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Willamette Valley/Metro – Columbia River spring Chinook seekers got some relief recently, with the extension of the spring Chinook season at least through April 10th, Given the poor performance of the fishery, unless something changes, we’d have to anticipate even more time, but only time itself, will tell. Here is the official press release.

So you might guess where this paragraph is going; we’re entering peak season now and catches remain dismal for a fair amount of effort afoot. High, cold water continues to hamper success and that doesn’t look like it will change anytime soon. Estimated catch through March 26th was only 53 fish, so we have a long way to go to achieve our quota. We need favorable water conditions to get both fish and fishermen excited however.

Willamette Level and flow remain high but without rain in the forecast for this coming weekend and beyond, it’s a safe bet that interest in lower Willamette Spring Chinook fishing will skyrocket. We predict less pressure on sturgeon.

As the McKenzie River comes back in to shape and the water clarity improves, trout fishers should expect to find some action.

Many winter steelheaders, perhaps without historical knowledge of the Santiams, ask about fishing here. Not for a while as too few are available.

Although the Clackamas River is currently (evening of March 30th) at its highest level this week, conditions will start to change, improving in the coming weekend. It remains to be seen what the winter steelhead run may hold in store but it’s certainly too early to target springers here.

According to our man on the Sandy River, pro fishing guide Jeff Stoeger (http://guideoregon.com), the Sandy rose this week, hitting 12 feet but, as with other Oregon waterways, will be dropping as the rain stops. This will be reason for optimism with winter steelheaders.

Northwest – Steelheaders on the north coast endured another weather system that put the majority of late season steelhead options again on hold. The Kilchis has had the bulk of the pressure, largely due to it being the only game in town. Reports from the Kilchis indicate anglers are having to work hard for their catch. Guide boats are getting 1 – 3 chances for an all-day excursion and some of the fish being tallied are already spawned out.

The Wilson, Nestucca and to some degree, the Trask have had negligible pressure due to high, off-colored water. Reports are scarce when the fish are, and when the water conditions are unfavorable. And the Nehalem? Forget about it.

Ocean fishing hasn’t been an option either, Rough seas have put the bottomfishing fleet on hold but there may be some reprieve this weekend. Commercial crabbers are still doing fair, but as is usually the case, catches taper after a booming January.

Same story, different week, not a great bunch of opportunity for spring break. Hopefully we’re in for a drying and clearing trend.

Southwest – South coast rivers will be dropping, clearing and improving with no rain forecast for the next several days.

As a bonus in this very temporary (and even unusual during this crazy weather year), crabbing in bays and estuaries will be improving.

Author, publisher and prolific blogger, Pete Heley (peteheley.com) is kind enough to send us weekly reports from the area of his home town, Reedsport. Among many other topics, he tells us that, despite commercial crabbers slowing recreational crabbing, it’s still fair to good with the average take four or five Dungeness for each person.

A subject about which Mr. Heley often talks is one about which little is said. That would be the striped bass fishery on the southern Oregon Coast. This weeks, he tells us where and when.

While we cover warmwater fisheries occasionally, Pete Heley is an enthusiast and shares his enthusiasm about springtime sunshine warming local lakes sufficiently to move bass and panfish into the shallows. He always shares some favorite spots.

High water, persistent at the Rogue River, has not completely shut down the spring Chinook fishery on the lower river, but optimism will be higher when the water drops and clears. Winter steelhead are available upstream.

Although the Chetco is past due for a break from rainstorms, winter steelheaders are wondering, with improved conditions over the coming days, will there still be bright fish available. We know of only two sure ways to find out: First (and best – go fish. Second, not nearly so much fun but a sure thing: Read about it in TGF next week.

Eastern – Write off the Deschutes as a weekend destination – at least for the coming weekend as the river is high and muddy.

It’s still too early to expect rapid catches at Green Peter Reservoir which still seems to be suffering from the ‘little fish syndrome’ although it is showing improvement.

Cold water is said to be the culprit slowing action at Lake Billy Chinook.

At this writing on Thursday, March 30th, the road to Wickiup remains closed.

With east-side lakes still chilled from winter weather, many, such as Odell, while accessible, has offered only slow fishing.

SW Washington – Cowlitz anglers continue to be the shining star in the district. Winter steelhead are making up the bulk of the catch on the Cowlitz, with an occasional spring Chinook being taken as well.

Boat anglers are out-producing bank anglers almost 2 to 1 for steelhead, but that’s no surprise to anyone.

Other rivers are not faring so well. The Kalama is a second option for steelhead, but closed for spring Chinook. There are a few steelhead in the Lewis as well.

WDFW News – Razor Clam Dig Alternates Between Two Beaches Beginning March 30.
Posted on 03/28/2017 by Pete Heley

“State shellfish managers have approved a morning razor clam dig starting March 30 with openings alternating between Mocrocks and Copalis beaches through April 2.

‘The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) approved the four-day dig – the first dig of the season on morning tides – after marine toxin tests showed that clams on those two beaches are safe to eat.

‘Dan Ayres, WDFW coastal shellfish manager, said diggers should be aware that only one beach – either Mocrocks or Copalis – will be open each day of the upcoming dig.

‘Ayres also reminds diggers that all state fishing licenses expire March 31, so they will need to purchase a 2017-18 fishing license if they plan to participate in the digs approved for Saturday, April 1, and Sunday, April 2.

‘Licenses applicable to digging razor clams include an annual razor clam license, a shellfish license or a combination fishing license. A three-day razor clam license is also available, although it is restricted to digging days in a single licensing year.

‘All licenses are available online at http://ift.tt/1czn9Tv and from sporting goods stores and other licensing outlets throughout the state.

‘The upcoming dig is approved on the following beaches, dates and morning low tides:

March 30, Thursday, 8:58 a.m.; -0.6 feet, Mocrocks
March 31, Friday, 9:47 a.m.; -0.6 feet, Copalis
April 1, Saturday, 10:40 a.m.; -0.5 feet, Mocrocks
April 2, Sunday; 11:39 a.m., -0.1 feet, Copalis

Long Beach and Twin Harbors remain closed to digging, because they have not yet met state testing requirements for marine toxins, Ayres said.

“Copalis Beach extends from the Grays Harbor north jetty to the Copalis River and includes the Copalis, Ocean Shores, Oyhut, Ocean City and Copalis areas.

“Mocrocks Beach extends from the Copalis River to the southern boundary of the Quinault Reservation near the Moclips River, including Iron Springs, Roosevelt Beach, Seabrook, Pacific Beach and Moclips.

Maps of those beaches and information about razor clam digs proposed in the future are available on WDFW’s website at http://ift.tt/16ZKK9N

Always more Oregon fishing information at The Guide’s Forecast.

from Oregon Fishing http://ift.tt/2nHCZ6v

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The Nestucca finally came into fishable shape recently, but another system will put it high again until the weekend. This river is a bit larger, requiring more time to clear. There are fish available however.

The smaller systems such as the Kilchis, Necanicum and upper Trask have also been putting out fish. It is peak season after all. Anglers are already starting to see some down-runners, but there will be fresh fish for another week or so, at least in fishable numbers.

More gale warnings and high seas for offshore anglers. Everyone’s supply of bottomfish is on the low side. How will we ever get through Lent without Skippers?

Crabbing is tapering as well, especially in the freshwater-laden estuaries.

Southwest – OK, here’s your Tip o’ the Week: Ling cod fishing is as good as it gets all year. Whether fishing offshore or from shore, now is the time. Go get ‘em!

This week, Author and Reedsport resident, Pete Heley gives us details about ocean Chinook season which opened March 15th but tells us it may not las ‘til May this year, shares south coast trout planting details and where the big ones will get planted with Spring Break coming up and shares his opinions (as always) with the ODFW and WDFW, er, disagreement in his sites this week.

Pete Heley works weekends at the Stockade Market & Tackle in Winchester Bay where he is more than happy to swap fishing info with anyone.

Our Rogue River writer complains this week about running out of was to describe Rushing, heaving, unfishable torrents where a river used to be with seemingly no end in sight. We suggested: Rogue River.

There have certainly been some “wow!” days on the Chetco this season. Too few thanks to crummy weather and high water during far too much of the winter steelheading season, which closes on March 31st.

There have been no reliable reports regarding the stability of the surface of Diamond Lake nor reports of fishing over the past week.

Eastern – In addition to flowing high and swift, the Metolius adds daily fluctuations to its fly fisher frustration menu. This, too, shall pass.

This time of year, we generally start hearing about smallmouth bass fishing on the John Day but with the water running high and cold here, not so far in 2017.

Although the water level allows launching a boat without problem, visibility has been poor and the water cold.

High Lakes in the Cascades were inaccessible earlier this week but the Cascade Lakes Highway has historically opened in May.

Fern Ridge reservoir has warmed sufficiently to get trout up and active in the shallows. Later in the year, kokanee are available here.

SW Washington – Steelhead catches on the Cowlitz ticked upward this week. Boats tallied 41 steelhead and 2 spring Chinook for 199 boats on the weekend creel check. Flows remain high but late season steelheading is peaking and catches are proving it.

The Cowlitz should remain strong for steelhead, but spring Chinook should start to bump up as well. Once flows begin to subside, action should pick up, especially as we enter April.

Several lakes received healthy trout plants this week, in anticipation of spring break. Check out the WDF&W web site for trout plant details.

from Oregon Fishing http://ift.tt/2nv8i6i

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Willamette Valley/Metro – Although far from impressive fishing, spring Chinook are more than a dream! Of course only a handful have been caught, but trollers working upstream of Davis Bar have been netting a rare, but nice sized spring Chinook. Catches are still too sparse to call the fishery viable, that’s how slow it remains, but there is hope on the horizon! Cold, high water will persist, and that won’t help anglers boat any better numbers of salmon, but there’s no better tasting fish than a March spring Chinook, and you won’t catch one on the couch!

Lower Willamette anglers should steer clear for a while as the water is too high, muddy and swift to fish. Debris washing downstream can and will take down a boat. Conditions will be improving and spring Chinook fishing will improve, eventually.

While the McKenzie River can be a fly fishers heaven, there’s gonna be nothing heavenly about the Mack over the next several days.

As has been the case with the Santiams lately, there’s too much water and not enough fish.

As the Clackamas River will be too high to fish for a while, Dave Neels of Oregon City Fisherman’s Marine (503-557-3313), sagely advises steelheaders to wait it out. Once conditions improve and springer fishing starts up again, it’ll thin out the competition on the Clack.

Sandy River levels are high and murky, but pro fishing guide Jeff Stoeger (http://guideoregon.com/) tells TGF that once conditions improve, winter steelhead will be scattered throughout.

Northwest – Two significant storm systems kept Tillamook area steelheaders largely off the water, especially in the larger, hatchery steelhead streams this week. That looks to be changing for the upcoming week.

Small stream steelheaders have been yielding mediocre results, with the Kilchis remaining one of the better options, but largely only for wild fish.

Bank anglers working the Necanicum are catching a few, and even fewer on the North Fork Nehalem and Three Rivers.

If dropping river trends continue as predicted, the weekend should fish fairly and only fairly, despite being in peak season.

East winds are predicted for early next week. That’s a long ways off for an ocean prediction however. When seas do calm, bottomfishing will be terrific.

Southwest – Author, publisher and prolific blogger, Pete Heley (peteheley.com) sends us some pretty cool information. Like where and how to catch the next record-breaking yellow perch, inside info about springers on the Umpqua, all that stuff. We don’t usually quote him here, but this week he seemed eminently quotable.

Mr. Heley wrote, “I find it reprehensible that the commissioners have not only reneged on the CRE Plan, but are attempting to convince the WDFW commissioners to do likewise. It seems that the entire amount of money collected on Columbia River Enhancement fishing license surcharges is at risk of being refunded via a class action suit.

There is a ODFW Commission meeting in Salem this week that will address the controversy – and hopefully do something about it.

The Fish and Wildlife Commission will meet Friday, March 17 at the Benton County Fairgrounds (Guerber Hall, 110 SE 53rd Street, Corvallis) to reconsider their rules on Columbia River Fisheries Reform adopted Jan. 20. Friday’s meeting starts at 8 a.m. and follows this agenda http://ift.tt/2mU2dhD”

Ocean crabbing remains open but has slowed. Crab may also be taken in bays and estuaries but results are poor following rain.

Bottom fishing has been good whenever boats can get out. Rockfish and ling cod limits are common in winter.

Oh, what a shame, the springer season hasn’t amounted to much on the lower Rogue but it’s blown out with more high water in the forecast. It’s the same for the middle and upper Rogue, unfortunately.

Chetco River levels are high (no surprise) and rising with the levels yo-yo-ing through the coming week. Plunkers should watch for opportunity windows.

Eastern – With Deschutes flows rising as they assume a muddy hue, we kindly recommend fly anglers look elsewhere for a few days.

A common situation, rising water, has been evident on the Metolius River for over a week. Runoff will make it muddy. Not the best fishing destination this weekend.

Fly fishers fond of the Fall River may soon be able to fish it as improving weather has brought warmer temperatures, which is just about keeping ahead of the snowfall.

Due to a new-ish regulation for Detroit Lake which dropped the ‘under 24 in Chinook are trout’ rule, there will no longer be a landlocked Chinook fishery. No flames; we know.

SW Washington – SW Washington anglers are starting to pick up some spring Chinook. Although lower Columbia anglers tallied just one springer for every 70 rods, by comparison, Cowlitz River anglers caught one springer for every 23 rods. Steelhead are falling in fair numbers on the Cowlitz as well.

The Kalama is still putting out some steelhead, and should continue to improve when water conditions do, but the Lewis remains exceptionally slow, and that likely won’t change until water conditions do.

from Oregon Fishing http://ift.tt/2mU2OQq

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