Portland Oregon Metro Fishing Report – With little to fish for in every metro river system, anglers are still headed west to target salmon in the Tillamook district, anxiously awaiting the next opportunity, which is winter steelhead, on our metro systems.
Coho counts at Willamette Falls have finally dropped down into single digits, and winter steelhead remain there too with the main push of the steelhead run still many weeks away.
The mainstem Columbia is a barren wasteland, but crabbing in the estuary is great.
Clackamas River Fishing Report – With the exception of wild coho, fishing on the Clackamas River is over. There remains a few hatchery coho in Eagle Creek and the mainstem Clackamas adjacent to Eagle Creek, but for those that wish to enjoy solace and some fair catch and release coho opportunity, the Clackamas will still perform.
Sandy River Fishing Report – Avid angler Jeff Stoeger reports, “Good morning All. The river has maintained its form for much of the week and is running at 8.72ft and is forecasted to bump up to nearly 10 foot over the weekend.
The fish that were stacked at the mouth of Cedar Creek have pushed there way up to the hatchery. Fresh hatchery fish are becoming hard to find. Wild fish are making a strong return however.
No rumors of early returning winter steelhead, but it may not be long.
Check out the lake stocking schedule. Go HERE to see if your favorite is on the list this week.Find the full report and forecast for Members on this page here for the Clackamas and Sandy Rivers.
North Coast Fishing Report – North coast rivers were in prime shape for most of the week, with anglers in pursuit of a limited number of returning fall Chinook. The Wilson and Kilchis, and to a lesser degree, the Nestucca, are all targets for north coast anglers. It didn’t pan out well for those that put in the effort; Chinook returns remain depressed.
Chum salmon have inundated the Kilchis River, but anglers are now prohibited from pursuing them. They are in the process of spawning, and should be left alone. They did provide fantastic sport for several weeks this year however, the run seems to have rebounded, for now at least.
The Wilson, Trask and Kilchis Rivers are the best bets for late season Chinook, but with a downturn in adults, don’t go into it with high expectations.
The Nestucca is slow, as is the Salmon, Alsea and the Siletz as returning adults are now in spawning mode.
Most anglers are hanging it up, especially after Thanksgiving, anxiously awaiting the winter steelhead to show, which is still several weeks away.
Anglers were able to spend limited time in pursuit of bottomfish last week, catches were fair out of Newport and Depoe Bay. Ocean crabbing remains closed until December 1st.
Lower Columbia River crabbing is excellent, with no signs of changing until commercial gear is dropped, whenever that may be.
TGF wants you to STAY SAFE OUT THERE! Have you seen our FREE webinar on ocean and bar safety? Check it out HERE!
See the full North Coast Report and Forecast for Members right here.
Upper Willamette River System Report – Contributor Glenn Zinkus reports
Detroit Reservoir:
Detroit is currently at 1497.9 feet- nearly the same as the last report. Mongold is accessible. Check the water levels here: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/or/nwis/uv?site_no=14180500No new fishing reports this past week. Of course, the recent cold front is affecting conditions on Detroit.
Good fishing report on the inlet into Detroit near Hoover Campground with angling from the bank opportunities. Power eggs and flies were taking trout.
Detroit was stocked during the last week of June with 4,000 trophy trout. Reports mainly continue to be the same – some good trout fishing.
Green Peter Reservoir: There are reports in the news of large fish kills in and around Green Peter, with large numbers of floating fish. More on this later as the investigation continues, with some reports of kokes down deep being affected by the rapid emptying of the reservoir.
Fishing kayaks and canoes have access. Whitcombe is closed. Thistle Creek boat ramp has been closed. Water level is at 873.5 feet. Dropping with some pulsed flows. Level can be found here: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?site_no=14186100
Smallmouth bass fishing remains good. I personally like rebels, rooster tails, and the like – an active approach to searching for fish. Jigging can be effective.
Quartzville Creek: Quartzville Creek is open all year, and just stocked in October with 2200 legal size trout. Stocking is complete for the season.
Junction City Pond: JC Pond was stocked during the last week in May with 1,000 legal size rainbows.
Timber Linn Park Pond: Was stocked with 1,000 legal size rainbows this week, and will be stocked again the week of November 20th.
South Santiam Steelhead/Salmon: Closed to to trout.
Small numbers of steelhead are present in the South Santiam, with 350 at the dam on August 29th. Running at less than last year – at about 1/3rd of last year’s numbers.
South Santiam Trout: Closed season for trout.
North Santiam Coho: Flow came up over the past day – as of the time of this writing, the North Santiam at Mehema is 2650 CFS.
Great numbers of Coho in the Willamette system right now, and it’s primetime on the North Santiam for coho.
The gate at Green’s Bridge is open – good access for bank fishing.
North Santiam Trout: Closed to trout.
Foster Reservoir: Foster was stocked during late September with 3000 legal size trout.Foster is now dropping, currently at 617.4. feet. The water levels are reported here:
https://waterdata.usgs.gov/or/nwis/uv?site_no=14186600
There are reports of some good crappie fishing on the east side.
Willamette River – Middle Fork:
It’s a great time on the Middle Fork. The Middle Fork flow is currently 3,910 CFS – spiking up earlier in the week. Little high.
When levels drop, a hopper-dropper rig with a foam October caddis and a nymph selection should be a good starting point.
Members – find the latest full report and forecast as well as past reports for Members on the Willamette Valley/Metro start on this page here.
Central Oregon Fishing Report – Contributor Glenn Zinkus reports
Lower Deschutes River:
The Lower Deschutes continues with good fishing levels. Flows have been up and down since the last report, and the flow at Madras is 4,060 CFS during the time of this writing. Flow is similar to the last report and currently at 5,040 at Moody.
There are some BWOs happening – and will be the primary dry fly. Try BWO emergers – around size 18s.
Steelhead are throughout the river. Most of the anglers floating that I know have been picking up a steelhead or two on a float, especially the multi-day floats. I’ll provide some firsthand reports in the next report.
The Guides Forecast – Lower Deschutes River:
The transition time this time around is a shift to more nymphs. Orange pupa patterns, stoneflies, and as often, perdigons in different colors. Carry BWOs, midges, and a few caddis. Don’t hesitate to use October caddis on top, especially as a hopper-dropper – stimulators and foam flies.
Steelhead are mixed through the system right now all the way up to Trout Creek. That said, this is a great time to concentrate from Maupin on down. My strategy is to fish Scandi lines during the early morning, then I go down deeper with a Skagit setup.
Middle Deschutes River: Flows are up. Fishing is quite good – with some anglers catching good numbers of fish. Fishing and access into the water is best around steelhead falls.
Nymphing is always working well – euronymphing with perdigons, and I would also use some caddis pupa patterns and general PMD/mayfly nymphs.
Upper Deschutes River: Closed as of now.
Haystack Reservoir: ODFW started stocking fish, including some rainbow broodstock to begin rebuilding after the drawdown last year. Leeches – balanced leeches are taking fish.
Lake Billy Chinook:
Metolius Arm is closed.
Fish are getting more active and fly anglers are getting in on the action. Think leeches and streamers thrown to the shore.
Crooked River: Crooked River flows are at 100 CFS currently. BWO hatches are going and will be the main hatch from now through the winter.
Nymphing is the mainstay for catching trout. Zebra midges, micro mayflies in brown or olive, with scuds and perdigons is producing.
Fall River: Fall River was stocked with 500 trophy trout last month.
The seasonal shift to BWOs and midges is on now. Jeff Perin recommends carrying all types of BWOs – including emerger, cripple and dun patterns. His personal recommendations include RS2s, film critics, sparkle duns, and knock down duns. If nymphing, which can be highly effective – think rainbow warriors, zebra midges, micro jig leeches and two bit hookers.
Go light on the tippet – at least 6X light if not a diameter smaller like 7X
If all else fails, try some streamer patterns.
Members can always see so much more in the complete report as well as the forecast for central Oregon by starting right here.
SW Oregon Fishing Report – Contributor Jeff Rome reports:
Chetco Chinook anglers had many tight lines this week after the last rain flushed more fish throughout, but will slow down this weekend as the river has dropped. Elk and Sixes anglers should also have good chances this weekend for Chinook.
Chetco Chinook fishing for the weekend should be decent and better for bank anglers. Boaters may find up river too bony to navigate right now.
The Elk and Sixes should also be options as river levels are good and should be in shape for the weekend with good numbers of fish in.
The mid and upper Rogue continues to be good to excellent for summer steelhead and half pounders. Coho are being caught for those targeting them. Falling leaves are a factor now which makes it a bit difficult.
The ocean might be good for the weekend to get out for some great bottom/ rock fishing and big Ling cod action. Crabbing is off now in the ocean, but could be decent in the bays.
Lakes worthy of fishing now are Lost Creek, Fish Lake and Lake Selmac for trout and bass.
Everyone can fish, clam and crab for free in Oregon on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 24-25. No fishing/shellfish licenses or tags are required those two days.
Marine Forecast:
It’s been hit n miss lately for getting out on the ocean, and this weekend’s opportunity looks to be maybe more of a hit than a miss especially Friday and Sunday depending where you wanna go out of. If you do get out, expect bottom/rock fish and ling cod to be biting like this last week where some big lings were caught out of Brookings
Ocean waters are now closed to recreational crabbing through Nov. 30. Unless closed due to toxin levels or if an area is closed by permanent rule, bays, beaches, estuaries, tide pools, piers and jetties are open for crabbing all year.
As mentioned in other reports, jetty fishing can also be productive but keep in mind rough conditions and sneaker waves can be dangerous….. don’t be stupid!
Be safe, be nice and enjoy! Go Beaves! 🏈
Tight Lines 🎣 – Romer
Read this week’s SW Washington fishing report.