Portland/Metro Fishing Report – With Chinook season closed, Metro anglers look for alternatives.
Metro anglers still have a hatchery coho season that just opened back up on the mainstem Columbia on October 1st, the few anglers out in pursuit are finding fish in select areas.
It’s best to target these mainstem coho near tributary mouths, where they are most likely to congregate in higher number. That would be the mouth of the Sandy and Washougal for example.
Trollers working the mouth of the Cowlitz are also finding willing coho as the bulk of the late run Columbia River coho are headed towards SW Washington tributaries.
Willamette River anglers are also in peak season for above Willamette Falls coho. It’s any coho, wild or hatchery and the run, although nowhere near last year’s return, is quite robust with over 10,000 adults already over the falls.
Trollers working the mainstem with flashers and spinners are catching, but smaller boats and even bank anglers can get in on action at the mouths of the Molalla, Yamhill and Tualatin Rivers as well.
Find all our fishing reports and forecasts for Members on this page.
Clackamas and Sandy remain low but coho are showing.
Clackamas River Fishing Report – Clackamas River fishers got the rain freshet they wanted, and fish responded with a strong effort to get upstream when they thought best. That brought about a flurry of interest from anglers throughout the system, and some anglers did get to enjoy some fair fishing for a smaller than normal return happening this season.
That said, Fisherman’s Marine expert Mike Roberson reports, “Well, it seemed like that was enough rain to finally get some fish moving upriver and biting. I’m getting reports all the way up to McIver Park. Fish are showing in all the usual spots. Spinners and twitching jigs has been extremely effective. Small spinners like a #4 Blue Fox in pin/silver blade can be very productive. The 24-Hour Fitness Hole is still producing but the earlier the better for that spot. It seems to slow down by 10:00 a.m. With more rain on the way and the B run coming soon, it’s only going to improve.”
Those eager to fish Eagle Creek are reminded of this new regulation change, that also went into effect last year:
Eagle Creek
- September 27 – October 31:Angling closed from SE Dowty Road downstream to the Clackamas River Confluence.
Sandy River Fishing Report – Provided by avid angler, Jeff Stoeger – The river remains low and is gradually clearing as temperatures return to typical fall levels. Recent weather has brought the first dusting of snow to Hood, and the river temperature is currently at 54 degrees.
While water levels are still below ideal, fish have been caught in all the usual spots that hold coho and chinook. There are good numbers of fall chinook entering the lower section of the river, and anglers have reported success in these areas.
Overall, fishing pressure is low, offering plenty of open water depending on which section of the river you choose to fish. Wishing everyone the best of luck and tight lines in the week ahead!
Find the full report and forecast for Members on this page here for the Clackamas and Sandy Rivers.
North & Central Coast Fishing Report – Fall Chinook are here with the Siletz once again the highlight.
North and central coast salmon fishers are in the heat of their seasons, with Chinook now in every north and central estuary and tidewater reach from the Alsea to the Necanicum. It’s peak season for these fall brutes and although anglers aren’t out in big numbers, there are quality fish coming from nearly every waterway.
Although the Siletz and Alsea are two of the coast’s top producers, Tillamook Bay and the Nestucca system are producing fair results for Chinook as well. Interspersed with those Chinook, wild coho are being taken on these systems as well when the retention season is open.
The Nehalem remains fairly slow for Chinook, but action is picking up for coho. Wheeler produced some good coho catches today (Thursday, 10/2).
No one system is standing out from the other when it comes to successful coho catchers. It’s still a bit early for peak wild coho season, but it’s just around the corner.
Offshore coho seekers didn’t clean up on the nearly 34,000 coho quota, only about 57% of the quota was eaten up, a far cry from previous years when anglers got shut out early due to high catch rates. Poor weather certainly played a factor in this year’s success, but many, including this writer, is hinging on a botched run prediction.
Ocean crabbing closes at mid-month, but those seeking an ocean option for bottomfish and crab have been shut out for several days. Favorable weather returns this weekend, opening up possibilities for bottomfish, halibut, late-season albacore and Chinook salmon. Coho retention in the ocean is now closed.
Bay crabbing continues to improve.
Razor clamming re-opened on October 1st but the next good minus tide series doesn’t start until October 6th in the late afternoon.
Find the complete report and forecast for Members in the Northwest Oregon section.
Much more on the site for Chinook
- Last week, Buzz Ramsey wrote – Coho Mostly Love Spinners. Coho are flooding into rivers, and if you know how to work your spinner just right, you could trigger a bite that turns a quiet cast into a full-blown frenzy. Chinook Members can see his post HERE.
- This week, Bill Monroe wrote The annual coho rodeo is on! Coho chaos erupts on the Columbia as anglers reel in limits, doubles—even quads—during this year’s epic “rodeo” from Buoy 10 to Hungry Harbor and beyond HERE.
You can find all the articles from these two professionals on this page.
- The Salmon Trout Steelheader article of the week: URB’s in a Barrel by Tony Amato. “Like Fish in a Barrel”… That’s exactly what it was like fishing for upriver brights (URBs) at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers with Toby Wyatt owner of Reel Time Fishing Guide Service.” See it HERE.
All the STS articles are located here.
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Central-Eastern Oregon Fishing Report by Terry Otto
Klickitat mouth coho improving, Deschutes steelhead also improving. Lakes drifting into fall patterns.
Best bets for weekend fishing
Decent reports from the lower Deschutes from anglers targeting salmon and steelhead
Following recent stockings anglers report good fishing on the Fall River.
The popular Upper Deschutes fisheries below Wickiup and Crane Prairie dams and the headwaters has closed for the season.
October can be a good month for the Metolius River. Bull Trout have entered the river to spawn and anglers report aggressive takes on streamers.
Anglers report good fall trout fishing in Lava and Little Lava lakes.
Devils Lake was recently stocked with rainbow trout, providing a great opportunity for paddleboard, kayak, or float tube fishing.
Anglers report excellent crappie fishing at Ochoco and Prineville reservoirs.
The Pine Nursery Pond and Prineville Fishing Pond were both stocked in late September.
You can check the ODFW trout stocking schedule here.
Columbia River
According to the good folks at the Gorge Outfitters Supply in Rufus, most anglers are targeting the late coho run at the mouth of the Klickitat River, but a few are working the Columbia proper. Other anglers are fishing the lower Deschutes River for steelhead and Chinook. The steelheading has been tough at times, with some days more productive than others. Spinners and spoons are working for gear anglers, while fly guys are fishing with spey rods. Floating lines and hare-wing patterns have been the best bet, especially on cloudy days.
Lower Deschutes River
The fine folks at of the Deschutes Angler Fly Shop in Maupin report that steelhead angling near Maupin has been a little slow but it is starting to pick up some. Spey anglers are swinging hare-wing patterns in size 5 or 7 fished with a floating line. Trout fishing has been good, with caddis being the main go-to.
There is good surface action on these patterns in the evenings, and nymphing is also a good option. Nymphing with Soft Hackle PT’s #14-16 and Tan or Olive Caddis Pupa #14-18 has been effective, but add October Caddis Pupa #8, PCP Nymphs #14-16, Rubber Legs #6-10 and Golden Stones #8-10 and #14 to the list.
Gear anglers can score with small spinners. Panther Martin and Rooster Tails are good choices. Silver blades and chartreuse or yellow are good bets. Look to the eddies and softer water near the bank.
Metolius River
Jeff at The Fly Fishers Place in Sisters says the river is absolutely a golden opportunity this time of year. Is every single day a home run? No, but the is the sweetest time of the year on the river followed by the period of early May to the end of June.
Mayfly hatches continue to be a lot of fun to match, with Green Drakes #10 and Flav’s #14, PMD’s #16 and #18, BWO #18-20, Mahogany Duns #16 all in the hatch cycle on different sections of the river throughout the day.
The Crooked River
It is hot fishing and with good PMD #16 and BWO #18 hatches you can expect to see good dry fly action. Swinging a Soft Hackle has been fabulous, and nymphing a tight line/euro rig or indicator action with a NZ Wool kit is great. Micro Mayfly Nymphs and Skinny Nelsons #16-20 are the best, Perdigons #16, Fire Starter #16, Scuds #14-16, Zebra Midges and Winkers #18-22, Psycho Prince #16 Orange.
On the Dry Fly Side the Extended Body Cut Wing PMD’s in 16 and 18, Furminksy’s BDE #18, Knock Down Dun Olive #18, Sparkle Dun #16 Yellow and #18 Olive and Parachutes, including Purple Haze in #16-20
East Lake
The resort has removed the docks for the season, and FYI, the USFS is closing Cinder Hill on Sunday which is the most gentle and rock free ramps into the lake. Hot Springs is the best option, and EL Campground is decent with a drift boat. Callibaetis are dwindling quickly. Tis the season at 6400 feet. Beetles and Ants will remain good for the rest of the season until it gets very cold.
Blitzen River
The Blitzen River is currently flowing around 60 cfs. Base flows are higher this year due to the above average precipitation and water temperatures are nice and cool for this time of year. Redband densities are low but there are some quality fish out there right now. If you are looking for some solitude the Blitzen will not disappoint. Redband can be found throughout the watershed and this is prime time to hit the Blitzen.
Members can always see so much more in the complete report, as well as the forecast for central Oregon, by starting right here.