03-11-2005, 02:02 PM
Oregon Fisheries Update
March 11th – March 17th, 2005
Spring chinook are falling to trollers in the Willamette and Columbia in modest numbers daily, but as the first are counted at Willamette Falls and Bonneville Dam, we can announce without reservation, the run of 2005 is officially underway ... but it's still early yet.
Sturgeon fishermen are going largely unrewarded for their efforts with the warmer water in the Willamette offering better, if still marginal, prospects. Now that the Columbia has started to warm and there's a rumor that smelt may finally be on their way, there is reason for optimism ... a little, anyway.
Steelheaders continue to chase their quarry as summers join the mix in modest number in the Clackamas and Sandy Rivers. The latter offers slightly better prospect in this drought year. A few springers have started to chow in the Sandy as well.
The North Santiam levels have fallen further, putting it below what would be considered 'normal' in mid-summer.
Coastal steelheading is hit-or-miss with persistence combined with stealth, light line and diminutive baits and lures rewarding anglers with the occasional strike. From that point forward, it's up to the fisherman. When two or three or two strikes making it a good day, it's particularly tough to lose a fish.
South coast rivers remain low, clear and slow. Steelheading has slowed the Umpqua. leaving only the Rogue River producing catches.
Bass and panfishermen are finding some willing adversaries as waters warm sufficiently to rev warm water species' metabolism. Smallmouth are active in the mid-50 degree waters of the upper Willamette.
Boaters are cautioned on most rivers as water levels are causing problems and hazards. Stories are coming in (and we share a few) from having to drag drift boats to outboard lower units being destroyed.
Crabbing is slow in most coastal bays but holding up out of Hammond on the lower Columbia.
Trout have been planted this week at Dexter Reservoir although most of the regular North coast and Willamette Valley lakes and ponds were stocked last week. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is stocking 1,000 rainbow trout at Creswell Pond in Eugene as part of the Youth Angling Enhancement Program.
SW Washington - Puget Sound anglers report mixed success on black mouth Chinook salmon fishing. Sturgeon anglers are reporting increased success. The Kalama has fair numbers of steelhead in it but they are exceptionally wary. The Cowlitz River is still a marginal fishery. The Lewis River continues to produce some steelhead although most are native fish The spring Chinook fishing has been slow so far this year. We have smelt! Dippers should have an opportunity to dip in the Cowlitz River on Saturday March 12.
Always more at the website: http://www.theguidesforecast.com/
[signature]
March 11th – March 17th, 2005
Spring chinook are falling to trollers in the Willamette and Columbia in modest numbers daily, but as the first are counted at Willamette Falls and Bonneville Dam, we can announce without reservation, the run of 2005 is officially underway ... but it's still early yet.
Sturgeon fishermen are going largely unrewarded for their efforts with the warmer water in the Willamette offering better, if still marginal, prospects. Now that the Columbia has started to warm and there's a rumor that smelt may finally be on their way, there is reason for optimism ... a little, anyway.
Steelheaders continue to chase their quarry as summers join the mix in modest number in the Clackamas and Sandy Rivers. The latter offers slightly better prospect in this drought year. A few springers have started to chow in the Sandy as well.
The North Santiam levels have fallen further, putting it below what would be considered 'normal' in mid-summer.
Coastal steelheading is hit-or-miss with persistence combined with stealth, light line and diminutive baits and lures rewarding anglers with the occasional strike. From that point forward, it's up to the fisherman. When two or three or two strikes making it a good day, it's particularly tough to lose a fish.
South coast rivers remain low, clear and slow. Steelheading has slowed the Umpqua. leaving only the Rogue River producing catches.
Bass and panfishermen are finding some willing adversaries as waters warm sufficiently to rev warm water species' metabolism. Smallmouth are active in the mid-50 degree waters of the upper Willamette.
Boaters are cautioned on most rivers as water levels are causing problems and hazards. Stories are coming in (and we share a few) from having to drag drift boats to outboard lower units being destroyed.
Crabbing is slow in most coastal bays but holding up out of Hammond on the lower Columbia.
Trout have been planted this week at Dexter Reservoir although most of the regular North coast and Willamette Valley lakes and ponds were stocked last week. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is stocking 1,000 rainbow trout at Creswell Pond in Eugene as part of the Youth Angling Enhancement Program.
SW Washington - Puget Sound anglers report mixed success on black mouth Chinook salmon fishing. Sturgeon anglers are reporting increased success. The Kalama has fair numbers of steelhead in it but they are exceptionally wary. The Cowlitz River is still a marginal fishery. The Lewis River continues to produce some steelhead although most are native fish The spring Chinook fishing has been slow so far this year. We have smelt! Dippers should have an opportunity to dip in the Cowlitz River on Saturday March 12.
Always more at the website: http://www.theguidesforecast.com/
[signature]