Portland/Metro Oregon Fishing Report – High waters have Metro anglers perplexed and frankly, sidelined as it’s still early for winter steelhead in the region. Willamette River sturgeon aren’t biting all that well and Bonneville sturgeon has closed for the season.
Plunkers working Meldrum Bar have caught a few quality hatchery steelhead lately, likely destined for the Clackamas River. One brute weighed in at over 18 pounds recently. High water is conducive to success at Meldrum Bar, especially when peak season nears for the Clackamas fishery, which is still a month away.
Clackamas River Fishing Report – After a short stint of good fishing, the Clackamas is back to hunt and peck fishing. Fish are scattered, but numbers should continue to improve in the coming weeks.
The weekend should provide some opportunity, before another river rise makes for more challenging conditions.
Sandy River Fishing Report – Avid angler Jeff Stoeger reported, “I hope that you had a chance to get out and fish this past week. There was some good action this week depending on where you were fishing. Most of the action was from Cedar Creek to Dabney Park. There were a few nice size brood stock fish caught that were in mid-teens.
The weather this week saw a few days of rain and lots of wind over the week with winds blowing into the mid-twenties on the lower river.
Find the full report and forecast for Members on the Sandy and the Clackamas from this page here.
North Coast Fishing Report – North coast steelheading is not impressing many, but persistent anglers are finding fish.
Photo above: Josh Leis pictured with his dad Bob in the background, with a nice hen caught from a north coast river. This one went into the broodstock program to make more January babies for the future! They were fishing Wednesday with pro guide Chris Vertopoulos (503-349-1377)
The smaller streams that get early returning adults are already turning south. The North Fork Nehalem hatchery is already recycling steelhead to Vernonia Lake and soon to be others in the near future. River conditions are ideal for these small streams (Necanicum, Big and Gnat Creek and Klaskanine River), but action is not impressive.
Larger systems, such as the Wilson, are putting out fish and some quality ones too. Action is far from fast, but those putting in the time downstream of Siskeyville to Sollie Smith Bridge, are finding fish.
The Nestucca remains slow as steelhead typically show up stronger in February. Another rain event put rivers out on Thursday, it will continue to fish “high” through the weekend.
The Trask, Alsea and Siletz Rivers are other north coast options, but they too will be fairly high over the weekend and likely into next week.
Smaller systems such as the Kilchis will remain a fair option, but wild fish will show in greater abundance come February.
The ocean remains upside down so no saltwater recreation is going to happen anytime soon, save crabbing on the lower Columbia, which should remain excellent when weather allows.
Smelt are soon due in the lower Columbia as well with managers optimistic for a robust return.
Don’t overlook fall winter opportunities on the coast, the north coast stocking schedule can be found HERE.
See the full North Coast Report and Forecast for Members right here.
SW Oregon Fishing Report – Contributor Jeff Rome reports:
With few exceptions, anglers wanting to wet a line have more success holding their rods out of the garage in the stormy wet weather than actual fishing lately. Things don’t look to improve with yet another series of wind and rain storms to hit Southern Oregon.
The mid Rogue river from Griffin Park up through Gold Hill and the upper Rogue from Dodge Bridge on up has been fishable although with a stronger flow and colored water. River conditions will vary depending which stretch you wanna try to fish. The further up, the better the condition. Winter steelhead have made their presence known mostly to guides working their popular holes pulling plugs. Some bank anglers have also been out, but they’re as tight lipped as a spring Chinook😉 When ever the “monsoons” let up, we should be into full winter steelhead season with fish scattered throughout the river.
With winter fish showing in the Rogue, the Applegate river from the mouth on up to the 199 bridge could also be an option. This river is relatively quick to get back into fishable condition. No wild fish can be taken here, only hatchery.
The Chetco which would “normally” be a best bet this time of year has been blown out for boaters and most bank angler plunkers. In between the last several storms, some anglers found a few winter steelhead that took a spin n glo/ egg combo. Conditions don’t look favorable till at least mid to latter next week.
The north and south forks of the Coquille are seeing some steelhead action as well as the west and east forks of the Millicoma. These systems fluctuate quickly so be ready to fish when there’s a weather window! Steelhead are there!
The Sixes and Elk rivers are blown out right now, but anglers on the ready should get into some winter steelhead as they drop into shape…..when??? The Elk would be a first choice opportunity.
The Smith river just above Crescent City California mentioned in last weeks TGF has been high with little action. The heavy rains of late have made it not fishable but when it does get back into shape, it should produce some fine winter steelhead. Hopefully by latter next week🤞
The ocean will be off limits with high winds and rain forecasted this weekend. Also, crabbing a no go with all the fresh dirty water entering the bays.
Be safe, be nice and enjoy!
Jeff’s expanded report, multiple lake updates, and forecast in this week’s version for Members!
Here’s our SW Washington fishing report for the week.