Outdoor Report 2/28
Winter Steelhead fishing has continued to get better these last few weeks and should continue for weeks to come. With last week’s cold weather, some report that fish have been a little lethargic. With that being said, these lethargic fish just need a little bit of help in getting into the biting mood. Spoons, spinners, plugs and large profile baits can all be good options in getting finicky fish to snap. Bait can also be a great help. Don’t be afraid to spend a little more time in each spot you fish, as cold water can make fish a bit pickier. With the Willamette River currently running high and dirty, Springer fishing is temporarily on hold until conditions improve, but there should be a few more coveted Spring Chinook around when the river falls into shape. Along the coast there are a lot of options this time of year. Obviously, the weather can play a factor, but if you keep an eye on the forecast you can plan trips accordingly. Surf perch are a fish that don’t mind if it’s raining and cloudy or clear and sunny. They spend a lot of their life in and around the surf, so they can be targeted and caught year-round. Berkley Gulp Sandworms, Sandshrimp and clam necks will all produce bites. Keep walking the surf until you find some consistent action and stay on them. Crabbing has continued to be great with reports of success from Tillamook and Nehalem Bay. If you can get on the water early, a lot of the time you can get your limits of crab early and beat the wind and waves. Bottom fishing is another solid option whether you are fishing off the jetty or are in a boat out in the open water. Shrimp Flies and Rock Cod Jigs are great rigs to use when searching for bottom fish. Once you find them you can drop down Butterfly Jigs, curly tail grubs or other soft plastics. Sometimes mixing up colors and styles of plastics can be just what you need to keep the bite going. Kokanee fishing has continued to be an option for those that don’t want to chase Salmon or Steelhead but still want to eat some fresh fish. This time of year, Kokanee are typically high in the water column and you may only need a dodger for weight when trolling. Keep dropping down in the water column until you find where the schools are at. Trout fishing will continue to improve as the weeks go on and more lakes continue to get stocked. As the weather starts to get nicer, trout fishing can be a great alternative to get the whole family out and into the outdoors. Especially after a lake has been stocked. Razor Clam digging resumes March 1st on Clatsop beaches from Tillamook Head, north to the Columbia River. Closed since October due to undersized clams, biologists say most clams are now 3-4 inches or larger. Always be sure to check local regulations at ODFW and WDFW before heading out. Find reports and information on the Fisherman's Community page.
