Fishing Report 02-05-2021
On February 1st, angler Jeremy Lorenz earned the respect and admiration of the Northwest angling community when he caught the first known Spring Chinook of the season from the Willamette River near Meldrum Bar. Then, on February 4th, the dynamic duo of Jeremy Lorenz and Ron Juneman followed suit by catching their own Spring Chinook from the Willamette River in Oregon City. Both awesome fish came on sand shrimp fished behind a Worden’s Spin-N-Glo from Yakima Bait Company. Fantastic job, gentlemen!
Fishing report 2-5
Winter Steelhead fishing has improved recently along the coast, throughout the Willamette valley and in Southwest Washington. These silver-sided beauties have been caught many different ways so far. Many anglers like to bobberdog or sidedrift for them out of a driftboat or powerboat. This technique allows you to effectively cover a lot of water throughout the course of the day. Beads, eggs, yarn, corkies and even pink worms are all great bait choices. Traditional float fishing, drift fishing, throwing hardware or backtrolling plugs are also very effective options. Whichever you choose, make sure to bring at least two options so that you can switch up your techniques throughout the day.
The first official hatchery Spring Chinook was brought into our Oregon City store on Feb 1st. There are a number of anglers that look forward to February every year. This is the month that folks will mark on their calendar as the Spring Chinook kick-off. Although the fishing is nowhere near consistent and often times can be days between bites, a February Spring Chinook is a prize that any angler can check off the bucket list. These fish are typically caught by anglers plunking with Spin-n-glo’s and bait or folks trolling cut-plug Herring or Prawn Spinners. A second Springer was weighed-in at our Oregon City store On Feb 4th, also caught from the Willamette.
Kokanee fishing is a fishery that is a great winter option and more anglers are figuring it out every year. Fish are typically running shallow and will tend to be schooled up. These two factors can mean fast-pace fishing when you find the school. Trolling with your favorite dodger and a short leader to a Wiggle Hoochie, small spinner blade, Spin-n-Glos, or Wedding rings are all great options. Bring along a few different scent options, and of course Shoepeg corn, and you are in business.
Trout fishing is an option that is still on the menu and anglers will find success at many of the larger bodies of water like Henry Hagg Lake. These lakes typically get stocked heavily throughout the year so you run the chance of catching a few very nice size hold over Trout. These fish can be caught a number of ways including fishing spinners, Kastmasters, bobber fishing worms, plunking Powerbait or trolling small plugs.
Walleye fishing has been pretty good throughout the upper Columbia River Gorge. These delicious fish tend to inhabit the long, flat sections of river bottom that can be found in the Gorge. Trolling a bottom walker with a worm harness behind it is the most popular technique, as you are able to cover a lot of water searching for biting Walleye.
Bottom fishing can be great this time of year, with foul weather being about the only negative factor holding anglers up. Timing your trip around weather and wind predictions is a must, however, when you are able to make it out the reward is delicious. Fishing large curly tail grubs, Shrimp Flies, Rock Cod Rigs and vertical jigs are all great bait choices.
Good Luck!
Always be sure to check local regulations at ODFW and WDFW before heading out. Find reports and two most widely used baits, information on the Fisherman's Community page.
