First off, thank you to our Vets! We appreciate you.
Portland/Metro Fishing Report – With Willamette coho mostly upstream and mainstem Columbia Chinook done, metro anglers are looking elsewhere for recreational opportunities. It’s been a banner run for both systems, but anglers will have to wait for better opportunities in the new year, with spring Chinook already on the minds of many.
Sturgeon fishing on the Willamette should pick up in the coming weeks, as the Willamette often runs a few degrees warmer than the mainstem Columbia, which is certain to draw attention for these prehistoric fish.
There has already been some winter steelhead ascend Willamette Falls.
Clackamas River Fishing Report – The Clackamas has had a great return of wild and hatchery coho. Hatchery fish are up and largely out of the system so it’ll be a catch and release show at this point. The upper reaches are commonly more productive for wild coho, Eagle Creek still has a few fresh hatchery fish coming in.
Sandy River Fishing Report – Avid angler Jeff Stoeger reports, What week of weather we’ve had over the last 7 days. We’ve had almost 2.6 inches of rain and we saw the river rise to 11.35 ft and blow out to chocolate brown. The river is running at 10.85ft and is forecasted to drop to 9.8ft due to the freezing level dropping to 4000ft.
On Tuesday the river had almost three feet of good visibility and the water temp was 49 degrees. That temperature will be dropping.
The fish that were stacked at the mouth of Cedar Creek have pushed their way up to the hatchery. There have been a few fresh fish caught over the last few days.
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 anglers for the first time in a while, have seen consistent water conditions where drift boaters can get on their favorite North Coast stream. This time of year, that means a bevy of options from the Necanicum River to the north, down South to the Alsea and beyond. Most systems witnessed a significant enough rise to get fish moving and anglers catching.
Most of the effort remained focused on Tillamook County streams, with the Wilson, Trask, Nestucca and Kilchis Rivers all good options over the course of the last week.
Although the Wilson saw plenty of traffic, other rivers with fewer anglers and lesser prospects likely produced some of the better options for those that explored them. For example, Mike Roberson from Fisherman’s Marine and Outdoor in Oregon City reported that the Trask River produced great results over the last few weeks. Mike had reported double digit opportunities in his recent outings but was diligent in getting to the most productive holes early in the morning before the traffic hit.
Reports from the Wilson varied, as they often do, especially in recent years.
The Kilchis River is plugged with chum salmon. Chum have made up the bulk of the catch here, and there are plenty to catch if you employ the right gear and strategy. There are some Chinook present here as well, but you’re much more likely to come across a chum salmon, even if targeting Chinook.
The mainstem Nehalem has remained a bit too high for productive fishing. Not that there are many fresh Chinook still available for anglers, but it’s a unique opportunity to pursue them regardless. There should be lots of coho in the system, for those interested in some good catch and release opportunities.
The North Fork Nehalem fishing hotline hasn’t reported fantastic fishing in recent days. Despite ideal conditions for coho, action hasn’t been great, but they are getting some returns in the trap.
Although it is getting late on the Nestucca River system, there are often small schools of fish that will still enter under these ideal conditions.
The Salmon River is done, those early returning hatchery fish are all but spawned, with few fresh ones in the system, and fewer wild ones available too.
Siletz River anglers had another good shot of fish when the river was high. Fishing was good when the bump initially happened, but returning adults took advantage of the high water event and scooted upstream when they had the opportunity.
The Alsea shot its wad as well. Although depressed returns have been the rule here lately, there were catchable numbers available for both tidewater anglers and driftboaters alike.
Anglers fishing the coastal estuaries didn’t fare all that well, especially with excellent water conditions in the river, which drew in fair numbers of fish back to their respective systems. Tillamook Bay doesn’t have much traffic right now and Nehalem is dead for catch and effort.
There remains some crabbing effort however and success is fair to good in most north coast estuaries. Tillamook and Nestucca estuaries, as well as Netarts will continue to produce some of the better catches this fall.
There was a short window of opportunity for saltwater anglers early in the week. Port samplers saw good catches out of most ports but that opportunity won’t present itself in the near future.
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
McKenzie Flows On The Drop. Valley Ponds Are Beginning To Be Stocked.
Note the general season closed to trout angling on October 31. Lakes are open all year unless noted in the regulations. Waters listed below are open – as always, check the latest regulations.
Alton Baker Canal: Alton Baker was stocked with 750 legal size rainbows this week. Will be stocked with the same next week.
Note thatAlton Baker Canal was stocked earlier in January with 700 one pounders.
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.
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.
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. Quartzville is dropping and currently at 615 CFS at the time of this writing. Watch the rapid rises. A good, under the radar trout fishing location for the beginning of fall. It is not scheduled to be stocked, but there will be some holdovers.
Junction City Pond: JC Pond was stocked during the last week in May with 1,000 legal size rainbows. JC Pond will be stocked next week with 1,000 legal trout. Good local option for southern Willamette Valley anglers.
Timber Linn Park Pond: Was stocked with 1,000 legal size rainbows this week, and will be stocked again the week of November 20th.
EE Wilson Pond: Scheduled was stocked with 850 legal size rainbows during the first week of June. This is the last stocking for the season.
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.
Chinook, however, is better – looking 4367 at Foster on August 29. Angling success on the South Santiam is good. Most of the run is complete – peaking earlier in July.
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. Numbers are great. As of October 24th (last reported date) there are 26,599 adults over Willamette Falls, and 10,657 jacks.
The gate at Green’s Bridge is open – good access for bank fishing.
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
Weather Outlook Across Central and Eastern Oregon:
The high desert will be partly cloudy with highs in the upper 40s on Friday. Mostly cloudy conditions with highs getting into the 50s for Saturday and into the beginning of next week. There are chances of rain and rain showers mid week.
Some sun on Friday and Saturday, and mostly cloudy conditions for Sunday and Monday. Some showers possible during the mid week. Highs top out in the 50s each day.
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.
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.
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. Midges are also important – in and around size 22s. A few PMDs are out, and the midges can be going strong.
Nymphing is the mainstay for catching trout. Zebra midges, micro mayflies in brown or olive, with scuds and perdigons is producing.
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:
Big recent rains got the Chetco Chinook season in full swing with the bobber restriction lifted and enough water to navigate drift boats from the upper section. Catches have been decent and will be getting better for the weekend as the river gets back into shape. Half pounders, summer steelhead and coho are all in good numbers on the mid to upper Rogue river and should also be a good bet for the weekend. Elk and Sixes anglers should have a good shot at some early season Chinook.
Chinook action on the Chetco is a good bet for the weekend as the river is dropping into good shape. Good numbers of fish are throughout the river now and the bite is expected to be good into the weekend. Bobber restrictions upriver have now lifted so now all bait offerings are good.
The Elk and Sixes should also be options as river levels are dropping and should be in shape for the weekend.
The mid and upper Rogue continues to be good to excellent for summer steelhead and half pounders. I even managed to catch some nice ones lately Falling leaves are starting to be a factor now. Boaters and bank anglers on the middle and upper river drifting soft beads, worms and working plugs are all catching fish. Fly anglers are doing well on the upper
The ocean might be good for the weekend to get out for some great bottom/ rock fishing and big Ling cod action. Crabbing might still be off in the bays due to lots of run off from the rivers, but the ocean could be great if you can get out.
Lakes worthy of fishing now are Lost Creek, Fish Lake and Lake Selmac for trout and bass.
Marine Forecast:
The ocean forecast for the weekend looks like it might not be too bad depending on which port you go out of…. take some rain gear though. In between recent storms and rough ocean conditions, boat on the ready got some excellent ling cod action out of Brookings ! Some lings into the over 30 pound range are being caught . Other rock fish action can be good as well. Don’t expect crabbing to be great with all the fresh water entering the bays from swollen rivers until several days after.
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!
NOAA Weather Forecast for Brookings, Chetco Cove, OR
Friday High : 57ºF
NNE wind 5 to 7 kt becoming NW in the afternoon. A chance of showers, mainly before 10am. Mixed swell…W 10 ft at 14 seconds and S 1 ft at 15 seconds. Wind waves 1 to 2 ft.
Veterans Day High : 55ºF
SE wind around 6 kt becoming SW in the afternoon. A chance of rain after 10am. Mixed swell…WNW 8 to 9 ft and S 1 ft. Wind waves around 1 ft.
Sunday High : 58ºF
Variable winds 5 kt or less. Partly sunny. Mixed swell…WNW 11 ft and …becoming WNW 11 ft. Wind waves around 1 ft.
NOAA Weather Forecast for Charleston, OR
Friday High : 58ºF
Variable winds 5 kt or less. A slight chance of showers before 4pm. Mixed swell…W 11 ft at 14 seconds and S 1 ft at 14 seconds. Wind waves 1 to 2 ft.
Veterans Day High : 59ºF
S wind 10 to 15 kt. Rain, mainly between 10am and 4pm. Mixed swell…WNW 10 ft and S 1 ft. Wind waves 2 to 3 ft.
Sunday High : 61ºF
S wind around 8 kt. Mostly cloudy. Mixed swell…WNW 12 ft and …becoming WNW 12 ft. Wind waves around 1 ft.
Lakes and ponds to fish this week:
FISH LAKE: has actually increased to 47% full and is still a good choice for late season trout fishing. It might be a little chilly and some snow on the ground , but remains a favorite trout lake during the winter.
LAKE SELMAC: The bass bite has remains good and it will be an excellent weekend to enjoy the lake. Weeds are growing along the edge making it better for bass and bluegill. Power bait from shore cast over the weed edge is a good bet for trout.
LOST CREEK RESERVOIR: increasing to over 40% full now can provide decent catches of stocked and holdover trout. Cold and rainy weather has kept fishing pressure low. The Takilma ramp is open, but the main marina county ramp not usable.
Mid Coast Forecast:
COOS and Coquille RIVER BASIN:
The Coos River basin anglers are awaiting for Winter steelhead to start in the Millicoma, Coos and Coquille rivers, but will have to wait a bit more. Despite a lot of good rain, nothing reported yet. For those anglers wanting to target striped bass, the lower river would be a good bet.
Rivers and streams to fish this week:
From ODFW:
Rogue-South Coast Steelhead Validation and Harvest Tag go on sale Nov. 1
All winter steelhead anglers in the Rogue Basin and on the south coast will need a Rogue-South Coast Steelhead Validation from Dec. 1 to April 30. In addition, anglers will need a new harvest tag to keep wild winter steelhead in this area.
CHETCO RIVER: The Fall Chinook season on the Chetco is under full swing now that recent rains have flushed a lot of nice fish throughout the river and the bobber restrictions have lifted. Anglers in between rain storms and blown out conditions have scored some nice fish in tide water on up. The river is dropping into prime condition for the weekend and will be boatable. Take your rain gear and be prepared for some epic fishing!
Be safe, be nice and enjoy! Go Beaves! 🏈
Tight Lines 🎣 – Romer
Read this week’s SW Washington fishing report.