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Willamette Valley/Metro – Still now “first” spring Chinook of the year, but if it’s going to fall this week, it’ll have to be upstream of the mouth of the Willamette since it’s going to be running quite brown for some time. It could be weeks before we see the first one hit the deck.

With the Willamette cresting from recent rains, boaters are urged to use extra caution as they play the only lower river game in town: sturgeon fishing.

This is a common pattern with Willamette Valley rivers which have risen dramatically due to the January 18th rain storm and will be out of shape over the coming weekend.

The Santiam system is high but dropping. The problem here is that insufficient numbers of fish have entered the upper river to populate all the tributaries. Don’t fish where the fish aren’t.

Clackamas waters swelled with the passing storm on Wednesday this week but are dropping as this is being written. These are good conditions in which to target steelhead.

Our man on the Sandy, pro fishing guide Jeff Stoeger (http://guideoregon.com/) is optimistic about fishing for winter steelhead on the Sandy despite recent meteorological setbacks.

Northwest – Steelheaders on the north coast have been either plagued by very cold temperatures, hazardous driving conditions, and now high water to squash their angling efforts. For the most part, there were prolonged periods of sub-par fishing before the current warming trend, not to mention the lull between early season returns and later returning broodstock fish, but anglers should expect some better results when rivers come off of their expected peak from mid-week.

Smaller streams that traditionally see the early season returns may have a few late season stragglers, and there may even be a few fresh fish coming in. For the most part however, anglers will want to turn their focus to the Wilson and Nestucca systems, where both a fair wild and late-season hatchery return is likely to come through.

With the recent weather change, the ocean fishing and crabbing is now off the table. During the cold snap, when east winds knocked down the westerly swell, bottomfishing for lingcod and crabbing was good.

Softening tides over the weekend show promise for bay crabbers. With the commercial fleet in full fledged however, one can’t expect easy limits.

Southwest – As of January 16th, 2017, with the final area accessible, the entire Oregon coast is now open for crabbing, ocean and bays.

Offshore bottom fishing has continued excellent with the only downside trying to find the opportunity when ocean conditions and winds allow for sage crossing.

Crossing the bar is the most dangerous part of an ocean trip. Learn how to do so properly and safely. That will be one of the seminars at the Saltwater Sportsman’s Show on February 15th and 26th at the Fairground in Salem.

Author, publisher and prolific blogger, Pete Heley (peteheley.com) reminds us that ling cod move into shallow water along rocks and jetties around this time of year which can make for exceptional fishing and larger fish.

Heley also points out interesting scientific evidence that El Niño combined with the climate change and global warming may be responsible (at least in part) for increased problems with domoic acid effecting shellfish.

The latest storm gave the Rogue River a good whacking when it came through, from which it has not and will not recover for several days. The further upstream one travels, the clear the water will be and there are certainly decent numbers of winter steelhead in the Rogue at this time of year. Plunkers will have the first shot at the lower river as soon as it starts to clear.

There has been quite a great deal of pressure by ice fishers at Diamond Lake. Even on weekday there have been scores of fishing sites.

Eastern – We have been encouraging readers to temporarily suspend the thought that the Deschutes River is a place to fish for steelhead, instead, thinking of it only as a trout habitat. Then go, enjoy above-average trout fishing.

Weather has hampered efforts on many a south side stream with a trek through snow nearly inevitable. That said, those who have made it to the Metolius have fish limited water with fair success.

Since Blue-Winged-Olives hatch in inclement weather and can be found popping up during rain showers, when the weather dries (and in some locations, seasonally) they are absent. So it has been on Fall River plus the snow trek but at least fishing is fair for those who make it.

SW Washington – District fishing opportunities are abysmal. Effort and catch are low on the Cowlitz, but that should change later this season.

Like Oregon streams, what few early season returning adults are in the systems, are either spawning or out of reach.

The big news in the district is the stocking of rainbow trout in Klineline Pond and Battleground lake on January 10th. There should be ample numbers remaining and with a warming trend finally here, should be quite willing to bite.

From The Guide’s Forecast
helping you catch more fish

from Oregon Fishing http://ift.tt/2j4QbSg

NOTE: This content is automatically by NewsBot1600. If there are any inaccuracies or issues, please let us no through the contact link.

Willamette Valley/Metro – Still now “first” spring Chinook of the year, but if it’s going to fall this week, it’ll have to be upstream of the mouth of the Willamette since it’s going to be running quite brown for some time. It could be weeks before we see the first one hit the deck.

With the Willamette cresting from recent rains, boaters are urged to use extra caution as they play the only lower river game in town: sturgeon fishing.

This is a common pattern with Willamette Valley rivers which have risen dramatically due to the January 18th rain storm and will be out of shape over the coming weekend.

The Santiam system is high but dropping. The problem here is that insufficient numbers of fish have entered the upper river to populate all the tributaries. Don’t fish where the fish aren’t.

Clackamas waters swelled with the passing storm on Wednesday this week but are dropping as this is being written. These are good conditions in which to target steelhead.

Our man on the Sandy, pro fishing guide Jeff Stoeger (http://guideoregon.com/) is optimistic about fishing for winter steelhead on the Sandy despite recent meteorological setbacks.

Northwest – Steelheaders on the north coast have been either plagued by very cold temperatures, hazardous driving conditions, and now high water to squash their angling efforts. For the most part, there were prolonged periods of sub-par fishing before the current warming trend, not to mention the lull between early season returns and later returning broodstock fish, but anglers should expect some better results when rivers come off of their expected peak from mid-week.

Smaller streams that traditionally see the early season returns may have a few late season stragglers, and there may even be a few fresh fish coming in. For the most part however, anglers will want to turn their focus to the Wilson and Nestucca systems, where both a fair wild and late-season hatchery return is likely to come through.

With the recent weather change, the ocean fishing and crabbing is now off the table. During the cold snap, when east winds knocked down the westerly swell, bottomfishing for lingcod and crabbing was good.

Softening tides over the weekend show promise for bay crabbers. With the commercial fleet in full fledged however, one can’t expect easy limits.

Southwest – As of January 16th, 2017, with the final area accessible, the entire Oregon coast is now open for crabbing, ocean and bays.

Offshore bottom fishing has continued excellent with the only downside trying to find the opportunity when ocean conditions and winds allow for sage crossing.

Crossing the bar is the most dangerous part of an ocean trip. Learn how to do so properly and safely. That will be one of the seminars at the Saltwater Sportsman’s Show on February 15th and 26th at the Fairground in Salem.

Author, publisher and prolific blogger, Pete Heley (peteheley.com) reminds us that ling cod move into shallow water along rocks and jetties around this time of year which can make for exceptional fishing and larger fish.

Heley also points out interesting scientific evidence that El Niño combined with the climate change and global warming may be responsible (at least in part) for increased problems with domoic acid effecting shellfish.

The latest storm gave the Rogue River a good whacking when it came through, from which it has not and will not recover for several days. The further upstream one travels, the clear the water will be and there are certainly decent numbers of winter steelhead in the Rogue at this time of year. Plunkers will have the first shot at the lower river as soon as it starts to clear.

There has been quite a great deal of pressure by ice fishers at Diamond Lake. Even on weekday there have been scores of fishing sites.

Eastern – We have been encouraging readers to temporarily suspend the thought that the Deschutes River is a place to fish for steelhead, instead, thinking of it only as a trout habitat. Then go, enjoy above-average trout fishing.

Weather has hampered efforts on many a south side stream with a trek through snow nearly inevitable. That said, those who have made it to the Metolius have fish limited water with fair success.

Since Blue-Winged-Olives hatch in inclement weather and can be found popping up during rain showers, when the weather dries (and in some locations, seasonally) they are absent. So it has been on Fall River plus the snow trek but at least fishing is fair for those who make it.

SW Washington – District fishing opportunities are abysmal. Effort and catch are low on the Cowlitz, but that should change later this season.

Like Oregon streams, what few early season returning adults are in the systems, are either spawning or out of reach.

The big news in the district is the stocking of rainbow trout in Klineline Pond and Battleground lake on January 10th. There should be ample numbers remaining and with a warming trend finally here, should be quite willing to bite.

From The Guide’s Forecast
helping you catch more fish

from Oregon Fishing http://ift.tt/2j4QbSg

NOTE: This content is automatically by NewsBot1600. If there are any inaccuracies or issues, please let us no through the contact link.

Willamette Valley/Metro – One reader has asked about where the Columbia River fishing report has been for the last few months. If you’re wanting to fish on the Columbia, tell me why and what you’re catching, and we’re happy to report on it. Give it a few more days and you may get to ice fish! But really, spring Chinook won’t even start for another 2 1/2 months and the better catch and release sturgeon fishing is happening in the Willamette River, so really, what are you fishing for on the Columbia River? Am I missing something?

The mighty Willamette is just coming off a significant rise in the water level but this shouldn’t discourage anglers looking for catch-and-release action for sturgeon. Check to be certain most of the debris washed over the Falls from upstream has cleared out before launching to fish from shore.

Fly fishers on the McKenzie may be lured streamside by the siren song of the winter trout. Give in to the urge and you may be rewarded. Lower your expectations to avoid disappointment.

Since only a handful of winter steelhead have been counted at the Falls on the lower Willamette thus far into the season, it stands to reason there are far too few to target on the Santiams – yet.

Waters of the Clackamas will be in decent conditions and flow for steelheading over the next several days. It’s still early in the season here so it won’t be hot fishing but the odds are improving.

Pro fishing guide Jeff Stoeger (http://guideoregon.com/) reports that fishing has been slow over the past week on the Sandy River and that large chunks of ice floating down the river made it difficult to fish. Better fishing is just around the corner!

Northwest – Steelheaders were once again hampered by wicked weather this week. Traveling conditions were downright dangerous, water temperatures bone-chilling (even for cold water fishes) and action was quite pathetic. Do I sound like a Debbie-downer?

We’re also between seasons, as you’ll hear that more often than you want to for the next several weeks. Anglers are reporting low and clear water conditions and fish as cold as the first girlfriend that ever dumped you. The North Fork Nehalem hatchery reports little effort, little catch.

It’ll be the theme until water conditions warm, but more importantly, when the 2nd season fish begin to show in about a month from now. Early season fish are still on the spawn and won’t be responding well for another few weeks. When they do, they won’t be the quality fish you would have caught several weeks ago. The Necanicum, North Fork Nehalem, Big Creek, Gnat Creek, the Klaskanine River and Three Rivers harbors these early season steelhead. You’ll find them much more snappy in early February.

The Wilson, Trask and mainstem Nestucca will offer up the best chances at an early running- late season broodstock fish. You’d have to be pretty lucky however. Anglers won’t really get excited for several more weeks.

The east wind influence has some saltwater anglers pretty excited. Bottomfish catches have been pretty good and ocean crabbing is fair as well although the commercial fleet is out in force.

Bigger tide exchanges this weekend won’t help estuary crabbers all that much. Be cautious if you cross the bar too.

Southwest – Now that the ocean is open to recreational crabbing, we’re getting reports of not only decent numbers but unusually large Dungeness as well.

There have been a number of reports of limits of rockfish and ling cod out of virtually every southern port. The trick is finding the conditions to launch in the wintertime.

Crabbing is open in bays and estuaries but harvesting razor clams is disallowed coast-wide. The harvest of mussels is open and safe along to coast as well.

Author, publisher and prolific blogger, Pete Heley (peteheley.com) reports this week on the link between domoic acid outbreaks and the El Nino occurrence and talks about all of the Sportsmen’s Shows coming to various locations around Oregon soon.

Rogue River steelheaders are a patient group. Good thing too, as water levels were above flood stage as recently as Wednesday this week. Level and flow have started moderating, but it remains to be seen if conditions here will improve sufficiently for the Rogue to fish sometime over the weekend.

The Chetco River was quite high earlier this week but is expected to be dropping and fishable over the coming weekend with fresh winters in the river.

At the latest report, Diamond Lake is open for ice fishing. Call the resort to confirm safety of the lake’s surface. Fishing is slow to fair.

Eastern – According to water level reports from NOAA and elsewhere, waters of the Deschutes are too high to fish.

Records of kokanee catches in Oregon for 2016 put Timothy Lake as one of the top destinations for anglers .

ODFW put out a list of lakes with sufficient ice cover to augur and fish. This includes Mann and Kinney lakes along with a few others.

SW Washington – District anglers have been less than motivated due to weather conditions and success rates. Cowlitz River anglers are reporting poor success.

The Kalama and Lewis systems are producing equally poor results, but better fishing should happen in another month from now.

Despite razor clam digging being closed in Oregon, it’s open in Washington. You can find the open beaches and their respective seasons here.

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NOTE: This content is automatically by NewsBot1600. If there are any inaccuracies or issues, please let us no through the contact link.

Willamette Valley/Metro – On the Willamette River, there has been very little fish passage at the Falls, only a handful of winter steelhead have been counted. A few winters have been taken by plunkers.

On the McKenzie River, water levels have been dropping all week. While this isn’t a hot winter trout fishery, fly anglers should find a few.

On one hand, the water levels of the entire Santiam system will be dropping over the coming weekend. On the other hand, see ’handful,” above, about winter steelhead passage at the Falls. They’re coming.

Clackamas winter steelheaders have told TGF about the terrific water conditions and the NOAA tells us it will be dropping over the weekend. On the other hand, cold water temperatures have slowed the bite.

A few fish have been caught on the Sandy River but our man on the Sandy, pro fishing guide Jeff Stoeger (http://guideoregon.com/) reports that it is slow here, due to cold water as well. Fish the warm-up!

Northwest – District anglers have also been suffering from cold weather conditions here. Cold air and water temperatures have slowed the bite, not that it was a fantastic bite in the first place.

Small stream systems such as the North Fork Nehalem, Big Creek, Necanicum and Three Rivers were victims of the cold weather front and the adult steelhead that have been returning to those systems are nearing the spawning phase. They’ll be a bit too busy to take any offerings. None-the-less, there will still be a few fresh fish coming in when temperatures warm and rivers rise.

Larger systems have been sparsely fished and are producing meager results. That won’t change much even when the weather improves.

A few offshore anglers got out this week, it helps when the east wind knocks down the westerly swell. Bottomfishing and crabbing were good.

Bay crabbing was cold, but it too, has been fairly productive.

Southwest – Carefully pick a weather window to make it out of any port to try bottom fishing in the winter. It’s excellent.

It sounds crazy (but then winter fishing probably sounds nuts to those who don’t fish), but surf fishing for perch has been worth the trip.

With most commercial crabbers on strike in support of California commercial interests, there’s less competition for Dungeness and more for recreational pots.

Author, publisher and prolific blogger, Pete Heley (peteheley.com) reported to us this week that it seemed like more crabbers than anglers took advantage of last weekend’s “Free Fishing Weekend”. Crabbing success was poor to fair at Winchester Bay, somewhat better at Charleston. A few crabbers complained that they had to work harder than usual to get their limits.

Plunk no more on the lower Rogue ‘cause there’s not enough water. Steelheading has been most productive on the Grants Pass stretch but there’s another storm front due, which will raise the water dramatically. Fishing on the upper Rogue is slow.

The banks of Diamond Lake received another foot of snow on January 4th, putting the total accumulation at 47 inches. Call the resort about ice fishing.

With winter steelhead taking off slowly on the Chetco, anglers hope the next freshet will turn things around here.

Eastern – Water in the lower Deschutes has dropped from previous high levels. We remind anglers that the stretch along Warm Springs Reservation is completely closed despite ‘simplified; regulations opening this section last season.

When it has been accessible, the Fall River has provided fly anglers with winter sport.

For those who relish cold-weather fishing, enjoy every moment of knocking ice from rod guides and own stock in a winter clothing or a glove company, Grande Ronde and Imnaha rivers have steelhead available.

At last report, the John Day River had frozen over at one upstream point.

Though Wickiup Reservoir doesn’t open until the east-side trout season, cold-weather trollers are already daydreaming about it.

SW Washington – It’s still early for winter steelhead on most district streams. The Cowlitz is producing an occasional adult.

No sign of smelt just yet, but they may enter when water temperatures warm.

Several of the district’s lakes were stocked with large broodstock rainbow trout and left over adult steelhead. Catches have been light in the sub-freezing temperatures, but should pick up when the temperatures do.

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NOTE: This content is automatically by NewsBot1600. If there are any inaccuracies or issues, please let us no through the contact link.