    
Dennis Dobson
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 | | Posted on Saturday, December 01, 2001 - 10:42 pm: | |
Subject: Fishing Report - 11/28/01
Fishing Report 11/28/01
This is Dennis Dobson at Oregon Outdoors with your north coast fishing report for the week beginning November 28th . (revised Saturday, December 1, 2001 )
Enough is enough. Enough rain and wind, enough with the electric power losses. Enough with the blown rivers, enough with no fishing. Enough with no electricity for a day and a half, again, already. Yeah, I get a little cranky when I'm cooped up for more than just a few days, so what? OK, cranky and delusional. Sometimes, after a few days of cold-turkeying my fishing jones, I swear I can actually hear the siren song of the steelhead. My wife says what I'm hearing is just the neighbor's dog howling lonely, neglected knife-edged notes. Sounds like a siren to me. Anyway…
The weather has been lousy all week and, according to the forecasters, looks to stay this way for a few at least a few more days. Obviously, we haven't been getting in much fishing. Well, actually none at all since Monday or Tuesday. So, if you want to see what happened last week, and what will likely happen late next week or early the following week, read last week's column from 'General Conditions' on… That was really weak.
As of 11 AM today (Saturday) the Wilson was flooding, said Dennis Will at Tillamook Bait Company. In fact, he added, although the tide was going out and should be drawing water from flooded rivers out to the ocean the river was, instead, still slowly rising against the tide. The Kilchis is in much the same shape as the Wilson. Ditto the Trask. And the Necanicum. And the Nehalems, both south and north. Sometime today even the valiant little Three Rivers will be at or near flood stage.
For now let's talk about what we can look forward to in the next month or so. Assuming the rivers drop next week, all indications are that lots of fresh steelies and the last of the season's chinook will have moved into every river in the area.
The Nestucca, currently sitting at just over 12 feet (the river fishes best between three-and-one-half and five feet in depth ) is funneling fresh steelies up to Three Rivers. According to Ron Byrd at Nestucca Valley Sporting Goods in Hebo the fish trap at Cedar Creek hatchery was full of chromer steelhead this morning. Last Tuesday, he also reports, he knows of at least six chrome bright chinook taken by the few driftboaters on the river. On Monday 60 winter hatchery steelhead were re-cycled from Cedar Creek hatchery to Cloverdale.
As this demonstrates, the last storm system to hit us brought good numbers of both late season chinook and winter steelies into all of the area's rivers. The current weather systems pounding towards us will likely bring in the remainder of this years' chinook along with large numbers of winter steelies.
So, assuming these storms move through and we get a break in the weather long enough to slow fish migration upriver, I see at least a few, and probably several, weeks of good to great winter fishing ahead of us. If this season proves to be as good as the last few, we'll see chromer chinook into the middle of January (although the season ends on Dec. 31 ) and good winter steelie fishing as late as early March. Of course, I am not to be trusted at this point, remember ? I've been held hostage at home by the weather for so long now that my judgement is probably hopelessly skewed by some dim hope of getting back on the river again. Someday. Please.
I'll talk to you next week. For now, stay dry. I'm going to go watch a bass fishing show on television. Oh, I forgot, while we finally have electricity again, we aren't receiving our cable TV signal at all.
General Conditions
Pay attention to the weather over the next few days. As soon as these storms move through and rivers begin to drop and clear we'll see the bite pick up.
Salmon
Much like last week once rivers drop into condition every area river will be holding a mixed bag of fresh, bright chinook, winter steelies and a few darker chinook. The Necanicum and Kilchis will shape up first. The Trask, Wilson and Nestucca will take longer to repair themselves.
Until just late yesterday the Nestucca, from Beaver downstream; the Wilson, from mile 20 downstream; the Trask, from Dam Hole down and the Kilchis along its entire length all sported good numbers of fresh chinook and winter steelies.
On the coast Tillamook Bay is still producing chinook. Until the bay clears itself of flood waters later next week,however, it won't really be worth the effort. The Tillamook Terminal area (inside the jetties) and the ocean control zone (the bubble) both closed on November 15.
The Salmon River is still producing well and should continue to do so through the month.
The flooding this week will have pushed most of the fish in the Nehalem system into the rivers. Drifting the river for coho and steelies is probably your best bet for hook-ups. Some chinook will still be taken by trollers and bobber fishermen on South Fork in the area around the Barn Hole for the next couple of weeks.
Steelhead
There are reports of good numbers of fresh steelies in the Nestucca from Three Rivers downstream to Cloverdale. One bright spot in all of this flooding is Three Rivers itself. Visibility is 18 to 24 inches with good flow and color. There are lots of retuning hatchery steelies in the river and this pretty little stream is well worth your attention this weekend. If the main access areas are too crowded, stop by Nestucca Valley Sporting Goods and ask for directions to the 500 yard stretch behind their shop. There is some excellent steelie water there and far less pressure than the area between the bridge and the dam deadline, Heart Attack Hole, the "S" curves and the piece opposite the Forestry Service office.Corkies and yarn, corkies with a small bit of bait, bobber and jig or bait, flies and spinners will all take steelies this week in Three Rivers as these are bright and aggressive fish.
Sturgeon
The best sturgeon bite on the big river is still concentrated around both Dodson and, lower in the river, near Astoria. All of the standard baits and techniques are producing well. The over-size fishery just below Bonneville Dam is still producing well with more water flow through the dam and should continue for at least the next two or three weeks. Lamprey eel and smelt, as well as sand shrimp, have been producing good catches.
Just like last week sturgeon fishing on Tillamook Bay can go one of either two ways over the next week. I have seen both happen and it is difficult to predict which will hold sway. Sometimes after a large flooding event the bay is so full of food for the sturgeon that it doesn't matter where you put your bait but a fish will pick it up. I have also seen times when the bay is full of bait and the fish are so gorged and have such an abundance to choose from that no one gets any hook ups. I'd talk to Dennis or Marie at Tillamook Bait Company to see which way the bite is tending before traveling down here to sturgeon fish. They can be reached at 503-842-5301. NOTE: Tillamook Bait Company will be closed from December 14 until the first of the year. There is also an excellent chance that many of the resident sturgeon in Tillamook Bay will move into lower tidewater on the Tillamook River to get out of the silt and mud in the main bay. You might try targeting them in the river instead of the bay.
If you want to wet a line this coming week I'd suggest you call either Ron Byrd at Nestucca Valley Sporting Goods (503-392-4269) for up-to-date info on the Nestucca and Three Rivers or Dennis and Marie Will at Tillamook Bait Company (503-842-5031) for the latest word on the Trask, Wilson and Tillamook Bay. Kelly and Janice at The Jetty Fishery can give you all of the up-to-date info you need on the fishing at Nehalem. They can be reached at 503-368-5746.
Bass and Walleye
No bass report. Walleye fishing on the Columbia remains good to excellent. Most anglers are having their best luck trolling plugs along drop-off's.
Trout
Trout fishing in most coastal streams closed on November 1. All trout stocking for the year has been completed. Fall stocking of larger fish is not scheduled to occur as low-water conditions at both hatcheries and local lakes necessitated early release of these fish.
The stocking schedule is now available on the internet at www.dfw.or.us. AND at www.localfishermannews.com.
Ocean
There has been very limited salmon and bottom fishing along the coast for the last week as seasonal storms have kept most boats inshore on most days. If weather and bar conditions improve, expect the bottom fishing to be good to excellent.
Crabbing and Shellfish
The ocean is closed for dungeness crab through November 30. Crabbing is still good in both Nehalem and Tillamook bays with consistent limits of good, hard-shelled Dungeness being taken. Netarts Bay is also producing good catches of crab. All ocean beaches from the south jetty of the Columbia River to Tillamook Head, are closed to razor clam harvest for conservation reasons. Except for the jetties at the ocean entrances, all bays in the closure area remain open. For the latest info on beach closures, call the Shellfish Hotline at 503-986-4728 or go to www.oda.state.or.us on the web for updates.
Winter Chinook Special: A couple of local rivers host a late, "Holiday" run of chinook - BIG chinook. Most noticably, the Kilchis is famous among local anglers and guides for producing 40, 50 and the occasional 60-pound chinook between Thanksgiving and New Year's. Prime time for this run is from the first week of December through January 1 (the season ends state-wide on December 31). If you have ever wanted to hang a true trophy on your family room wall, the time to do it is coming up. Winter steelheading will also be in full swing by mid-December. This means you can realisitically expect to catch at least a couple of each species. These are full-day driftboat trips. I am discounting my regular driftboat price from $125 to $100 per person. You must fill both seats and book a minimum of one week in advance.
Salmon Special- Fall 2001 - Nehalem Bay and Tillamook Bay: Parties of two or three people, just $125 per person, per day - a $25 per person savings. Fill all four seats for just $450- a savings of $150. (Standard rate is $150 per person, per day).
Ask Us
If you'd like to ask about local river conditions or book a trip you can reach us by phone at 503-815-2766 or via e-mail at oreoutdd@pacifier.com
And be sure to visit our web site at oregonoutdoors.org. Just follow the link to the homepage. Please sign our Guest Book … we always enjoy seeing who is visiting us.
GIFT CERTIFICATES for the angler in your life (you?) are always available.
Until next week, have a great time and go catch some fish.
------------------------------
11/21/01
This is Dennis Dobson at Oregon Outdoors with your north coast fishing report for the week beginning November 21st.
First of all, a very happy Thanksgiving to each of you. I hope your holiday is full to brimming with tolerable family, great food and good cheer. I am getting a head start on the holiday myself. I am writing my column and this report a day early so I don't have to squeeze them in tomorrow. I have Jethro Tull on the disc player and the aroma of cooking corned beef and cabbage wafting on the heater's breeze. (I know corned beef isn't your usual or traditional turkey day dinner, but we are very Irish at my house and this has become our "traditional" Thanksgiving Day dinner over the years.)
General Conditions
Thanksgiving is likely to be a great day to stay home, visit with family and friends, eat way too much food and watch a ball game or two. We're getting more rain, lots of it by the look of things, and by tonight or tomorrow morning every river in the county will be too high and dirty to fish. With the possible exception of Three Rivers, which is still in good shape as I write this (Wednesday afternoon). Three Rivers is full of bright winter hatchery steelies and a goodly number of chinook.
Pay attention to the weather over the next few days. As soon as these storms move through and rivers begin to drop and clear we'll see the bite pick up.
Salmon
Much like last week once rivers drop into condition every area river will be holding a mixed bag of fresh, bright chinook, winter steelies and a few darker chinook. The Necanicum and Kilchis will shape up first. The Trask, Wilson and Nestucca will take longer to repair themselves.
Until just late yesterday the Nestucca, from Beaver downstream; the Wilson, from mile 20 downstream; the Trask, from Dam Hole down and the Kilchis along its entire length all sported good numbers of fresh chinook and winter steelies.
On the coast Tillamook Bay is still producing chinook. Until the bay clears itself of flood waters later next week,however, it won't really be worth the effort. The Tillamook Terminal area (inside the jetties) and the ocean control zone (the bubble) both closed on November 15.
The Salmon River is still producing well and should continue to do so through the month.
The flooding this week will have pushed most of the fish in the Nehalem system into the rivers. Drifting the river for coho and steelies is probably your best bet for hook-ups. Some chinook will still be taken by trollers and bobber fishermen on South Fork in the area around the Barn Hole for the next couple of weeks.
Steelhead
There are reports of good numbers of fresh steelies in the Nestucca from Three Rivers downstream to Cloverdale. One bright spot in all of this flooding is Three Rivers itself. Visibility is 18 to 24 inches with good flow and color. There are lots of retuning hatchery steelies in the river and this pretty little stream is well worth your attention this weekend. If the main access areas are too crowded, stop by Nestucca Valley Sporting Goods and ask for directions to the 500 yard stretch behind their shop. There is some excellent steelie water there and far less pressure than the area between the bridge and the dam deadline, Heart Attack Hole, the "S" curves and the piece opposite the Forestry Service office.Corkies and yarn, corkies with a small bit of bait, bobber and jig or bait, flies and spinners will all take steelies this week in Three Rivers as these are bright and aggressive fish.
Sturgeon
The best sturgeon bite on the big river is still concentrated around both Dodson and, lower in the river, near Astoria. All of the standard baits and techniques are producing well. The over-size fishery just below Bonneville Dam is still producing well with more water flow through the dam and should continue for at least the next two or three weeks. Lamprey eel and smelt, as well as sand shrimp, have been producing good catches.
Just like last week sturgeon fishing on Tillamook Bay can go one of either two ways over the next week. I have seen both happen and it is difficult to predict which will hold sway. Sometimes after a large flooding event the bay is so full of food for the sturgeon that it doesn't matter where you put your bait but a fish will pick it up. I have also seen times when the bay is full of bait and the fish are so gorged and have such an abundance to choose from that no one gets any hook ups. I'd talk to Dennis or Marie at Tillamook Bait Company to see which way the bite is tending before traveling down here to sturgeon fish. They can be reached at 503-842-5301. NOTE: Tillamook Bait Company will be closed from December 14 until the first of the year. There is also an excellent chance that many of the resident sturgeon in Tillamook Bay will move into lower tidewater on the Tillamook River to get out of the silt and mud in the main bay. You might try targeting them in the river instead of the bay.
If you want to wet a line this coming week I'd suggest you call either Ron Byrd at Nestucca Valley Sporting Goods (503-392-4269) for up-to-date info on the Nestucca and Three Rivers or Dennis and Marie Will at Tillamook Bait Company (503-842-5031) for the latest word on the Trask, Wilson and Tillamook Bay. Kelly and Janice at The Jetty Fishery can give you all of the up-to-date info you need on the fishing at Nehalem. They can be reached at 503-368-5746.
Bass and Walleye
No bass report. Walleye fishing on the Columbia remains good to excellent. Most anglers are having their best luck trolling plugs along drop-off's.
Trout
Trout fishing in most coastal streams closed on November 1. All trout stocking for the year has been completed. Fall stocking of larger fish is not scheduled to occur as low-water conditions at both hatcheries and local lakes necessitated early release of these fish.
The stocking schedule is now available on the internet at www.dfw.or.us. AND at www.localfishermannews.com.
Ocean
There has been very limited salmon and bottom fishing along the coast for the last week as seasonal storms have kept most boats inshore on most days. If weather and bar conditions improve, expect the bottom fishing to be good to excellent.
Crabbing and Shellfish
The ocean is closed for dungeness crab through November 30. Crabbing is still good in both Nehalem and Tillamook bays with consistent limits of good, hard-shelled Dungeness being taken. Netarts Bay is also producing good catches of crab. All ocean beaches from the south jetty of the Columbia River to Tillamook Head, are closed to razor clam harvest for conservation reasons. Except for the jetties at the ocean entrances, all bays in the closure area remain open. For the latest info on beach closures, call the Shellfish Hotline at 503-986-4728 or go to www.oda.state.or.us on the web for updates.
Winter Chinook Special: A couple of local rivers host a late, "Holiday" run of chinook - BIG chinook. Most noticably, the Kilchis is famous among local anglers and guides for producing 40, 50 and the occasional 60-pound chinook between Thanksgiving and New Year's. Prime time for this run is from the first week of December through January 1 (the season ends state-wide on December 31). If you have ever wanted to hang a true trophy on your family room wall, the time to do it is coming up. Winter steelheading will also be in full swing by mid-December. This means you can realisitically expect to catch at least a couple of each species. These are full-day driftboat trips. I am discounting my regular driftboat price from $125 to $100 per person. You must fill both seats and book a minimum of one week in advance.
Salmon Special- Fall 2001 - Nehalem Bay and Tillamook Bay: Parties of two or three people, just $125 per person, per day - a $25 per person savings. Fill all four seats for just $450- a savings of $150. (Standard rate is $150 per person, per day).
Ask Us
If you'd like to ask about local river conditions or book a trip you can reach us by phone at 503-815-2766 or via e-mail at oreoutdd@pacifier.com
And be sure to visit our web site at oregonoutdoors.org. Just follow the link to the homepage. Please sign our Guest Book … we always enjoy seeing who is visiting us.
GIFT CERTIFICATES for the angler in your life (you?) are always available.
Until next week, have a great time and go catch some fish. |
