Portland, Oregon Metro Fishing Report – Low, cold and clear water isn’t motivated many anglers on the mainstem Columbia or Willamette Rivers, set aside the fact that there aren’t many fish around.
With springers a no-show so far, about the only metro fishery on either of these bodies of water is winter steelhead at Meldrum Bar. Despite being a large river, low flows have steelhead migrating (albeit slow in these cold water conditions) further offshore, out of the reach of many plunkers.
A forecasted river rise on the Willamette next week should change the game for plunkers although most of the steelhead coming in the 2nd half of the season will be wild in nature, so plan on more catch and release fishing then take-home opportunities.
Nobody in their right mind is sturgeon fishing right now. That may change if/when the smelt show up on the mainstem Columbia. It shouldn’t be long.
Clackamas River Fishing Report – Few metro anglers will welcome hydrological changes than those that fish the Clackamas and Sandy Rivers. Cold, clear water has plagued these bigger river systems, freezing the bite and slowing migration and new fish entering the system. Warmer, wetter weather will be a welcome change.
Clackamas River steelheaders didn’t do all that well this week. Low, clear and cold water is to blame, but of course a few anglers scored some fish last week.
Mike Roberson from Fisherman’s Marine in Oregon City reports this on Clackamas River success this week. Mike reports, “It’s been a slow week on the Clackamas; low and clear water conditions persist, making for below-freezing temperatures, making fishing tough. I’m looking forward to next week, a lot of improvement in the weather.
Sandy River fishing report, avid angler Jeff Stoeger reports – This report is going to be on the short side. The weather has been playing havoc all over the state. The current river level is running 8.6ft and the river temp is 36 degrees. The extended forecast is for warmer weather by the weekend with a good amount of rain.
The weather service is predicting the river to take a large bump Saturday going into Monday with the river peaking around 12ft. The lower level snow will be melting, which will help with the river level jumping.
The current number of fish that have returned to the hatchery as of today was 76 hatchery and the number of broodstock fish is on the low end.
If you don’t want to fish, you can head to the sportsman’s show at the expo center. You will find some great buys on fishing, hunting, and other items also check your favorite sporting goods store as they will have in-store specials.
North & Central Coast Fishing Report – With persistent low and clear water, steelheaders working coastal waters struggled for consistent success this week. A forthcoming change in the weather will be most welcome, we’re in peak season for late run steelhead on all north coast systems.
Late-season streams are the place to be, with quality broodstock steelhead coming back to the Wilson, Nestucca, Siletz, Alsea, and NF Nehalem hatchery.
Wild fish are coming back in every other stream, including the ones listed above.
The mainstem Nehalem has the best water conditions right now and through the weekend but that doesn’t negate the fact the water is cold and fish are lethargic. That should change next week, with a steady diet of rain and warmer temperatures, but we’ll cover the river-by-river forecast for Steelhead and Chinook Members in the full version of this week’s newsletter. It should be a good week of fishing once the river rises come.
Calm seas enabled bottomfishers to get after abundant numbers of lingcod and sea bass. Although sport crabbing success is limited, it’s still a fair option as more commercial crabbers are stacking out due to low returns on their investment of time. A one or two-keeper/pot average is not a big money maker although they are getting $7.80/lb!
Clammers were pleased on the last minus tide series just a few days ago. We called that one in our forecast in last week’s newsletter. It’ll be a while until we see another minus tide series.
Upper Willamette River System Report – Besides a few wild steelhead still making their way upstream, it’s still quiet in the upper Willamette Basin. As springtime approaches, however, we’ll have renowned outdoor writer Terry Otto on the trail, bringing you all the best information as to what you should be fishing for.
Central Oregon Fishing Report
Deschutes, Metolius, and Fall River all are fishing well for trout. reservoir releases may keep the Crooked River too high for good action over the next few weeks.
The deep freeze is beginning to let up, and the deep cold of the last few weeks should move out of central Oregon. In Maupin, the temps will allow for more comfortable fishing, or it would, if the snow does not get too deep. The winter storm should pass by the early week, and if the snow is not too deep, fishing in the Deschutes, Metolius, and Fall Rivers should produce good trout fishing. However, releases from reservoirs to control flooding might make the Crooked River too high for good action.
Lower Deschutes River
The river at the Moody Rapids is running at about 4850 cfs, and is expected to rise to about 4,900 cfs by late next week. The water temperature at the Pelton Regulating Dam is currently 43 degrees F.
Amy Hazel of the Deschutes Angler Fly shop in Madras, reports that trout anglers are doing well for trout in the Maupin area, and she said that the warmer weather on its way really will not matter to the trout. The fish are in winter mode, and differences in the temps do not change their patterns much.
“Fish don’t mind that colder weather,” she said. I don’t think it makes a difference to them, but it does for the fishermen.”
The upper and middle Deschutes River is closed for the season, except the stretch from Lake Billy Chinook to Benham Falls.
The steelhead run has finished for the year.
Lake Billy Chinook to Benham Falls:
Open to fishing all year. Anglers report fair fishing around Dillon Falls, upstream of the Old Mill area in Bend and around Tumalo State Park. Nymphing has been the most effective method.
Lake Billy Chinook
The ODFW reports that anglers are getting some kokanee and bull trout, but there is no report on methods or baits. The Metolius arm of the lake is closed to fishing. The lake’s resorts are closed for the winter, although there is boat launch access at the Lower Deschutes, Upper Deschutes, and Crooked River day-use areas.
Metolius River
The Fly Fishers Place in Sisters reports that some anglers are having 15 fish days on the river, even with the cold weather. Because the Metolius is dominated by springs, its average temperature of 48 degrees F. and base flow of 1,460 cubic feet per second remain nearly constant year-round, providing a benefit to both fish and anglers.
Nymphing has been the go-to method on the Metolius River, as well as pre-hatch and dry flies as the BWO hatch starts in the afternoon. Both methods are taking trout, and the list of effective flies includes Perdigons, Frenchies, Eggs, Caddis Pupa (Tan 14-16, Orange 8-10, Amber 14) Micro Mayfly, 2 Bit Hookers and both euro style streamers or big articulated streamers that you can swing, strip or fish under an indicator.
The Crooked River
The Crooked River has been running high and icy, a result of releases from the Prineville and Ochoco reservoirs to control flooding. The Bureau of Reclamation reports that anglers should expect increasing discharges in the Crooked River from Bowman Dam and Ochoco Creek from Ochoco Dam for the foreseeable future.
Fall River
Snowy conditions have made access along the river difficult, but with consistent temps fed by spring water, the trout continue to feed.
Look for afternoon BWO hatches in a size 18 or 20, and small black Midges in a 22-24. This is 7x tippet time, so get a spool of that and you’ll fool more fish certainly.
Knock Down and KD Duns, Film Critics, RS2, Captive Dun, and Sparkle Duns are great flies now.
Euro Streamers, especially Olive or Black have been our best producers on most days.
Flows and lake levels can be found here.
SW Oregon Fishing Report – Contributor Jeff Rome reports:
Rain is in the forecast pre-weekend which should increase flow and warm the water up for winter steelheaders anxious to get back out for winter chrome. Sunday is looking like the best opportunity in most places. It’s been almost a week of frosty weather and low and clear rivers like the Chetco, Elk, and Sixes have anglers’ reel fingers twitching to get back out. The Rogue River has been the most favorable lately with hardy winter anglers picking up some nice winter steelhead in the middle section. The lower and upper sections have been lackluster, but hopes are high that it will pick up soon. The Umps should also fish decent later this weekend and into the first part of next week before more rain is expected. Blustery ocean conditions are predicted with Saturday looking like a break to get out for some excellent rock fish and ling cod fishing. Rain and snow melt might put good crabbing off a bit.
The Chetco, Elk and Sixes should be fishing well for the weekend after some good rainfall latter week. There are decent numbers of fish in these rivers and the time of year is right now for close to peak steelhead season. Take your raingear and hand warmers!
The Rogue River particularly the middle section has produced some nice winter chromers lately. Fishing has been tough though with sub-freezing temperatures this week. Upcoming rain is expected to spike flow into Saturday, so Sunday and into early next week will be good as the river drops. Best bet for boaters would be doing floats from Rogue River on down to Hog Creek. Bank anglers’ side drifting worms or roe at Chinook Park, Schroeder Park, Griffin Park and Robertson Bridge could also see some decent action. The Applegate got a bit too low and cold that put off the bite that was decent prior. The rain should provide good opportunity to hit is again for the weekend.
Ocean Goers should be able to get out for some good winter bottom fishing and ling cod action hopefully on Saturday. Crabbing has been good in the ocean and bays but will probably be off a bit until the rain and snow melt dissipate.
The main Ump will be a bit high after some rain, but Sunday and into early next week looks promising until the next rain mid-week. The North and South Forks should also be in good fishable shape for the latter weekend. Both have been producing fair catches of winter steelhead.
Tight Lines 🎣 – Romer
Read this week’s SW Washington fishing report.