03-22-2002, 05:53 AM
The Guide's Forecast - volume 3 issue number 44<br>Northwest Oregon's most complete and accurate fishing forecast<br><br>Forecasting for the fishing week of March 22nd - March 28th, 2002<br><br>Fisheries update: This should be one of the more exciting weekends we have had in a while. On the Columbia, salmon fishing has some real potential this weekend especially in the lower stretches. Bank anglers in the Gorge did noteworthy last weekend. The gillnets will stay in the river at least until the 22nd of March and maybe longer. Sturgeon action also continues best in the gorge and fresh smelt are the key.<br><br>On the Willamette, well, fish the Columbia! The Willamette is running brown and likely will until at least the middle of next week. The Clackamas and Sandy Rivers will likely see some good catches of wild winter steelhead and summer run fish when they drop into shape. High snow levels may keep these rivers high for a few more days. Only a few remaining quality fish left in Eagle Creek. <br><br>The north coast produced great catches of wild steelhead last week until Monday when the rivers were are on the rise again. The smaller streams will fish well by Thursday and the larger tributaries should come in nicely by the weekend. The Nestucca and Wilson will be top bets but don’t discount the Trask! <br><br>The Siletz will fish good by Friday and there should be plenty of wild and broodstock fish available. Sounds like good fishing on our south coast as well. The Chetco is coming on strong and as the weather warms, so should the fishing. Jetty fishing is producing greeniling, rockfish and a few ling cod when weather permits. Surf perch are available on the ocean beaches. Bay crabbing has been slow and the recent freshet hasn't improve the odds. <br><br>Spring break in Oregon means lots of trout in the lakes and ponds. All of the following will be planted: Cape Meares, Coffenbury, Cullaby, Devil's, Hebo, Lost, Lytle, North, Smith, South, Sunset, Tahoe, Town, and Vernonia Lakes, Thistle Pond, Siltcoos Lake, Ollala and Big Creek 1 & 2 Reservoirs, Benson, Blue, Commonwealth, and Roslyn Lakes, Bethany, Dorman, Mt. Hood and St Louis Ponds, Dorena, Cottage Grove Reservoirs, Willamina, E.E. Wilson, Freeway Lake East, Roaring River and Walling Ponds in addition to Walter Wirth and Waverly Lakes. See the detailed report for which of these get larger and trophy-sized trout.<br><br>Soapbox update: A good mess of Tillamook folk showed up for a last minute meeting at the Trask Hatchery vowing support in the way of dollars and volunteer time to stave off directors orders to release all the broodstock fish that have been collected for the Wilson and Nestucca Rivers. This funding shortfall is leaving a lot of folks stressed out. <br><br>To quote our voice in government, Phil Donovan, “The immediate issue of concern is the spawning of wild broodstock at the Trask and Cedar Creek hatcheries. These fish (caught by volunteers) need to spawn by Wednesday, March 20th or be released back into their natal rivers. Leaders from several volunteer organizations (Tillamook Anglers, Oregon <br>Wildlife Heritage Foundation, Tillamook Guides Association, NW Steelheaders, NW Sportfishing Industry, forgive me if I forgot an organization) met with ODFW to explore what it would take for volunteers to take over the broodstock program. Huge kudos to Commission Chair John Esler and members of the Commission who directed the Department to not release the broodstock fish until volunteer options are explored. <br><br>A call to the Director's office at (503) 872-5272 to thank the Commission for providing this direction is a good idea. They really stepped up and showed some leadership. <br> <br>"Second, we are working with coastal legislators on a "Dear Colleague" letter to State Senators and Representatives around the state. It is important that the coastal legislators work together in a bipartisan manner to restore these funding cuts. Every coastal resident needs to call their legislator and urge their active involvement in restoring funding. Restoring hatchery funding needs to be their #1 priority when the Special Session reconvenes.<br><br>"Third, sport anglers living in Portland need to call their legislators. The coastal legislators cannot restore funding without broad support from the valley; especially helpful would be the suburban Democrats (i.e. Rep. Mark Hass (D-Beaverton), Rep. Charlie Ringo (D-Beaverton), Sen. Ryan Deckert (D-Beaverton), Rep. Kathy Lowe (D-Oregon City), Sen. Rick Metsger (D-Welches), Rep. Richard Devlin (Lake Oswego/Tualatin), Randy Leonard (D-Portland).<br><br>"This is clearly in our hands now and if we sit on our hands, our coastal economies and fisheries will go down the tubes including the massive efforts towards our broodstock programs. Are you willing to let it slip by? Take action NOW!"<br><br>There is always more at http://www.theguidesforecast.com/<br><br><br>Get more Oregon fishing information at<br>http://www.theguidesforecast.com