07-21-2002, 02:24 PM
Fisheries Update<br><br><br>July 19th - July 25th, 2002<br><br>Not a very exciting report this week as fishing for many species is just mediocre. Sturgeon fishing in the estuary continues to be challenging but the keepers out of Tongue Point are quite respectable as of late. Smelt is a key bait if you are planning on fishing the river below the Astoria Bridge. The favored low slack is occurring very late in the day this weekend. Oversize fishing is off to a bang with 4 to 6 fish days common in the newly opened sanctuary above Beacon Rock. <br><br>Shad are hard to come by so take what you can get. Salmon and steelhead fishing in the Columbia is best in the Bonneville area but the beaches sure produced well last week! Although the tide series is waning, the sheer numbers of steelhead in the river should provide some sport for late morning anglers in the lower Columbia. <br><br>The ocean may remain calm enough to fish comfortably for a few days. Too bad it is closed on Fridays and Saturdays but on Wednesday 7/17 the fish were scattered and most boats really had to work for them. One skipper told me they did best due west of Buoy 3 in 170 - 200 foot of water. <br><br>Crabbers and clammers will be disappointed to learn the crabbing is still poor for most people and the razor clamming season is closed for the spawning season! The Willamette River continues to have chinook and steelhead cross the Falls, making the Santiam systems a prime destination. <br><br>The Clackamas River is low, clear and mossy. Sandy River anglers tell of glacial runoff but recently improving conditions. Offshore salmon fishing out of Tillamook, Depoe and Yaquina Bay remains a hot prospect with many limits seven days a week. Offshore bottom fishing has slowed. Chinook have entered Nehalem Bay where a few have been taken at Wheeler. <br><br>North coast rivers are very low and clear. Rogue River Bay is producing very large chinook. The Umpqua is still hot for smallies, Summer steelhead are being caught in the lower Deschutes River. Green Peter is fair for kokanee, slow at Paulina and Wallowa. Trout will be stocked this week in Faraday Lake, Breitenbush River, Carmen Reservoir, Leaburg Lake, Quartsville Creek the North Santiam above Detroit, and the Upper McKenzie River.<br><br>Have this report e-mailed to you weekly or sign up for our full version with tips, forecasts, and professional guide's advice!<br>http://www.TheGuidesForecast.com/<br><br>Get more Oregon fishing information at<br>http://www.theguidesforecast.com