Portland Oregon / Metro Fishing Report – Fall Chinook are still a fairly good option for metro anglers. Chinook catches continue to keep anglers interested from Portland to Bonneville Dam and in upstream reserviors including the Bonneville and Dalles Pools. Coho are available as well and taking the same gear being deployed for Chinook.
Anglers fishing upstream of Willamette Falls are finding willing coho daily in the troll fishery. Boaters are trolling 360° flashers and spinners in the main channel, and casting spinners and jigs at the tributary mouths in the early morning. Numbers of Willamette Falls indicate a banner return this year; too bad they simply don’t bite better in freshwater.
Clackamas River Fishing Report – The Clackamas is seeing a great return of coho, but anglers remain more frustrated than satisfied with the catch rates. It’s just the nature of this species. There are fish in higher concentrations upstream of Barton, the lower river has gone cold in recent days.
Eagle Creek also has plenty of catchable coho available, when they actually bite. It looks like another great return for the Clackamas, Sandy and Willamette systems this season.
Sandy River Fishing Report – As of this post the river was low and clear and fish were caught throughout the entire river system for most of the week. I went to drift Wednesday morning only to find out that the river took a huge bump, going up over eight feet and turned chocolate brown. The snow we received with the last rain event had melted and turned the river brown.
The Cedar Creek hatchery has been a combat zone with tons of anglers shoulder to shoulder. A buddy counted almost sixty cars there and saw lots of snagging happening. Those who fish up in that area and are snagging are going to cause the state to close that area to fishing. Please contact the hatchery or call OSP and report snaggers. I heard of reports from a few anglers that their vehicles were broken into and tires slashed, gas siphoned. Please leave all valuables either locked in your trunk or leave them at home for those who are committing these crimes are watching these areas for a quick and easy getaway.
Watch the river levels to plan your next outing. So Wishing you all the best and tight lines.”
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 – Following the recent rain freshet, what Chinook were in the estuary and tidewater reaches of some north coast systems, slipped upstream even though river rises were minimal. Another river rise is forecasted for next week and although it’s likely to be moderate, should still stimulate migration for salmon getting ready to spawn.
Tillamook Bay has been producing sporadic catches of fall Chinook and tides are waning, which will draw most of the interest to the lower bay and jaws. Ocean coho fishing is now closed but anglers may still target Chinook offshore in some areas. Check regulations adjacent to your favorite estuary before going out.
Nehalem Bay seems to be sparse on Chinook, but robust on wild coho. Wild coho retention continues through mid-October on Wednesdays and Saturdays only. The North Fork Nehalem is still awaiting their return of hatchery coho, only a few made it upstream on the last rain freshet.
The Salmon and Nestucca remain fair options for both boat and bank anglers, more fresh fish came in recently, slightly improving catches in the tidewater reaches of these systems.
The Alsea remains slow, but the Siletz is again proving to be the north coast staple this year. It’s crowded but catches are fair to good most days. Early October is often the peak here, but soft tides this weekend will likely slow catch rates.
Yaquina Bay has not produced fantastic results this season, but there’s still more season to go. Chinook action has been disappointing, but that’s not surprising this year.
Bay crabbing continues to pick up and so is ocean success. It seems the estuaries have more hard-shelled keepers available however.
Razor clam digging officially re-opened this week, but tides aren’t conducive to successful digging for another week or so. There appears to be lots of juveniles so unless you want small ones, look for the bigger shows when the tides turn back towards more extreme.
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.
SW Oregon Fishing Report – Contributor Jeff Rome reports:
Rain on the way… Angler’s anxious for outcome
The last recent rain got more fish moving and biting from the Chetco estuary on up to Winchester and Coos bay and more rain is in the forecast Sunday/ Monday to bring on another good opportunity. The Rogue Bay has slowed down for Chinook, but coho numbers are increasing. Upriver on the Rogue, summer steelhead catches have been good with a few coho in the mix. The Coos and Coquille systems are also seeing fair to good catches of Chinook and coho. The lower Umpqua is producing some nice Chinook now. The ocean goers have a good break to get out on the ocean for rock/bottom fish. Weather outlook for getting out on the water and along the river banks is looking great for the weekend until another rain event will come in early next week.
The Rogue Bay is seeing a slowdown both in catches and boaters. Those that were out “working it” after the last rain got some nice fish, but unfortunately, it’s now back to slow. On the bright side, half pounders and coho numbers have increased.
The mid and upper Rogue has been good to excellent for summer steelhead especially after the last bit of rain. Anglers targeting Chinook have to be below Hog creek now, but have had fair action. Some coho are starting to show and anglers should start to target them after this next rain.
The Chetco estuary saw some good to excellent Chinook catches along with a few coho. There’s a fair number of fish- Chinook, coho and jacks in the river and the next rain should bring another big shot of opportunity for anglers.
The Coquille and Coos river systems are seeing increased Fall Chinook and coho action.
The main Umpqua in the lower is seeing increased Chinook catches.
Be safe, be nice and enjoy! Go Beaves! 🏈
Jeff’s expanded reports, multiple lake updates, and forecasts including his past reports can be found here for Members! There is SO much more.
Read our latest SW Washington fishing report.