03-26-2011, 02:15 PM
[font "Tahoma"][size 2]Willamette Valley/Metro- After a slow-down in spring chinook fishing on the Columbia in the Portland area, catches picked up on Tuesday. Winter run-off has been high, likely due to low elevation snow melt, causing fish to not respond as well as they normally would for late March. If flows continue to moderate, the last stretch of the Columbia season should produce good catches.[/size][/font]
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[font "Tahoma"][size 2]Although fishery managers haven’t been forthcoming for where the sport fleet is on the Columbia quota, optimistic anglers are hopeful for additional time downstream of Rooster Rock. April 4th is the proposed spring chinook closure for metro anglers.[/size][/font]
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[size 2]Flows at Willamette Falls are moderating and catches should improve by the weekend. Summer steelhead passage is ramping up as winter counts drop off. Clarity of the lower Willamette is fair, springer fishing is slow. It will be crowded after the Columbia closes April 4th. [/size]
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[size 2]Steelhead catches have picked up although only a few are scoring on the Clackamas. The level is high but the color is good. Experienced anglers are noting the action isn’t as good as it was last year but the broodstock keepers to wild fish ratio is improving.[/size]
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[size 2][font "Tahoma"]Although high, the Sandy River came into good color over the past weekend and has been dropping since. Fishing was good last weekend and if water levels remain stable, action should continue to improve. [/font][/size]
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Northwest – After weeks of less than ideal conditions, north coast streams are in prime shape and producing good numbers of steelhead. Peak season is now and consistent catches are coming from nearly every north coast stream and river.[/font]
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[font "Tahoma"]The Wilson has been producing well throughout the system but as flows drop, the lower sections will get the freshest fish. Bank anglers should have access to good numbers downstream of Lee’s Camp. Anglers may have to drop down in size and color by the weekend as the water clears. [/font]
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[font "Tahoma"]The Nestucca has been producing as well. With both broodstock and wild fish available, anglers have seen some of the best action of the season this week. By the weekend however, catches will likely slow but fish should remain available on the lower reaches.[/font]
[font "Tahoma"]Smaller streams such as the Necanicum fished well late last week and over the weekend. Those systems are clear now with fish only likely to bite at first light. Many smaller coastal rivers close to steelhead on March 31st so check regulations before heading out.[/font]
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[font "Tahoma"]Spring chinook opens in the Tillamook district on April 1st. The first fish really won’t show until at least mid-April with the peak later in May. After a good season last year, anticipation is running high.[/font]
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[font "Tahoma"]Sturgeon effort was increasing over spring break but fishing was fair at best. Bay clam diggers took more interest in the minus tide series with options running into the weekend. Tillamook Bay diggers were taking limits of cockles on Tuesday.[/font]
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[font "Tahoma"]Razor clam diggers in Oregon haven’t been doing as well as Long Beach Washington diggers. Success is sure to slow by the weekend. Crabbing in the lower Columbia remains good but strong tides will limit success until next week.[/font]
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[size 2]Southwest – Charters were able to get out of central Oregon ports over the past weekend to take limits or near-limits of rockfish and excellent catches of large ling cod from deeper water. The ocean closes for bottom fishing outside the 40-fathom line on April 1st. Ocean chinook fishing is open through April 30th with the summer season to be set at a later date.[/size]
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[size 2]All-depth halibut will open May 12th for select Thursday through Saturday retention periods from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain. Details will follow as the opener nears.[/size]
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[size 2]Surf perch fishing has improved and is good on south coast beaches when the ocean isn't too rough.[/size]
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[size 2]The sturgeon bite in Winchester Bay has yet to turn on. Crabbing is fair. The Umpqua system has settled down with little change in flows expected during the coming week although water color should improve.[/size]
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[size 2]Crabbing in Coos Bay is slow to fair.[/size]
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[size 2]The Elk River was marginally fishable late last week with the winter steelhead season wrapping up. Early this week, the level was 5.5 feet and the water was clear.[/size]
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[size 2]Level and flow are dropping on the lower Rogue. Early spring chinook results were good so prospects are positive as conditions improve this week. Drift boats on the middle Rogue have a decent shot at end-of-season winter steelhead when water conditions cooperate with side-drifting most productive. Winter steelhead catches will continue to improve on the upper Rogue.[/size]
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[size 2]Tsunami damage remains evident in the Port of Brookings. Rough offshore conditions are in the forecast. If accurate, ocean fishing will not be an option through the coming weekend. Prospects are fair for late-run winters this coming weekend.[/size]
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[size 2]Eastern – Wallowa Reservoir is producing limits of larger-than-average kokanee to anglers using bright-colored jigs.[/size]
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[size 2]Kokanee fishing has been slow at Green Peter with the water level very low. Water temperature is in the low to mid-40s.[/size]
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[size 2][font "Tahoma"]Trollers are taking good numbers of kokanee along with a few bull trout at Lake Billy Chinook.[/font][/size]
[size 2]SW Washington – Steelheaders are experiencing good catches after a long period of poor water conditions. The Kalama and Cowlitz Rivers are the best bets with bait producing good results for side-drifters. As flows drop, fish will become more receptive to plugs.[/size]
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[size 2]The Cowlitz is fast becoming a great late season option for steelheaders. With the new broodstock program on-line, late March and early April should produce good catches of quality sized steelhead. Plunkers were taking fair numbers of fish in the lower reaches while Blue Creek anglers were scoring on drifted baits.[/size]
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[size 2]Spring chinook should fall on the heels of the late winter steelhead run. The Cowlitz, Kalama and Lewis Rivers should receive fair runs this year but down from the previous year’s returns.[/size]
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[font "Tahoma"][size 2] [/size][/font]
[font "Tahoma"][size 2]Although fishery managers haven’t been forthcoming for where the sport fleet is on the Columbia quota, optimistic anglers are hopeful for additional time downstream of Rooster Rock. April 4th is the proposed spring chinook closure for metro anglers.[/size][/font]
[font "Tahoma"][size 2] [/size][/font]
[size 2]Flows at Willamette Falls are moderating and catches should improve by the weekend. Summer steelhead passage is ramping up as winter counts drop off. Clarity of the lower Willamette is fair, springer fishing is slow. It will be crowded after the Columbia closes April 4th. [/size]
[size 2] [/size]
[size 2]Steelhead catches have picked up although only a few are scoring on the Clackamas. The level is high but the color is good. Experienced anglers are noting the action isn’t as good as it was last year but the broodstock keepers to wild fish ratio is improving.[/size]
[size 2] [/size]
[size 2][font "Tahoma"]Although high, the Sandy River came into good color over the past weekend and has been dropping since. Fishing was good last weekend and if water levels remain stable, action should continue to improve. [/font][/size]
[font "Tahoma"] [/font][font "Tahoma"]
Northwest – After weeks of less than ideal conditions, north coast streams are in prime shape and producing good numbers of steelhead. Peak season is now and consistent catches are coming from nearly every north coast stream and river.[/font]
[font "Tahoma"] [/font]
[font "Tahoma"]The Wilson has been producing well throughout the system but as flows drop, the lower sections will get the freshest fish. Bank anglers should have access to good numbers downstream of Lee’s Camp. Anglers may have to drop down in size and color by the weekend as the water clears. [/font]
[font "Tahoma"] [/font]
[font "Tahoma"]The Nestucca has been producing as well. With both broodstock and wild fish available, anglers have seen some of the best action of the season this week. By the weekend however, catches will likely slow but fish should remain available on the lower reaches.[/font]
[font "Tahoma"]Smaller streams such as the Necanicum fished well late last week and over the weekend. Those systems are clear now with fish only likely to bite at first light. Many smaller coastal rivers close to steelhead on March 31st so check regulations before heading out.[/font]
[font "Tahoma"] [/font]
[font "Tahoma"]Spring chinook opens in the Tillamook district on April 1st. The first fish really won’t show until at least mid-April with the peak later in May. After a good season last year, anticipation is running high.[/font]
[font "Tahoma"] [/font]
[font "Tahoma"]Sturgeon effort was increasing over spring break but fishing was fair at best. Bay clam diggers took more interest in the minus tide series with options running into the weekend. Tillamook Bay diggers were taking limits of cockles on Tuesday.[/font]
[font "Tahoma"] [/font]
[font "Tahoma"]Razor clam diggers in Oregon haven’t been doing as well as Long Beach Washington diggers. Success is sure to slow by the weekend. Crabbing in the lower Columbia remains good but strong tides will limit success until next week.[/font]
[font "Tahoma"] [/font]
[size 2]Southwest – Charters were able to get out of central Oregon ports over the past weekend to take limits or near-limits of rockfish and excellent catches of large ling cod from deeper water. The ocean closes for bottom fishing outside the 40-fathom line on April 1st. Ocean chinook fishing is open through April 30th with the summer season to be set at a later date.[/size]
[size 2] [/size]
[size 2]All-depth halibut will open May 12th for select Thursday through Saturday retention periods from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain. Details will follow as the opener nears.[/size]
[size 2] [/size]
[size 2]Surf perch fishing has improved and is good on south coast beaches when the ocean isn't too rough.[/size]
[size 2] [/size]
[size 2]The sturgeon bite in Winchester Bay has yet to turn on. Crabbing is fair. The Umpqua system has settled down with little change in flows expected during the coming week although water color should improve.[/size]
[size 2] [/size]
[size 2]Crabbing in Coos Bay is slow to fair.[/size]
[size 2] [/size]
[size 2]The Elk River was marginally fishable late last week with the winter steelhead season wrapping up. Early this week, the level was 5.5 feet and the water was clear.[/size]
[size 2] [/size]
[size 2]Level and flow are dropping on the lower Rogue. Early spring chinook results were good so prospects are positive as conditions improve this week. Drift boats on the middle Rogue have a decent shot at end-of-season winter steelhead when water conditions cooperate with side-drifting most productive. Winter steelhead catches will continue to improve on the upper Rogue.[/size]
[size 2] [/size]
[size 2]Tsunami damage remains evident in the Port of Brookings. Rough offshore conditions are in the forecast. If accurate, ocean fishing will not be an option through the coming weekend. Prospects are fair for late-run winters this coming weekend.[/size]
[size 2] [/size]
[size 2]Eastern – Wallowa Reservoir is producing limits of larger-than-average kokanee to anglers using bright-colored jigs.[/size]
[size 2] [/size]
[size 2]Kokanee fishing has been slow at Green Peter with the water level very low. Water temperature is in the low to mid-40s.[/size]
[size 2] [/size]
[size 2][font "Tahoma"]Trollers are taking good numbers of kokanee along with a few bull trout at Lake Billy Chinook.[/font][/size]
[size 2]SW Washington – Steelheaders are experiencing good catches after a long period of poor water conditions. The Kalama and Cowlitz Rivers are the best bets with bait producing good results for side-drifters. As flows drop, fish will become more receptive to plugs.[/size]
[size 2] [/size]
[size 2]The Cowlitz is fast becoming a great late season option for steelheaders. With the new broodstock program on-line, late March and early April should produce good catches of quality sized steelhead. Plunkers were taking fair numbers of fish in the lower reaches while Blue Creek anglers were scoring on drifted baits.[/size]
[size 2] [/size]
[size 2]Spring chinook should fall on the heels of the late winter steelhead run. The Cowlitz, Kalama and Lewis Rivers should receive fair runs this year but down from the previous year’s returns.[/size]
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