Fishing report 1-31
Winter Steelhead fishermen were having a hard time finding fishable water this week. Between snowmelt and incoming rain, the rivers have been a mess. Some of the smaller tributaries are finally starting to clear up and the larger rivers will soon follow. Rivers like the Wilson and Trask will give you an earlier opportunity, up near the headwaters, as those sections of rivers clear the earliest. Steelhead have spread throughout most river systems, so finding fish, once rivers drop, shouldn’t be a problem. Your best bet will be to target soft-moving inside seams, walking speed areas, or large tail-outs that give fish an opportunity to slow down and get out of the current. Fisherman’s Pro, Andy Martin, has been on the river on-and-off throughout the last week, and had been finding success plunking from the boat. Rivers were too high to bobber-dog or side-drift, so he was finding success anchoring in shallow water seams and fishing larger Spin-n-Glos, with and without bait. This technique isn’t used very often by boat anglers but can be a very productive option for folks.
Catch-and-release Sturgeon fishing in the lower Willamette and upper Columbia remains good. Squid, Sand Shrimp, Herring, Smelt and Anchovies are baits that have been producing lately.
It’s almost Spring Chinook time! Ok, it’s only the beginning of February, so we know it’s not time yet, but usually we will start to get reports of a few Chinook getting caught in the lower Willamette during the first few weeks in February. Lots of times by an angler trolling Plug-Cut Herring or Prawn Spinner behind a Flasher.
Bottom-fishing is an excellent choice for anglers looking to catch a pile of fish for fish tacos. Reports mention a decent mix of Lingcod being caught, along with plenty of Rockfish for everyone. Shrimp flies, Curly-Tail Grubs, Farallon feathers and Vertical Jigs have been among the best baits to use.
Razor Clamming closed this past week along Washington Beaches and is set to re-open on February 6th, February 7th, for Long Beach Clammers. Look for the clamming to continue to be productive, as we have good negative tides next week.
Crabbing also remains a stellar option for folks heading to the coast. Some folks will opt to drop their Crab pots before heading out for some bottom fish, while others will spend their day in the bay pulling limits of perfect Dungeness Crab.
Kokanee fishing up at Lake Merwin has been a great option for anglers that are looking to fill their coolers with delicious salmon—land-locked salmon that is. Kokanee can be voracious feeders this time of year, and when they are high in
the water column, as they usually are around now, they can be great sport for anyone! Trolling Dodgers and small Spin-n-Glos, small Spinner Blades or bright-colored Hoochies are all you need to tap into this seemingly endless fishery. Tip your offering with a kernel of Shoepeg corn and you are in business!
