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Oregon Fishing Report &
Winter Steelhead Preview
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| It's finally here. The best winter steelheading stretch of the year and it's coming in tandem with our first sustained rain of the New Year. As I sit here to write this I'm looking outside at a steady light rain and most of the week looks damp. I seriously doubt we'll get as much rain as predicted, but anything is a major help at this point and gauges are climbing (and leveling out in some cases). If you haven't gotten out, it's time to go. Line up a "snow" day and get out on the rivers... and so without further ado, here's your report. |
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| OREGON |
| Fly angling in the Clackamas has remained steady recently through the low water. Go figure...no real fluctuation in water temperature or level had few fish on the move, bad news out of the way first. The good news is there are fish all over the river and there will be a great deal of activity as of today. Anglers have hooked fish from McIver all the way to the mouth. Here's even better news...If the monkey and the dartboard are to be believed, we'll see continued rains through the 27th, but really we'll see the effects for many more days with the fresh influx of fish.
Swing low and slow now. Water temperatures are cool and it's unlikely any critters will move very far right, left or up for a fly right now. The shot of water we just had altered temperatures upward and colored the water, but I wouldn't expect it to last without more rain. Best overall fly angling for steelhead was occurring with an indicator and fly on the dead drift, but odds are edging back towards the swingers favor as we speak. Keep your fingers crossed for additional rains or this will be a bony spring and summer in the Clack.
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| There are still opportunities for chrome fish in Eagle Creek. Atypically late this year, Eagle Creek should fish well to the end of the month and possibly beyond this year. Fresh water has colored Eagle Creek a touch, but it will clear quickly. Flies have been working with good results...especially the kind under an indicator. Keep your eyes peeled for Private Property and observe boundaries for a muzzle-free day. |
| Similar to the Clack at this time, the Sandy has been consistently steady in its yielding of chrome fish over the last couple of weeks. I'm going with optimism here. The Sandy is always good in February and March so expect fishing to improve to normal levels in correlation with favorable water conditions.
The Sandy is up now hovering below 5000 CFS, and I would expect a solid push of fish as a result. Best conditions will be on the drop, but don't wait too long - waiting always makes you a day late. This should be heyday times on the Sandy so expect a few new fishing "buddies" on the river. Anglers working an indicator along some edges may find a few surprises. Swingers will want to keep it low and slow here as well...try to tip your fly into the deeper buckets and not fly right over them. Experimenting with fly color in the Sandy can prove useful depending on water clarity. If you're not usually too fired up on pink, it may be worth a look. Flies in red, rust or orange might be a good idea as well along with your dark staples.
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| The "D" has been the picture of consistency for trout fishing of late. "Warmer" overcast days can bring some of the best BWO fishing possible for winter trout. These flies are small. Leave the size 16's at home. Your best fishing will be along the edges, eddies and slower portions of the river. Don't forget some midge patterns if you're dry fly intensive this time of year. If the hatches aren't happening, stick to nymphing. It's a good time of year to run a stonefly pattern along with some small trailers. Try experimenting with colored flies here such as red, rust, orange or a mix. |
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The Coast is getting the rain equivalent of an economic stimulus package. Every river here is receiving a major flush of water and a lot of fish are going to come in. Be here when it drops. Seriously.
Big & Gnat Creek - For all intents and purposes, it's over out here. It might be worth a poke with an egg pattern below the hatcheries if you're driving back from Astoria, but this fishery lasted longer than ever this year...and for that we commend it.
Necanicum River - The lower stretch of the Necanicum is going to fish the best, but who's particular? There will be fish in bunches all over the river by Friday 2/27.
Nehalem River - The hatchery show on the North Fork is winding down and I'm hearing of more wild fish included in the catch. It stands to reason as you can have some good days higher up in the Fork this time of year. The mainstem is up right now and the whole system is going to benefit greatly from the recent precipitation.
Kilchis & Miami Rivers - They're up and leveling and expected to bump again, it's about to get very fishtastic here.
Wilson River - The Wilson is producing but mainly in the lower stretch of the river where tidal influences and larger waters afford steelhead a place to lay up. No matter what happens with the rain in the future, just a brief shot of water can significantly improve the Wilson. Being here a day or two late when the river is fluctuating can mean the difference between a long day and a good one. I have had a lot of success fishing the Wilson when water is on the rise. With the current conditions, I'd fish anywhere on the river going forward once the river begins to drop.
Trask River - Angling is currently fair in the lower reaches of the river, but it can be a tough go for fly anglers. Aqua from the heavens is gracing the Trask now and you'll have opportunities everywhere in this gorgeous system. You might consider exploring the North and South Forks of the river if you like pocket water. You'll need to cover some ground to be truly effective catching fish up here as fish tend to find the very best lies and spread out. Fish should be everywhere once the river begins to drop so spread out on the mainstem.
Nestucca River - The Nestucca is on. Be here as soon as it starts to go on the slide. There will be a ton of fish. I couldn't possibly be more vaguely clear about this. Expect friendly competition for water.
Siletz River - The Siletz has been fairly good. The old "town" drift has been producing and I'm hearing tell of hooks set throughout the river. I'd hammer it if I found myself mid-coast way.
Alsea River - The Alsea is starting to hit its stride as well. There has been some good fishing in the lower stretches and rain will send many of these fish racing for the hatchery. It's been a different year down here with anglers having to adjust to a different schedule on the fish, but the 2000+ fish we've come to expect are still on tap to arrive. |
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Kalama
and East Fork Lewis Rivers - The East Fork will be one of the first to clear, if you like epic size natives - here's your opportunity. The Kalama is game-on as well. Big brooders patrol these waters in February. Expect some changes your more familiar runs in the river as a result of the floods a couple months back.
Cowlitz River - The Cowlitz is just about ready for the second push of steelhead. The ½ dozen good runs between Barrier and Blue Creek would be my choice. Plug the slow water...oops, did I say that?
Hood River - Same advice as last time on the Hood. There are plentiful fish in the river. Best luck will be for "drift" anglers below the dam, but swingers will have success as well, lower in the river.
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. They also clear quickly. |
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| Upwards of 700 winter fish have gone over the Willamette Fish Passage. The North Santiam and Mollala rivers should start to turn on in earnest. Passage counts are spiking dramatically right now. |
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WASHINGTON
Yakima River
The current weather pattern - cool and showery to barely mild and showery - with a few nights calling for a little snow in the coming week, is nothing to worry about. Even when it starts getting warmer (like, up into the 50's), the snowpack isn't anywhere near the threat that it was last year, meaning that when run-off begins, it should be perfectly manageable with a minimum of down-time. This all being said, the river is in great shape right now, has been for awhile, and should remain locked into the low-teen cfs range moving forward, with only a slight threat of a little bump in flows and perhaps a teeny bit of color in the near-term. Or it very well could remain stable. Not bad, eh?
And, Skwala's are beginning to dominate the scene now.. The nymphs are being readily recognized, with the adults beginning to yield some results as well. Look for the next couple weeks to be the heart of the outmigration, with the ensuing days finding the adults still important. Go #8-#10 olive-to-brown nymphs and dries.
Of course, very soon, as in somewhere during the Skwala blitz, early Spring BWO's should begin to pick up, and could easily demand some matching by nymph, emerger and adult through the middle of the day. These will be #16-#18's, a little bigger than the Fall baetis. For now, consider #16-#18 mayfly nymphs an excellent dropper off the bigger nymphs or dries, as their time is drawing nigh.
Too, once the BWO's show up, we can fairly anticipate the impending onset of March Browns (#12-#14) being exactly right around the corner, as well. We are so spoiled..
Best of luck getting out!!
Puget Sound
Anglers are doing well in the Sound now for both resident coho and Sea-Run Cutts. You'll need to keep your toes tapping however as one beach may be hot one day and a ghost town the next. Tacoma Narrows and Lincoln Park have been good of late.
Lowland Lakes
Mid-day to late afternoon has been the magic window for brave wet-side anglers in need of a trout fix. Fast sinking lines, buggers and leeches, sometimes sweetened for a low and slow offering with a blood-worm dropper, is typical of late-winter offerings and served these adventurers well. Good sleep, a good warm hearty breakfast, and a leisurely mosey to the lake (11am is early enough) for a few hopeful hours is the program here, although in the coming weeks anticipate chironomid emergences to begin in earnest once again (!). In fact, if winter doesn't start making a strong rally soon, we'll just have to start calling it early-spring. The time to start going is.. now!
Basin Lakes/Okanogan
Hey, hey, hey - next Sunday is March 1st! And word is the lakes are recently ice free. That means we can start fishing the lakes, now, too! What winter?!
Anticipate fish to have retreated back into the depths where temp/oxygen levels are slightly more favorable, meaning Type 3 - Type 5 fast sinking lines, leeches, buggers, bloodworms for a start. Also, look for mid-day to be most productive until things begin warming up more. Have the chironomids (not just the bloodworms) along for good measure, as emergences, albeit sporadic at first, will begin sooner than later. The emerging chironomids, too, will tend to be awfully little early on, to be joined by larger and larger species as the spring wears on.
For, now, though - hey, we get to fish lakes again, in the desert! Nunnally, Lenice, Lenore, et al are ready and waiting.
Rocky Ford
This is always a great time of year for the 'Ford. Water temperatures aren't a factor here with the consistent springs at the headwaters. Midges, Micro-baetis, Scuds and Leeches...or MMSL is the name of the game over here at the moment.
Last Minute Becker Update on the Ford...
Hatch of the moment: Midges, tan/black/grey, size #18-#22 -
Patterns: Black, rust, maroon, red and olive pupa; Black and
tan on the adults
Impending hatch to join midges: BWO's, size #16-#20; and
during a freakish early warm spell, Callibaetis have been matched
on this creek as early as mid-Feb(!).
Otherwise: Scuds, buggers, leeches.. and if you dare, Glo Bugs
Steelhead
Skagit/Sauk
The greatest source of production has been downriver from Rockport, however there are fish being caught all over the system. These rivers will benefit greatly from any moisture in the coming weeks. Low and clear has been the name of the game for most of the winter thus far.
Skykomish/Snoqualmie
She's shutting down in a couple days. Chrome fish are present. Do your damage now!
Olympic Peninsula
The Bogachiel and Sol Duc have been low and clear. The Hoh has been the more productive river of late. I would anticipate this shuffling around a bit as we get more water...they're on the rise currently!
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