07-09-2005, 11:48 PM
The Local Fisherman News
Columbia River Sturgeon and Summer Chinook Keep Anglers Busy
Northwest anglers are awaiting the beginning of the fall Chinook run, but in the mean time they are finding good success for sturgeon and summer Chinook in the Columbia River. The Department of Fish and Wildlife recently opened the Columbia to retention of wild non fin-clipped Chinook salmon due to a large projected return. Anglers have been doing well for both Chinook salmon and summer steelhead.
Cover Photo: June 18 Columbia Estuary Sturgeon Derby Antes up Fair Catch. Team #96, from left - Adam Leibham, LFN publisher Kim Martin and Ed Abdich, all from Portland, found a few nice keepers during the June 18, 2005 Southwest Washington Anglers Sturgeon Derby. The Local Fisherman News team, along with Scott Noy and Dave Bowlby, were lead by boat captain Tom Burgess. They didn't make the winners list, but Kim did take 5th place in the big fish category. She took home $100.00 cash and a nice 35.60 pound sturgeon.
Columbia River: (At Bonneville Dam - 64° F / 200.30 kcfs. 16.58 Gage / Visibility 4.50 feet). Water temp at Astoria 65.5° F.
Rule change: Columbia opens to retention of non adipose fin-clipped Chinook salmon (see page 25 for more),
Spring and summer Chinook are still moving through the lower Columbia, bright 25-35 pound salmon have been reported at Rainier, Dibble, mouth of the Cowlitz, Prescott Beach and in the lower Multnomah Channel. Die hard anglers at Oregon City may experience an increase is success this week as those fish make their way into the Willamette system.
On the lower Columbia near Rainier bank anglers have been taking a surprisingly good number of spring and summer Chinook.
Bob Surad owner of Bob’s Sporting Goods in Longview (800-292-5551) said locals are remaining keep tight lipped, but recently word has slipped out regarding a spike in the catch of bright Chinook.
“It seems that a fair number of bank anglers are finding good success for Chinook salmon on the Oregon side of the Columbia from Dear island to Cathlamet,” Surad said. “Brad’s Wobblers and Alvin's plunked from the shore have been best.”
“I had a fellow come in today (June 28) that was fishing the Columbia River off the beach who saw two nice Chinook caught during the early morning hours, and figured that anglers there would catch about eight to twelve salmon by the end of the day. That angler said last week beach anglers landed over six Chinook salmon.”
“We also had an angler at Fisher Island (Willow Grove) that reported lots of action, landing one hatchery summer steelhead out of a dozen takedowns last week.”
“Anglers fishing the Tongue Point to Rice Island stretch of the Columbia are pulling in very good numbers of keeper sized sturgeon, but anglers are having to search for the fish. Anchovies and smelt have been the best baits.”
“Near Longview the best baits have been sand shrimp and smelt.”
Shad fishing has been red-hot on the mainstem Columbia, which shouldn’t be a surprise since nearly 2½ million shad were counted blitzing past the fish-viewing window at Bonneville Dam during the first two weeks of June.
Fishing will be good for the sliver wonders below the John Day dam this month as the bulk of the run moves in.
SAFE commercial fishery updates from Youngs Bay and Blind Slough: The Blind Slough/Knappa Slough spring season has concluded with a total of 1,331 chinook landed (1,377 including winter season).
Youngs Bay spring season was slow this year, and ended with 730 chinook landed (874 including winter season).
Mainstem commercial fishers landed approximately 808 Chinook, 284 white sturgeon, and 12 green sturgeon for 96 deliveries during the June 23-24 fishing period. Two more fishing periods are scheduled (one this week and one next week). The Youngs Bay summer season is now one 30-hr season per week through the end of July.
The Youngs Bay summer season opened with fishers landing about 31 Chinook and 20 white sturgeon during this past week. The Youngs Bay summer season will continue two days a week through the end of June, then will go to one 30-hr season per week through the end of July.
Sturgeon: Bobbie at The Fishery in Cascade Locks (541) 374-8577) said the catch of salmon has been good but many are non fin-clipped and need to be released. She said shad are still available but the bite has slowed some. Lots of shaker sturgeon, a fair numbers of keepers and over sized are being reported by anglers.
Willamette River: (Below Falls - 63° F / 6.84 feet / 9,300 cfs / 5.0 foot visibility). A few spring Chinook are still moving through the lower system along some with dip-in Columbia River Chinook. Die hard anglers fishing below the falls and off the mouth of the Clackamas River are picking up some nice bright springers 28 to 35 pounds.
Daily passage at the falls has dropped to around 200 to 230 fish per day on average. The majority of spring Chinook, along with a decent amount of summer run steelhead, are now in the upper reaches of the Willamette and tributaries like the McKenzie and north and south Santiams.
A late shot of fish were reported in the Multnomah Channel the week of June 20, over 15 Chinook were reportedly caught during what anglers referred to as a very good bite.
This years projected forecast of 116,900 spring Chinook to the Willamette is about 26,000 fish below the final run size of 143,700, but some think that late fish may continue to show well into July.
North Santiam River: (Below Bolder Cr.– 53.6 F / 637 cfs / 3.30 feet). Report by LFN news correspondent Bill Sanderson: A few very good drifts mark the way down to the Line Hole, and some spring salmon are swimming around there now. Down at Curtis Rapids and Minto Stillwater, many more salmon and steelhead are present. The many rocks and ledges down to Minto Park provide hiding and resting places for lots of fish. The logging work at Minto has made it more difficult to use the trails and camps, but fishing is still good at Minto Park and at Mad Creek.
Lava Island, Turnage Bar, Rock Creek, and a dozen good fishing holes continue down to Kimmel Park and Mill City. There are good numbers of steelhead in incidental locations all the way down to the Frank Hole, Bootleg Bend, and Fishermen's Bend. Steelhead are also scattered nicely between Pack
dle Park and Stayton.
Sandy River: (Below Bull Run River - 54° F / 8.72 feet / 1,050 cfs.). Steady action for spring Chinook and summer steelhead is available for those willing to invest some time. It’s not red hot, but definitely worth the effort. Some nice sized fish are being taken throughout the system.
Tougher Security Against Trespassers to Begin Below Dodge Park: Property along the Sandy River bordering the Pipeline Hole, Girl Scout Hole, Gage Hole and Blue Hole downstream of Dodge Park, will have a new “on-property” security force beginning in the spring of 2006.
This property, Camp Namanu, contains many popular and highly productive fishing holes once prized by local anglers. Anglers have had unrestricted access to this area up until about 1999 when camp owners initiated a crack down and posted the area.
The camp is owned by Camp Fire USA Portland Metro Council, who say they have had problems with litter and indecent exposure (nude sunbathing and urinating).
The Oregon Fishing Club (OFC) 541-967-8301 is in process of ironing out an agreement and possible partnership with Camp Namanu to help them solve their trespassing problems, while allowing access to OFC members who will act as a security team for one year. The club plans to engage about a dozen of its members, each of which would have exclusive fishing access to these prime fishing holes for a year.
Clackamas River: (At Estacada - 57.9° F / 11.56 feet / 1,460 cfs.). More Chinook are becoming available in the Clackamas, the catch has ranged from fair to good in recent days. Some really nice sized summer steelhead are available which are increasing in numbers. Expect to put in a fair amount of time (6-8 hours) to get your fish. Fish early the early the morning hours and use low water techniques for best success.
Central Oregon: The Deschutes continues to produce good catches of Rainbow, Redband and Brown trout and the Crooked River has been extremely good for the past two weeks.
Ken Clarke at Numbutt Fly Company in Bend (888-248-8309) said the golden stone and salmon fly hatch on the Deschutes is pretty much over now, but there are still a few golden stones around stirring up some activity.
“Currently a good tactic is using a golden stone as an indicator, trailing a small red present tail or a red copper john below it,” Clarke said. “This will produce well in the proper areas.”
“We are starting to see a really good Pale Morning Dun hatch during the evening hours and also a variety of cadis flies from about 5 p.m. till dark.”
“The Crooked River dropped into shape about two weeks ago and is currently at 300 cfs (250 to 300 cfs is prime). The Crooked has been fishing extremely well during the afternoon hours, orange, olive or tan scuds are highly recommended. Anglers tossing caddis flies are finding fish, blue winged olives will be hatching soon.”
BIGGS: catfish continue to bite in the lower John Day River, walleye and bass fishing has slowed due to increased spill at the John Day Dam.
Rogue River: (At Grants Pass - 58.8° F / 2.69 feet / 2,680 cfs). A surprising number of late spring Chinook have been showing recently and large groups of salmon have been marked in the ocean just south of Gold Beach.
Jim Carrey at the Rogue Outdoor Store (541-247-7142) said its surprising, but they are still seeing a fair amount of activity in the river and they are large fish too.
“Out in the ocean between Cape Sebastian and Cape Arch there are reports of large numbers of salmon in the 15 pound category that may be spring Chinook. They are headed north and could be here any day,” Carrey said. “Fall Chinook will be arriving on about July 4. My assistant manager Randy Mickelson and his partner fished the lower Rogue June 26 and both limited on springers in only two and a half hours.”
“Salmon fishing in the ocean out of Brookings has been the hottest I’ve seen it in the past four years.”
Washington —
Cowlitz River: (At Castle Rock - 31.84 feet / 4,500 cfs). Water visibility at Mayfield Dam is 3 feet. There have been an increasing number of boats fishing at the mouth of the Cowlitz, but it’ s still a bit early.
According to Bob Surad owner of Bob’s Sporting Goods in Longview (800-292-5551) the Cowlitz is slow.
“At the mouth of the Cowlitz there have been a lot of wild steelhead showing in the catch, but few hatchery fish. I would estimate its currently about 7 wild fish released for each hatchery fish taken,” Surad said. “The river itself has been slow for both salmon and steelhead.”
Merwin Reservoir: Continues to produce near limits of nice sized Kokanee, anglers are currently finding schools of fish in 25 to 40 feet of water. Most fish are averaging from 12 to 15 inches and are nice and fat.
Riffe Lake: The lake is nearly full and has a significant amount of debris floating around, but its not affecting what has been a good steady bite for 12 to 17 inch Kokanee. Some smallmouth bass are available but most are smaller than those caught earlier in June. The largemouth are not biting well.
Kalama River: Anglers on the Kalama have been doing well for summer steelhead, bobber and jig and drifting fresh eggs are producing. With last weeks rains and high tides a very good number of Chinook were caught. For most of last week there were many 200 fish days of Chinook returning to the Kalama Falls Hatchery.
Some higlights of this months issue:
· Albacore Tuna Move In Close.[size 3][font "Times New Roman"] [/font][/size]
· Columbia River Still Producing Chinook Salmon.[size 3][font "Times New Roman"] [/font][/size]
· Columbia Opens to Retention of Non Adipose Fin-Clipped Chinook.[size 3][font "Times New Roman"] [/font][/size]
· Lower Columbia River Sturgeon Derby Results.[size 3][font "Times New Roman"] [/font][/size]
· Eat More Fish For a Healthy Heart, Fish Sticks Don't Count.
· Alpine Lakes Fishing - by John Kruse.[size 3][font "Times New Roman"] [/font][/size]
· Columbia River Steelhead - by Tom Burgess.[size 3][font "Times New Roman"] [/font][/size]
· Late Springers Just Keep Coming on Rogue River.
To read these reports in full please subscribe to The Local Fisherman News.
Yearly online and print subscriptions are available - single copies @ $2.50 each.
[font "Times New Roman"] [/font]
OR & WA Report by The Local Fisherman News
Fishing Reports, Catch Photos, Marinas, Best Bets and More!
Visit [url "http://www.localfishermannews.com/"]www.localfishermannews.com[/url]
Fishing Guides & Charters at [url "http://www.abproguides.com/"]www.abproguides.com [/url]
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Columbia River Sturgeon and Summer Chinook Keep Anglers Busy
Northwest anglers are awaiting the beginning of the fall Chinook run, but in the mean time they are finding good success for sturgeon and summer Chinook in the Columbia River. The Department of Fish and Wildlife recently opened the Columbia to retention of wild non fin-clipped Chinook salmon due to a large projected return. Anglers have been doing well for both Chinook salmon and summer steelhead.
Cover Photo: June 18 Columbia Estuary Sturgeon Derby Antes up Fair Catch. Team #96, from left - Adam Leibham, LFN publisher Kim Martin and Ed Abdich, all from Portland, found a few nice keepers during the June 18, 2005 Southwest Washington Anglers Sturgeon Derby. The Local Fisherman News team, along with Scott Noy and Dave Bowlby, were lead by boat captain Tom Burgess. They didn't make the winners list, but Kim did take 5th place in the big fish category. She took home $100.00 cash and a nice 35.60 pound sturgeon.
Columbia River: (At Bonneville Dam - 64° F / 200.30 kcfs. 16.58 Gage / Visibility 4.50 feet). Water temp at Astoria 65.5° F.
Rule change: Columbia opens to retention of non adipose fin-clipped Chinook salmon (see page 25 for more),
Spring and summer Chinook are still moving through the lower Columbia, bright 25-35 pound salmon have been reported at Rainier, Dibble, mouth of the Cowlitz, Prescott Beach and in the lower Multnomah Channel. Die hard anglers at Oregon City may experience an increase is success this week as those fish make their way into the Willamette system.
On the lower Columbia near Rainier bank anglers have been taking a surprisingly good number of spring and summer Chinook.
Bob Surad owner of Bob’s Sporting Goods in Longview (800-292-5551) said locals are remaining keep tight lipped, but recently word has slipped out regarding a spike in the catch of bright Chinook.
“It seems that a fair number of bank anglers are finding good success for Chinook salmon on the Oregon side of the Columbia from Dear island to Cathlamet,” Surad said. “Brad’s Wobblers and Alvin's plunked from the shore have been best.”
“I had a fellow come in today (June 28) that was fishing the Columbia River off the beach who saw two nice Chinook caught during the early morning hours, and figured that anglers there would catch about eight to twelve salmon by the end of the day. That angler said last week beach anglers landed over six Chinook salmon.”
“We also had an angler at Fisher Island (Willow Grove) that reported lots of action, landing one hatchery summer steelhead out of a dozen takedowns last week.”
“Anglers fishing the Tongue Point to Rice Island stretch of the Columbia are pulling in very good numbers of keeper sized sturgeon, but anglers are having to search for the fish. Anchovies and smelt have been the best baits.”
“Near Longview the best baits have been sand shrimp and smelt.”
Shad fishing has been red-hot on the mainstem Columbia, which shouldn’t be a surprise since nearly 2½ million shad were counted blitzing past the fish-viewing window at Bonneville Dam during the first two weeks of June.
Fishing will be good for the sliver wonders below the John Day dam this month as the bulk of the run moves in.
SAFE commercial fishery updates from Youngs Bay and Blind Slough: The Blind Slough/Knappa Slough spring season has concluded with a total of 1,331 chinook landed (1,377 including winter season).
Youngs Bay spring season was slow this year, and ended with 730 chinook landed (874 including winter season).
Mainstem commercial fishers landed approximately 808 Chinook, 284 white sturgeon, and 12 green sturgeon for 96 deliveries during the June 23-24 fishing period. Two more fishing periods are scheduled (one this week and one next week). The Youngs Bay summer season is now one 30-hr season per week through the end of July.
The Youngs Bay summer season opened with fishers landing about 31 Chinook and 20 white sturgeon during this past week. The Youngs Bay summer season will continue two days a week through the end of June, then will go to one 30-hr season per week through the end of July.
Sturgeon: Bobbie at The Fishery in Cascade Locks (541) 374-8577) said the catch of salmon has been good but many are non fin-clipped and need to be released. She said shad are still available but the bite has slowed some. Lots of shaker sturgeon, a fair numbers of keepers and over sized are being reported by anglers.
Willamette River: (Below Falls - 63° F / 6.84 feet / 9,300 cfs / 5.0 foot visibility). A few spring Chinook are still moving through the lower system along some with dip-in Columbia River Chinook. Die hard anglers fishing below the falls and off the mouth of the Clackamas River are picking up some nice bright springers 28 to 35 pounds.
Daily passage at the falls has dropped to around 200 to 230 fish per day on average. The majority of spring Chinook, along with a decent amount of summer run steelhead, are now in the upper reaches of the Willamette and tributaries like the McKenzie and north and south Santiams.
A late shot of fish were reported in the Multnomah Channel the week of June 20, over 15 Chinook were reportedly caught during what anglers referred to as a very good bite.
This years projected forecast of 116,900 spring Chinook to the Willamette is about 26,000 fish below the final run size of 143,700, but some think that late fish may continue to show well into July.
North Santiam River: (Below Bolder Cr.– 53.6 F / 637 cfs / 3.30 feet). Report by LFN news correspondent Bill Sanderson: A few very good drifts mark the way down to the Line Hole, and some spring salmon are swimming around there now. Down at Curtis Rapids and Minto Stillwater, many more salmon and steelhead are present. The many rocks and ledges down to Minto Park provide hiding and resting places for lots of fish. The logging work at Minto has made it more difficult to use the trails and camps, but fishing is still good at Minto Park and at Mad Creek.
Lava Island, Turnage Bar, Rock Creek, and a dozen good fishing holes continue down to Kimmel Park and Mill City. There are good numbers of steelhead in incidental locations all the way down to the Frank Hole, Bootleg Bend, and Fishermen's Bend. Steelhead are also scattered nicely between Pack
dle Park and Stayton. Sandy River: (Below Bull Run River - 54° F / 8.72 feet / 1,050 cfs.). Steady action for spring Chinook and summer steelhead is available for those willing to invest some time. It’s not red hot, but definitely worth the effort. Some nice sized fish are being taken throughout the system.
Tougher Security Against Trespassers to Begin Below Dodge Park: Property along the Sandy River bordering the Pipeline Hole, Girl Scout Hole, Gage Hole and Blue Hole downstream of Dodge Park, will have a new “on-property” security force beginning in the spring of 2006.
This property, Camp Namanu, contains many popular and highly productive fishing holes once prized by local anglers. Anglers have had unrestricted access to this area up until about 1999 when camp owners initiated a crack down and posted the area.
The camp is owned by Camp Fire USA Portland Metro Council, who say they have had problems with litter and indecent exposure (nude sunbathing and urinating).
The Oregon Fishing Club (OFC) 541-967-8301 is in process of ironing out an agreement and possible partnership with Camp Namanu to help them solve their trespassing problems, while allowing access to OFC members who will act as a security team for one year. The club plans to engage about a dozen of its members, each of which would have exclusive fishing access to these prime fishing holes for a year.
Clackamas River: (At Estacada - 57.9° F / 11.56 feet / 1,460 cfs.). More Chinook are becoming available in the Clackamas, the catch has ranged from fair to good in recent days. Some really nice sized summer steelhead are available which are increasing in numbers. Expect to put in a fair amount of time (6-8 hours) to get your fish. Fish early the early the morning hours and use low water techniques for best success.
Central Oregon: The Deschutes continues to produce good catches of Rainbow, Redband and Brown trout and the Crooked River has been extremely good for the past two weeks.
Ken Clarke at Numbutt Fly Company in Bend (888-248-8309) said the golden stone and salmon fly hatch on the Deschutes is pretty much over now, but there are still a few golden stones around stirring up some activity.
“Currently a good tactic is using a golden stone as an indicator, trailing a small red present tail or a red copper john below it,” Clarke said. “This will produce well in the proper areas.”
“We are starting to see a really good Pale Morning Dun hatch during the evening hours and also a variety of cadis flies from about 5 p.m. till dark.”
“The Crooked River dropped into shape about two weeks ago and is currently at 300 cfs (250 to 300 cfs is prime). The Crooked has been fishing extremely well during the afternoon hours, orange, olive or tan scuds are highly recommended. Anglers tossing caddis flies are finding fish, blue winged olives will be hatching soon.”
BIGGS: catfish continue to bite in the lower John Day River, walleye and bass fishing has slowed due to increased spill at the John Day Dam.
Rogue River: (At Grants Pass - 58.8° F / 2.69 feet / 2,680 cfs). A surprising number of late spring Chinook have been showing recently and large groups of salmon have been marked in the ocean just south of Gold Beach.
Jim Carrey at the Rogue Outdoor Store (541-247-7142) said its surprising, but they are still seeing a fair amount of activity in the river and they are large fish too.
“Out in the ocean between Cape Sebastian and Cape Arch there are reports of large numbers of salmon in the 15 pound category that may be spring Chinook. They are headed north and could be here any day,” Carrey said. “Fall Chinook will be arriving on about July 4. My assistant manager Randy Mickelson and his partner fished the lower Rogue June 26 and both limited on springers in only two and a half hours.”
“Salmon fishing in the ocean out of Brookings has been the hottest I’ve seen it in the past four years.”
Washington —
Cowlitz River: (At Castle Rock - 31.84 feet / 4,500 cfs). Water visibility at Mayfield Dam is 3 feet. There have been an increasing number of boats fishing at the mouth of the Cowlitz, but it’ s still a bit early.
According to Bob Surad owner of Bob’s Sporting Goods in Longview (800-292-5551) the Cowlitz is slow.
“At the mouth of the Cowlitz there have been a lot of wild steelhead showing in the catch, but few hatchery fish. I would estimate its currently about 7 wild fish released for each hatchery fish taken,” Surad said. “The river itself has been slow for both salmon and steelhead.”
Merwin Reservoir: Continues to produce near limits of nice sized Kokanee, anglers are currently finding schools of fish in 25 to 40 feet of water. Most fish are averaging from 12 to 15 inches and are nice and fat.
Riffe Lake: The lake is nearly full and has a significant amount of debris floating around, but its not affecting what has been a good steady bite for 12 to 17 inch Kokanee. Some smallmouth bass are available but most are smaller than those caught earlier in June. The largemouth are not biting well.
Kalama River: Anglers on the Kalama have been doing well for summer steelhead, bobber and jig and drifting fresh eggs are producing. With last weeks rains and high tides a very good number of Chinook were caught. For most of last week there were many 200 fish days of Chinook returning to the Kalama Falls Hatchery.
Some higlights of this months issue:
· Albacore Tuna Move In Close.[size 3][font "Times New Roman"] [/font][/size]
· Columbia River Still Producing Chinook Salmon.[size 3][font "Times New Roman"] [/font][/size]
· Columbia Opens to Retention of Non Adipose Fin-Clipped Chinook.[size 3][font "Times New Roman"] [/font][/size]
· Lower Columbia River Sturgeon Derby Results.[size 3][font "Times New Roman"] [/font][/size]
· Eat More Fish For a Healthy Heart, Fish Sticks Don't Count.
· Alpine Lakes Fishing - by John Kruse.[size 3][font "Times New Roman"] [/font][/size]
· Columbia River Steelhead - by Tom Burgess.[size 3][font "Times New Roman"] [/font][/size]
· Late Springers Just Keep Coming on Rogue River.
To read these reports in full please subscribe to The Local Fisherman News.
Yearly online and print subscriptions are available - single copies @ $2.50 each.
[font "Times New Roman"] [/font]
OR & WA Report by The Local Fisherman News
Fishing Reports, Catch Photos, Marinas, Best Bets and More!
Visit [url "http://www.localfishermannews.com/"]www.localfishermannews.com[/url]
Fishing Guides & Charters at [url "http://www.abproguides.com/"]www.abproguides.com [/url]
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