Fishing report 11-29
Fall Chinook fishing is winding down along the coast and many folks are beginning to start to think about Winter Steelhead. With that being said, many of the smaller rivers like the Kilchis, North Fork Nehalem and Necanicum will be among the first to get Winter Steelhead entering them. These early fish tend to be super aggressive as there isn’t a lot of fish around to give them competition. We will usually see the early fish getting caught by folks targeting Chinook backtrolling plugs or backbouncing eggs. You know if they will eat a k15 or a golf ball size glob of eggs that they are aggressive. When specifically targeting early Winter Steelhead many folks will fish bobber and jig or pink worm, back troll small plugs or bobberdog throuvh likely holding water. These techniques will allow anglers to effectively cover a lot of water in a short amount of time. Remember these fish will be aggressive, so covering water quickly will definitely be one of the keys to success.
Catch and release Sturgeon fishing has been an option for those that are wanting to use their power boat. This fishery is great for younger or new anglers that are wanting some action. Pulling on big fish while drinking coffee or hot chocolate next to a warm heater is a recipe for fun. Squid, Sand Shrimp, Herring and Smelt have all been good baits.
Trout fishing has been an option that some anglers are taking advantage of. ODFW is still not letting us see what lakes are getting stocked and when but that doesn’t mean that you can’t go do some reconnaissance on your own to lakes that typically get heavily stocked. Henry Hagg Lake, in Banks, is a lake that receives some of the heaviest Trout plants in the state and is a great option right now. Trout will come out from the deeper water and search for some of the warmer water in shallower areas. Trolling is a good option for boat anglers and bank fishermen can find success fishing bait on the bottom or under a bobber as well as casting spinners.
Kokanee fishing up at Merwin lake is another good option and will continue to be good through out the winter. These Kokanee tend to school up and be high in the water column so lots of folks won’t even need down riggers to target them. Trolling dodgers with a short leader and either a small Spin-n-glo, spinner blade, Wiggle Hoochie or Brad’s Kokanee Cut Plug will work. Always tip your offering with Shoepeg corn and bring along a few different scents to try as well.
A fishery that doesn’t get taken advantage of as often as it should, is Surf Perch fishing. This time of year the ocean can be a little more volatile so always check the weather and ocean conditions. Perch are in the surf all year round and are a great alternative when rivers are low or clear and Steelhead fishing is slow.
Gulp Sandworms, Sand Shrimp or Clam necks are the most popular bait choices.
Crabbing has been good and with the recent nice weather, folks have been taking advantage. Spending some time pulling pots and cooking crab is a lot of fun, not to mention delicious.
Duck hunting has been good from the coast to the valley. Hunters have been finding lots of success and with the time of year being an in between Fall Chinook and Winter Steelhead, we are seeing more folks participating in Duck hunting.
