Fishing report for the week of
volume 4 issue number 42 Page 1
Columbia River Fishing Report - Wild days on the Columbia and it's not necessarily sport fishing we're talking about! Spring chinook fishing is decent but will get better after the commercial boats did their last drift on the 21st of March with tangle nets. The gill-netters did so well that they in fact ate into the sport allocation of upriver impacts for listed Snake River fish. Now, we don't know what this will do to our April fishery but one thing is clear, we don't have the impact percentages that were allotted to us and it may once again, cut into a full sport fishery for spring chinook on the Columbia. Obviously, sport angler success will have a lot to do with how long of a season anglers get on the mainstem. One thing to remember however is that we do have a privilege once again in our home states thanks in great part to the Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association and the hard work in getting to an agreement by state, federal and Native American agencies. There are much greater impediments to work on in the Columbia than losing a few percentage points to the commercial fleet. If you really want something to worry about, pay attention to the Thursday announcement of what the NW Power Planning Council is planning on doing with flow and spill on the mainstem. It's up in the air right now but my point is, there are bigger fish to fry! The gillnets handled 5,667 springers keeping a little more than half of those. The total number of steelhead handled was 2,184 of which about half were wild fish. If you want to see complete results, go here and see more details on this fishery. Guides fishing the Columbia above the mouth of the Willamette River have had consistent but not red-hot action by any means. Most guides were averaging between 3 and 5 opportunities for larger 5 year-old fish this last week with the lower end of Government Island being a strong option. Anchor fishing or backtrolling plugs seems to be the most effective and you should be wrapping them with sardines. Be sure to use Bob's bait wraps to keep those fillets fresh! ODF&W checks over the weekend suggest the Troutdale area has slowed somewhat but the stretch from Portland to Longview produced 34 chinook (23 keepers, 11 released) for 161 boats. Although the gorge area did slow down, anglers willing to plunk spinners did ok closer to Ives Island. Flows are swift here so you need a lot of scope on your rope and exercise extreme caution when “setting the pick”. Pro guide Joe Salvey (503-349-1411) reports, “I have been fishing the Columbia River below the 1-5 bridge and we have been doing very well. Monday we hooked up with 3 fish keeping 2 and releasing one native with another 2 take downs that we let get away. Today, on Tuesday (3/25) we fished 26 feet of water again with wrapped Kwikfish and had a pleasing day for fish. We landed 5 kept 2 and turned 3 loose due to the too many fins syndrome.” A recent report (3/26) by pro guide Trevor Storlie (503-307-5601) indicated consistent action for most of the boats fishing his area at Government Island. Trevor reported multiple fish on board for several of the boats fishing this area using plugs on the anchor. Pro guide Dan Ponciano (360-607-8511) has also been spending some time in this area stating the fishing has been good with lots of options for trolling, backtrolling or anchor fishing. There is much more room to work with as boats are well spread out (for now). A friend to TGF reported this, "Just to let you know, I patrolled the river on March 23rd from Westport to Rainier. A particular stretch of river (from Beaver to Rainier below the bridge) was on fire. I dont' have a rod per fish ratio but many guys had a fish or two in the box. I watched a bank angler fishing from a small remote beach down river from Dibleys catch back to back springers. 12 feet of water seemed to be the magic depth. I saw more fish get caught as I was checking them than I ever have for a day on the river. The action seemed to fizzle farther down river near Westport, and reports from Altoona that day were very poor. Water clarity was much better near Rainier than Westport, I suppose that was one of the reasons for the success " Sturgeon season closed with less than impressive results however, there was some decent fishing going on in the Columbia River Gorge. Almost a keeper every other boat was tallied for the 66 boats that were interviewed and the bank anglers got a keeper for every 10 rods in the same area. Most guides agree the fishing has not been as good as it was in years past and we wouldn't be sportfishers if we didn't point the blame to someone else. You simply can't argue the fact that taking 1,500 sturgeon out of the river in such a limited area (the Gorge) by gillnets doesn't have an impact on the sport fishery. (Reporting this of course is not the solution, but what is?) Anyway, gorge anglers won't have to worry about poor fishing for quite some time now as there won't be much pressure on sturgeon above Wauna until it re-opens on July 1st. At least you will have a fall fishery! Interestingly, walleye fishing in the John Day Pool yielded 8 kept walleye and 4 released for 9 boats in that area. Sadly, a great walleye guru pro guide Dick O' Brien passed away from a heart attack a few weeks ago. This report is dedicated to him for all the pioneering work he has done for the walleye fishery. He will be greatly missed and his family is in our thoughts. The Guide's Forecast - On the salmon front, things will only get better as the bulk of the run is yet to come. Most anglers are surprised of the quality 5 year-old return thus far on the Columbia. The lack of 4 year-olds has a few concerned but in my experience with ODF&W, there tends to be a clear distinction between the earlier returning 5 year-old component and later returning 4 year-olds in the Willamette fishery. I hope it's the same scenario for the Columbia River (I just don't have a lot of historical data on this particular subject). Gold blades with red beads has been a consistent producer in the gorge but if you have several rods to work with, try different colors especially with different weather patterns. If the pattern is consistent with coastal fall chinook fishing, try solid colors (red/white or red/chartreuse) early in the morning or on cloudy days. When the sun shines, go to the gold or brass finishes but gold seems to work well in the cloudy conditions as well. Plugs don't seem to be the go-to option in the gorge but downriver, they seem to be plenty effective. Government Island or Frenchmen's Bar (just below the mouth of the Willamette) are and will be consistent spots this week. Depending on the tide, most anglers can get a full day of anchor fishing done using plugs or hardware. If the tide does slow down, don't hesitate to go to trolling herring or spinners and fish will not necessarily gravitate to the bottom. Springer tend to hug the bottom when the current is at its strongest because the current is swiftest at the surface. One other bonus of fishing this close to the Willamette is when the Willamette does clear, you will have a strong second option for salmon as most springers take the first right at St. Helens and up the Multnomah Channel during periods of high water.
Willamette and Santiam Rivers Fishing Report - Oh, we're getting off easy this week. The river has been high, muddy and downright not the place to be for spring chinook all week. My accountant was glad to give me the report, “there are no boats on the river right now.” I wish this guy had some good news to give me! Pro guide Jesse Zalonis (503-623-6869) offered up this report from the Santiam River however. “Santiam remains high with fish available through most of the system. Use multiple color drift rigs and some bait. Or, pull larger plugs through the flats. These fish love black, so go with that on the plug scene. Most of the fish are wild winter runs so take care when handling, but, summers are showing up, with most of the early summers being larger than average. I would use eggs until the river gets clear, then switch to shrimp, followed by floats and jigs.” The Guide's Forecast - At least we can do a forecast for this section. Well, sort of…… The river is forecasted to remain somewhat stable for the next several days as this weeks precipitation has yet to make it down from the Eugene and Salem areas. However, the weather is forecasted to improve next week and that could bring the Willamette in by late in the week. If the forecast cooperates, look for fishable conditions by Wednesday or Thursday targeting all areas from Oregon City to the mouth of the Multnomah Channel. We will be close to a full blown fishery for a couple of reasons: 1) we haven't had fishable conditions for such a long period of time that these fish are just itchin' to bite and migrate, and 2) the run is so “front-loaded” with 5 year-old fish that they Willamette run should peak earlier than most years which will bring it to the first and second weeks of April! It's all shaping up for a strong week during the next reporting week if the weather cooperates. Regardless, the fish will just be kegging up near Oregon City as they will not pass in these cooler water conditions and higher flows. We do have time but the Willamette fishery is typically well under way by now. The same old advice comes into play. Troll herring in the Multnomah Channel and maybe anchor up with plugs on the outgoing tide. Herring and hardware in the Portland Harbor and maybe even a prawn spinner! At Sellwood, bounce herring or prawns on the bottom for best results. In the Oregon City area, first try the mouth of the Clackamas using bait like sand shrimp or prawns. Hardware will also take a few fish here. When the mainstem Willamette clears, go to bouncing prawns or backtrolling plugs above the I-205 Bridge at the Lakeline or Sandbar holes. The Garbage Hole just below the I-205 Bridge will also be a great location. Meldrum Bar will produce well in the higher flows for bank anglers and backtrollers may also want to try this area (as long as you don't tangle with the bank anglers).
Clackamas and Sandy Rivers Fishing Reports - These rivers have also fallen victim to the high flows of recent precipitation but the weather looks like it is due to cooperate and we could all be fishing by the weekend. Pro guide Gene Tomasco (503-723-4246) reports, “The Clackamas was fishing very well prior to the big rain late last week. Myself and two friends went out with Greg Frogner on 3/18. We fished mostly below Carver; we wound up hooking 11 and landing seven, one being a beautiful broodstocker around 14lbs. The fish were all in prime shape, and two were summer runs. The Clackamas has not been dropping too fast. Hopefully the rain will subside and allow it to come down. There were also a few springers reported hooked in the lower Clack below Safeway boat ramp. The Willamette is very trashed right now, don't look for it to fish anytime soon.” Pro guide Ian Premo (503-577-2656) also had this to report, “The Clackamas was putting out some nice broodstock fish for the fisherman in the know before the rain made it unfishable. We fished two days last week and ended up going four for six. We were drift fishing and pulling diver and bait but I heard some even better reports from the boondoggers. We also fished a half day on the Willamette near Sellwood and AJ ended up with his first springer ever! The fish was caught on a fish flash and blue label herring. The water is still pretty dirty but after it clears up a bit, expect some good numbers of salmon to push into the Willamette.
Gene Tomasco also reported, “The Sandy on 3/23 was starting to take shape again as it blew out with the rain last week. Most of the action however, sporadic at times has been at the mouth. Most of the fish have been caught on Kwikfish, size depending on water conditions. The Sandy should be a good bet all week barring any more hard rains. This is the time of the year the Sandy can get a nice push of summer runs, so get a water report from Jack's Snack and Tackle, and get out!” And speaking of Jacks Snack and Tackle, Pro guide Jack Glass (503-666-5370) reports, “Sandy river is in good shape today (3-25). I feel catching should be good all week, lots of fish at Cedar Creek, pipe line is producing, very light effort thru out the river. I think there's a few chinook in and the conditions look real good! I will be out with costumers the next 5 days. I will be fishing the Sandy and the Columbia. There was fair catching around Government Island today, Kwikfish, red and white spinners, prawn spinners and spin-n-glows with prawns have been working in 18 to 32 feet of water. Color is good out there.” Marc "Slick" Davis was back at it with his 'secret sauce,' "Went up on the Sandy yesterday. The water was perfect. This time I just used bubblegum worms and drifted them. The gentleman with me hooked three and landed all three one being an eighteen pound dark buck. I had my best day on the river, ever, with twenty five hooked and sixteen landed. My biggest was only 15 pounds. The hits on the worms were fantastic. They seem to want to kill them twice." Yes, loyal readers, this guy is for real. The Guide's Forecast - As Gene and Jack stated, the lower river will be the best options for anglers for the dual purpose that the Columbia River will be a great option if the Sandy is not producing well. Just due to the magnitude of fish forecasted for the Columbia and the ease of fishing it, most of the effort will continue in the main-stem leaving the Sandy pretty open. If the summer steelhead indicators are worth anything, anglers should concentrate on these fish as they could likely make up a significant portion of the Sandy River fish available. Those wanting to pursue wild winter steelhead should stay focused on the upper reaches where big bruisers will be waiting for the waters to subside to do their spawning thing. They likely won't be pooled up in the deeper water until flows drop making driftfishing tailouts and shoreline slots the best options. On the Clackamas, the mouth will be a great option for spring chinook hogliners and bouncers but prepare for pain as this time of year, it gets rather heated between the user groups. We already have one war going on, let's not start any more! On the main-stem Clackamas, broodstock and wild winter runs along with some summer steelhead will be ample in many of the traditional hide-outs during high water on the river. Tailouts and shallower running, broken surfaced water will be a big hit for these steelhead and the summer runs will likely be bunched up in the same area. If you find some summer fish, keep after them. Winter steelhead (both broodstock and wild fish) will be well dispersed throughout the entire lower river below River Mill Dam. I wouldn't waste much effort for spring chinook on the Clackamas this week, you have better options than this!
North Coast District Fishing Report - The rivers have finally come into fishable shape but ever since the last report, they have been out of prime shape. The smaller systems like the Necanicum have been quite fishable although I have no reports as most anglers that are participating in these low effort fisheries want to keep it that way. The Wilson and Trask were looking fishable on 3/26 and should produce results over the weekend. The watersheds are well charged so they should drop slowly making for a few great days of steelheading into the weekend. On the Nestucca, STS (February/March issue) cover featured pro guide Jesse Zalonis (503-623-6869) reports, “Nestucca is high and off color. However, it is coming into shape. Fish are spread through the entire river. We fished today, Tuesday (3/25), and managed to scrape up 5. I would suggest larger plugs and fish mostly tail outs or fish a searching rig for the normal drift spots or side drifting. Bright colors and some parting action is good. By the beginning of next week it should be good if the weather holds. Use BIG water gear until the river hits the 6 foot mark.” The Guide's Forecast - Most anglers will be turning their attention to spring chinook as we can eat those and they are coming back on high numbers. Both of which is NOT the case for our North Coast winter steelhead. This however, should not detour anglers as fishing will likely be quite good for mostly wild fish when the rivers clear really, really soon. The smaller systems have been fishing well for a few days now but by the weekend, most of the major systems will be in with the exception of the Nehalem. The mainstem Nehalem may fish as early as Monday or Tuesday next week barring any major rain and the fish should be there. Driftboaters should take advantage of the higher flows and fish the upper stretches of the Trask (Stones Camp to Upper Peninsula) or Wilson (Siskeyville or Vanderzanden's to Mills Bridge or Sollie Smith). Keep in mind, the higher up you go on these systems, the easier the water is to read and therefore, yield. Bigger baits in dramatic colors (reds, blues) will work well but keep those plugs out of the deep water until the flows begin to subside. Fish plugs at the edges of the current seams or deeper boulder infested tail-outs that break up water nicely for fish to rest in- that is until you wrestle him to a pair of pliers! If you want to do your good deed, fish the Wilson and collect a few fish for the broodstock program. ODF&W is desperately shy of fish to make the program work this year. Call (503) 842-2741 for details if you need to sign up.
Central & South Coast Reports - Also effected by high water, the Umpqua is coming back into shape but avid angler Larry Moore reports, “THE UMPQUA RIVER IS STILL A LITTLE HIGH BUT THEY ARE CATCHING A FEW SPRINGERS BETWEEN ELKTON AND SCOTTSBURG. YESTERDAY, ONE BOAT LANDED THREE SPRINGERS ABOVE THE BRIDGE AT SCOTTSBURG. STURGEON FISHING IS STILL SLOW.”
Central and Eastern Oregon Report - Three great days of fishing for Mah-Hah outfitters (Steve Fleming 1-888-624-9424). Steve reports:
Monday, March 24, 2003 Steve Fleming-Mah-Hah Outfitters-www.johndayriverfishing.com -bassinbuddy@centurytel.net
Sunday, March 23, 2003
Friday, March 21, 2003
Random Links
Here's a handy reference of boat launch facilities, river and reservoir information from the Oregon State Marine Board:
Willamette Reservoir Report: Ramblings and Musings Spring chinook continue to enter the streams and Rivers in Oregon as fishermen, often braving inclement conditions, strive to intercept them. Anglers have been trolling plug-cut herring or anchoring to soak Kwikfish on the Columbia from the estuary to Bonneville Dam. Bank fishermen are using Spin 'n' Glos, often tipped with sand shrimp. All have had success, but the numbers remain low. The greatest concentration of boat effort was in the Troutdale area where about 20% were successful in landing a springer. Water conditions are better above the Willamette River as it continues to discolor the Columbia. A couple of areas to try for springers this weekend would include above the I-205 Bridge and out of The Fishery. As pro guide Bob Rees points out in his section above, the commercial tangle nets had a banner season which terminated on March 21st. That the nets are out is good news. The not-so-good news is that officials are meeting to discuss an early closure of springer fishing on the Columbia. When we know, you'll know. The daily spring chinook effort continues on the Willamette with the greatest concentration around the Sellwood Bridge. The Multnomah Channel was most productive according to weekend creel checks by the ODFW, indicating that 48 boats took 27 springers. Fishing at Oregon City has been slow. The flow at Willamette Falls is moderating with temperatures nudging the 50-degree mark. Winter steelhead continue to cross in good numbers as summer steelhead counts improve. One additional springer have been counted according to the last update on March 23rd, 2003. Winters stand at about 6,200, summers at 184 and four spring chinook have passed thus far. Clackamas anglers report the river dropping and turning green. Steelhead are present from the mouth to River Mill Dam, but springers have been reported taken only at the mouth. A few steelhead an fewer spring chinook have fallen to anglers on the Sandy River where the flow is high but the color is very good. With Detroit Reservoir at the headwaters of the North Santiam still spilling water to allow for flood control, this river will remain high an off-color for at least a week. There are lots of steelhead present, but conditions won't allow decent fishing until sometime in April. With the precipitation tapering off, coastal streams are dropping. Steelhead are being taken on the Trask, although eight out of 10 are natives. The Wilson River is producing a greater number of keepers including some broad-shouldered broodstock. The Wilson should be around 5.5 feet on Friday, March 28th with good color. Nestucca anglers report fair success with mostly native steelhead. Steelheaders on the Siletz are getting into a mix of fish including tagged hatchery surplus steelhead and broodstocks. Fishing has slowed over last week. Steelhead continue to be taken on the Coquille, Elk and Sixes Rivers. Rogue River fishermen drifting bait are experiencing fine steelhead fishing with many limits being taken. Mild tides this week favor crabbing, but the recent rain has flushed these critters out to the ocean making it tough to find keepers. Kokanee are coming to jig fishermen at Lake Billy Chinook with limits common. Nearly every lake and pond in the Northwest was stocked with trout last week in anticipation of spring break and should continue to provide action for the kids. Only St Louis ponds are scheduled to be planted this week. According to an ODFW bulletin, up to 200 surplus steelhead weighing six to 10 pounds will be planted by the end of March in Empire Lakes near Roseburg. As always, your stories, photos and questions are welcomed at SailCat@The GuidesForecast.com. Good fishing. Weekly quote "I agree. For any type of fishing, the best way to avoid frustration is to master bait." - Duane McDowell GOOD LUCK!
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