Fishing report 5-29
Spring Chinook fishing all around the Northwest has been consistently good for many anglers. The lower Willamette is still kicking out fresh Spring Chinook for those that are putting in the effort. Pro, Josiah Darr, has been finding several biters each trip while trolling 360 flashers and Superbaits, Spin-n-fish and Brad’s Cutplugs. In Tillamook we have several Pro Staff including Tim Juarez and Ted Teufel who have been finding biting Springers in the ocean and in Tillamook bay. Trolling flashers with small spinners, Spinfish-n-fish and herring have all been putting fish in the boat. During the last couple of weekend openers in the Columbia there have been plenty of fish getting caught. Most folks have been finding success anchor fishing with Kwikfish, Mag Lips, Brads Killer Fish and flatfish. Some folks have been finding success sitting on anchor with Brad’s Super Cutplugs, Spin-n-fish and Hawken Spindawgs. Loading them up with your favorite bait scent and finding a good traveling lane has proven successful for many anglers.
Summer Steelhead are starting to show in bigger numbers each week. Rivers like the Cowlitz, Lewis, Willamette and Columbia have all been kicking out fish. In the big rivers most folks have found success sitting on anchor with Coon Stripe Shrimp and Spin-n-glo’s. While in the tributaries fisherman have found success bobberdogging eggs, beads or sand shrimp, as well as backtrolling coon stripe shrimp or sand shrimp. These highly aggressive fish have no problem biting a well presented bait, but keeping them hooked can be another story. These fish can go ballistic! High flying acrobatics and blistering runs are what they are known for!
Catch and release Sturgeon fishing in the Willamette has been good and Pro, Steve Leonard, has been giving his clients a work out chasing these dinosaurs. Down in Astoria, the lower Columbia will become the hot spot for catch and release Sturgeon in the coming weeks. Early June typically marks the start of this estuary fishery. This fishery is world renowned for chasing giant fish in shallow water. Squid, sand shrimp, herring and anchovies are all great bait options.
Bottom fishing has been great for many anglers along the Oregon coast. Pro, Ted Teufel, has been doing really well fishing out of Garibaldi and has been finding a good mix of bottomfish and Lingcod. He has been finding Salmon on most ocean trips as well.
Kokanee fishing at Lake Merwin has been going really well for the anglers heading up above Woodland. Pro, KC Talaro, has been keeping his clients busy reeling in bright little Kokanee all day long. Trolling dodgers and small bright spin-n-glos has been the ticket for him and his clients.
Smallmouth Bass fishing has been getting better by the week. These hard fighting fish have been consistently coming up from the depths of the Columbia and Willamette to spawn in the shallow water bays all along the river. Lipless crankbaits, spinner baits, tube baits and senko worms have all been working well.
Trout fishing has been great all around the northwest. Locally Henry Hagg lake, Harriet Lake and Clear Lake all received over 2,000 fish this past week. Fishing bait off of the bottom or under a bobber always is a viable option, and is a great way to get new anglers into the sport. For those looking for something more interactive, look to casting spinners, kastmasters or bubble and fly to entice active Trout cruising the shorelines looking for an easy meal. Boat anglers will do well trolling small Mag Lips or Flatfish as well as flatlining small wedding ring spinners tipped with night crawlers or salad shrimp.
