11-26-2004, 04:36 PM
Oregon Fisheries Update
November 25th – December 3rd, 2004
To some, Thanksgiving weekend is a winter steelhead tradition. To others, the chance for a late-season Fall chinook is irresistible, and Bob Rees' coastal forecast is certainly going to motivate many to make that trip.
To most all of us, this holiday offers an opportunity to share common interests with friends and relatives; a time of bonding and camaraderie.
Additional fresh water is always an incentive to anadromous runs. If the rain materializes as predicted, expect a boost in productivity on many rivers and streams.
Wherever you pursue fish this holiday weekend, be safe and have fun. Happy Thanksgiving from your TGF guys, Bob, Doug and Michael.
The focus on sturgeon remains in the Columbia River from Troutdale upstream. Most keepers are coming from the gorge area and bank anglers continue to realize high success rates. Greed is taking its toll however in the bank fishery jeopardizing the best time of year for an honest bank angler to take a legal fish.
Steelheading in the John Day area of the Columbia remains disappointing.
Crabbing in the estuary near Hammond is as good as it gets but larger tides coming up this week will make picking pots essential close to the slack periods of the tide.
Tillamook fishing has been good for Chinook and sturgeon. The predicted rain will stimulate the river bite so be sure to check the long version of our report for the best river sections to float. The Nestucca, Kilchis and Wilson Rivers are the best bets.
Crabbing in the bay is fair and so is sturgeon fishing. The rain shouldn't have much effect on either sturgeon fishing or crabbing.
South coast anglers will score on the Siuslaw, Elk and Sixes as the rain brings in fresh fish. A few native coho are being taken around Elkton on the Umpqua. Trollers at Port Orford are scoring good catches of chinook. Tahkenitch Lake should remain open this weekend for the coho fishing, but with the quota hardly full, anglers are urged to double-check at the last minute.
Grande Ronde steelheading is good but depends heavily on water conditions. Weather plays a large role on how this weeks fishing plays out in the Eastern part of the state.
The quest for Thanksgiving Day winter steelhead is more challenging in the valley now that broodstock runs time out later in the year. Anglers at Meldrum Bar or the Clackamas River are hopeful. Sandy anglers are unlikely to score this early.
Walling Pond and Walter Wirth Lake were planted this week to entertain the kids.
Soapbox Update:
Please join me!
The Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association has benefited our NW fisheries more than most anglers will ever know. Help me show appreciation for their efforts by purchasing a seat at the winter fundraiser event at the Wilsonville Holiday Inn. Email me, Bob Rees at brees@pacifier.com if you are interested in joining me. Great, cheap auction items will be available that make awesome Christmas gifts! You will meet some great people and be supporting your sportfishing opportunities by attending.
AND a note from NSIA's executive director:
We still have room for your generous donations. Do you have access to a vacation destination? Too many airline miles? A print that you have run out of wall space for? Two of the hottest items in the incredibly successful Washington Banquet this weekend were landscaping and a goose hunting trip. Be creative and generous, and we'll dedicate it back to your successful bottom line!
More on the web site http://www.theguidesforecast.com
[signature]
November 25th – December 3rd, 2004
To some, Thanksgiving weekend is a winter steelhead tradition. To others, the chance for a late-season Fall chinook is irresistible, and Bob Rees' coastal forecast is certainly going to motivate many to make that trip.
To most all of us, this holiday offers an opportunity to share common interests with friends and relatives; a time of bonding and camaraderie.
Additional fresh water is always an incentive to anadromous runs. If the rain materializes as predicted, expect a boost in productivity on many rivers and streams.
Wherever you pursue fish this holiday weekend, be safe and have fun. Happy Thanksgiving from your TGF guys, Bob, Doug and Michael.
The focus on sturgeon remains in the Columbia River from Troutdale upstream. Most keepers are coming from the gorge area and bank anglers continue to realize high success rates. Greed is taking its toll however in the bank fishery jeopardizing the best time of year for an honest bank angler to take a legal fish.
Steelheading in the John Day area of the Columbia remains disappointing.
Crabbing in the estuary near Hammond is as good as it gets but larger tides coming up this week will make picking pots essential close to the slack periods of the tide.
Tillamook fishing has been good for Chinook and sturgeon. The predicted rain will stimulate the river bite so be sure to check the long version of our report for the best river sections to float. The Nestucca, Kilchis and Wilson Rivers are the best bets.
Crabbing in the bay is fair and so is sturgeon fishing. The rain shouldn't have much effect on either sturgeon fishing or crabbing.
South coast anglers will score on the Siuslaw, Elk and Sixes as the rain brings in fresh fish. A few native coho are being taken around Elkton on the Umpqua. Trollers at Port Orford are scoring good catches of chinook. Tahkenitch Lake should remain open this weekend for the coho fishing, but with the quota hardly full, anglers are urged to double-check at the last minute.
Grande Ronde steelheading is good but depends heavily on water conditions. Weather plays a large role on how this weeks fishing plays out in the Eastern part of the state.
The quest for Thanksgiving Day winter steelhead is more challenging in the valley now that broodstock runs time out later in the year. Anglers at Meldrum Bar or the Clackamas River are hopeful. Sandy anglers are unlikely to score this early.
Walling Pond and Walter Wirth Lake were planted this week to entertain the kids.
Soapbox Update:
Please join me!
The Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association has benefited our NW fisheries more than most anglers will ever know. Help me show appreciation for their efforts by purchasing a seat at the winter fundraiser event at the Wilsonville Holiday Inn. Email me, Bob Rees at brees@pacifier.com if you are interested in joining me. Great, cheap auction items will be available that make awesome Christmas gifts! You will meet some great people and be supporting your sportfishing opportunities by attending.
AND a note from NSIA's executive director:
We still have room for your generous donations. Do you have access to a vacation destination? Too many airline miles? A print that you have run out of wall space for? Two of the hottest items in the incredibly successful Washington Banquet this weekend were landscaping and a goose hunting trip. Be creative and generous, and we'll dedicate it back to your successful bottom line!
More on the web site http://www.theguidesforecast.com
[signature]