Fishing Report 03-31-2023
Fisherman's Pro, KC Talaro, has started poking around in tributaries for some Spring Chinook action and wouldn't you know it, he found some! Backbouncing a sand shrimp and egg combo was what tricked this chrome hatchery fish for Marty Lee. (KC's Guided Fishing LLC: 360-713-1507)
Fishing Report:
This past week we started to see some shorter lines at the boat ramps on Winter Steelhead rivers.Anglers are starting to make the switch to Spring Chinook, which makes for a bit less angling pressure on Winter Steelhead.However, that certainly doesn’t mean the fishing is bad.As a matter of fact, many anglers call late March and early April their “favorite time of year” as you get a mix of wild and hatchery Steelhead.Nearly all techniques will work and having multiple options on board can be very beneficial.Fisherman’s Pro, Tim Juarez, did just that this past week finding fish Bobberdoggin’ yarn and eggs and then switching over to backtrolling plugs to find some more biters.
Spring Chinook fishing is rockin’ and rollin’ on both the Willamette and Columbia River.The Columbia still has quite a few Smelt in it and many anglers are reporting Chinook with bellies full of smelt.On the Columbia, anglers are catching fish both trolling and while sitting on anchor.Anchor fishing a herring and flashers has been producing fish for some folks as well.On the Willamette there seems to be fish all throughout the river.There are a few fish getting caught in Oregon City by folks backtrolling sand shrimp, small plugs, and eggs.The rest of the river really becomes a troll fishery.Folks are either plug-cutting a green or red label herring or using 360 flashers and prawn spinners, Brad’s Superbaits, Simon Spindawgs and Yakima bait Spinfish.All of these techniques have been working and will continue to work throughout April.
Catch and release Sturgeon fishing is a wonderful fishery during the Spring months.The fish are typically very abundant and as the Willamette starts to slowly warm up the bite typically gets fast and furious.These fish have been hunkered down in the cold deep water for months and the warm water seems to breathe new life into these prehistoric creatures.Smelt, sand shrimp, herring and squid are all good Sturgeon baits.
Fisherman’s Pro, Andy Martin, reported that the Rock fishing out of Brookings has been lights out! It appears there are swarms of Smelt out in the ocean and the Rock Fish are aggressively targeting them. Small white or blue swimbaits and Zoom Flukes have been working extremely well. There are a few big Lingcod around as well. You never know what you might bring up from the depths of the ocean.
Kokanee fishing remains a stellar option in Southwest Washington. Lake Merwin has been putting out the fish and anglers are reporting limits, once you locate one of the many schools throughout the lake. Trolling is still the most productive way to catch these delicious land locked Salmon. Dodgers with small spinner blades, Spin-N-Glos, and Brad’s Kokanee Cut plugs have all been catching fish.
Razor Clamming at Long Beach was great this past week. We have not had a Razor Clam opener at Long Beach for quite some time. So, there were plenty to go around. There is another tentative dig planned starting April 6th.Be on the lookout for confirmation in the coming days.
ODFW has been busy stocking lakes, ponds, and rivers all across the state. This last week some of the most notable plants were at Henry Hagg Lake and Dexter Reservoir. Over 6,000 legal size Trout were dropped at Hagg Lake, and 3,000 trophy size Trout were release in Dexter Reservoir. Boat anglers will find success trolling near shorelines or any structure they might find. Small Mag Lips, Hotshots, Flatfish and Kwikfish are all great plug options for trolling with. Bank anglers can always turn to Powerbait, nightcrawlers, salmon eggs, or salad shrimp as good bait options. Casting spinners, spoons, and Kastmasters will work as well. Especially if you have some structure or weed beds to cast near and reel past.
