Outdoor Report 3/1

It has been cold, last week’s snow caused the rivers to drop a few degrees and slowed down the fish migration a little, which is not a bad thing. When we get cold temperatures that make the fish slow their travel upriver it means they spend more time in certain spots, allowing you more time to get at them. You may need to bring along some bait to get them to snap, or try a few different techniques however, there are plenty of fish around and they are willing to bite. There was a good shot of fish in most of the coastal streams as the snow melted and the rivers came up some. A lot of folks that have been doing well are focusing their efforts on the lower stretches of the rivers either bobberdoggin’ or side drifting with yarn, bait, beads or worms. These fish are typically ocean fresh and eager biters. There will be fresh hatchery steelhead to catch all the way through March thanks to the broodstock programs that are being run on most of the north coast and valley rivers. This gives everyone something to fish for as we wait for the first big push of springers to come into the Columbia and Willamette. We are still getting a few reports of springers being caught each week. They are still few and far between but that could change daily as we head into March. March is typically the kickoff month for springer anglers and it only gets better as we head into April. Some of the first fish will be caught trolling herring and a flasher, this technique allows you to cover a lot of water. There will also be fish caught by anchor anglers who are sitting on the hook with Kwikfish, Mag Lips or Flatfish wrapped in their favorite bait fish. Finding a cut off or choke point will be the best option when anchoring. March is the time that trout stocking starts to ramp up. Area anglers can find a lot of success on local Henry Hagg Lake. There is always something to fish for there. Besides frequent trout stocking of legal size and larger rainbow trout, there are huge smallmouth bass that start to “turn on” as early as March. Other popular area lakes to find good trout populations this time of year are, on the east side; Benson, Hartman and Blue Lakes just east of Troutdale off of I-84. Mt Hood Pond, just east of Gresham. Canby Pond is located right in Canby Park and is a great place to take kids as you must be 17 years old or younger to fish it. On the west side of Portland, you will find Bethany Pond and Commonwealth Lake both close to Hwy 26 near Beaverton. Also near the Beaverton, Sherwood area is Progress Lake. These lakes and ponds, plus many others in the Willamette Valley and along the coast are well stocked this time of year. For more information, directions and stocking schedule you can go to https://myodfw.com/recreation-report/fishing-report/willamette-zone. The early season methods that are most popular will be worms and Berkley Powerbait Dough or Gulp eggs either on the bottom or suspended under a bobber or float. For those who like to cast lures, popular spinners are Yakima Bait Roostertails and Panther Martin Spinners. In Washington, Clark County’s Klineline Pond and Battleground Lake were stocked earlier this week and those fish should be snapping by this weekend. You can find out more info going to bit.ly/2GXrUqh Razor clams are open at Mocrocks beach Friday and Saturday for evening tides. Check WDFW’s site for more these digs and others coming mid-month. https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/ shellfish/razorclams/ current.html