Outdoor Report 5/23
Spring Chinook fishing remains a constant option all throughout the Willamette system. The vast majority of fishermen have been trolling 360 Flashers with small, 3.5 size spinners or smaller size Brad’s Super Bait Cut Plugs. The water temperature in the Willamette has started to climb, so that means that the Spring Chinook are on a one-way mission to get into the cooler temps of the tributary rivers. In the tributaries we are starting to see a few more chinook get caught each week. Most fishermen are using bait either under a bobber, backtrolled or back-bounced. Prawns, Sand Shrimp, Coonstripe Shrimp and eggs are all options when picking out what bait to bring along with you on your next trip. Summer Steelhead are also showing up on the Willamette and its tributaries. These fish are so fun to catch as they spend more time out of the water then they do in it. Spinners, plugs, jigs and bait are all great options. Focus your efforts in the faster transition water and you may be rewarded with chrome results. Shad are here and the fishing has been really good for them already. Small neon-colored jig heads, Dick-Nite spoons, Shad Darts and small curly tail grubs all work killer for Shad. This is a great fishery to introduce younger generations of anglers into the sport, as the action is typically fast paced and they bite well all day. You can catch them from shore casting the above rigs, or you can catch them from a boat. From the boat you can catch them backtrolling with jet divers, forward trolling with divers or backbouncing with lead. All of these techniques work well, and it ultimately will depend on your preference of fishing. Surf Perch fishing continues to be great all along the coast. Focus your time on the incoming tides and you will find them. If you haven’t had a bite in 30 minutes, then keep moving until you find the biters. Once you do, usually, there are quite a few together. Berkley Gulp Sandworms and Sand Shrimp have been the two hot baits recently. Bottom fishing has also been stellar for those that are heading down to the coast. Lingcod and rockfish have been taking vertical jigs, shrimp flies and the usual assortment of plastic baits. Kokanee fishing at Merwin and Yale Lake has still been good. Both lakes have been pumping out healthy numbers of Kokanee, with trolling still being the most popular technique. Paulina has also been putting out quality fish along with Green Peter Reservoir. Walleye fishing throughout the Columbia River Gorge has been good with lots of anglers starting to figure out just how good the fishing can be. Trolling worm harnesses and plugs have been two of the best options when chasing these delicious fish. Once you find where they are located, you can switch over to jigging and give them another look at your gear. Trout fishing has been good around the local area. This last week’s cooler temps and precipitation has helped keep water temps down and increased the Trout activity. The fish can still be found in shallower water early in the am; try casting to them with spinners, spoons, flies and plugs. Smallmouth Bass fishing remains excellent through out the Willamette and Columbia Rivers. These fish are in the end of the spawn and are extremely aggressive. Casting lipless crankbaits, jigs, Senkos, spinnerbaits and even early morning topwater lures are all great choices. Always be sure to check local regulations at ODFW and WDFW before heading out. Find reports and information on the Fisherman's Community page.
