Portland, Oregon Metro Fishing Report – Well, although it happened a little downstream of Portland, the first spring Chinook of the season was tallied by “Plugs,” an iFish frequenter. Not so ironic, he caught it on a plug. It wasn’t a large fish (27″) but who’s gunna complain about the season’s first spring Chinook, especially if it was an upriver (mainstem Columbia) fish? They cut and eat even better than a Willamette spring Chinook.
I wouldn’t say it was off and running, but when the season’s first chrome hits the deck, it gives others hope, a much-needed dose given recent returns of spring Chinook to the basin.
The Willamette is finally warming up and although we’re a few months away from peak season spring Chinook fishing, it likely won’t be long before this system tallies its first spring Chinook of the season.
Pro guide Stephen “Spicy” Gettel (503-999-0904) took it upon himself to report this. Spicy sayz, “No bells ringing today (2/20) as of 4 p.m. in the Meldrum stretch, but I must say, the conditions are perfect. It wouldn’t surprise me if the first one gets rung up tonight! The Willamette is running lower and cleaner than I anticipated, but it’s still high and dirty. There might be a brief window in the a.m. to catch these conditions for an early springer. Although the first ones have been coming later, it’s not uncommon to have one by now on the Meldrum Bank. At the confluence, the Clackamas is starting to green up, but again, that won’t last long. I’ll definitely be out unicorn fishing at the next river drop. I will probably spend a little time in Sellwood and then work my way down to the mouth of the channel. Looks like the water is going to be warming back up a bit also. Even in high, dirty flows, large bright and stinky plugs are a good option either on anchor or plunking, even with a simple 6-foot leader to a duo-lock slid down the mainline to a bobber stop, a few feet up. Provided your cast is angled downstream, the plug will work itself all the way down. I plan on doing a combination of anchor fishing and trolling herring once I get my boat out.”
There has been no commercial landings of smelt so far this season, so no sport dipping seasons have been set yet.
Clackamas River Fishing Report – The Clackamas River is currently in good shape, but effort has been low as of late. Cold temperatures followed by rain and a rising river has caused anglers to think twice about venturing out. Besides that, Clackamas River water temperatures have still been cold, although have been in the rise for the last several days. It doesn’t stay as cold as the Sandy River does, but it just rose above 40° for the first time in quite a while.
Mike Roberson of Fisherman’s Marine in Oregon City reported that effort has been low on the Clackamas, anglers haven’t been feelin’ it with all the dynamic changes in weather recently.
Sandy River fishing report, avid angler Jeff Stoeger reports – “Hello All. Well, what a week of weather we’ve had. The temps had been in mid to low twenties over the week and snow for the first time this year. You can always or almost always predict bad or cold weather during the Sportsman’s Show. Fishing has been slow on the river over the past month due to low water levels and temperatures. The river is currently running at 10.61 ft and reached 11.8 ft early in the week.
The river temp is extremely cold for the river is temp is 35 degrees and has been that way for over a week. The fish have been very lethargic and you have to put your bait or beads right in front of their face. Coon shrimp on divers has been one of the best way to get these fish to bite. Large beads in size 20mm scented has also been productive.”
North & Central Coast Fishing Report – Guides didn’t have much of a chance to fish north and central coast streams this week, as we went from low water to high water in just a matter of days. Most guides will start their bigger river assault on Friday. Small streams didn’t fish all that well today (2/20) with one guide reporting no fish from the Kilchis and no fish from a short float on the Wilson this afternoon. He heard a few reports of successful anglers from the Wilson, but both systems were still a little high on Thursday, the Wilson should fish better tomorrow (Friday, 2/21) for steelheaders.
The recording at the NF Nehalem reported no fish yesterday (2/19) and ideal water conditions (River at 45″) today (2/20). Effort has been low, anglers don’t seem too motivated by the opportunity for a late (quality) broodstock steelhead from this system.
So put simply, rivers and weather have been too dynamic for successful angling. That makes reporting this week pretty simple, but our river-by-river forecast for Steelhead and Chinook Members in the full version of this week’s newsletter should be packed with accurate information.
Ocean anglers experienced some great action last week, even though the wind chill factor was evident. Sea bass was good, but lingcod fishing was better as fish entered the nearshore for the spawning season.
Ocean and bay crabbing remains challenging as the commercial fleet has harvested the majority of quality keepers. Sub-commercial legal keepers are still available in both the estuaries and the ocean, but you have to deploy much more gear and quality bait if you plan on catching a good number of keepers.
Coastal stocking of trout won’t happen until around March 10th, mostly in preparation for spring break later in the month.
Upper Willamette River System Report – With the Willamette finally warming this week, a good number of steelhead have been bypassing Willamette Falls recently. Although it’s still early for good fishing in the Santiam systems, it’s great to see the upper basin return to better options for these great fish!
Central Oregon Fishing Report
Deschutes, Metolius, and Fall River all are fishing well for trout. reservoir releases may keep the Crooked River too high for good action over the next few weeks.
The deep freeze is beginning to let up, and the deep cold of the last few weeks should move out of central Oregon. In Maupin, the temps will allow for more comfortable fishing, or it would, if the snow does not get too deep. The winter storm should pass by the early week, and if the snow is not too deep, fishing in the Deschutes, Metolius, and Fall Rivers should produce good trout fishing. However, releases from reservoirs to control flooding might make the Crooked River too high for good action.
Lower Deschutes River
The river at the Moody Rapids is running at about 4850 cfs, and is expected to rise to about 4,900 cfs by late next week. The water temperature at the Pelton Regulating Dam is currently 43 degrees F.
Amy Hazel of the Deschutes Angler Fly shop in Madras, reports that trout anglers are doing well for trout in the Maupin area, and she said that the warmer weather on its way really will not matter to the trout. The fish are in winter mode, and differences in the temps do not change their patterns much.
“Fish don’t mind that colder weather,” she said. I don’t think it makes a difference to them, but it does for the fishermen.”
The upper and middle Deschutes River is closed for the season, except for the stretch from Lake Billy Chinook to Benham Falls.
The steelhead run has finished for the year.
Lake Billy Chinook to Benham Falls:
Open to fishing all year. Anglers report fair fishing around Dillon Falls, upstream of the Old Mill area in Bend, and around Tumalo State Park. Nymphing has been the most effective method.
Lake Billy Chinook
The ODFW reports that anglers are getting some kokanee and bull trout, but there is no report on methods or baits. The Metolius arm of the lake is closed to fishing. The lake’s resorts are closed for the winter, although there is boat launch access at the Lower Deschutes, Upper Deschutes, and Crooked River day use areas.
Metolius River
The Fly Fishers Place in Sisters reports that some anglers are having 15 fish days on the river, even with the cold weather. Because the Metolius is dominated by springs, its average temperature of 48 degrees F. and base flow of 1,460 cubic feet per second remain nearly constant year-round, providing a benefit to both fish and anglers.
Nymphing has been the go-to method on the Metolius River, as well as pre-hatch and dry flies as the BWO hatch starts in the afternoon. Both methods are taking trout, and the list of effective flies includes Perdigons, Frenchies, Eggs, Caddis Pupa (Tan 14-16, Orange 8-10, Amber 14) Micro Mayfly, 2 Bit Hookers and both euro style streamers or big articulated streamers that you can swing, strip or fish under an indicator.
The Crooked River
The Crooked River has been running high and icy, a result of releases from the Prineville and Ochoco reservoirs to control flooding. The Bureau of Reclamation reports that anglers should expect increasing discharges in the Crooked River from Bowman Dam and Ochoco Creek from Ochoco Dam for the foreseeable future.
Fall River
Snowy conditions have made access along the river difficult, but with consistent temps fed by spring water, the trout continue to feed.
Look for afternoon BWO hatches in a size 18 or 20, and small black Midges in a 22-24. This is 7x tippet time, so get a spool of that and you’ll fool more fish certainly.
Knock Down and KD Duns, Film Critics, RS2, Captive Dun, and Sparkle Duns are great flies now.
Euro Streamers, especially Olive or Black have been our best producers on most days.
Flows and lake levels can be found here
SW Oregon Fishing Report – Contributor Jeff Rome reports:
“Not enough rain”. “Too much rain”. That has been the angler’s dilemma for most of this year so far. Again, rain and subsequent snow melt added much-needed flow to our sacred steelhead rivers, but it only was “good” for a brief time. When it was, anglers did find some nice winter steelhead. Unfortunately, there are not many great options for steelhead anglers. The weekend outlook on the ocean is pretty iffy. A slight exception might be out of Brookings Saturday for what has been great bottom fishing. Also, don’t bother trying for crab until the bays clear out a lot of the freshwater. The middle and upper sections of the Rogue River might be worth taking a break from tax prep as the flow is dropping temporarily. Also, the North and South forks of the Umpqua might also be worth a try. Keep in mind, however, don’t expect great river conditions…… only “fishable”. Unfortunately, the coastal rivers such as the Chetco, Elk, and Sixes will more than likely be too high and out of shape. However, don’t take my word for it! Call someone or check it out for yourself since these systems fluctuate rapidly.
As the weather is warming up a bit, there are some lake and ponds that have been stocked with trout already. I’ll be providing you more fishing details on these starting in the next few weeks.
The middle section of Rogue River has had some good catches of winter steelhead (and still some down runner summer fish) when conditions have been favorable. The weekend, though not great, is forecasting the flow to be dropping until Sunday when more rain will bring it back up. It will be fishable and a best bet for boaters floating from Gold Hill on down to Robertson Bridge working plugs and bobber-dogging soft beads. Bank anglers’ plunking spin n glo’s and or bait at Chinook Park, Schroeder Park, Griffin Park, and Robertson Bridge could also see some decent action. The Applegate from Cantrell Buckley down to Fish Hatchery Park would be a good option too.
The main Ump will be too high for fishable conditions. The North and South Forks should be in decent fishable shape for the weekend but in a higher fishable state. Both have been producing fair catches of winter steelhead.
The Chetco, Elk, and Sixes are probably going to be too high and out of shape. Possibly the Chetco at the popular bank plunking holes might be worth a try Friday/ Saturday before more rain blows it out. As for the Elk and Sixes, they too will probably be too out of shape, but ya never know. It’s best to have first-hand knowledge of their condition that could give you a no-or-go situation.
Ocean Goers might be able to get out for some good winter bottom fishing and ling cod action on Saturday out of Brookings with wind chop. Further North, it’s looking rough and a no go. Crabbing in the ocean and bays but will be off until the rain and snow melt dissipate.
Tight Lines 🎣 – Romer
Read this week’s SW Washington fishing report.