Fishing report 12-18

Winter Steelhead are here, and from the reports it sounds like there are already a good number of fish.  From the Wilson and the Trask to the Clackamas and Sandy, the fish are here.  Of course, the rivers are all near flood stages at the moment.  But, depending on the amount of rain we have coming in during the next couple of weeks, the fishing could get pretty good.  Winter Steelhead fishing almost always seems to be the best when rivers have been blown out and then start dropping back into shape. The fish seem to move throughout the river system the best during these big and green water periods.  Which means you can often find them in tailouts, inside slow water seems and runs that have large boulders to break the current and give fish some cover.  Pro, Josiah Darr, has been crushing the Winter Steelhead fishing already using beads under Bobberdoggin’ floats.  Covering lots of water has been the key to success and making sure you keep your gear in the water as often as possible will increase your odds of getting one of those coveted Steelhead with some sealice still attached.   

Chasing Sturgeon in The Portland Harbor and Multnomah Channel is a great way to spend a day during these Winter months.  Now, we do have very high water at the moment, but once it calms down and the debris and flows start to subside, spending a day drowning some dead bait should be on your to-do list.  Often times you can have double digit days fishing when you find a good pile of them.  Squid, herring, sand shrimp, smelt and shad strips are all good baits to bring along with you.   

Bottom fishing has been stellar along the coast.  Again, weather can become a hindrance, but once the ocean calms down and the bar opens back up, the trip will be worth it.  Pro, Andy Martin, has been finding some really nice quality Lingcod along with a wide variety of other bottom fish species for his clients.  Pro, Ted Teufel, has also been nosing out into the salt and finding great success out of Garibaldi.  Again, big Lingcod has been a common occurrence for his clients.  

Crabbing was amazing for Pro, Bill Monroe Jr., before this last huge rain event.  He expects the crabbing to stay good as long as the river continues to drop.  

Razor Clamming was once again great for those who braved the nasty weather.  We have a ton more tentative dates coming up and fisheries managers usually wait to the last second to announce the openers.  So be on the lookout for a notification.   

Waterfowl hunters are really enjoying the weather have been having.  The excessive rain and high winds have kept birds in the air.  Low lying areas have been filling with water.  And Pro, Ted Teufel, has been shooting limits!