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| Kaufmann Streamborn Northwest Fishing Report |
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| OREGON |
Clackamas River - Finally! You know what I'm talking about...winter rain has arrived. That's the good news. A push of rain...and one that looks quite major will have a significant impact on the arrival of Eagle Creek fish, and will certainly hasten the early vanguard of Clack fish. The bad news is...the Clack is mega-cold right now. 33.5 degrees on the gauge, which makes fishing for difficult fishing. Once this rain subsides and anglers are able to take advantage of falling waters, presentations will need to be very, very slow and certainly deep. Dead-drift anglers will have the upper hand for a time if this holds up.
Steelhead will not move far to a fly under these conditions, nor should you expect major head-shaking, tail-walking explosions at the end of your line should you hook a fish. They will be reserved in their fight. Take care when wading as well. We're entering a time where water clarity will be an issue as a result of fluctuating flows and should you take a dive, you need to get into warm, dry clothes immediately. Carry a spare set in your rig!
Sandy River - I won't run through it again, but the situation on the Sandy echoes that of the Clack. Water temperatures are cold, flows are on the rapid rise and the river is colored. Much of the Sandy's banks are icy as well, so exercise a little caution. This being said, as the flows drop there will be an influx of fish. The Sandy has a brood stock hatchery program much like the Clackamas now and the bulk of the Sandy's winter steel will arrive in the new year, but prospects will be good for adventurous anglers probing early.
Deschutes - Things are cold here too, but the actual water temps...well, not so bad really. If you're looking for some last gasp activity on summer steelhead and there's a big fish on the brain...you might head out here. It shouldn't much matter what section of the river you're on. For my bet, I'd either go high or get down below Sherar's.
Trout fishing has been very good. The twitching barometer could play a factor, but for nymphers along the edges and dry anglers in the back eddies there are some good times to be had. Midges play a huge factor right now.
Big Creek and Gnat Creek – Its game on here...always a staple for early returning hatchery winter, these two creeks are rippling with arrivals. Gnat Creek features more public access and a chance to optimistically fish a run without a gear angler involved. No such luck for Big Creek. Either way, pick your poison...also...these creeks are small. Unless you have a custom built 8' 7 weight 2-hander...leave the spey and switch sticks at home. Clearance is at a premium. Both creeks clear quickly after significant rain events.
Necanicum – There have been some early sticks made out here. Always one of the first streams to get rolling in winter, fishing was good at the early edge of the dry spell and then got slow. The recent rain will throw the river out, but the Necanicum clears quickly and should be in good shape 24-48 hours after the cresting flow.
North Fork Nehalem – Another early producer, the North Fork has been producing some fish. It can be a somewhat crowded scene here occasionally, but fish have passed the hatchery and there are definitely fishable numbers upstream already. Catch has been relatively good and due to the high gradient of the river it also clears quickly.
Kilchis – It's early times for Kilchis fish, but anglers stand a chance. There's no need to consistently fish above the park yet, however some fish will bolt high as the high water drops.
Wilson – Portland's best access to winter fish...its happening. Alsea stock fish are in the system and this rain is only going to help matters. While the lower stretches of the river should be the most profitable for catch, depending on the drop in flows some fish may be spread out up higher in the river. Certainly Lee's Camp downriver will be the best bet. If you happen to be out here, grab a piece of trash. This river is a fine fishing stream and its close proximity to the metro area lends itself to a bit of abuse. Every little bit of giving back helps.
Trask – Similar to the Wilson, the Trask is starting to percolate. Traditionally the best fishing happens from February on, but it remains a good prospect especially if you're interested in some fun boat water. Declining flows will bring in additional fish.
Nestucca – Iceberg dodging here, though rains and an incline in temps will help your Titanic from sinking should you drift. Possibly the best producer thus far, Cedar Creek hatchery fish have been recycled already and wild fish have passed through earlier than normal.
Siletz – Starting to go. Fish are in the trap. Now might be a great time to do the "town" drift.
Alsea – The former early hatchery scene here is no longer. We're into the 2nd year of a new cycle for hatchery fish and it puts the bulk of the arrivals here sometime in January. However, old habits die hard and the catch has been good here. Expect some fish to blast with the increased flow.
McKenzie and Willamette Rivers – Pretty slow on the trout front, though some decent angling occurred during the dry, early portion of the month. I'm guessing there are better prospects out there. They're still recycling a relatively large amount of fish below Leaburg so if you're jonesing for a summer fish, decent prospects with little pressure.
Umpqua River – Some of the best angling of the year is available on the mainstem for winter steel. The Umpqua has large wild stocks (which must be released) as well as a monster hatchery program which originates on the South Fork.
Southwest Washington
Kalama – Angling has been surprisingly good here. There are quite a few fish about in the lower river. You'll need to show it slow however as it is cold in the river.
E. Fork Lewis – Another fast clearer and it's been producing. Best drifted; however there's a reasonable amount of access and it gets some monsters.
Cowlitz – 200+ winters have returned to the hatchery and its way early. Fishing lower has been productive and there are certain to be a boon of new fish in the system as this rain subsides.
Other Miscellaneous Odds and Ends
Metolius – Cold, cold, cold here. There will be periodic middle of the day activity for midges and BWO's. Otherwise if you find yourself here, you'll want big stones and/or mondo size baitfish patterns to stir up the bullies interest.
Fall River – The river is open to fishing above the falls. Use small baetis or midges if on top...subsurface, get adventurous...these fish have seen some flies, try things a little out of the box.
Crooked – Will this be the year? The Crooked is finally out its way back, not quite out of the woods, but this beautiful fishery produces well in the wintertime.
Middle Fork Deschutes – Streamer fishing is a good way to go here...makes the browns excitable.
Owyhee – Frozen
Hood River – Early winter prospects are good.
John Day – has dramatically slowed, icy.
Grande Ronde – Icy.
Elochoman and Washougal Rivers – Worth taking a look, there are most definitely steelhead in.
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WASHINGTON
Yakima River – Nymphs and streamers are the rule as long as the ice-flows remain at bay, with the outside chance of mid-day midgin' during milder spells. Nice and quiet in the winter out this way.
Puget Sound Lowland Lakes – Oppressive cold has likely stunned most finned inhabitants of our local lakes. Fortunately, any milder stretch can bring things back to life, particularly towards and through the middle of the day. Low and slow on leeches, buggers and extra, extra super-duper slow on the bloodworms. Enhanced by appropriate layers, Pass, Lone, Cady, et al are viable visits to be sure. Beats waiting until March!
Rocky Ford – Small-to-medium sized scuds, immature mayfly nymphs (tiny pheasant tails, etc.) and midge larva/pupa are the sub-surface offerings of note (and, yes, leeches, buggers, streamers). There's also always a way-outside chance of a mid-day midge hatch that might coax some noses to the film during these coldest days of the year.
Hatchery Winter Runs – Still going, but due to peeter out by months-end, as usual. The Snoqualmie, Green, Skykomish, NF Stilly and Skagit (up towards the Cascade hatchery) are all worth a visit until the wait for Natives begins through January.
Olympic Peninsula - The Bogachiel is fishing quite well right now, and is usually the precursor to fishing on the Sol Duc, Hoh, and Calawah. Temperatures are cold...shocker.
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