mostly sunny weekend, showers are forecast starting on Monday. This fresh precipitation will add some needed color to the coastal streams and draw additional natives.
Central & South Coast Reports - Pro Guide Shane Groshong of Fish-On Northwest Guide Service reports, "Thursday I fished the Siuslaw and we ended up 6 for ten with four hatchery fish and two wild. All the fish were caught on bobber and eggs fished in front of the boat. Tuesday I fished the Siuslaw for steelhead and we were 1 for 2. The fish landed was a hatchery fish on a bobber and eggs. The other was on a cop car hotshot." Thanks, as always, for the report, Shane. Pro Guide Aaron Helfrich adds this from the South Coast, "Fishing has been very good this last week of February. Many of the fish caught on the Alsea and Siuslaw have spawned, but continue to be enjoyable on light tackle. On the 23rd 145 steelhead were in the trap at Whitaker. Greenleaf, on Lake Creek, is seeing 50-100 fish weekly. The main stem Siuslaw is in prime condition and fresh fish are still being caught. The North Umpqua is still up from the recent rains. I will look to fish when the levels go below 5000 cfs. If fishing below Hestnes, be on the lookout for the missing boat and boater. Steelhead on the Santiams should be picking up. I have not had the chance to fish there yet, but there are 7000 steelhead over Oregon City Falls. Fly fishing for trout is picking up on the McKenzie. Blue Winged Olives and pink ladies are hatching in mid afternoon, with a few March Browns. Most fish are still caught on bead heads on the bottom. Get out and enjoy the beautiful weather, catching a fish is just a bonus." So true, Aaron. Thanks for the report.
Ramblings and Musings Bob Rees, knowledgeable fisherman, professional guide and co-author of The Guide's Forecast will return from vacation next week. Expect great things as TGF moves ahead in an effort to bring our loyal subscribers more information and services than ever before. My thanks to all the fishermen and guides who have sent reports which enabled this publication to remain a valuable source of information without a resident guide at the helm for the last three weeks. Many times over the years I have written about the Jewel of Scoggin Valley. Over those years, that jewel has opened and closed with the so-called 'trout season.' Since the Northwest streams and rivers have closed to trout and most ponds and lakes open year-around, those dates meant little to most of us except with regard to Henry Hagg Lake, located Southwest of Forest Grove. This year, rather than late April, Uncle Henry's opens early for business on Saturday, March 2nd, to the delight of hundreds of devotees. Stocking of hatchery trout is taking place this week, although Hagg Lake has a well-earned reputation for trophy smallmouth bass since the last four state records have come from these pristine waters. All of the record-breaking bass have been over seven pounds, with the last coming to fly angler Ken Silver in October of 2000 and weighed a whopping seven pounds, 14 ounces. It's not enough that Silver caught this State Record smallie on an old, hand-me-down six-weight fly rod and reel combo and a #6 Wooly Bugger, but that he tired the fish by allowing himself to be towed around in his float tube by the big smallmouth for 45 minutes. On a five-pound tippet. But he's the man to beat and Henry's is the place to do it. Or catch trout. That's a fisherman's prerogative. It'll cost a little more this year to try your luck at Henry Hagg Lake as the fees for vehicles has increased four bits to four dollars and if you tow a boat, five dollars. There's no facility in this part of the state which rivals the Scoggin Valley Recreation Area for tranquil beauty, although it can get pretty busy on weekends in season due to its rightful popularity. I've been chatting with Tony Holloway recently about Trask Mountain Outfitters (503-662-3891), the sporting goods store that he and Chris Hurst are opening in Yamhill which will cater to both fishermen and hunters. Hours of operation are from five in the morning 'til 7 P.M. Since knowledgeable service is the advantage a small retailer has over the giants, these guys have the right attitude. They say if they don't have what a customer wants, they'll get it. Join me in wishing them well at their grand opening this Saturday, March 2nd. There will be a drawing for prizes and a trout pond available for the kids. Sturgeon fishermen have continued to score on the Lower Willamette and in the Columbia River over the last week. Kelly Point has been of particular interest, as nearly 70% of the boats trying took legal-sized leviathans over last weekend according to ODFW checkers. Fresh or fresh-frozen smelt has remained the bait of choice, although sturgeon have also gobbled sand shrimp of late, and one fellow was having good luck using clam necks. There will be over 200 teams fishing a sturgeon derby on the Columbia Saturday, March 2nd, so expect some company if you go on that date. Pre-fishing indicates that many fish will be slain this weekend. For those interested in obtaining fresh smelt for use in the pursuit of larger quarry or as simple dinner fare, there's no better time than now. Not only is dipping at the Cowlitz River very productive, but Washington State officials have just announced that it will be legal to dip from 6 A.M. 'til 10 P.M. seven days a week and that the daily limit has doubled to 20 pounds per person. Go get 'em. Tillamook Bay has shown sturgeon anglers some action with fish taking baits of sand or mud shrimp, but not many legal fish have been caught lately. McMinnville angler Bob H. reported "lots of shakers but no keepers' on a trip last Sunday, February 24th. There's talk in the industry of a herring shortage, but there's no shortage of the critters in Yaquina Bay. It was reported again today (02/28) in the Oregonian that many dealers are receiving short supply of Green Label herring and that some are limiting the number of packages any one customer may purchase. The commercial bait dealers are critical of the quality of herring coming from Yaquina Bay currently, bit one thing's sure: you can't beat the price. Anglers who'd like to have a good supply of bait should grab some herring jigs and head to Newport. Herring are running good-sized and are readily available off the docks now. Incoming tides will be most productive. Check with Harry's Bait and tackle in Newport (541-265-2407) for up-to-the-minute information on jigging up some bait. Jigging herring requires only lightweight tackle, a one-ounce weight and commercial herring jigs, which usually come six to a package. Try to get light-colored jigs, especially those with a glo-bead at the head. Take the kids, jig up a bucketful for vacuum-packing and freezing to avoid the high cost that short supply will create later in the year. Steelhead fishing during this time of year, with the winter hatchery run winding down and wild fish plentiful, holds less interest for many who'd like to eat what they catch. Many streams and rivers offer wonderful sport, however, for catch and release fishing of the larger (seven to 11 pound) native fish over the scarce and smaller (six to seven pound) fin-clips. With the count of winter steelhead at Willamette Falls well over 7,000, one can be certain the numbers of fish available in the North Fork of the Santiam River are high. Clackamas anglers saw a great weekend during some higher water conditions where fishing high on the river produced several limits of winter steelies. Sandy River steelheaders are seeing many more wild fish than hatchery specimens currently. Coastal streams can provide some fabulous catch-and-release action as the Nestucca has proven recently, with even fly fishermen scoring regularly on large natives. The Siletz continues to mystify as the hatchery fish are in the water in good number but the bite remains off. There hasn't been much to report with regard to spring chinook action recently, although fishermen are taking a few daily. Springers won't be counted at Willamette Falls until March 1st, which data should provide a better picture of what to expect upriver in the Newberg, Wheatland and Salem areas in the course of this year's remarkable run. The lower Multnomah Channel gave up three springers, two of which were fin-clipped to anglers trolling Magnum Wiggle Warts on long lines without weight. Silver and blue were the effective colors. Fishermen are scoring a few at the bridge below Oregon City. Commercial 'tangle' nets (which allow the release of native fish) have been working the Columbia recently. These nets will be in the water on March 1st, 4th, 6th and 8th from 5 A.M. 'til 7 P.M. For a more complete schedule of commercial netting, see 'Random Links', below. One more time: it's early yet. We're due for an incredible run, so everyone should get a chance at them before it's over. The ODFW estimates that of the predicted 73,800 springers to run up the Willamette River, 95% will be of hatchery origin, therefore fin-clipped and keepable. The overall run is predicted to be 86% hatchery and the Columbia run an estimated 40% to 50% fin-clipped. For those seeking simple fun and recreation, try Coffenbury, Cullaby or Sunset Lakes on the coast where adult steelhead have been planted for your angling pleasure. Mild tides and fair weather favor crabbing over the weekend, but it's been slow in Tillamook Bay, poor at Netarts and not worth the trip at Yaquina Bay.
SailCat's Inbox Last week, I received a cool picture of a fellow's boat, caught in celestial beams of light, shining upon his craft as if from heaven above. The Email accompanying the photo was forwarded to me from TGF World Headquarters and didn't include the name or Email address of the angler, who claimed he catches so many fish because (as the photographic proof attests), his boat is blessed by God. This triggered the following response from avid angler Bonnie H., "I want to know who wrote the comment about God blessing his boat AND if he is single!" She added, "I am a woman who is addicted to fishing and I am a Christian. I lost my boat this last year due to a divorce and I am anxiety stricken...not about losing the husband, but about losing my boat! I've never met a man that could out-fish me. Maybe you should start a "singles" section. God knows every man needs a woman like me!"
Woot! I replied that if I could locate the fellow's Email, I'd forward Bonnie's info and leave the rest up to nature and themselves. But whadaya think, readers? Should TGF have a 'Fishing Singles' section? Being old married guys ourselves (OK, Some older than others) we had never considered such a notion. Please let us know if this is a service that fisher-folk would find desirable. Or just send comments to the address below. Oh, and will the fellow who sent in the 'Blessed Boat' please drop a note to SailCat@TheGuidesForecast.com? It's appreciated. I always look forward to hearing from Rich S. regarding his weekend exploits, especially when he's successful, like this, "Well I hit the river with a couple of buddies on Saturday to do some pre-fishing for the up coming derby. First spot we rolled into we got into them. Boated 13 or 14 with 2 being 42-44 inch keepers. All were released. We searched around a bit for other spots but couldn't find any honey holes. I'll let you know how we do in the derby. "On another note: Roy [a mutual friend, ed.] helped me put on the handle on one of my new rods. Boy if it weren't for the drill, what a chore that is. I'm going to tie my first few by hand so I can a feel for it. Then I might want to borrow your power wrapper to see what that is like. Also need to build a rod dryer if I can locate a motor. I'm kinda excited about it. It's going to be cool to catch a fish on rod I built. I have a feeling my rod collection is going to explode. Now how do I build reels for cheap????" When I replied to Rich, I encouraged him to seek out 'Hi-Build Hi-Gloss' rod finish by Epoxy Coatings Company, a superlative finish that I've used for years and for which one doesn't need a dryer nor will it ever sag, fog or bubble if applied properly. He's having trouble finding it. Readers?
Random Links
A map of Henry Hagg Lake, showing facilities and launches:
Forum for bass fishermen from Gary Yamamoto
Find out when and where commercial nets will be in the river:
Weekly quote "The traveler fancies he has seen the country. So he has, the outside of it at least; but the angler only sees the inside. The angler only is brought close, face to face with the flower and bird and insect life of the rich river banks, the only part of the landscape where the hand of man has never interfered." - Charles Kingsley, 1890 Have fun. play safe and let me know how you do at SailCat@TheGuidesForecast.com. I'll look forward to hearing from you. GOOD LUCK! If there is a fishery in our northwest corner that you would like to see expanded coverage on, please let us know by emailing Bob Rees at brees@pacifier.com. The following guides have some availability for fishing in the mentioned fisheries: Bob Rees - North Coast steelhead |
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