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Oregon Fishing Report & Winter Steelhead Preview
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| OREGON |
The Clackamas
has been moody of late, not surprising considering the volatile
weather we've experienced. When the river has been in
shape, fishing has been productive. Nearly every angler I spoke
with over the New Year's holiday had at least experienced
some grabs while on the river and several anglers had very good
days. Currently the Clack is producing and erratic sine wave
on the graph with current weather patterns forcing releases
from the dam. Feeder stream runoff is a factor as well and getting
a pair of eyeballs on the river is going to go a long way toward
knowing whether the declining flows translate to fishable clarity.
If you find flows on the drop and anything between 2 to 3 feet
of visability...get there.
At these higher flows, make sure you're focusing on areas
of the river where flows will be less of a factor...you
may also interpret this to mean if you're blasting casts
to the main portion of the river, happy casting. Fish are going
to be laid up in gardens, along banks and seeking ledge cover.
Swing deep...real winter flows are finally here. An array
of T-11, Type 8, T-14 and even T-17 should be factors in your
sinking tip setups. You can leave the Intermediates and Type
3's out of the mix for a bit.
Murky conditions typically call for darker flies. Don't
be afraid to experiment however. If the river is clearing, switching
to a rust or orange fly might have an effect. Fishing has been
good from all the way to Carver when conditions permit.
Guide Info: Jad Donaldson. Call us at 503-639-6400 to book your
trip. |
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Eagle Creek has
been fishing well and when conditions have been there, the catch
rate has been promising. Things are a tad bit behind here and
should only get better.
Eagle Creek clears quickly and often times may provide an opportunity
for fish when the Clackamas is still struggling to rebound.
There's quite a bit of private land along Eagle Creek,
but anglers should find good access in the vicinity of Eagle
Fern Park. Keep your eyes peeled for NT signs. There is also
access at the hatchery moving downstream. |
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This is truly
the slowest part of the year on the D. It's not to say
there's not some good fishing to be had, but mainly it's
about as cold as it gets, the days as short as they can be,
and there is some volatility to water flows. If you do choose
to make the effort to get in a day of trout fishing, remember
your woolies, keep it tight to the banks, look for foam and
check your freezing levels to get an idea of how the White River
is behaving. With higher levels, you'll see a decline
in clarity from the White River confluence to the mouth.
If you're on the hunt on the surface, be prepared with
winter baetis in 18-22, as well as midge patterns such as Stalcup's
Cluster. Search out foam lines and eddies and let it swirl.
In most cases, with good water clarity and polarized glasses
you should be able to see fish if they're up and sharking
below the film. Try to keep you line off the water to get a
decent drift and let the swirls pull your offering where it
may. Small nymphs can be fished in the same manner. When nymphing
more traditionally, a San Juan worm or more brightly colored
nymph is advisable in murky water. Otherwise, keep it to smaller
traditional nymphs and explore ledge water and water close to
the banks. |
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The Sandy has
been moody at best lately in keeping with the Clackamas. However,
with no dam in place, results of climactic conditions on Hood
are even more readily available. This river is extremely tricky
to predict...what looks great on the graph can in actuality
be quite different than what you'll see once you lay eyes
on the river. There is no substitute (or excuse) for getting
out to the river and checking it out. Some good tunes in the
rig and everything will work out A-ok. (I suggest ABB Live at
the Fillmore East 3/12/71)
As with the Clack, it's time to break out the heavier
sinktips...we're going to have bigger flows for quite
awhile now heading toward March and April. Purple and Pink flies
seem to get a whole lot more burn out on the Sandy, so I'd
include them in with your complement of darks and red/oranges.
The Sandy is a place where you can find mysterious snags and
hang-ups...you may want to experiment with a slightly shorter/lighter
sink-tip than you really think you need.
Guide Info: Jad Donaldson. Call us at 503-639-6400 to book your
trip. |
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Just a brief mention
in case you hadn't noticed...the weather here in the
western half of Oregon has been manic the last few weeks. We've
had a once in 40 year snowfall, followed by torrential rains,
followed by snow, followed by a blast of pineapple (relative)
and well...here comes more rain. Compound the crazy weather
with some still large tides on the coast and you've got
a serious puzzle on your hands as far as calling your shot for
a day of fishing on the coast...much less several. Conditions
are going to fluctuate regularly...call the shop and talk
to Jerry, Jad or Mitch...we'll get you as close as
we can. Small waters will come back in first following high-water
barring slides. Also as a general rule, the upper stretches
of most rivers will clear faster than the lower stretches. On
the mucho positive side...there are lots of critters in
the system. Time to find 'em.
****High Water is here again**** 1/8 – Call the shop for
up-to-date info – 800.442.4359
Big and Gnat Creeks – These two are strictly for the "drift"
crowd, or the highly adventurous swinger. Hatchery fish, gear
competition and tight quarters are found here. However, it can
be a ton of fun to hook fish in these waters, your angling skills
will be put to the test. Both creeks clear quickly after heavy
rains and are good options...they should continue to fish
well through the end of January and into early February before
tapering off. Gnat clears the faster of the two and has significantly
more public access. Big Creek arguably sees more fish.
Necanicum River – One of the fastest rivers to clear on
the N. Coast, the Necanicum has been producing. Expect fishable
conditions anywhere from 18 – 36 hours from a high-water
event. Klootchie to the relief Pitcher is the preferred drift
but expect company if conditions are good. Be advised, there
are private land considerations here...keep your eyes peeled
and use the access points.
N. Fork Nehalem and Nehalem River – The mainstem of the
Nehalem is out. The longest of the N. Coast Rivers to clear,
don't expect this section of the river to be much of a
factor until sometime in February at this point. However, the
North Fork of the river is in full swing when conditions are
right...in fact fishing well with its hatchery run into
Feb. This section of the river has a fair gradient and usually
clears moderately quickly. It can be a scene here, but generally
not a big deal.
Kilchis and Miami Rivers – Fast clearing, these two rivers
are your best bets in the Tillamook area when on the backside
of a high-water event. The Kilchis receives far more attention
than the Miami due to its far more accessible waters, both for
drifting and wading. Access is available on the Miami, but you'll
need to pay at one of the two access points. Both rivers are
short and cater to wild fish. The Kilchis County Park offers
some access to the walk/wade angler and it has a couple of good
spots for holding fish as well.
Wilson River – Sort of the moderator for the North Coast,
the Wilson River usually is the most demonstrative of conditions
to the North and South. Easily accessible at length from Highway
6, this river and all its tributaries are open to the pursuit
of fish right now. Not nearly the major river the Nehalem is,
the Wilson still qualifies as a "big" river for
the coast and it can take a bit of time to clear. However, if
you're trying to figure out this river and think it will
clear "x" number of days from when it has a high-water
event, subtract a day or two and go fishing.
There have been some mudslides in the area and this will cause
sections of the river to go off color with the slightest bits
of rain. Use caution wading here as well as currents can be
deceiving in this river. Higher sections of the system will
clear earliest.
The water on the Wilson is suitable for both single and two-handed
fisherman and often it pays to be flexible in your approach
to this river.
Trask River – The Trask mimics the effects of its larger
cousin to the north, but clears more quickly than the Wilson.
Fishing in the forks of the river can be quite good and is only
a possibility till the end of March. It would be advisable to
cover ground on these sections of river as there tend to be
sections with fish and then sections that may be barren, though
this fluctuates highly. The mainstem Trask is a good drift river,
but boaters be warned of a large rapid on the backside of the
peninsula that has claimed its share of oarsmen.
Nestucca River – The Nestucca has been fishing well between
high-water events and anglers should consider this river an
option with an eye on the gauge. There will be a mix of broodstock
and early –arriving natives here. Drifts on the Nestucca
can be technical in some spots so keep your eyes open.
Siletz River – The Siletz has had some of the highest
fluctuating water on the coast so far this winter, however winter
fish are spread throughout the system here. Fishing above moonshine
is closed to drive-in traffic unless it's on the weekends.
Alsea River – Finally the fish are spread out and in here,
now you've just got to hit it right and you're in
business on this semi-famous mid-coast steel river. Ideal fishing
will be found in the neighborhood of Clemmons Park and upriver
to the hatchery. |
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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's good fishing to be had here
when conditions permit. Steelhead are spread throughout the
river below the falls. This is a good drifting river with plentiful
opportunities and holding lies for some excellent winter fish.
Lewis River – The Lewis is raging as we speak, however
as it starts to get back into shape the East Fork will clear
quickly and be a dynamite prospect for winter steel.
Washougal & Elochman Rivers – these rivers are pretty
big dittos on the Lewis report.
Cowlitz River – There are a lot of fish in the Cowlitz
with more coming all the time. Having said that, this is a big
river and it will take some time to clear from a high-water
event. Most fish are in the vicinity of Blue Creek to Mission.
Hood River – There are plentiful fish in the Hood. 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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| 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
Welcome to the new year! While plagued with ice flows, and due
to suffer some snow-melt in the short term, we are hopefully
out of the extreme winter-woods. In other words, as soon as
milder temps (daytime highs 40+) settle in, without so much
warming that this baby goes chocolate, it's definitely
time to slink on over to the fairer side in search of some winter
'bows and cutthroat.
Of all times of the year, perhaps owing to a dearth of much
else, sculpins (streamers!) are a wanted morsel through the
winter. Fortunately, the trout do have other options –
namely, 1) immature mayfly and stonefly nymphs, 2) already pre-staged
Skwala nymphs on inside bends, and 3) midge larvae and pupa.
Of course, if you're really lucky, midge feeding will
result, perhaps, in a few noses sipping emergers around mid-day,
so keep the eyes peeled for ever so subtle rise-forms! But only
if you're there. Good luck getting out, and feel free
to give us a call here in Seattle for an assessment on conditions
and recent reports (206-448-0601).
It can only improve from right now!.
Snoqualmie River/Skykomish River
The hatchery winter-runs have, for the better part, waned. This
is great news if you're looking to start counting the
moments until the Natives begin to trickle in – should
not have to wait much longer! January is traditionally a month
where Natives do begin to slightly, sporadically, but surely
slither on up into the rivers. So the Native-watch begins –
stay tuned!
Puget Sound Beaches
Sea-Runs and Resident Silvers are rewarding well-layered anglers
with some decent days. Slow days, of course, offer the consolation
of solitude, scenery and some fresh air at the very least. Nevertheless,
for a good chance to get something on the end of your line before
February, our back-yard near-shore fishery is an excellent bet.
Low light corresponding with a tide-change seems the best recipe
for finding fish in close, herding bait, slashing and feeding.
Absent a tide change, low-light alone will do. Aside from the
standard candlefish patterns, and spiders, Winter is when euphasids
(little shrimps) can also require matching. And, yes, we have
plenty of those. Lincoln Park, the Narrows, or any accessible
beaches near a point of land in the South Sound are the 'spots'
– feel free to stop in any time and we'll be more
than happy to get the map-book out and go over the 'other'
options.
Skagit & Sauk Rivers
The hatchery winter-runs have, for the better part, waned (actually
never really kept going on the Cascade fish). This is great
news if you're looking to start counting the moments until
the Natives begin to trickle in – should not have to wait
much longer! January is traditionally a month where Natives
do begin to slightly, sporadically, but surely slither on up
into the rivers. So the Native-watch begins – stay tuned!
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