05-26-2002, 04:04 PM
Fisheries Update<br><br><br>May 24th - May 30th, 2002<br><br> The Columbia is the place to be for sturgeon. Oversize in the gorge and keeper fish in the estuary. The shad have started in force in the gorge making bait easy to attain for the big ones below Beacon Rock. For those after keeper fish, there are plenty to be had in the Tongue Point area if you are willing to search for them. Some effort is taking place below the bridge but you had better plan on having smelt as the crabs are an issue in most places from Hammond downstream. <br><br>The tides are ripe for bank and boat anglers wanting to target steelhead off of the lower Columbia beaches and wing jetties. The Willamette is warming up a little bit making hardware a better option for salmon trollers. Quite the fishery is taking place at the falls for those willing to experiment with something new- see the full report for all the details. Good numbers of salmon and steelhead continue to pour over the falls making the Santiams a good bet for both species. Despite thousands the thousands of springers present, anglers fishing above Willamette Falls are seeing only spotty action. <br><br>The McKenzie is still having its issues. The Sandy and Clack are plugged with chinook. Most of the fish are reluctant to bite during the day but those hitting the early morning bite are having decent action. Eggs are producing best. Chinook are hanging deep in holes for bobber anglers to work them over. Deeper is better in high visibility conditions. <br><br>The north coast has plenty to offer with great tides for springers and sturgeon on Tillamook Bay-both which have been productive. There are also springers trickling into the Trask, Wilson, and Nestucca Rivers despite the low water. Razor clams will also offer plenty of entertainment on the Clatsop Beaches this tide series. The beginning of the series is always best so start digging on Friday (5/24). Surf, rock and jetty fishing remain reliable options for weekend fishermen. Offshore bottom fishing is excellent when ocean conditions allow safe crossing. <br><br>Trout will be stocked this week at Big Creek Reservoir #1 and #2, Olalla Creek, Trail Bridge, Foster, North Fork, Silver Creek and Carmen Reservoirs, Hebo, South, Town, Collins, Small Fry, Cape Meares, Estacada, Faraday, Leaburg, Trillium, and Henry Hagg Lakes, and Coast Fork Willamette EE Wilson, Roaring River Park, Willamina, Junction City, Thissell and Lorens Ponds., Timothy Meadows, Breitenbush River, Fall Creek, McKenzie River Upper, Quartsville Creek, Salmon Creek and Santiam River North Fork.<br><br>Always more at http://www.theguidesforecast.com/<br><br>Get more Oregon fishing information at<br>http://www.theguidesforecast.com