Fishing report 4-24

Spring Chinook are dang near everywhere! Ok, no literally everywhere, but we are getting reports of fresh Spring Chinook catches in most all rivers. The Willamette has seen lots of activity this week, especially in the lower river. We have several Pro Staff including Josiah Darr, Ted Teufel and Jim Nicol all trolling the Portland Harbor and Multnomah Chanel with herring and flashers. Reports are that fish are there and being caught with regularity. Some anglers have been finding success trolling small 3.5 size spinners or Superbaits with 360 flashers, however herring is still making up the majority of the success. This fishery will continue for quite awhile, especially if we keep getting freshets of rain periodically. 

In the middle river, around Milwaukie, anglers are doing well trolling herring and flashers, prawn spinners and flashers or back bouncing prawns along the many ledges that make up that middle section of the river. Up near Oregon City, it definitely becomes a backtrolling dominated fishery. Pro, Terry Mulkey, has been finding success on most days by backtrolling jumbo jet divers and small spin-n-glos with either a glob of salmon eggs and a sandshrimp or with just a whole sandshrimp. Small plugs will work well as will backbouncing eggs in the fast water areas. 

Catch and release Sturgeon fishing is a fan favorite during the spring months. There is usually no shortage of fish and they tend to bite very well in the warming waters of the Willamette. Squid, herring, sand shrimp and smelt are all great baits to being with you. 

Razor Clamming continues to be a Killer option for folks wanting to mix in some great seafoood with their diet. We just learned of yet another opener at Long Beach running from April 24th through April 29th. These are am tides, so no need for head lamps and extra warm clothing. 

Bottom fishing has also continued to be killer recently. Fisherman’s Pro, Andy Martin, has been finding limits of Lingcod and bottomfish almost everyday he crosses the bar. Large curly tail grubs, twin tails, swimbaits and farallon feathers have all been working quite well. 

Shad will be making their way into the Willamette and Columbia in the coming weeks so thinking about stocking up on your Shad gear is a great idea right now. Before the masses come out looking for their favorite color jig head.