Portland/Metro Fishing Report – It’s a day I never thought would come, in the peak of the season, fishery managers were forced to close the mainstem Columbia River salmon fishery, Chinook AND coho salmon, from Bonneville Dam downstream to Buoy 10 effective TONIGHT. Starting tomorrow, September 2nd, the lower Columbia River will go silent, at least until a run size update (frequently around September 14th) will update the run size and our impacts on sensitive stocks of fish, such as wild tule Chinook, of which we’ve already exceeded our impacts for in the sport fishery. It’s a solemn day for sure and nobody is happy about it. That sadly simplifies my obligation to TGF readers, trust me, I’d rather have it the other way.
See the official press release HERE.
That leaves tributary fisheries as our only option for now, we will of course update TGF readers when we know more information. This issue is on our minds, daily.
The Willamette re-opened to catch and release fishing today and although no reports have come in just yet, there are lots of fish present in the Willamette, up to Willamette Falls. It’s likely to be real good for the few taking advantage.
Coho salmon have started to ascend Willamette Falls, all two of them so far anyway. It should be a good return year for these “wild” fish, likely to peak in early October.
Clackamas River Fishing Report – Clackamas anglers are still awaiting the season’s first rain freshet. Mike from Fishermen’s Marine and Outdoor in Oregon City reported that there are numerous coho rolling at the mouth, but he knows of only two jacks caught to date. He’s out there fishing frequently.
Summer steelhead remain an upper river option, but they’ve been worked over for much of the season. Until temperatures cool, success rates may remain low.
Sandy River Fishing Report – Avid angler Jeff Stoeger reports – “Hello All. The big question is when is the weather going to change from this extreme heat to start raining and cooling down. There are still some nice springers in the river as well as summer steelhead and the coho run should start showing in the next couple of weeks.
We have seen a couple caught in the lower river and with the first good rain event we will see good numbers of fish. The forecast is for a return of 10,000 hatchery fish over the next couple of months. The limit for Coho is 3 hatchery fish per day.
Find the full report and forecast for Members on the Sandy and the Clackamas from this page here.
North Coast Fishing Report – We’re on the cusp of the “any two salmon” season on the north coast, for the ocean anyway. September 3rd marks that opportunity and it should be good. Until then, Chinook action remains relatively quiet on most systems, likely indicative of a challenging season ahead.
Reports from Nehalem aren’t impressive. Chinook catches were quiet near the mouth and adjacent ocean waters on Thursday morning. The upper tidewater reach from the highway 101 Bridge to the mouth of the North Fork of the Nehalem has been producing better catches, for trollers especially.
It’s still quiet in Tillamook Bay, open outside for any Chinook, fin-clipped only Chinook inside the bay. The Nestucca and more so the Salmon River estuary are starting to see some Chinook catches. It’s still early for these Chinook, but it won’t be long.
The Alsea, Siletz and Yaquina Bays are starting to see some early returning fall Chinook with the Siletz being the best prospect right now. Some fall Chinook are being caught daily and catches will improve over the next few weeks.
Bottomfishing remains good, especially for sea bass. The daily rockfish limit will drop down to 4 fish/person starting September 6th. The all-depth fishery is also now re-opened and cabezon closes after September 5th. Check updated regulations HERE.
Halibut fishing remains mediocre, but ocean crabbing is picking up although there are plenty of crab that are far from “filled out” just yet.
See the full North Coast Report and Forecast for Members right here.
Willamette River System Report – Contributor Glenn Zinkus reports:
Green Peter Kokes. Detroit Lake Kokes. Upper McKenzie Trout. Middle Fork Willamette Trout and Steelhead.
Alton Baker Canal: Alton Baker Canal was stocked with 900 legal size trout. As always, a great put and take option for anglers and families in the Eugene area. Alton Baker will be stocked weekly through the summer.
Detroit Reservoir: There are continued good kokanee reports. Kokes about 70 feet down. Reports of some good catches, with angler reports of hot kokanee bites early in the morning before the winds come up.
Green Peter Reservoir: Coninued reports of kokanee catches at the Quartzville Arm– multiple reports of non-stop action for kokes.
South Santiam Trout: Flows are dropping and getting a bit low for trout in the upper South Santiam River above Foster Reservoir. If fishing for trout in this system, stay below Trout Creek campground and fish during the early mornings. As of right now, the stretch above Foster is more filled with swimmers than anglers.
North Santiam Trout and Steelhead: The North Santiam received 2,200 legal size trout late July.
The upper portions are in shape and fishing well…..cool waters that are safe to fish in the heat. Nymphing with perdigons and caddis pupae are producing. Dry fly searches with light cahills and purple haze are resultin in trout. Marion Forks area fishing well.
Willamette River – Middle Fork:
Watch for possible closures from the Cedar Creek Fire.
Various parts of the Middle Fork has been good. The Middle Fork is steady currently at 2820 CFS. These are fishable flow rates. Water temperatures is 60 degrees.
Baetis imitations will prove effective, as well as general searching patterns including pheasant tails, BH thorax, prince nymph variations and twists. Fishing exceptionally well right now. Now is the time to go explore the North Fork of the Middle Fork – but do watch for road closures from the Cedar Creek Fire.
Willamette River – From Harrisburg, to Corvallis, to Albany:
The Willamette River is currently at 5310 CFS at Harrisburg. Nice fishable flows right now, and wading the gravel bars is good. Watch this stretch as recent summer heat has warmed the waters and angling is better on the upper stretches.
Willamette River – Steelhead
With increased numbers of steelhead, anglers are back on the water looking for steelhead. Note that not a lot of anglers are doing this yet. Steelhead runs in the Springfield area starting to produce. Latest guide reports are that there is typically 1 to 2 per day caught per boat.
Find the full report and forecast for Members on the Willamette Valley/Metro from this page here.
Central Oregon Fishing Report – Contributor Glenn Zinkus reports:
East Lake Trout. Metolius River Trout and Bulls Remain Consistent – and Improving. Deschutes Trout and Steelhead.
There will be some smokey skies up until Saturday.
Hot temperatures will rule throughout Central Oregon through Friday, with a cool-down into the 80s through some of the area to start Labor Day weekend, especially in the high country.
Temperatures moderate some more by midweek next week and become more seasonable.
The Lower Deschutes Canyon will be in the 100s until Friday, 90s through the weekend and next week until it cools into the 70s on Wednesday.
The Cascade Lakes Highway area remains in the 80s this week and weekend.
Lower Deschutes River:
The Lower Deschutes is steady near the dam, with flows of 3560 CFS in Madras and 4090 CFS at Moody. Water access is good.
Temperatures on the lower portions of the river are in the 53 to 55 range at Madras, with PGE with continued lower temps from the bottom draw from the dam, and 62 to 66 degree range near Moody. Temperature fluctuations have been heading down with some of the cool mornings lately, but looks like these may jump up over the coming days.
Middle Deschutes River: There is a mix of PEDs, PMDs, and some caddis on the river from Bend to Steelhead Falls. Purple haze, X Caddis, Coolest cooler water temps in the Steelhead Falls area from the Whychus Creek inflow and some springs. Evenings have been producing.
Upper Deschutes River: The upper Deschutes from Little Lava to Crane Prairie has been fishing well with good water levels. This is a good cool water refuge location with the incoming hot weather again.
Crooked River: The Crooked River continues fishing well with flows still at around 175 GPS. Fish up the first few miles below the dam for the best opportunities and cooler water in this heat wave.
PMDs, BWOs, and mahogany duns are active right now. Reports are that the smaller trout are taking flies on top, and the larger trout are being caught with nymphs.
Metolius River:
Mostly good dry fly reports of late – caddis activity during the late afternoons and rusty spinners nearer to dark.
Probably about a week or so away from the first of the fall green drakes. Best spots mid-river in the vicinity of the hatchery once this starts. However, I may update this depending upon where we find action.
And yet there is a lot more for Members. Check out Glenn’s detailed reports and forecasts right here for Chinook and Steelhead Members both!
SW Oregon Fishing Report – Contributor Jeff Rome reports:
It’s already Labor Day weekend….. where did Summer go? The upcoming 3 day weekend should provide some good fishing opportunities from the coast and inland!
The Rogue Bay continues to be steady, although not “hot” and should fare well for the 3 day weekend. Lots of jack action by those working the flasher/ spinner combo and some nice Chinook into the 30’s have been caught this week.
Coastal angling prospects include cooler choices for anglers as the ocean is expected to be good for getting out and get some great bottom fish action along with halibut on the bite too. Surf perch are still biting as is some sea run cutthroat trout in the upper reaches of the Elk.
Chinook numbers are picking up on the main Umpqua in tide water and on the Coos from the chip pile to the Marshfield channel
The out-of-control Rum Creek wildfire has the mid-Rogue River closed from Hog Creek on down as fire fighters are constantly helicopter dipping to help put some containment on it. Smoke has been terrible and unhealthy the past week and angler pressure has been low below Gold Hill. Summer steelhead are around, but most angling pressure and success has been up from Shady Cove where there’s cooler water and less smoke.
Small mouth bass action is excellent on the lower south and north Umpqua.
The Coquille River is producing nice catches of stripped bass from Rocky Point on up through Riverton.
Lost creek lake continues to produce nice catches of trout despite warmer water temp and boat traffic. Expect it to be crowded this long weekend so fish early and/or up past the bridge in the no wake zone.
Be safe, be nice and enjoy!
Jeff’s detailed report, multiple lake updates, and forecast in this week’s version for Members!
SW Washington by Ian Carter
We recognize that this post is now out of date given the new regulatory closures now in place on the Columbia River, from Bonneville Dam to Buoy 10. Please check the press release HERE for details.
Columbia River is on fire. Lots of Coho on the way and many Chinook coming into the Columbia. Expect to pack your patience as with the closure of Buoy 10, the Warrior Rock area and most “hot spots” from the Cowlitz to Vancouver are combat fishing.
Lacamas Lake – Fishing for panfish was good. There are two separate news events that may affect your choice to fish this lake for the next several weeks.
I fished the Lewis River Friday evening for a couple of hours. I managed to hook a steelhead with bobber and eggs below the pipes at the hatchery. Observed two other boats with no success. On a return trip on Tuesday evening a boat caught the first coho I’ve seen. The river level was doubled mid-day on Monday and my sense was some coho might shoot up. Well they did, as I observed probably two dozen or so splashes in the hour I was there.
Korey at Bob’s says there are a bunch of Steelhead in the Kalama. WDFW didn’t report anything from their checks.
Steelhead fishing isn’t over yet on the Cowlitz. There are some reports with pockets of action. An avid angler reports that he did well above the I-5 cutoff in Kelso and managed a couple steelhead from the bank. I assume he was plunking. With the low flows Korey at Bob’s Outdoor in Kelso says that guys fishing the deeper areas by Lexington and Castle Rock are having the best success.
Nathan at Sportsman’s Warehouse in Kelso shares: Toutle all Forks: Is open for Steelhead and Trout and Salmon. The Chinook are now in!! Only Hatchery Salmon and Steelhead may be retained. The South Fork was planted with hatchery summer Steelhead. The North Fork above the Sediment Dam is closed to Fishing.
There have been a few reports from Merwin this week. The fish are biting still and in large schools when you find them. The adults are starting to turn light shades of red, I personally let those go to make more.
Tuna – Reports from all ports this week indicate tuna stops at around 35NM. The chart below sound a nice finger temperature break off shore from Westport. There is also an small anomaly off Ilwaco two days ago. Fishing is epic.
Bottom fishing is excellent and many boats are getting quad trips, Tuna, Salmon, Halibut and Bottomfish. The Ocean is in prime form these days.
There is A LOT more for SW Washington Members here. Become a SW Washington Member here.