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Oregon Fishing Report & Winter Steelhead Preview
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| OREGON |
| Here's a brief, sleek and chrome-heavy, end of the month report. Moral of the story at the beginning...Anglers getting out are being rewarded. We're entering a time when the best of the Northwest is on display and it's a shame to miss out and wait 'til "next year". |
| Possibilities for encountering chrome are strong on Portland Area Rivers currently. It's also quite possible you'll find other anglers out as well. Pressure has been evident locally, but there are plenty of runs, rocks and buckets out there that have not seen a fly. Get out and get creative. It seems steelhead runs are a bit late so far this year in the area, making the upcoming next couple/few months a touch more exciting than usual. Keep your fingers crossed for a bit of significant rain. |
Water temperatures in the Clackamas are good at the moment. Hovering in the low 40's, fish in the system should remain moderately aggressive. Temperatures below 40 usually make the going pretty tough. Fish are spread throughout the river and all drifts hold good possibilities all the way down to the mouth. Still, Eagle Creek is slightly behind in its cycle so it would be safe to assume angling in the area of Bonnie Lure will have the greatest potential for concentrated fish aside from difficult to access fish near the mouth of the river.
Guide Info: Jad Donaldson. Call us at 503-639-6400 to book your
trip. |
| Traditionally Eagle Creek is on the wane by now. Not so this year. In fact, the creek is fishing well and numbers at the hatchery would indicate good fishing should be in the cards for awhile. Eagle Creek plays host to anglers of all types and due to limited access, you need to be creative about getting your fly in the water. |
| Fish have greatly increased in passage through the Willamette Falls fish ladder. I take this as a very positive sign for not only native run fish, but the Mollala's native winter population. Hint, hint. |
Angling on the Sandy is solid now and we're moving into some of the best months of the year for this legendary metro producer. There's a lot of room out here to get into fish and if you're starved for big water chucking, this is where you need to go. There are fish all throughout the river and your best methodology might be to fish hard and often in good suspect lies. If you haven't been out here yet this season, expect some of your familiar lies to be structured a little differently than in the past due to some big water in late '08.
Guide Info: Jad Donaldson. Call us at 503-639-6400 to book your
trip.
*Trout Intermission* |
| The Deschutes is in dead-of-winter form. Your best fishing is between 11 am and 3 pm with an even smaller window for potential top-water action. Your primary sources of temptation should come from your BWO and caddis sections of the box. Stick with nymphal, emergent and larval patterns from these insects unless you see action on the surface. You might experiment with attractor nymphs as well, especially if the water is at all colored up in the area you're fishing. |
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Ok. Two words...It's on. Some rain certainly wouldn't hurt as of this writing.
Big and Gnat Creeks – Fish runs with orgins in the Columbia Basin have trended late this season and these two creeks are no exception. Normally I'd be tapering off saying these creeks were good options, but this year angling here should remain viable until at least the middle of February.
Necanicum River – Fish are spread throughout the Necanicum. The only downside to this consistent river is the Sitka Spruce is no longer a fixture.
N. Fork Nehalem and Nehalem River – We're about 3 weeks away from "traditional" good fishing on the mainstem of the Nehalem, but don't let this stop you from getting out here. Fish headed for the North Fork are passing through and natives bound for other tribs are headed in as well. If the river is in shape, it would be a good idea to fish here. Captures on the North Fork itself are good and it should continue on for the hatchery show for another month or so.
Kilchis and Miami Rivers – We're getting close to good native time here and there are hatchery fish in the water as well. Both rivers are fast clearers with good water to explore.
Wilson River – The north coast's largest producer is rolling. Fish are all the way up in the forks, so there is something to be had for everyone whether you are dead-drifting or swinging. All should be aware there is a slide in the North Fork of the river which can lead to some color in the river with hard rain. There's a great deal of discussion currently regarding long term conservation with this drainage of the river and its long-term implications to this North Coast staple river. More to come...
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 – Angling here is good with an ever increasing population of natives in the water. You'll still find some hatchery fish around as well. Fish are spread out and all the way up into the forks. There is a ton of area up here to explore and for pocket water seeking steelheaders – a whole world of fun.
Nestucca River – The Nestucca has been good despite waiting for a flush of rain and surely the bulk of the broodstock and native fish. This river has been pressured heavily of late which isn't abnormal but worth noting.
Siletz River – The Siletz is hitting its stride. Conditions here will continue to improve with some flushes of water, but fish are spread throughout the river. Lots of good drifting to be had, and walk/wade fishing at Moonshine and upstream can lead to handshakes.
Alsea River – Same story as the Siletz here, the Alsea is just hitting its stride. In a change from past years, when this river always received the first of the N. Coast fish, the Alsea is producing chrome throughout its waters. Clemmons Park can be a good place to start. |
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As with the coast, the Gorge could use a squirt of water, but fishing (and catching) is happening.
Kalama River – There's good fishing to be had here when conditions permit and they are permitting, but water is needed. Steelhead are spread throughout the river below the falls. If you're looking for some friends to talk to and a boost to your social standing, head here on a weekend.
Lewis River – The East Fork is low and clear...spooky conditions for the traditionally large winter transients. I'd look for a touch more water and get there on the drop for potentially large results.
Washougal & Elochman Rivers – these rivers are pretty big dittos on the Lewis report.
Cowlitz River – There are mucho fish in the Cowlitz. If you want to drift, go Barrier to Blue or Blue down to Mission. Blue Creek could be a goat rodeo depending on when you're there. A significant rain can throw this river off for a bit.
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. Things looked good here on Saturday.
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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| Sounds like catches on the Santiam, Willamette and McKenzie are picking up some steam if you like cruising south on I-5 this time of year and watching beleaguered Ducks and Beavers hoops. Congrats to the Beavs for jumping out of the basement. |
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WASHINGTON
Yakima River
The Yak has cleared and fishing is as good as can be expected for January. Take plentiful amounts of warm clothes however, its cold going out there.
Snoqualmie River/Skykomish River
Natives are nosing in and the hatchery fish are on the wane. Water clarity is clear and temps are cold. Look for some rain to kick off the season here.
Olympic Peninsula
Fishing has been steady but not prolific on the OP. It's a good idea to be flexible out here. Advice says, if visibility is poor...keep your swings to the inside...way inside.
Skagit & Sauk Rivers
Skagit anglers are waiting on the natives. There are fish spread throughout the system however.
Satsop
Some big daddy winters in here, hatchery fish but smokes...some are pushing 20!
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