Outdoor Report 2/20
Winter steelhead fishing this past week was really good on the coastal rivers as well as in the valley. The warmer temps along with the relatively dry weather we have had has rivers on the drop and the fish on the bite. Anglers have been experiencing success from tidewater all the way up to the reaches of rivers only bank fishermen can access. Virtually all techniques have put fish in the boat and on the bank. Bobber fishing has been the go-to for most anglers. A lot of fishermen have been bobberdoggin baits and beads as well as traditional float fishing with pink worms, bait or jigs. Folks that have been “old school” drift fishing have also been having great success. Pink Worms, Corkie and yarn, yarn and eggs or sand shrimp and Cheaters have all been working.
Spring Chinook have started getting caught this week with reports coming from the Portland Harbor, Sellwood area as well as Oregon City. Folks down low have had their success trolling cut-plug herring with flashers. In the harbor area, keeping your gear suspended up off of the bottom is virtually a must as the bottom is incredibly snaggy. Up towards Oregon City, the reports have been from the bank anglers plunking along Meldrum Bar. Reports of a few Spring Chinook as well as quite a few Winter Steelhead have surfaced from the anglers spending their day plunking Spin-N-Glos and coon stripe shrimp or prawns. Look for reports to get better as each week passes.
Kokanee fishing has remained a great option. These delicious landlocked salmon have been a great fishery this winter as we have had so much rain and a lot of rivers have had minimal days of fishable water. These fish are still relatively high in the water column, and if evening temperatures stay low, the Kokanee should still stay up near the surface. Dodgers with short leaders behind them and small Spin-N-Glos, spinner blades, Wedding Rings and Wiggle Hoochies have all been producing.
ODFW has continued its trout planting with most of the recent plants being down in the Springfield, Willamette area. They will continue planting trout through the rest of the year and will start planting more close to the Portland Metro area in the coming months. These freshly planted trout are typically quite aggressive and are willing biters, initially. Once they get wise to the typical Powerbait fished off the bottom, that is when having a few trick up your sleeve can pay dividends. Spinners, spoons or bubble and fly are all great choices to trick picky trout into biting. Casting along the shoreline to intercept cruising trout can be a very fun way to spend a day on the water.
Catch and release sturgeon fishing was good this past week, with the Portland Harbor once again being the hot spot. Smelt, Squid, Herring and Sandshrimp were all good bait choices. These fish make for a great fishery especially when in combination with a Springer trip. Spring Chinook fish in the morning and then pull on hard fighting sturgeon in the afternoon makes for a great day on the water that anyone can enjoy.
Crabbing picked up some this last week as rivers have subsided and the bays have cleaned out a lot of the excess fresh water.
Clamming was good last week during the Long Beach opener. There are more tentative dates that are coming up for Long Beach Razor Clamming. Check in with us regularly as we will update everyone as soon as we get word of an opener.
DIGS APPROVED!
The following digs are approved in Washington:
FEBRUARY • February 20, Thursday, 4:54 pm -0.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis • February 21, Friday, 5:35 pm -0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks • February 22, Saturday, 6:11 pm -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis • February 23, Sunday, 6.44 pm -.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
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.
