Photo above: Another happy client for pro guide Chris Vertopoulos (503-349-1377). Jeff Whaeln of Portland caught and released this Chinook from a small north coast river earlier this week.
Portland/Metro Fishing Report – The Klickitat River mouth remains the last good option for mainstem coho salmon. This fishery should last for another two weeks before it fades. Until spring Chinook start to show in March, the mainstem Columbia will be a quiet place.
Clackamas River Fishing Report – With nearly all the hatchery fish up Eagle Creek and into the facility, consumptive opportunities on the Clackamas have faded. It’ll be a wild fish show now on the Clackamas, at least until winter steelhead start to show, more likely in mid-January.
With the last rain freshet, another batch of early run coho have passed the North Fork facility, catching up to last year’s good return of over 9,000 adults. The current run is around 8,400 adults, a strong late-season show has bolstered returns.
Sandy River Fishing Report – Avid angler Jeff Stoeger reports – Well what a week it’s been! We saw the river jump to 15.77 ft on Saturday and the river is on the drop. The river is currently running at 10.3ft and is expected to drop just below 9ft by Wednesday of next week. The river temperature is currently running around 43 degrees and will drop with the current weather forecast for the next week. The temperature forecast for the next week shows the temperatures running in the low 50’s during the days with nighttime temperatures running in mid to low 30’s which will have effect on river temperatures.
Trout are being stocked in many of the Willamette Valley waterways, go HERE to check the schedule and prepare yourselves for free fishing weekend over Thanksgiving holiday.
Find the full report and forecast for Members on the Sandy and the Clackamas from this page here.
North Coast Fishing Report – The Kilchis River fished well earlier this week as anglers reported good action for mostly chum salmon. Anglers also found some Chinook, even though the return this year is pretty depressed.
The Wilson River also has a slug of chum, and some late season Chinook requiring release too.
Reports from the Nestucca have been sparse, but the river should have been in ideal shape by mid-week.
The Salmon and Nehalem systems are likely void of fresh fish, but there might have been some darker fish still lingering for the few fishermen still in pursuit.
The North Fork Nehalem is over for coho, but the hatchery reported getting its first shot of winter steelhead returns on Tuesday. Two were reported back to the trap, that should excite anglers, but it’s also a good sign as it is quite early for these fish to show this time of year.
There have been steelhead also reported in the Wilson and Trask Rivers too. It may be an exciting season for steelhead, returns of winter steelhead often mimic wild and hatchery coho returns.
The Siletz is also just coming into shape now, but the rain freshet likely sent most fish, both fresh and ripening, upstream to their spawning grounds. Fishing had dropped off dramatically just prior to the rain event.
The Alsea is done with, most fish in the system are close to spawning.
Anglers got offshore for sea bass and lingcod recently. There may be a few more days of a light swell, but it’s supposed to come up again early next week. Crabbing, salmon fishing and halibut are now closed on the big pond.
Don’t overlook fall trout 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.
Willamette River System Report – Contributor Glenn Zinkus reports:
It’s late in the season, but just like the Clackamas, the Willamette may be experiencing a late season surge of returning adults. We’re still about half of what last year’s return was, but adult numbers, relatively speaking against most years, are quire robust. There is still 30 – 60 adults per day bypassing the falls. Numbers slowed when the CFS nearly doubled from the recent rain event, but it’ll be interesting to see if they bump back up again following the current drop.
Obviously, anglers lost their drive in the crappy weather conditions, but there should be a few anglers still up to try when flows subside.
Sturgeon effort has been low, but it’s a good fall fishery for those that know how to fish it. This time of year, sturgeon respond well to frozen smelt, herring and anchovy, as well as fresh sand shrimp and squid if you can get it.
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:
Crooked River Fishing Is Back. Good Options On The Metolius and Fall River.
Weather Outlook Across Central and Eastern Oregon:
Current cold nights and cool days are the rule – with below normal temperatures for a little while. There are some snow possibilities later in the day on Friday and into the early hours of Saturday.
Highs will top in the 40s in most locations, with cold nights in the teens and 20s.
ODFW News – Angling Restrictions
Deschutes River:
The ODFW metric of a minimum of 9,900 wild (unclipped) steelhead through Bonneville was achieved back on July 23. That means the Lower Deschutes will open to steelhead angling August 15 to September 15.
The ODFW metric of a minimum of 23,100 wild steelhead through Bonneville was achieved on August 18th. That means the Lower Deschutes will remain open for the remainder of this year for steelhead angling.
John Day River:
Angling for, and retention of steelhead will be closed in the mainstem John Day above Tumwater Falls (and tributaries above this boundary) from Sept. 15-Dec. 31, 2022 due to low projected returns.
Haystack Reservoir: A temporary rule to lift limits in Haystack Reservoir will be in effect Sept. 16 through Nov. 30 as the pool will be drawn down to facilitate emergency gate maintenance.
Lower Deschutes River:
The Lower Deschutes spiked last weekend and promptly receded to nearer normal flows. Water clarity improved in the upper portions of the river above the White River confluence. Water flows near Madras are 4220 CFS. Water flows at Moody are 5000 CFS.
It’s been a nymphing game, and after the peak flows, fishing and catches improved from Trout Creek to down below Maupin. Reports are that October caddis nymphs, blue and green Perdigons – bead size adjusted up or down depending upon water speed and depth, stonefly nymphs and heavy jig style flies are taking fish.
Steelhead are now spread throughout the river and steelhead angling reports have been encouraging, as well as salmon reports down near the mouth. There are steelhead opportunities all the way up the river. Good numbers of steelhead are being caught on floating line swings.
Fall River: Fall River has been fishing well. Stocked earlier in the month with trophy trout.
At this point, BWOs will be the most prevalent. Euronymphing with a heavy red/black leech, with a zebra midge dropper accounted for some fish. Fishing with streamers and jig style streamers has been exceptional.
Metolius River:
I was at and on the Metolius today for a short afternoon session. I am still finding the Metolius quiet, with two other anglers between Allingham and Gorge. I was not at the hatchery.
Despite the sunny weather, there were a few BWOs in the air during the early afternoon, and the usual rising fish just below Allingham. When I first arrived, I watched one other angler fishing dries, and he had some success, catching a smaller fish within a few minutes. I saw other trout rising in the area.
Members can always see the latest complete reports for this section by starting right here.
Central Oregon Fishing Report – Contributor Glenn Zinkus reports:
Crooked River Fishing Is Back. Good Options On The Metolius and Fall River.
Weather Outlook Across Central and Eastern Oregon:
Current cold nights and cool days are the rule – with below normal temperatures for a little while. There are some snow possibilities later in the day on Friday and into the early hours of Saturday.
Highs will top in the 40s in most locations, with cold nights in the teens and 20s.
ODFW News – Angling Restrictions
Deschutes River:
The ODFW metric of a minimum of 9,900 wild (unclipped) steelhead through Bonneville was achieved back on July 23. That means the Lower Deschutes will open to steelhead angling August 15 to September 15.
The ODFW metric of a minimum of 23,100 wild steelhead through Bonneville was achieved on August 18th. That means the Lower Deschutes will remain open for the remainder of this year for steelhead angling.
John Day River:
Angling for, and retention of steelhead will be closed in the mainstem John Day above Tumwater Falls (and tributaries above this boundary) from Sept. 15-Dec. 31, 2022 due to low projected returns.
Haystack Reservoir: A temporary rule to lift limits in Haystack Reservoir will be in effect Sept. 16 through Nov. 30 as the pool will be drawn down to facilitate emergency gate maintenance.
Lower Deschutes River:
The Lower Deschutes spiked last weekend and promptly receded to nearer normal flows. Water clarity improved in the upper portions of the river above the White River confluence. Water flows near Madras are 4220 CFS. Water flows at Moody are 5000 CFS.
It’s been a nymphing game, and after the peak flows, fishing and catches improved from Trout Creek to down below Maupin. Reports are that October caddis nymphs, blue and green Perdigons – bead size adjusted up or down depending upon water speed and depth, stonefly nymphs and heavy jig style flies are taking fish.
Steelhead are now spread throughout the river and steelhead angling reports have been encouraging, as well as salmon reports down near the mouth. There are steelhead opportunities all the way up the river. Good numbers of steelhead are being caught on floating line swings.
Fall River: Fall River has been fishing well. Stocked earlier in the month with trophy trout.
At this point, BWOs will be the most prevalent. Euronymphing with a heavy red/black leech, with a zebra midge dropper accounted for some fish. Fishing with streamers and jig style streamers has been exceptional.
Metolius River: I was at and on the Metolius today for a short afternoon session. I am still finding the Metolius quiet, with two other anglers between Allingham and Gorge. I was not at the hatchery.
Despite the sunny weather, there were a few BWOs in the air during the early afternoon, and the usual rising fish just below Allingham. When I first arrived, I watched one other angler fishing dries, and he had some success, catching a smaller fish within a few minutes. I saw other trout rising in the area.
Members can always see the latest complete reports for this section by starting right here.
SW Oregon Fishing Report – Contributor Jeff Rome reports:
The much needed rain got most rivers enough flow to get anglers excited and some happy faces on the Chetco, Elk and Sixes. Reports of good numbers of fish and a decent bite earlier this week tapered down as this week progressed back into low and clear conditions. Restrictions still are in place on the Chetco and Winchuck until November 16th. The mid Rogue river also got a spurt of fish and angler’s attention. Conditions are decent right now and anglers should take advantage of the nice weather window to try for both steelhead and coho.
The Chetco saw some good rain to get a good flow of fish throughout the river on the bite, but it was short lived as it’s now low and clear again waiting for the next rain to get the season in full swing. Bank anglers bobber fishing with the standard shrimp/roe cocktail are and will have the best success until the next big rain. They’re now getting some up as far as Loeb Park, and you’ll have to get there early for your spot at Social Security bar. Lots of fish including jacks mixed with adults up to 25 pounds are the norm. The next big rain will/ should provide some stellar fishing here.
The Elk and Sixes also got enough rain to make fishable and decent catches during the slight “window of opportunity” that only lasted a few days. Both are now low and clear with some nice fish in the deeper holes. The Elk produced from the hatchery down to the mouth where anglers using plugs and bobber/egg combos from boats had best success. It’s another waiting rain game.
The mid-Rogue river also got enough rain to increase flow up into the mid 1600’s but is back down to 1400 cfs and dropping slowly. The river temp has also dropped to around 48 degrees. The river conditions in the mid section especially from Chinook park down to Griffin Park is good and there’s good opportunity for remaining summer steelhead and coho. Those targeting coho by twitching jigs in the deeper slow holes have a good chance right now as well. Just remember that only hatchery fish (of any type) can be kept! A friend of mine reported that he caught 2 coho (1 each hatchery and wild) down “around Galice” on Wednesday…… I need to get this report done so I can go wet a line this afternoon!🎣😎
The lower Rogue River action has reduced to few anglers targeting coho and half pounders from Indian Creek on up to Agnes with fair success.
The main Umpqua saw an increased number of Chinook being caught after the last rain, but the fish quality is starting to deteriorate. The last rain did see a few brighter fish in the mix and should still provide opportunity.
The ocean looks to be off for several days depending on the port due to cold windy conditions.
Jeff’s expanded report, multiple lake updates, and forecast in this week’s version for Members!