07-01-2002, 08:02 PM
This is Dennis Dobson at Oregon Outdoors with your north coast fishing report for the week beginning Thursday, June 26, 2002.<br>General Conditions<br>Although river levels are still a bit low, steelhead fishing is good to excellent. Recent rains have moved fresh steelies into local rivers and springers have moved into tidewater and the lower sections of most of our area rivers. Sturgeon are present in good numbers throughout the lower Columbia River.<br>Salmon<br>Springer catch numbers in Tillamook Bay are climbing as last week's rains moved some more fish into the bay. Fresh springers are being taken in Trask and Wilson river tidewater on bobbers and bait. Some chinook are also being taken by anglers trolling in the Memaloose (Oyster House) area. The most productive bite there has come from trolled red and while spinners with number four or five-sized blades. Trolled herring are also taking fish along the jetties. The Trask, Wilson and Nestucca tidewater sections are producing steady catches for bobber anglers. Last week's rain moved good numbers of bright springers into the lower and middle stretches of all coastal rivers. The Trask, Wilson and Nestucca are all producing.<br>Steelhead<br>There are still good numbers of steelies in local rivers. Both the Wilson and Nestucca are producing consistent catches. The lower Nestucca is seeing some summer fish headed for the Cedar Creek hatchery on Three Rivers. Your best bet for a chance to find a keeper steelie this time of year is the Wilson River or in Three Rivers. The stretch of Three Rivers just upstream from the mouth, behind the water treatment plant, has been producing well. The area between the bridge and Cedar Creek Hatchery, about two miles east of Hebo on Highway 22, has also been producing. The middle Wilson River really turned on this last week for steelie anglers. Some excellent catches have been reported.<br>The Trask, Wilson, Nestucca and North Fork Nehalem will all produce steady catches well into July, weather and water conditions permitting.<br>Sturgeon<br>ODFW has announced that, effective July 25, sturgeon fishing on the lower Columbia River will become catch-and-release ONLY. The lower Columbia River, from the mouth of the John Day River east of Astoria to Clatsop Spit, has been producing good catches consistently. The bite really turned on this past week with most of us doubling our average daily catch numbers by Tuesday or Wednesday. Although rough water conditions, driven by high winds, have made fishing the flats along Desemona Sands difficult, the area up river from Tongue Point, protected from the worst of the on-shore winds, has been treating anglers well . Expect this fishery to get better almost daily through the end of July.<br>If you want to wet a line this coming week I'd suggest you call either Ron Byrd at Nestucca Valley Sporting Goods (503-392-4269) for up-to-date info on the Nestucca and Three Rivers or Dennis and Marie Will at Tillamook Bait Company (503-842-5031) for the latest word on the Trask, Wilson and Tillamook Bay. Kelly and Janice at The Jetty Fishery can give you all of the up-to-date info you need on the fishing at Nehalem. They can be reached at 503-368-5746. For accurate info on the lower Columbia fihery contact Corkey or Jo at Corkey's Four Corners Store in Hammond. There number is 503-861-2088.<br>Trout<br>Trout fishing in most coastal streams opened on May 25. All north coast streams north of Neskowin Creek are catch and release only. Be sure to check the regs for the specific river or stream you want to fish as many have closures and bait restrictions.<br>The stocking schedule is now available on the internet at www.dfw.or.us. AND at www.localfishermannews.com.<br>Ocean <br>Charter and commercial fishermen are reporting that both coho and chinook numbers appear to be higher than ODFW predicted. All indications are we should have a great Bouy 10 season later this summer. Bottom fishing, from Winchester to Tillamook, has been excellent. With the weather forecasting intermittent rain and wind for the coming week, getting out of port might be difficult but the fishing should be worth it.<br>Crabbing and Shellfish<br>Crabbing ranged from good to excellent all week. Wind and weather permitting all local bays should continue to produce good catches of crab. For the latest info on beach closures, call the Shellfish Hotline at 503-986-4728 or go to www.oda.state.or.us on the web for updates.<br>Summer fishing special: Fill all four seats for just $125 per seat. A savings of $100 per day… enough to cover your motel room and meals. Sturgeon season: June 1 through August 1 (primetime is June 1 through July 15)Note: ODFW has determined that sturgeon fishing on the lower Columbia will become catch-and-release ONLY effective July 25. Chinook and Coho (Silver) season at Buoy 10: August 1 through the second or third week of September (we don't know yet when ODFW will close the season). Primetime is the second week of August through the middle of September. Remember, the sooner you email or call us the better your chances of getting the date(s) you want.<br>Our new subscription-only website, Oregon Outdoors Fishing Report is now up and running. Simply go to www.oregonoutdoors.org and click on the appropriate hotlink. You will find a sample publication, complete with a weekly report, monthly forecast, an "Ask The Pro's" section and discounts on bait, tackle, guides, charters and motels. To subscribe, simply fill out the subscription form and email it to us or call 503-815-2766.<br>Ask Us<br>If you'd like to ask about local river conditions or book a trip you can reach us by phone at 503-815-2766 or via e-mail at oreoutdd@pacifier.com<br> And be sure to visit our web site at oregonoutdoors.org. Just follow the link to the homepage. Please sign our Guest Book … we always enjoy seeing who is visiting us.<br>GIFT CERTIFICATES for the angler in your life (you?) are always available.<br>CREDIT AND DEBIT CARDS: We can now accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express credit cards and any major bank debit card for payment. Please call us to complete the transaction. We choose to do this over the phone so you won't have to send important personal financial information over the internet. <br> Until next week, have a great time and go catch some fish.<br><br>