Tyler and Robert from our Oregon City store with a nice Deschutes Summer Steelhead caught and released earlier this week while fishing with Fisherman's Pro Guide, Brad Staples.
Fishing Report:
It’s ocean Salmon time! Right now the Coho in the ocean are packing on weight preparing for the journey up the Columbia. These fish are eating as much as they can so when you find a good school of Coho be ready the action can be very fast paced. Chinook are also in the mix and are continuing to arrive nearshore staging to head up the Columbia. In the ocean there are many different baits that can work well, however, people have been finding exceptional success using hard spinning baits like Spinfish, Spin Dawgs, Cutplugs and Superbaits. Packing these baits with herring, sardines or anchovies has proved to be the best scent options.
Columbia River Summer Steelhead fishing remains a great option for anglers. This fishery is about as enjoyable as it gets. Sitting on anchor, often right next to the shore, lighter tackle, sunny weather and high-flying Steelhead. What’s not to like? Prawns, coon stripe shrimp, sand shrimp, small plugs and small spinners make up the majority of a Summer Steelhead fisherman’s arsenal.
The catch and release Sturgeon fishery in Astoria is rockin’ and rollin’!These hard fighting giants are known for cruising through shallow water looking for an easy meal. Squid, herring, sand shrimp and anchovies are all great bait options.
Bottom fishing has remained a great fishery this summer as we have had multiple Pro Staff guides loading their boats with limits of bottom fish. Standard fare includes shrimp flies, Farallon Feathers, swimbaits and large curly tail grubs. Fisherman’s Pro, Ted Teufel, has been putting his clients on loads of bottom fish, shallow water Halibut and Ocean Coho. Now is the time to be on the ocean!
Surf Perch fishing has been good for anglers wanting a change of pace. These delicious fish like to dart in and out of the waves on an incoming tide. The waves whip up new and tasty feed for them and gives the angler an advantage when it comes to picking the time of day to target them. Sand shrimp, Clam necks and Berkley Gulp Sand Worms have all been producing well for anglers.
Crabbing has been good and as we near the fall months the Crab will continue to fill out.
Albacore Tuna are on the horizon! Reports have been that they are still a ways out, but that can change any day. Trolling is usually the name of the game when searching for schools of hungry Albacore. Once you hook up, get the live bait rods out, swimbaits or vertical jigs. This is when you can stack a boat in a short amount of time.
Trout are being stocked daily around the region with several well known lakes getting plants this week. Harriet Lake and Estacada Lake both are receiving plants this week and should provide ample catching opportunities. Trolling with weddings rings, small FlatFish, small Maglips or small Hotshots should all produce well. Bank anglers will find success drowning some Powerbait or nightcrawlers, as well casting spinners or Kastmasters.
Walleye fishing in the Columbia Gorge is a great way to fill the freezer and have a fun, sunny day on the water. Trolling bottom walkers with a worm harness has still been the most productive technique from the reports we have been getting. Fisherman’s Pro, Steve Leonard, has been getting after the walleye and he reports that worm harness trolling has been the key to his success.
