01-05-2003, 09:44 PM
Fisheries Update
January 3rd – January 9th, 2003
Sturgeon fishing on the Columbia remains its best in the Columbia River Gorge. Checks in the mid-river indicate the smelt have not yet arrived despite early rumors. It likely won't be long before the 2003 smelt run stimulates the sturgeon bite but that likely won't be this week.
The Willamette will likely remain high and off color with all the storms battering the Northwest. Some steelhead may be taken by plunkers at Meldrum Bar but if the Clackamas clears, the mouth may produce an early Springer.
The Clackamas itself has been a bust so far and by the looks of the early run so, it is apparent it won't be as exciting as it was last year. The Sandy is also running high and likely won't fish by the weekend but plunkers working the lower stretches may luck into a hatchery fish. Wild fish are also reported on the Sandy already.
The north coast is a hit and miss option for steelhead but when the water has been fishable, the action has been decent. Many anglers recognize this because it has been really crowded too. Even a few broodstock fish has shown up in the catches on the Wilson River. The smaller streams may be a good bet when these other rivers are blown out.
Reader Mark R. warns anglers to be aware of black ice over the pass. A fishing friend of his had an accident on his way over and now he needs a new boat trailer! Thankfully, no one was hurt but what a way to wreck a day on the water!
South coast rivers didn't get the rain that the North coast tributaries did. While the Siletz and Alsea are blown out, the Elk and Sixes were recently producing chinook. The Rogue and Chetco Rivers should fish well this weekend with fresh winter steelhead available.
While no trout stocking took place this week it won't be long before excess winter steelhead are planted in local lakes. Stay tuned to TGF to find out where and how to catch them.
Go to -
http://www.TheGuidesForecast.com/
Get set up with this report, sent to you each week for free or subscribe to our paid version.
[signature]
January 3rd – January 9th, 2003
Sturgeon fishing on the Columbia remains its best in the Columbia River Gorge. Checks in the mid-river indicate the smelt have not yet arrived despite early rumors. It likely won't be long before the 2003 smelt run stimulates the sturgeon bite but that likely won't be this week.
The Willamette will likely remain high and off color with all the storms battering the Northwest. Some steelhead may be taken by plunkers at Meldrum Bar but if the Clackamas clears, the mouth may produce an early Springer.
The Clackamas itself has been a bust so far and by the looks of the early run so, it is apparent it won't be as exciting as it was last year. The Sandy is also running high and likely won't fish by the weekend but plunkers working the lower stretches may luck into a hatchery fish. Wild fish are also reported on the Sandy already.
The north coast is a hit and miss option for steelhead but when the water has been fishable, the action has been decent. Many anglers recognize this because it has been really crowded too. Even a few broodstock fish has shown up in the catches on the Wilson River. The smaller streams may be a good bet when these other rivers are blown out.
Reader Mark R. warns anglers to be aware of black ice over the pass. A fishing friend of his had an accident on his way over and now he needs a new boat trailer! Thankfully, no one was hurt but what a way to wreck a day on the water!
South coast rivers didn't get the rain that the North coast tributaries did. While the Siletz and Alsea are blown out, the Elk and Sixes were recently producing chinook. The Rogue and Chetco Rivers should fish well this weekend with fresh winter steelhead available.
While no trout stocking took place this week it won't be long before excess winter steelhead are planted in local lakes. Stay tuned to TGF to find out where and how to catch them.
Go to -
http://www.TheGuidesForecast.com/
Get set up with this report, sent to you each week for free or subscribe to our paid version.
[signature]