Fishing Report 1/30
Winter Steelhead
Winter Steelhead fishing has been challenging over the past few weeks, with cold, clear, and low water conditions affecting most river systems. For many anglers, this kind of weather is a sign to stay home and catch up on chores. For those willing to adapt, however, clear-water Steelhead fishing can still be productive and incredibly rewarding.
Success has come from downsizing presentations and fishing with a stealthy approach. Slimmer floats, smaller jigs, tiny beads, and micro egg clusters have been key. While traditional-sized offerings can still produce, anglers have seen better results by changing tactics. Pro Staff member Josiah Darr has continued to find success by running very small beads on light leaders and keeping his boat positioned well off likely holding water to avoid spooking fish.
Some anglers have shifted to larger rivers, where they are finding success back-trolling plugs in the lower stretches while targeting fresh fish entering tributaries and ready to bite.
Techniques & Baits:
Small beads ⢠Tiny egg clusters ⢠Downsized jigs ⢠Light leaders ⢠Slim floats ⢠Back-trolling plugs
Bottom Fishing
Bottom fishing remained a strong option over the past week. Conditions have been cold, but anglers who stayed prepared and kept the heaters running found consistent success. Staying warm has been the biggest challenge rather than finding fish.
With stormier weather in the forecast, be sure to closely monitor wind and wave conditions before heading out. When conditions allow, bottom fishing has continued to produce solid results.
Techniques & Baits:
Large curly-tail grubs ⢠Shrimp flies ⢠Vertical jigs ⢠Twin-tail scampi
Crabbing
Crabbing has been decent, with some anglers finding limits after sorting through a good number of undersized crab and females. Bay conditions have been excellent, making for enjoyable days on the water even when limits werenât reached. Overall, a solid option with great weather to match.
Techniques & Baits:
Standard crab rings and pots ⢠Baited traps
Razor Clamming
Razor clamming along Washington beaches opens again for a 7-day stretch starting January 29th. Previous digs have been very productive, and expectations are high for this upcoming opening. Conditions have lined up well, and clammers should be in for another strong showing.
Techniques & Gear:
Clam guns ⢠Shovels ⢠Beach timing around low tides
Sturgeon (Catch & Release)
Catch-and-release Sturgeon fishing in the lower Willamette has been good, with the bite expected to improve as water temperatures rise slightly. This is a lightly pressured fishery, and anglers shouldnât be surprised to have stretches of water to themselves.
While some choose to skip Sturgeon fishing due to the catch-and-release regulations, it remains a fantastic opportunityâespecially for introducing new anglers to the power of a hard-pulling, five-foot fish. Itâs tough to have a bad day when Sturgeon are on the line.
Techniques & Baits:
Catch-and-release rigs ⢠Anchored fishing ⢠Large sturgeon baits