Fishing Report 02-10-2023
Check out this nice Winter Steelhead caught by Cole Solari! Weighing in at 12.10lbs and just over 34" long Cole picked a great fish to be his first ever Steelhead. Congratulations Cole!
Fishing Report:
Winter Steelhead fishing has been good for those that have been able to make it out after the last batch of rain. Folks have been finding success all along the coast and we have reports of some really big fish being caught. The water is dropping and is a killer steelhead green color on a lot of rivers. Fishermen have found fish in all parts of the rivers, from down low in tidewater, all the way up to the small water that only bank fishermen can get to. Bright-colored worms, yarn balls, eggs, shrimp and plugs have all been catching fish lately. Boat fishermen are finding success Bobberdoggin, sidedrifting and backtrolling plugs. It’s that magical time where you can pick your favorite technique and run with it all day and usually find success.
Catch and release Sturgeon fishing has still been good. The high water hasn’t deterred these great biting fish and the action has been good. The Portland Harbor still remains one of the best places to target these prehistoric creatures. Smelt, squid, herring and sandshrimp have all been go-to baits.
There hasn’t been a confirmed Spring Chinook caught yet, although rumors have been circulating. We suspect any day now that the first few will get caught and then they will slowly start to trickle in. Herring and a flasher almost always seem to be what the first few fish are caught on. This technique allows you to cover some ground and potentially get your gear in front of the first Springer of the year!
Trout fishing is still a great option and as the weeks go on, the water and weather will start to get warmer and the Trout will get even more active. Right now, still fishing bait is going to be one of your best options as Trout will be slowly cruising the bottom or near the shorelines looking for an easy meal. Nightcrawlers, Powerbait, salmon eggs or Berkley Gulp are all good bait options when fished either under a bobber or off of the bottom.
Crabbing will be getting better as the bays along the coast have started to empty out all the excess freshwater from last month’s rains. During the Winter months crabbing can be a fun, interactive and productive way to get the family onto the water. Baiting and pulling pots is a great way to get the younger generations involved.
Kokanee fishing has still been good up at Merwin Lake. These Kokanee will be getting fatter by the week and offer a great fishery to anglers close to the Portland Metro area. Fish are still pretty high in the water column so a lot of anglers are finding success just flat-lining, or with very minimal weight added to their gear. Small Spin-N-Glos, spinner blades and small pink hoochies have all been working well. Make sure you tip your lure with some Shoepeg corn and you are in business.
