Fishing Report 12-09-2022

Fisherman’s Pro Guide, David Johnson, with a nice coastal broodstock winter steelhead he caught recently on a BnR Soft Bead. Here they come! (David Johnson’s Guide Service: 503-201-4292)

Fishing Report:

Coho fishing around Southwest Washington is still an option where open. We have had fluctuating water levels in many rivers as we have had cold fronts followed by water events. This fluctuating water can be difficult to fish and as the season is winding down it may be harder to find fresh fish. However, when you do find where they are, the fishing can still be quite good. Twitching jigs, casting spinners, casting plugs and bobber fishing eggs will all work when chasing the last of this year’s Coho run.

Winter Steelhead fishing is just getting started. Many folks remember the days of stellar fishing for hatchery steelhead in early December and they start to wonder what happened to those fisheries. Well, many rivers have switched their hatchery programs to broodstock programs. This means that we will have hatchery Steelhead coming back all the way through April. It allows anglers more opportunities for a longer period of time. So don’t worry, the fish are on their way. With that being said, they still eat the same lures and baits as they always have. Casting spinners and spoons, back trolling plugs or divers and bait, or drift fishing Corkies and yarn all work just as well today as they did 30 years ago. Newer techniques like beads, pink worms, jigs and bobberdogging are all the rage, and for good reason, as they are very effective. However, don’t discredit the older techniques as they work just as well and on some days, better than anything else.

Catch and release Sturgeon fishing is a fun way to spend a rainy winter day. These fish still need to eat even though the water is cold and they will tend to stack up in some of the deeper areas of the lower Willamette. Herring, squid, sand shrimp and smelt are all killer baits for chasing Sturgeon.

Crabbing has remained excellent for most bays and estuaries. As long as ODFW keeps the Crabbing open we expect to keep getting great reports of quick limits.

Trout fishing in many ponds and lakes is still going on. Down in the Eugene/Corvallis area, ODFW has been planting several ponds and lakes with legal Trout. Alton Baker Canal, Timber Linn Lake and Waverly Lake have all been planted recently. Bait like nightcrawlers, Powerbait and a salmon eggs are always a great cold water option. The fish will be moving slow and maybe spend some time sizing up your offering before taking a bite. So patience can definitely be a virtue.

Waterfowl hunters are liking the nasty weather. It should get birds up and moving, creating ample opportunities for hunters.