OREGON CITY – After years of frustration and the near-extinction of Willamette River wild winter steelhead, Oregon biologists believe they’ve cleared a major hurdle in the problematic control of sea lions at Willamette Falls. And…
Author: Bill Monroe
Paddle to Pedal; Kayak Fishing Reels in Anglers by Bill Monroe
Many years ago in a land not too far away, a white-collar worker in a tie and a small yellow kayak caught a spring Chinook beneath the Sellwood Bridge on his lunch hour. I was…
Chef Cooks Up a Surprise — Especially to Him!
By Bill Monroe Willamette River too high? Too muddy? Too swift? Not for Tony Meyers of Portland, an avid bass angler. He likes driving the only rig in the lot at Willamette Park. Makes it…
Bill Monroe: Umpqua Hatchery Closure
Photo Caption: Hatchery salmon and steelhead have been scientifically acquitted of their evil reputations and are critical in retaining the angling public’s interest and involvement. I’m often chided, sometimes harshly, for being more political than…
Bill Monroe: On Snowfall, Songs and Salmon
Photo credit: Glenda Monroe An unusual record April snowfall may have interrupted spring Chinook season’s introduction, but not for those who coincidentally escaped to the 50th state. My original idea for this column, written from…
Bill Monroe: Getting Started
Garth Wyatt, a fish biologist, knows when and how to get his kids excited about fishing. Photo credit Alison Wyatt Three young dads, three identical questions, three somewhat different answers. “Where can I take the…
Sea lions to snack on springers?
Sea lions are still hanging out in the Columbia River from St. Helens downstream to Astoria, but are due soon in the Willamette River, as are spring Chinook salmon. The late Jeff Mueller had several…
Bill Monroe: The River Never Sleeps
The river never sleeps, but anglers can spend long hours and days wondering when to wake up and go fishing after a rainstorm. Note: Please pester me with your questions. All will be personally answered;…
Spring Chinook rules relaxed on the Columbia River, but fall Chinook forecasts falter
By Bill Monroe Photo: Ron Powell of Oregon City celebrated his good fortune to catch a hatchery spring chinook salmon in the Columbia River. Anglers will get two more days’ fishing in the lower river…
Anglers were due. February will deliver
By Bill Monroe Everyone caught spring fever last month after Reese Foxworthy of Estacada caught and released the year’s first spring chinook salmon last month while drifting for steelhead on the Clackamas River. Spring fishing…
Know Someone with a Wish to Fish?
By Bill Monroe In a career of writing about the outdoors, one question crossed my eardrums more than any other, including complaints about “wish it were the old days.” Pay close attention now, because your hosts on this Web site are about to lead you to that yellow brick road. Then you can pass it…
Bill Monroe: Trigonometry for Trolling
I endured all four high school years immersed in solid course curriculums. Math, algebra-geometry-trigonometry; physics, chemistry, three years of Latin; Literature, history, etc. Graduated a lethargically solid 268th in a class of 693. The son…