12-21-2002, 02:02 PM
Fisheries Update
December 20th – December 26th, 2002
We, the staff at The Guide's Forecast want to wish you and your fishing families the best of holiday cheer- and may you get that new rod and reel combo you asked for!
Not many anglers braved the elements this week on the Columbia. Low effort showed up in slower catches this week on the mainstem as many are waiting for the much anticipated smelt run due into the lower river by late January. I sat in on ODF&W's run forecast update on 12/17 and there is much to report on in the coming weeks. Look to this column for doom and glory for the future of our northwest fisheries!
North Coast Streams are finally showing promise of better fishing now that the rivers are back within their banks and they should all be green by the weekend. Better fishing took place on the smaller streams mid-week but the Wilson and Nestucca should fish real well by the weekend. The bonus Christmas chinook should also be available on the Wilson River and hatchery winter steelhead will make a very strong showing when flows slow on the Kilchis, Wilson, and Nestucca Rivers.
The Elk is running out of time but if water levels reach fishable condition, look for good action on this south coast stream. The Umpqua is out but could drop in by mid-week if the weather cooperates. Winter steelhead counts at Willamette Falls are improving.
Although the Clackamas and Sandy Rivers have not yet rebounded from the recent deluge, fishing should be excellent once they recover. The Little North Fork of the Santiam River is providing good catch-and-release fishing for native winter steelhead. Walling Pond and Walter Wirth Lake were planted this week.
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December 20th – December 26th, 2002
We, the staff at The Guide's Forecast want to wish you and your fishing families the best of holiday cheer- and may you get that new rod and reel combo you asked for!
Not many anglers braved the elements this week on the Columbia. Low effort showed up in slower catches this week on the mainstem as many are waiting for the much anticipated smelt run due into the lower river by late January. I sat in on ODF&W's run forecast update on 12/17 and there is much to report on in the coming weeks. Look to this column for doom and glory for the future of our northwest fisheries!
North Coast Streams are finally showing promise of better fishing now that the rivers are back within their banks and they should all be green by the weekend. Better fishing took place on the smaller streams mid-week but the Wilson and Nestucca should fish real well by the weekend. The bonus Christmas chinook should also be available on the Wilson River and hatchery winter steelhead will make a very strong showing when flows slow on the Kilchis, Wilson, and Nestucca Rivers.
The Elk is running out of time but if water levels reach fishable condition, look for good action on this south coast stream. The Umpqua is out but could drop in by mid-week if the weather cooperates. Winter steelhead counts at Willamette Falls are improving.
Although the Clackamas and Sandy Rivers have not yet rebounded from the recent deluge, fishing should be excellent once they recover. The Little North Fork of the Santiam River is providing good catch-and-release fishing for native winter steelhead. Walling Pond and Walter Wirth Lake were planted this week.
Have this report e-mailed to you weekly or sign up for our full version with tips, forecasts, and professional guide's advice!
Go to -
[url "http://www.TheGuidesForecast.com/"]http://www.TheGuidesForecast.com/[/url]
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