FISHING REPORT 10-15-2021
In addition to great Salmon fishing, autumn is also a fine time to target Trout!
Fishing Report - October 15th, 2021
Salmon fishing around the Northwest is the name of the game right now. From Coastal Fall Chinook to tributary Coho, there are loads of options to choose from. Coastal Fall Chinook fishing is in full swing right now all up and down the coast. We have had good reports from our Pro Staff in Tillamook and Nehalem all the way down to the South Coast. Estuary fishing is where the action is right now, until we get a big shot of rain. Trolling herring and triangle flashers, 360 flashers and small spinners, or 360 flashers and Spinfish or Superbaits are all very popular options. Make sure to be aware of the tides and where the fish move with each tide set. In these smaller fisheries, all it may take is an hour into any given tide and the fish may move to a completely different part of the bay.
Coho fishing is still happening in Astoria and the lower Columbia with anglers finding success every day. The Astoria fishery is a trolling fishery where anglers have been finding success trolling triangle flashers with fresh Anchovies or fresh Herring, as well as 360 flashers and small spinners or Superbaits. Try to be in a good spot at the beginning of the incoming tide, as Coho absolutely love to flood into the river on big incoming tides. As you move above Astoria up to the mouth of the Cowlitz and Lewis, anglers still will be trolling with triangle and 360 flashers, but some folks will also be trolling with Wiggle Warts and even just a lead and small spinner.
Tributary Coho fishing is going on in the Sandy, Clackamas, Lewis, Cowlitz and Kalama Rivers, giving anglers a lot of different options. These fish moved in over the past few weeks so there is a good mix of fresh fish and fish that have been around a while. Anglers have been catching fish on almost any technique that you can imagine. Spinners, twitching jigs, salmon eggs and plugs are the most popular options, however, there are other options that can be deadly. Swinging spoons, bobber fishing jigs or beads, and even coon stripe shrimp are all options that don’t get used as often, but can give you a distinct advantage if you stumble upon some stale fish that are reluctant to bite.
Razor Clamming was open again this past weekend and the results were impressive. WDFW upped the daily limit from 15 to 20 due to the abundance of Clams, and people are having no trouble at all finding those extra 5 Clams to round out their limits. Folks have been finding success well before the actual lowest part of the tide. We had reports of people starting to find clams almost 3 hours before low tide, giving many the opportunity to find their clams in the daylight hours.
Crabbing has been great along the coast with many bays giving up large, full Dungeness Crab. Be sure to bring a few Crab pots with you if you are heading out bottom fishing or Salmon fishing and drop them on your way out. It gives you the ability to come home with lots of salty treats.
Bottom fishing has been good and some anglers have been finding full boat limits of Lingcod, like Fisherman’s Pro, Andy Martin. Andy says that fall is a great time to target Bottomfish and chase after prized Lingcod, however, this time of year the weather is usually the deciding factor. These delicious fish inhabit the rocky outcroppings and underwater structures off of the many bays that line the Oregon Coast. Along with Lingcod, you will easily find a wide variety of Bottomfish and you never know what might bite your offering. Pay close attention to the wind and wave predictions for the day you are planning to cross over the bar, as the weather can change quickly.
Fall-time Trout fishing is a great option right now weather is cooling, prompting Trout to feed. This drop in temperature signals the time of year for Trout to start packing on as much weight as they can. Casting spinners is a great way to catch large holdover Trout as a spinner can imitate a small bait-fish which gives Trout a snack packed full of nutrients and protein. A well cast spinner, spoon, Kastmaster or Thomas Buoyant can easily mimic that baitfish. Still fishing Salmon eggs, nightcrawlers or Powerbait is an effective technique as well. Nothing says “easy meal” to a Trout like a juicy nightcrawler hanging out in the middle of the water column just waiting to be slurped up.
Always be sure to check local regulations at ODFW and WDFW before heading out. Find reports and two most widely used baits, information on the Fisherman's Community page.
