fishing

Willamette Valley – For the 4th consecutive week the Columbia River Technical Advisory Committee met and downgraded the run size for returning fall Chinook. The current “estimate” is now 713,000. Rest assured, there will be more downgrades. As for fishing, anglers remain enthused and catch rates somewhat respectable for a diminishing run. It does appear however, that the fishery is tanking fast and it’ll take more luck than skill this week to produce results, a good precursor to spring Chinook season. The gorge remains the best bet with a weekend check of nearly 2 Chinook per boat. Downstream fisheries aren’t producing nearly that well.

There’s no steelhead or salmon fishing going on in the lower Willamette unless you count spinner flingers at the mouth of the Clackamas River. And we do, sometimes. A better bet is the bass fishing which is worthwhile.

While the McKenzie was effected by rainfall this week, it by no means was a blowout. The level just came up and the time to fish it is as it’s just coming down.

Along with this nice shower in the valley, the Cascades got a shot as well, which has impacted some of the valley rivers. The North Santiam would be one of those although the South Santiam, which has steelheaders fishing now, was virtually unaffected.

Waters of the Clackamas have been rising and are expected to rise into the weekend. It is hoped that fishing will be good and that coho are in the mix.

The Sandy River got a pretty good wallop between rainfall and the effect precipitation has in the mountains as it’s headwaters are at the base of a glacier on Mt. Hood. That said, fishing is expected to be better as the water drops and clears.

Northwest Oregon – Chinook are in sparse number on Tillamook Bay but it appears the flop in the south of Cape Falcon fishery for coho in July is producing abundant wild coho catches in Tillamook right now. Too bad the season is closed and the bulk of the hatchery run has headed upstream.

Tillamook Bay boats are focusing on the lower bay with fair success coming from jetty trollers. The ocean is still producing some Chinook and large numbers of coho (which must be released). Crabbing remains excellent outside, but will close after October 15th. The ocean forecast is too volatile to predict future opportunity. Be sure to check the bar report from the US Coast Guard.

Nehalem Bay Chinook success is waning as is common this time of year. There are wild coho here too but like all other north coast systems, there is no consumptive opportunity for wild coho this fall. The North Fork Nehalem does have hatchery coho with the bulk of them staging at the hatchery itself.

The Salmon and Nestucca systems are tapering but bank anglers should have a chance at fresh fish just upstream from tidewater.

The Alsea and Siletz Rivers have fresh Chinook available and bobber tossers are starting to come into their own here.

Bay crabbing on all north coast estuaries is fair and should be good into the weekend.

Razor clam digging and mussel gathering are both closed along the entire Oregon Coast, hopefully, that won’t last long.

Central & South Coast Reports – Offshore bottom fishing has been almost everything it should be. There are lots of rockfish and lingcod but the ocean has been so rough most of the time that boats haven’t been able to get out.

Another bonus involved with finally getting out on the ocean is remarkable crabbing. There have been multiple reports of pots coming up with near limits, limits and “had to throw as many back as we kept” over limits. It’s only open through October 15th, so get yours!

Rainfall over the past weekend caused the Siuslaw to raise in level and flow. Anglers optimism is high that, as waters recede, there will be salmon upstream.

We detail the regulations for Siltcoos Lake which were amended this year but weren’t published in the regulations booklet. Conditions are right for the wild coho fishery to get under way soon.

‘Descenders’ are devices used to release deep-water rockfish (such as those species caught out of season or protected) and do so by returning them to the depths rather than floating on the surface. Get one without charge at many south coast sporting good vendors.

Author, publisher and blogger, Pete Heley, (peteheley.com) tells us that crabbing has really improved at Winchester Bay and that legal males are hard and full of meat. Heley also reminds us that while the ocean closes this month for crabbing that bays are open for Dungeness year-around.

Fishing has been slow for the most part for Rogue Bay trollers although the bite has turned on every so often. The Rogue has been little effected by precipitation, which means that Chinook will remain in the bay. It also means that the Rogue is going to remain low and clear for a while, giving fish little incentive to move upstream. Fishing has slowed on the middle and upper river.

Trout fishing has been picking up a little and shoud improve even more as weather and water temperatures cool.

Central & Eastern – Deschutes River fly fishers report that fishing for redsides has been steady. While it is hoped that more are on the way, steelhead remains slow to fair.

Trout are being caught at Fall River, one of the trout streams that fishes in the fall.

Some eastern rivers fish well anytime of the year. The Metolius is such a river due to being spring-fed. Everyone who fishes it (flies only, of course) says it is quite challenging but will produce for those who get to know it.

Miller Lake is reported as poor to slow. It is producing trout only on occasion.

SW Washington – The Cowlitz remains the best option for district anglers but with the regulations in place, requiring wild Chinook to be released, it’s tough to find a take-home fish. Sea-run cutthroat and coho are also being caught, but overall, catches remain less than stellar for the effort being put forth.

North Fork Lewis bank anglers are catching a few fish, far from what anglers are used to for this time of year.

Drano Lake anglers are still posting good catches of mostly steelhead but good numbers of Chinook as well. This fishery doesn’t have much time left on it however.

from Oregon Fishing http://ift.tt/2d7zpPt

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

Willamette Valley – The fall Chinook run up the Columbia has, for the 3rd consecutive week, been downgraded. The run forecast for the mouth of the Columbia is now 729,200 adults. I don’t think these biologists are done downgrading either.

Continued weak passage at Bonneville Dam continues to be reflected in this week’s catch rates. Although the Bonneville reach keeps putting out fair to good numbers of Chinook for persistent trollers, other downstream locations are consistently failing anglers that remember how good it was last year. It’s still a Pro-Troll and spinner bite but plan on losing as many fish as you hook on this method. Action will remain best in the Bonneville reach and in the upstream reservoirs for those that know how to effectively fish it.

There’s very light effort for coho by plug pullers and back-bouncers on the lower Willamette although fishing for bass will provide more action as no verifiable reports of coho catches from this area have been made.

The McKenzie River seems to just keep plugging along. The water level dropped very slightly over the past week and fishing is expected to be decent here.

While the Santiams are low, even for this time of year due to little rainfall recently, there are steelhead and trout in the system, some of which are getting caught daily.

Clackamas River water and flow are low, having returned to its previous state following precipitation several days ago. There are coho and steelhead in the river that are going to be caught by someone – it might as well be you! While it was most recently reported as somewhat slow, Dave Neels of Oregon City Fishermans Marine (503-557-3313) in his regular weekly report, assures us that more fresh fish are on their way and that we have only seen the start of the run. He also lets us in on a new/old technique that catches coho.

Pro fishing guide Jeff Stoeger of O2BFISHN Guide Service (503-704-7920), in his regular weekly report from the Sandy River, tells us, “The report and word on the river is that coho are scattered throughout its entire length.” Sandy River coho hopefuls have been rewarded with a little greater frequency in hookups this week than last. Stoeger goes into the details of how and where.

Northwest Oregon – Tillamook remains one of the north coast highlights although Chinook continue to show in low numbers. Ocean caught coho, mostly wild now but a few hatchery fish mixed in, has kept the fleet active. Ocean coho is slated to close on September 30th however, so Chinook will become the primary focus.

Tillamook Bay anglers have been struggling to find consistent success for Chinook but with an improving set of tides over the weekend, action should improve in upper Tillamook Bay, where the bulk of the early run is destined for the Trask and Tillamook Rivers. Hatchery coho remains open in the bay through October but the bulk of the fish are staging at the Trask River hatchery.

The North Fork Nehalem hatchery have had nearly 100 coho into their traps there, indicating a few fish are available to anglers. The river is extremely low however and not expected to rise much, even with the upcoming predicted precipitation. Chinook fishing in the Nehalem is fair, like most north coast systems, it’s down from last year.

The Nestucca tidewater, especially at the Boat Ramp Hole, produced fair to good catches over the weekend for bobber tossers. Tidewater should remain a good option through the weekend with fresh fish moving in on the upcoming stronger tide series.

The Salmon, Siletz and Alsea Rivers all have a fair to good smattering of Chinook available. Stronger tides should inspire more biters for bobber fishermen as well as those working plugs and spinners. Remember, wild coho may not be retained anywhere on the north coast, in freshwater.

Crabbing remains good in most estuaries and that shouldn’t change, even with the upcoming precipitation.

Central & South Coast Reports – Bottom fishing is expected to remain good to excellent out of most Oregon Ports and starting Saturday, October 1st, it’s no longer limited to 20 fathoms.

Strong south winds have been hammering the coast for a while which has kept most boats from making tuna runs. A couple of skippers which have done so tell us the fishing remains excellent about 45 miles from shore.

We answer those (not so) hard questions about whether it’s legal to troll for lake coho using two rods (it’s not), open seasons and daily and yearly limits. Be prepared for the coho troll fisheries on Siltcoos and Tahkenitch!

Fishing guru, blogger, author and publisher Pete Heley (peteheley.com) once again graces us with his presence and knowledge as he reports from Reedsport that an above-average number of fin-clipped coho are being caught on the lower Umpqua and that crabbing has improved at Winchester Bay. He also enlightens us on Chinook fishing and the halibut outlook.

Spinner blade and anchovy combos are purportedly responsible for the majority of hookups on Rogue Bay recently. Trollers have enjoyed hot fishing a couple of days of the past two weeks with slow to fair fishing in between. Fly fishers are doing best on the lower river. Chinook hookups have slowed in the middle Rogue. The Flies-Only restriction on the upper river ends Saturday but bait is still disallowed.

The “2016 Chetco River Fall Chinook State Waters Terminal Area Season” (or Chetco Bubble Fishery) starts on Saturday, October 1st and will be open for four days, then close four days, then re-open for two days on October 8th. ‘Sound confusing? It’s not really, so go catch a big one but be sure it’s open when you do so.

Central & Eastern – Water level, flow and clarity are excellent for fishing on the Deschutes. Now that the weather is cooling a bit, we expect improvement for both trout and steelhead anglers.

The water level at Wickiup is low – some have said shockingly low – but we’re told it is still fishing and even bank fishers have caught fish … in the mud, we assume.

Fish the High Cascade Lakes over the coming week and do so with a degree of confidence. Anglers, especially fly fishers, do well at this time of year. Just be sure to check the weather.

Kokanee fishers may want to stock up on Green Giant Shoepeg Corn while it’s on sale. In addition, this product (which we’ve been assured is not Good Eats) is available for a limited time each year.

SW Washington – Cowlitz anglers are catching a few fall Chinook and early coho. Coho fishing should pick up in the coming weeks as SW Washington coho are often October returning fish, clear into November.

The North Fork of the Lewis and Kalama Rivers are also putting out few Chinook and coho but action should improve in the coming weeks.

The Drano Lake fishery is producing about equally for late-run steelhead and fall Chinook. This remains one of the best fisheries in the district right now.

The Klickitat River has slowed and most would say, never really got going this year. The coho return is expected to be equally dismal but we’ll have to wait several more weeks for that bad news.

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

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

Willamette Valley – Action for Portland/Metro area fall Chinook is slowing. With a downgraded Chinook return, anglers are seeing firsthand the impacts from an over-prediction. Trollers are still having a few good days just downstream of Bonneville Dam but as we’ve said all season, it’s a far cry from what sportanglers witnessed last year. Pro Trolls and small spinners remain the top option but backtrollers should start to see more biters as the water and air temperatures continue to cool.

Interest is growing for coho on the Clackamas and Sandy Rivers but few fish are in the system just yet. A rain storm would certainly motivate fish to move but no one is counting on a big return this year. Keep your effort low in these river systems until we get that rain storm. Only a slight river rise is in the forecast but the Sandy and Clackamas did come up nearly a foot on last weekend’s weather system.

The lower Willamette should have some coho milling around, for which anglers will usually cast spinners at the mouth of the Clackamas.

McKenzie River conditions were effected very little by recent rains and, as fall comes on, is a good destination for fly anglers to consider.

Recent precipitation caused a bump in the level and flow of the South Santiam which should translate as good news for Santiam fishers.

The Clackamas could only have benefitted from showers. While the effect on level and flow was slight, it doesn’t take much to entice fresh fish to enter at this time of year.

Sandy River anglers have been faced with off-color water over the past week which seems to linger. This isn’t necessarily bad news and many prefer off-color water when they fish the Sandy.

Northwest Oregon – Tillamook anglers were stuck inside the bay for much of the week but made the most of it with flurries of activity in the Ghost Hole, Ray’s Place Piling and Memaloose Point. The peak of the run is still to come but overall, the fishery is performing fair to good. The ocean opened up for one day of opportunity on Thursday but the best action took place on the inside of the north jetty, on the soft outgoing tide we had for much of the late morning hours.

Many of the hatchery coho have exited the estuary and are starting to return to their respective hatcheries on the Trask and North Fork Nehalem Rivers. Although returns are expected to be low, these small river systems will offer up some opportunities to find biting fish.

The Nestucca, Nehalem, Alsea and Salmon Rivers all have catchable numbers of Chinook available. Softer tides this weekend should be conducive for trollers working the lower reaches of these river systems using herring for bait. The Siletz is becoming more consistent too, but is still weeks away from peaking. Bay crabbing should also be productive. Keep in mind that the retention of wild coho is illegal in all of Oregon’s estuaries this year.

The lower Columbia remains abysmal for coho but crabbing should pick up this weekend.

Interest for tuna is waning offshore; anglers are coming back disappointed.

There remains halibut on the nearshore quota, we should make it through the end of September, especially if the weather remains volatile.

Bottomfishing remains excellent as well and the deep reefs open up October 1st. See discounted coupons from our homepage http://ift.tt/1RKEtsf for a trip with Garibaldi Charters.

Central & South Coast Reports – Despite earlier reports that hinted to the contrary, all central and south coast halibut fisheries will continue through September.

Tuna fishing has slowed due to a combination of albacore moving more than 30 miles offshore and high south winds which have made it challenging to navigate.

Fishing for rockfish and ling cod has been reported as excellent out of most Oregon ports. As a bonus, ocean crabbing has been reported as “stellar.”

This is a good time of year for sea-run cutthroat trout fishing, particularly after a little rain has fallen. They’ll be found in tidewater this early in the season.

Blogger, author and publisher of several fishing books, Pete Heley (peteheley.com) reminds us that Winchester Bay is kicking out a few salmon and that crabbing is pretty good here.

Coos Bay is usually mentioned as one of the places producing salmon and crab but this week it seems to be the Coquille River.

Trolling for salmon in Rogue Bay has taken a hit as Chinook are just passing through. Lower Rogue anglers are picking up a few fish as are those on the Grants Pass stretch. It’s still flies only and no Chinook on the upper Rogue.

‘Tis the season for the Chetco River as fall Chinook salmon start to enter. A few are getting caught daily with this fishery improving over the coming weeks.

Central & Eastern – That darned White River, a lower Deschutes tributary, is once again spewing mud into the main river. Fortunately, the condition has been improving over the past couple of days with the water staring to clear.

Spring-fed rivers are often the secret to successful fall and winter trout fishing, so determine which trout streams qualify and go catch some fish!

Odell Lake has been a worthwhile location for kokanee fishers but stay versatile with technique as it’s not always jigging that takes fish here.

Kokanee fishing has been decent at Green Peter. While these fish are smaller than at some other impoundments, there are plenty of ‘em.

SW Washington – Anglers are starting to hit the tributary fisheries a little harder with the appearance of Chinook and some coho salmon in the recent weeks. The Cowlitz will likely remain the top producer but the Kalama and North Fork Lewis River are also starting to improve.

Drano Lake continues to put out Chinook and some steelhead. The run has peaked here but angling should remain good for another week or so before it tapers.

The Klickitat River is also picking up as Chinook seek refuge in the cooler flows. This should be a good week for anglers here.

from Oregon Fishing http://ift.tt/2dfc7oU

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

Willamette Valley – Fall Chinook passage at Bonneville seems to have peaked. Although there should theoretically be hundreds of thousands of Chinook yet to come, action seems to be slowing for most fisheries downstream of Bonneville Dam. Trollers however are taking fair numbers of fish at Bonneville Dam, largely trolling Pro Troll flashers and small size 3.5 copper Colorado blades about 18 inches behind the Pro Troll. Action should stay good for a few more weeks and backtrollers should start to catch fish when the temperatures cool a bit more.

At this time of year, the Willamette is considered “between runs.” That is fish such as salmon, steelhead and shad “run.” Warmwater fish live there all the time.

There was little reaction in level and flow on the McKenzie River which means that fishing will continue to be worthwhile here.

Last week brought us rain and cooler temperatures which seems to have had a positive effect on a number of streams and rivers. The Santiams are no exception according to reports this week.

Level and flow on the Clackamas rose with recent rainfall but has now dropped back and should remain virtually unchanged for the next several days despite showers forecast for the coming weekend. Target steelhead or coho.

According to our man on the river, Pro fishing guide Jeff Stoeger of O2BFISHN Guide Service (503-704-7920), rain due over the coming weekend will have a highly positive effect on fishing prospects.

Northwest Oregon – It’s been a productive week in Tillamook although the bulk of the catching, at least on the ocean, has been coho. Good numbers of hatchery coho have shown lately and Chinook are making just a fair showing throughout the bay. Stronger tides this weekend and the progression of the early run Chinook to the Tillamook and Trask Rivers should provide some opportunity for upper bay trollers. The Ghost Hole has been consistent for the first two hours of incoming tide. Coho are also in the West Channel for those wishing to spinner cast.

The Nehalem continues at a ho-hum pace but some large fish are coming from this fishery. It should be the start of peak season for this system and some hatchery coho are falling to trollers in the bay as well. Stronger tides this week should make Wheeler and the water in front of Nehalem more productive. The North Fork Nehalem hatchery isn’t reporting any coho as of September 6th.

The Nestucca and Salmon Rivers have fair numbers of fish present although it’s clear that the run isn’t what it’s been in recent years. None-the-less, we’re nearing peak season and catchable numbers are present. Upper tidewater anglers should find some success this week as tides intensify.

The Alsea has yielded some large fish lately and it’s been a sporadic but overall good week for those working the lower reaches of the estuary. Herring trollers have been doing well. The bobber bite has yet to pick up but by early October, fair numbers should be receptive to eggs and shrimp cast under bobbers.

The Siletz River is starting to see catchable numbers of Chinook too. Morning outgoing tides should produce some fish for boats anchored up using plugs to attract fish. Trolled spinners should also become effective.

Crabbing in the ocean remains excellent. Bay crabbing is more challenging but persistent fishers can still score good results, especially if you’re able to crab with fresh salmon carcasses.

Tuna chasers remain perplexed. There’s been some good ocean options, the fish just aren’t cooperating.

ODF&W announced that the all-depth bottomfish opener will proceed as hoped. This will allow for some large lingcod to be taken, starting October 1st. Sea bass will be easy targets as well.

The nearshore halibut fishery remains open, thanks in part to a shift in halibut quota from the all-depth allocation to the nearshore one. Hopefully, it remains open through the rest of the month.

Central & South Coast Reports – Albacore tuna moved nearer shore – slightly – his week, allowing boats to make multiple trips despite windy conditions. From the reports that came in, it appears that sport boats did as well or better than charters this week!

Author of several fishing books, Pete Heley (peteheley.com) tells us in this week’s report,
“To keep the nearshore fishery, open a little bit longer ODFW, NMFS, and IPHC have agreed to transfer 6,000 pounds into the nearshore fishery (5,000 pounds from the summer all-depth and 1,000 pounds from the Southern Oregon Subarea).”

Chinook fishing has been good in the ocean out of Winchester Bay and some are being taken inside the bay as well. Conversely, bay crabbing cannot compare to offshore crabbing in terms of numbers or quantity.

Coos Bay Chinook fishing reports have been good. Recently, high winds offshore have been hampering bay and ocean efforts.

With the Rogue River once again at low water level, the troll fishery in the bay has started picking up again. Steelhead are making their upstream run, providing action for anglers in the Grants Pass stretch and for those in the flies-only upper Rogue River. Chinook may not be taken from Fishers Ferry Boat Ramp to Cole Rivers hatchery

The ocean off the far southern Oregon coast is closed for salmon fishing.

It’s time to tune up tackle for sea-run cutthroat trout, which some say are always available but are entering now from the ocean. This is just the beginning.

Central & Eastern – Trout fishing remains good on the Deschutes but as soon as we say that, someone writes to inform us, “Those are redsides!” Yeah, those trout. Summer steelheading has picked up.

Trout fishing is expected to be good for versatile fly anglers who can be ready for whatever they find on the wing or riverbank as hatches will be variable with the weather (think BWO).

While Green Peter is well known for producing limits of smallish kokanee, they are a little bit bigger at this time of year.

Despite fall approaching, the John Day River has continued to produce scores of smallmouth bass and occasionally, some big ones.

SW Washington – Fair fishing for Chinook on the Cowlitz this week. Chinook are starting to show in greater numbers but aren’t all that receptive to anglers offerings. Coho are still weeks away from making a stronger showing, if you can call it that given this years adult return predictions.

Drano Lake is offering up some of the districts best opportunities for Chinook right now. Still, only about 1 in 3 boats is scoring any kind of results here. B-run steelhead are making a poor showing here.

The Klickitat is starting to show signs of improvement. Lower river anglers are scoring some fish but action should start to improve this week.

From The Guide’s Forecast

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

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

Willamette Valley – It’s game on for trollers working flashers and spinners in the Bonneville to Longview stretch for fall Chinook right now. The peak migration is underway and wobbler plunkers are scoring good results as well. It appears that the fin-clipped only rule for Chinook does go into effect starting September 10th from Tongue Point to Warrior Rock. Anglers will be allowed to retain a single adipose fin-clipped Chinook through September 14th, before all retention in this reach closes September 15th, just like the Buoy 10 fishery. Regardless, there should remain ample opportunity for trollers, backtrollers and anchor anglers for several more weeks if the run comes in as predicted.

We have heard anglers complaining when there’s only warmwater gamefish or catch-and-release sturgeon fishing available in the lower river. They’ll howl again this week, we suppose, but fishing for either is really good now.

The McKenzie River attracts mostly fly anglers and for good reason: it’s a beautiful, classic trout stream. Now that fall is approaching and we’re off the first shower, the weekend is looking good.

Fish ‘em now, there ain’t no more! For now, at least, passage at Willamette Falls has all but come to a standstill, a seasonal imperative, but all the fish which passed before now are in upper river tributaries such as the Santiams where conditions for catching them have improved.

Rainfall was insufficient to raise the water level of the Clackamas or increase flows significantly. However, according to Dave Neels of Oregon City Fisherman’s Marine (503-557-3313), it was enough to entice the first coho into the river.

Pro fishing guide, Jeff Stoeger of O2BFISHN Guide Service (503-704-7920) reports that while the Sandy is clouding up a little, the water level is good for fish and there are fish to catch now. Coho have started to enter.

Northwest Oregon – With the crowds dissipating at Buoy 10, effort has shifted to other fisheries despite the extended opportunity. Coho numbers remain stable and anglers are reporting a nice grade of fish present. Chinook success will likely continue to decline, but coho action should remain fair at best for the next few weeks. You’ll virtually be alone in this fishery, as other target Chinook in other fisheries and no one expects great coho fishing, given the run size predicted this year.

Tillamook Bay and the adjacent ocean waters are producing Chinook but the big surprise is ample numbers of hatchery coho that are starting to show. With such a poor performance for the summer season in the South of Falcon fishery, it appears that escapement to the estuary is rather impressive. Any 2 salmon may be kept in the ocean for the next few weeks but anglers are restricted to hatchery coho only in Tillamook Bay. Coho are hitting spinners and to a lesser degree, herring. Chinook were being taken in the Ghost Hole on Thursday and the softer tides will produce best in the lower reaches of the bay.

The Nehalem is fair but good tides this weekend should produce good action near the jaws, weather depending. The Nestucca, Salmon, Siletz and Alsea Bays all have Chinook returning to them but in fewer numbers than last year. Anglers are still allowed hatchery coho in the Nehalem but only wild coho are likely to show in the other mentioned fisheries, and a bit later in the season. All wild coho must be released in Oregon’s freshwater river systems.

Ocean crabbing is excellent and decent in most estuaries. Soft tides this weekend should produce good catches and the crab are filling out nicely.

Afternoon wind waves may effect ocean opportunity for salmon, tuna and bottomfish by Sunday. Tuna remain oddly scattered or not very receptive; it should be game on for albacore this time of year.

Central & South Coast Reports – Bottom fishing has been fair too good out of central Oregon ports while ocean crabbing has remained excellent. Salmon fishing has been fair for most, good for a few.

Recreational boats have made tuna runs every time offshore conditions have allowed. Sometimes they catch a few, sometimes more than a few but it’s always a long run and a late day.

Halibut fishing has been fair to really great this season. Unfortunately, the final data was not available at deadline for the newsletter so we don’t know whether fishing will continue for nearshore or all-depth halibut. It’s supposed to be announced on Friday this week.

Fish are being caught by trollers working the waters of Siltcoos Lake but, at least so far, none of them have been coho.

In his regular weekly report, Blogger, publisher and author Pete Heley (peteheley.com) says that salmon fishing has produced some fish in the lower Umpqua as well as in Winchester Bay. Heley also mentions that with bay fishing getting better, no one will notice how well the jetty is capable of producing at this time of year.

The recent rain showers which passed through the southwest corner of Oregon, put enough water in the Rogue River for the freshet to draw Chinook which had been holding in the bay, upriver. This means action in the bay has stopped for now but Chinook are being caught upstream. The middle river has been fair and the upper rogue, fair to good. Most of the upper river is flies-only now.

Central & Eastern – Deschutes steelheaders are playing a waiting game now as the bulk of the summer steelhead run is yet to show.

This is the time of year when High Lake fishing can really shine. While these fisheries often attract fly anglers, check the regulations as may allow gear and even bait fishing.

While trollers are taking some decent-sized trout at Lake Simtustus, they say there are too few of them.

Odell trollers report good numbers of kokanee taken although some of the fish which will spawn this year are starting to turn color.

Although trollers are using the same lures and techniques which proved successful in similar water conditions and temperatures at Detroit Lake, kokanee seem to be evasive.

Smallmouth bass fishing has remained worthwhile on the John Day River.

SW Washington – Although salmon are starting to enter most district tributaries, anglers largely remain focused on the mainstem Columbia as it’s peak migration for fall Chinook right now. Catch rates for anchor anglers and trollers are on the increase. Check regulation changes for the Tongue Point to Warrior Rock reach starting September 10th.

The Cowlitz is still putting out summers steelhead but interest is falling.

Drano Lake is fast becoming a good option for salmon anglers. B-run steelhead are also becoming more prevalent. Other upriver fisheries are also starting to percolate, such as the White Salmon and Klickitat as well.

From The Guide’s Forecast

from Oregon Fishing http://ift.tt/2c2wBlT

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

Willamette Valley – The lower Columbia fall Chinook fishery is well underway. Catches from Bonneville to Longview are impressive on days and although there is an occasional blip on the passage at Bonneville Dam, strong catches will continue for the next 2 weeks. Peak passage at Bonneville is commonly the first week of September so the next few days should produce good catches. Trollers are taking the bulk of the fish but veteran wobbler plunkers are taking their fair share as well. This will be the week to fish!

The few fish crossing at Willamette Falls are not worth noting at this time. Water temperatures remain in the mid-70s, making it ideal for warmwater fishing. Bass are biting well.

Clackamas anglers have endured low water through summer steelhead season and what there was of a springer season here. With a coho run starting up sometime later this month, it is hoped that upcoming rain showers in the weather forecasts will improve the odds.

Pro fishing guide, Jeff Stoeger of O2BFISHN Guide Service (503-704-7920) reports that Sandy River anglers noted a slowing in hookups this week. There are plenty of fish yet to come, though, and with rain in the future, optimism is high.

While the waters of the McKenzie were effected by hot weather as were all waterways in Oregon, but not so much that fishing was negatively impacted. The McKenzie is expected to remain fishable.

Despite the peak of salmon and steelhead fishing starting to decline, it still worth the trip to the North or South Santiam rivers where jigs are most popular.

Northwest Oregon – With catch rates rather pathetic for most of the Buoy 10 fishery, state fish managers extended the season through September 14th for the retention of any Chinook. Coho started to show in better numbers earlier this week but limits are still far from the rule. Tides this weekend are such that an early morning start would be foolish. Target the last hour of outgoing tide through the first hour of outgoing after high slack for best results. Anglers do have better options upriver however, coho will likely start to dominate the catch in Astoria for the next several weeks.

Anglers are starting to report good catches of fall Chinook in north Oregon Coast estuaries. Tillamook and Nehalem are producing fairly with some good days interspersed. There are a few hatchery coho falling to trolled herring and spinners as well.

Upper Tillamook Bay as well as the ocean are producing fish and this is only the beginning of the season. Softer tides next week should make for productive fishing in the lower reaches of the Nestucca, Nehalem, Tillamook, Siletz, Salmon and Alsea estuaries and rivers.

Bay and ocean crabbing should be good too but you’ll still have to count on some soft shells in the mix.

Albacore tuna action is starting to heat back up again. Trolled gear becomes less effective this time of year so you’ll have to start looking for jumpers and casting iron or dropping live bait overboard. The tuna coming in now are certainly sizeable.

Another round of all depth halibut opens tomorrow (Friday) but seas look a bit rough until Saturday. There isn’t much nearshore halibut quota left so prepare yourselves for a closure in the near future.

Rain and cooler water temperatures may spur some summer steelhead in the Wilson and Nestucca to respond. River levels aren’t expected to rise much but it won’t take much after such a long, dry period to stimulate activity. Sea-run cutthroat trout fishing should improve as well.

Central & South Coast Reports – Bottom fishing out of central Oregon ports has been mostly great although it showed a little slowing mid-week. Crabbing has remained good.

Author of several fishing books, Pete Heley (peteheley.com) reports, “The halibut update through August 21st is as follows: Columbia River Subarea — All-Depth and Nearshore—are both closed for the remainder of 2016 as the he entire subarea quota has been caught.

“As for Central Oregon Coast Subarea – The next summer all-depth opener will be Friday (Sept. 3rd) and Saturday (Sept. 4th).”

Tuna fishing has improved along with ocean conditions. It’s still a very long trip for albacore but far easier without high winds.

Bottom fishing is excellent out of Gold Beach when boats can safely launch. Trolling for Chinook in Rogue Bay has been quite good lately. The lower Rogue, where water temperatures remain high, has been slow. It’s somewhat better in the middle river and still worthwhile on the upper Rogue.

South coast halibut may be taken any day of the week from any depth. This fishery, south of Humbug Mountain, is the target of Brookings anglers but catches have been slow.

Trout fishing has slowed at Diamond Lake but some big ones have been caught regardless.

Central & Eastern – Trout fishing remains good and is expected to improve on the lower Deschutes. Hopefully, the worst of the eastside scorchers has passed.

Although the actual calendar change to fall is weeks away, change is evident on streams and rivers. On the Metolius, for instance, summer hatches are beginning to transition to fall.

Kokanee fishing is good at Paulina Lake where jigging has been the better option.

In addition to kokanee which are being caught in fair to good number, East Lake also offers some good trout fishing, particularly for fly anglers.

Green Peter has been producing fair catches of kokanee but they remain smaller than in other popular kokes destinations.

SW Washington – Steelhead action on the Cowlitz has slowed but Chinook action is picking up. Anglers on this district mainstay will start to switch focus to Chinook and later, coho, but steelhead will remain an option for several more weeks.

Drano Lake anglers are starting to find better success for Chinook. Steelhead numbers are dwindling but so is the interest.

Anglers should start to see better opportunity on many Columbia tributaries as Chinook nose into cooler water, becoming susceptible to baits and lures. Check regulations for what rivers remain open and their respective bag limits.

From The Guide’s Forecast, Oregon’s most current fishing report resource.

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

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