04-27-2002, 09:14 PM
Fisheries Update<br> <br>April 26th - May 2nd, 2002<br><br> The salmon fishing in the Columbia is finally starting to get interesting. Just in time for a closure on Sunday, April 28th. The best fishing is taking place in the gorge where consistent numbers of both wild and hatchery fish are becoming available. <br><br>The lower Columbia had a nice (but short) run of good catches last weekend but has become sporadic. Sturgeon fishing remains very popular in the gorge, especially on Saturdays. Remember that it is closed to retention on Sundays and Mondays. <br><br>The Willamette also showed signs of breaking loose as good catches were witnessed on Sunday and Monday on the big river. The fishing dropped off on 4/24 but if the incoming weather system doesn't put fish off the bite, salmon fishing on both big rivers should stay consistent for a while. <br><br>The Clackamas has a lot of summer run steelhead in it but weekend traffic is near unbearable. Not enough spring chinook here to expect great results. <br><br>On the Sandy, it is much the same and catchable numbers are beginning to show. The Santiams might experience a lull in fishing due to low passage during the high water period. The McKenzie is going to be great for trout if you can "match the hatch!" <br><br>The north coast rivers still have steelhead in them but are shy of fresh summer fish. The first springers have been caught in the Wilson River and the Trask has had fish for a while now. The Umpqua River has good fishing for spring chinook but think quality of quantity as that goes for most coastal springer runs. Offshore bottom fishing is excellent. Minus tides over the weekend will provide opportunities for clamming. <br><br>Trout will be planted in Alder, Blue, Buck, Dune, Elbow, Erhart, Georgia, Lost, Mercer, Munsel, Perkins, Siltcoos and Sutton Lakes, Big Creek 1 & 2 and Olalla Creek Reservoirs, Thissel, E.E. Wilson, Junction City, Bethany, Dorman, Haldeman, Mt. Hood, Wahkeena and Willamina Ponds, Blue, Benson, Commonwealth, Roslyn and Salmonberry Lakes and Silver Creek Reservoir. <br><br>Always more at http://www.theguidesforecast.com/<br><br>Get more Oregon fishing information at<br>http://www.theguidesforecast.com