07-17-2004, 02:43 PM
Oregon Fisheries Update
July 16th – July 22nd, 2004
With another modified sturgeon season in our midst, anglers will want to take full advantage of technical report #3- Columbia River Estuary Sturgeon Fishing and while you are at it, get a copy of technical report #4- Columbia River Estuary Salmon Fishing for the Bank and Boat Angler for the upcoming Buoy 10 season! Both reports are available from our secured web page here.
Catch and release sturgeon fishing is nothing to write home about. The water temperatures have risen and the fish are a bit harder to locate. Sturgeon fishing in the gorge remains steady but is showing signs of dropping off. The oversize fish are now gorged with “floater” shad instead of the fresh stuff.
Gorge steelheading is one of the better options for those pursuing salmonids on the Columbia. The summer Chinook fishery is showing signs of slowing with the bulk of the predicted run past Bonneville Dam. Spinners rule in this fishery.
Steelhead are present in good number in the Clackamas and Sandy. The Sandy River is productive and will likely remain so unless the warm weather causes a seasonal glacial runoff. Clackamas anglers are finding low, clear water has steelhead hunkered down in no mood to strike bait or lure. Rain would turn this situation around.
The North Santiam is in excellent shape with large numbers of summer steelhead available. Getting them to bite has been a challenge, however. Anglers are having better luck on the South Santiam.
Offshore, salmon fishing remains most productive off of the mouth of the Columbia although limits or near limits of salmon are coming from Garibaldi as well.
Halibut fishing is a worthwhile trip on the all-depth days when anglers are allowed to fish deeper than 40 fathoms. Tuna fishing has been rewarding out of Hammond, Tillamook and Depoe Bays and off the South coast. Either book a charter or go with someone who has the equipment and know-how to make a serious ocean trip of 20 to 40 miles offshore for tuna. Safety first.
North Coast rivers are very low so summer steelheaders and late springer seekers are having a tough time of it. Traditional summer steelheaders know how to employ low water techniques to entice these fish however.
As the shad fishing on the Umpqua winds down, smallmouth fishing remains excellent. chinook and coho are being taken out of Winchester Bay. Salmon fishing in Rogue River Bay is improving with an average of 30 fish per day being brought to dock.
Trout have been stocked this week in Breitenbush River, Clear Lake, Leaburg Lake, Upper McKenzie River Upper, Quartsville Creek, North Fork Santiam River, Trail Bridge Reservoir, Badger Lake, Fall River, Lake of the Woods, Shevlin Pond, Spring Creek and Walton Lake.
Pictured here is Bob Rees hoisting Joel Aylors keeper over the side of the boat in late June. Joel fished with the Steele brothers and Jerry Harding also landing an oversize fish that day. Fishing was fair although we didn't limit the boat out either day. Also pictured here is Scott Steele with his keeper from just out of Hammond.
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