Fishing Report 12-23-2022
Fishing Report:
Winter Steelhead fishing continues to improve! Last week many rivers were in great shape as they were on the drop from the previous water event. This coming weekend’s cold weather will get them dropping fast and then we are expecting a spike in water levels as temperatures drastically rise. This basically sums up how Winter Steelhead fishing can go. Low water to high water and everything in between. This requires having the ability to adapt to changing conditions with what lure or presentation you are using. High water means bright colors, larger offerings and trying to find the “walking speed” or soft water that will give fish a reprieve from the hard-charging current. Low water often means more subdued colors, smaller offerings and looking for fish in large tailouts, boulder strewn runs or chopped water that offers cover during clear, low water. Having a good variety of gear with you can definitely help when you are headed to the river for a day. Often you may even find both of these river conditions in the same day on the same river. Down low you may find nice green water with great flow, and then head up near the headwaters and find clear water that is getting lower by the hour. Fisherman’s Pro, Chris Vertopoulos, spent a day on a North Coast Oregon River earlier this week and struck gold! Or rather, struck chrome! Fishing Mad River pink worms under a float helped his boat land 3 beautiful hatchery Steelhead during a typical rainy coastal day.
Catch and release Sturgeon fishing remains a solid option for those looking to spend a fun filled day on the water. These prehistoric beasts love to spend the greater part of the winter piled into the lower Willamette as there is plenty of food and soft current for them to spend the cold water months in. The river below Sellwood can be particularly good fishing, as the current typically seems to slow down even more. Finding ledges or drop off points are great places to look for feeding Sturgeon, as the bait is forced to funnel into the deeper water below the drop offs. Squid, sand shrimp, herring and smelt all make killer bait options.
Bottom fishing can be extremely productive this time of year. Each year more anglers are figuring this fishery out and they are finding out just how untapped it is. There are so many different species to target, the limits are generous and everyone loves some fish and chips on a stormy day. Winter can make ocean conditions a bit challenging at times, but pay close attention to the wind and wave predictions and you should be able to come up with a solid game plan to head out to the bottom fish grounds.
Trout fishing remains an option but this last week there were fewer anglers out trying their luck, mainly due to weather conditions. But when you do head out, be sure to bring some bait as a good back up plan. Winter trout rarely pass up a chance at a plump nightcrawler. For the bank angler, casting spinners and Kastmasters works well. Especially when the sun is out as it gives your bait more flash to attract a potential biter. The boat angler will find success trolling small Mag Lips or Flatfish as well as wedding rings tipped with nightcrawlers. Even making your own lures out of small Spin-n-Glos or spinner blades can do the trick.
Crabbing has still been great and folks are finding success not only from the boat but also from the piers and jetties along the coast. Off of the piers you can either cast folding crab traps or toss crab rings or pots, and off of the jetties it’s a crab snare or folding crab trap game.
