Fishing Report 12-13

Winter Steelhead

The rains have definitely arrived, and in a big way. Nearly every river in the region has reached or blown past flood stage over the last week. While the initial surge of water is starting to subside, anglers heading back out should expect things to look very different. High water reshapes rivers fast. Gravel moves, holes fill in, new side channels form, and old reliable spots may not fish the same anymore.

Winter Steelhead are now the main draw, and this post-flood period is all about covering water and learning the new layout. Using a float setup is one of the best ways to explore fresh water, as it allows you to gauge depth, control your drift, and efficiently work long stretches. Boat anglers should focus on moving and probing water rather than camping on one spot, especially on rivers that experienced major changes.

Effective Techniques:
Bobber & jig, bobber & pink worm, beads, bobberdogging bait, beads, yarnies

Crabbing

Crabbing had been solid prior to the recent storms, but heavy rainfall often slows things down. Large volumes of freshwater entering the bays can push crab back toward the ocean until conditions stabilize and the bay flushes out. Expect crabbing to be slower until salinity levels normalize.

Razor Clams

Razor clamming in Long Beach had been very good, but strong winds and pounding rain have made for tough conditions recently. There are tentative digs scheduled to start on December 18th. Keep an eye out for an official announcement from WDFW or us confirming when those digs are open.

Waterfowl

Duck hunting has been strong across the region, with Tillamook standing out as a bright spot prior to this week’s storms. Pro Staff member Ted Teufel has been putting in the work and keeping the duck population in check while providing his clients with great opportunities at quality birds.