Fishing Report – 3/6

Steelhead

Winter Steelhead fishing continues to improve as river levels rose last week and then dropped back into shape fairly quickly. That bump in water pushed a good wave of fresh fish into coastal systems, and anglers are reporting catches up and down the coast. Pro Staffer Tim Juarez has been finding quality fish both backtrolling plugs and bobberdogging eggs and beads. This time of year is also when some of the biggest fish of the season begin showing up. Historically, March meant large wild bucks entering the rivers, but with broodstock hatchery programs in place, we are also seeing some impressive hatchery Steelhead returning as well. Bobberdogging bait, beads, or yarnies has been very productive lately. Anglers fishing a traditional float setup are finding success with jigs or pink worms, while hardware anglers casting spinners and spoons are often connecting with aggressive, fresh fish, especially as water temperatures slowly begin to rise.

Techniques: Bobberdogging eggs, beads or yarnies; float fishing jigs or pink worms; backtrolling plugs; casting spinners and spoons.

Spring Chinook

Spring Chinook are officially becoming a real possibility for anglers. The Willamette River started producing fish a few weeks ago, and just this past week one of our former employees brought in two Spring Chinook caught on the same day. Trolling herring and prawn spinners has accounted for most of the early fish, but as more anglers begin spending time on the Columbia River the plug bite should start to pick up as well. Anchor fishermen will begin hooking fish just as consistently as the trolling crowd, and if the smelt stick around in the system, plug anglers could see some outstanding fishing.

Techniques: Trolling herring or prawn spinners; plug fishing on the Columbia; anchor fishing with bait.

Sturgeon

Catch-and-release Sturgeon fishing has been stellar and should only improve as water temperatures continue to warm. The Willamette River Spring sturgeon fishery is truly world class and remains one of the best kept fishing secrets around. It is not uncommon for anglers to hook 20 or more fish in a single day, all while fishing in the middle of a downtown setting. Having that type of fishery right in our backyard is pretty remarkable. Squid, herring, smelt, and sand shrimp have all been producing great results.

Techniques: Fishing squid, herring, smelt, or sand shrimp on the bottom.

Razor Clams

Razor clamming along the Washington coast continues to produce great results. We just wrapped up the most recent round of clam digs and many clammers reported quick limits. Another opener is scheduled in a little over a week, so keep an eye out for the upcoming press release from WDFW announcing the next set of digging opportunities.

Techniques: Standard razor clam digging during scheduled WDFW openings.

Bottomfish / Lingcod

Bottom fishing remains excellent, and Pro Staffers like Andy Martin and Ted Teufel have been bouncing back and forth between saltwater and freshwater depending on conditions. When rivers drop low and clear, Andy has been running his big ocean boat along the Southern Oregon coast and finding incredible Lingcod fishing. Large curly tail grubs, twin-tail scampi plastics, and Farallon feathers have all been producing consistent action.

Techniques: Fishing large curly tail grubs, twin-tail scampi plastics, and Farallon feathers for Lingcod.

Trout

Spring weather also marks the beginning of the main Trout stocking season. While some anglers fish for Trout year-round, spring is when the majority of the state’s legal Trout stocking occurs. Thousands of fish are planted into ponds, lakes, and reservoirs across the region. This week alone, more than 20 bodies of water were stocked, including Dorena Reservoir, which received over 5,000 Trout. PowerBait, nightcrawlers, salmon eggs, and cocktail shrimp all work very well for anglers fishing bait. Those looking for a more active approach can cast spinners or Kastmasters, fish a bubble and fly setup, or troll small Mag Lips. Often times it pays to bring both bait and hardware so you can adjust and fill that Trout limit.

Techniques: Fishing PowerBait, nightcrawlers, salmon eggs, or cocktail shrimp; casting spinners or Kastmasters; bubble and fly setups; trolling small Mag Lips.