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Oregon Fishing Report & Winter Steelhead Preview
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| OREGON |
The Clackamas
River is somewhat lower than average for this time of year.
Currently 1600 CFS with a gauge height of 11.7 feet, the river
is a shallow run but plenty doable for hard boats. Fish are
spread throughout the river, with the main population of fish
yet to arrive. Best fishing on the river
will be between Feldheimer and Carver, but there should be some
fish in the McIver area with the regularity of winter fish passing
up and over the North Fork Dam.
Water temperatures have taken a big drop recently and we're
about to embark on the coldest water time of the year. Current
temperatures are about 40 degrees in the river. I wouldn't
expect them to rise much until late February.
The Clack at this time is friendly to both the spey and single-handed
angler. Low levels have created more back-casting room for single
hand fly anglers and some fish will hold high in runs seeking
greater cover. Two-handed anglers will have an advantage as
traditionally deeper zones are fishing well and can
sometimes be a long cast away. You'll not need your mega
T-14 now. Shorter lengths of 8-12' will be most effective or
else lighten up with T-11 or T-8. If you're running 15'
Rio tips, consider a Type VI.
Everyone has their preferences, but I like large Intruder type
flies now. I'd potentially look at something in the style
but more sparsely tied with the lower water. As levels rise,
fly size and tip weights should increase. Loop Leeches,
Hickman's Party Boy and Foxee Prawn's are all good flies
to start with for the Clack. |
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 It's
the last hurrah out here for steelhead, folks. After Christmas,
give these fish the gift of leaving them alone till next July.
They've got business to attend to and there's certainly somewhere
new to look for a chrome fish. Moral of the story...if you want
to catch a summer fish (on purpose), you've got about 2 weeks
to make it happen. Anglers will want to fish tips throughout
the day in order to show their best game. Temperatures have
dropped into the 48 degree range and appear to be declining
a little each day. Water flow is hovering in the 4500-4600 CFS
range.
If you're drifting flies for fish, it's going to
be tough to beat a stonefly / prince or stonefly / pheasant
tail combo. Sure there are other flies that will work...green
rock worms, egg flies, and Barr flies among them, but fish in
the river now have returned to some semblance of freshwater
feeding and the combination of a stone and a prince or PT are
proven weapons.
Swinging flies...here's a secret weapon, break out the old-school
black or purple articulated leeches. Otherwise, leaded string
leech patterns like the Loop and Party Boy will be "go-to".
I'd also throw Silvey's Tube, the Sturza tube and a Sig Intruder
in there. Slow the swings a touch from summer style, though
not full blown winter slow. You're going to find some water
sections are going to look for a different tip than others based
on water speed. Be prepared with at least 15 footers in 3, 6
and 8.
Trout fishing is still going well in the Maupin "all-year"
area, fish backeddies, seam lines and along the banks for best
result. Blue Wing Olive's will make up the majority of
dry fly activity with some potential for midging. Otherwise,
get together with your top 10 nymphs and strap on an indicator.
All your basics are in full effect now. Keep your rod tips high. |
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No surprise here,
the Sandy is low. 1140 CFS and still on the drop, however the
river is fishable at the moment. It's going to snap cold
this weekend which should help stabilize the Sandy. Very low
freezing levels will keep the river clear as well as cold. Ideally
we're looking for another good flush of rain to really
get this river rocking, but it's looking like its on hold
for a bit.
Beware of over-tipping in this river right now. The Sandy will
snag you up on a good water level day...at low levels, heavy
tippers beware. Try flies a bit out of the box right now. Red,
Pink and Black are all good choices with clear visability on
this river.
Remember the river is open from the confluence with the Salmon
downstream. Traditional fish runs have morphed into a slightly
later run here with the hatchery program now a broodstock fish
program. |
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Broken record
time...the coastal rivers are low. However, Coast Rivers are
influenced by tides and regardless of flows, tides will always
have an effect on fish movement on an inbound journey. You may
want to check the tide charts, but we've got some huge one's
coming this weekend. Also remember...everywhere on the coast
gets a winter fish return, get out and explore! Fish lies are
going to be more obvious with the low water. It's possible there
will be snow in the Coast range this weekend, use caution when
traveling west.
Big and Gnat Creeks - There are fish in both drainages.
Keep your eyes peeled. Shorter rods are the rule out here. Be
very careful driving out this way early in the morning, Highway
30 is notorious for serious slickness and bad news pileups.
Necanicum River - I'm hearing reports of early season
logjams which are nothing out of the ordinary early in the season,
but use caution when boating. There are confirmed catches of
winter steel here and short swings and dead drift fishing work
well. Always one of the first producers, there is a ton of great
water here, but exercise caution with respect to private property.
Folks do not take kindly to the trespassing thing here.
N. Fork Nehalem and Nehalem River - I'm lumping
together for now. Best prospects are on the North Fork below
the hatchery now, but it's not a bad time to fish the
mainstem. It's about as clear and low as it'll ever
get, both making casts more manageable and good visibility for
scouting the river in anticipation of future levels a unique
opportunity. Fish have been caught on the N. Fork with some
regularity. Here's the annual warning...don't
boat the North Fork, it is highly expert territory. The Nehalem
is at 1400 CFS and still on a slow drop.
Kilchis and Miami River -Angling for winters here has
been slow, it's a tad early yet. Beware of a logjam on
the lower river...apparently passable but this river can
show off some sneaky sweepers. The Kilchis is going to need
some water before starting to rock. Ditto the Miami.
Wilson River - The Wilson is amongst your better prospects
now, if only for the fish return itself being larger than most.
There has been some good angling higher in the system for fish
that blasted in on the cusp of initial rains a month ago. The
lower river will be better for fresh chrome however with the
Wilson at low flow. You'll need to explore all fishable
areas of the water to come up with a fish right now. Good news
is with the river down, they are a little easier to find. The
Wilson is at 750 and on a slow drop.
Trask River - The Trask is....you guessed it, low.
Use caution boating here, things can get bony. If you don't
leave half the bottom of your boat on the rocks at the slide,
you'll make up for it if you don't watch where you're
going. They'll be some fish around, but traditionally
the Trask doesn't start rolling till later in the winter.
Nestucca River - One of the better coastal options typically,
the Nestucca is difficult to judge in its current emaciated
state. There have been a few fish caught, but exploration here
for the season has been a trickle thus far. Running 535 CFS
and on the slow drip, prospects here will benefit greatly from
some precipitation. Use caution if boating.
Siletz River - You'll find a mix of fish here. Older
summers, new winters would make the town drift worth a shot.
Hatchery fish are recycled here. The river is currently 646
CFS and also on the slow drop.
Alsea River - The Alsea has always been the traditional
early starter with a huge hatchery program, that program has
switched to broodstock however, so we're not off to the
early start we're accustomed to. Time's they are
a changin'. The Alsea is down to 339 CFS on the graph.
However, there are good reports of fish in the mainstem. Until
we have a significant rain event, focus your efforts on the
lower section of the river.
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We'll start
with the best bets and move on down to the...shots in the
dark section.
Kalama River - There are winter fish here in the waters
below the canyon. Anglers have caught fish everywhere between
Red Barn and Modrow. This is a good spot to catch a big winter.
If you want to tap all the fishable water you'll need
to be prepared with both a dead-drift rig and a swing rig. Go
heavy on the tip and definitely focus on the tailouts of deep
holes.
Lewis River - Fly anglers will want to take the longest
look at the East Fork. Winter fish are here. Methodology should
be similar to that of the Kalama. Might be a tad bit bony for
the drifty up there at the time though, about 400 CFS.
Washougal & Elochman Rivers - You'll find similar
fish conditions to the previous two rivers with more private
property issues.
Cowlitz River - Returns to Blue Creek are picking back
up with winter fish. So will traffic on the river, most angling
happens within a mile of Blue Creek. If you can get outside
that circle, you'll find a little more solace.
Hood River - Counts at Powerdale were on the rise, but
have tapered back off. Like everywhere else the Hood needs some
water, but it's worth a poke if you're out this
way.
Assorted Gorge Drainages - most places out here get a
winter run. Some investigation along the lower stretches of
these creeks will result in potential encounters with fish.
Klickitat - Is closed for the year.
Out east - there is still potential here for summer fish and
gas is cheap! The John Day, Grande Ronde, and Imnaha rivers
are still making the magic happen. Bundle up and watch out for
icebergs when wading. |
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| Not many fish passing yet
over Willamette Falls. This always traditionally gets a lot
better after Santa stops by. Look for more favorable fish counts
in January. The Mollala will turn on as a good wild fishery
option and subsequently the Santiam. |
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WASHINGTON
Yakima River
Things have definitely cooled off, but not “that”
much. It’s still prevailingly mild compared to how oppressively
frigid temps can become this time of year. Consequently, midge
emergences are not out of the equation and can be sought out,
and discovered, through keen observation focused towards the
middle of the day. If confronted with barely discernable, all
too subtle riseforms, those trout can be met by way of midge
emergers and adults. Otherwise, streamers and tandem nymph rigs
are the standby offerings moving forward. Either way, no need
to sacrifice precious “z’s”, as things usually
won’t get going until sometime past noon. Just keep the
eyes peeled for those subtle riseforms while ripping streamers
or high-sticking nymph rigs.
Snoqualmie River/Skykomish River
Early hatchery winter-runs are the opportunity of the moment,
just starting to show up on the Sky and Snoqualmie, with weeks
to go before this window closes. Given some extra time, the
Peninsula is in full hatchery winter-run mode as of right now,
as is the Skagit (Cascade fish).
Puget Sound Lowland Lakes
Occasional good reports continue to trickle in weekly from Pass
and Lone. Sinking lines (type2 – 5) and leeches, buggers,
and bloodworms are the “program”. As long as frigid
temps remain at bay, expect these stillwaters to fish fair-to-well,
with trout tending to cruise in 12-feet of water and deeper.
Low and slow.. and have some extra layers, and hot beverages,
near at hand.
For a closer option to the Seattle area, try Beaver on the Issaquah
Plateau. Same program: low and slow.
Puget Sound Beaches
The South Sound has been steady for a few Sea-run Cutthroat
and good numbers of high-teen inch resident Silvers. Lincoln
Park and Carkeek have not been far behind. Candlefish patterns,
Spiders, Sand Eels off floating or intermediate lines are still
the usual go-to’s, with euphasids due to grow more important
as winter gets moving along here shortly.
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