    
Dennis Dobson
Unregistered guest
Rating: 
Votes: 2 | | Posted on Thursday, January 17, 2002 - 11:30 pm: | |
Subject: Oregon Outdoors
This is Dennis Dobson at Oregon Outdoors with your north coast fishing report for the week beginning Thursday, January 17, 2002.
Over the next couple of weeks you should expect to see some changes in this column. While it will still be available at all of its regular websites it will be a noticably shortened version. The full-length weekly report - with greatly expanded where and how -to tips sections , a monthly forecast, new (and old) articles, gear and guide discounts, seminar discounts and a variety of additional features will soon be available on a yearly subscription basis. I expect to have the new subscription service up and running before the end of the month - it is turning out to be a larger project than I first thought it would be - and the first details on where and how to sign up, etc., will appear here.
General Conditions
There are fish in all our local rivers and all of our waters are in good to excellent shape. While the Trask, Wilson and Nestucca are in prime condition right now, the Necanicum, NF Nehalem and the Kilchis are running a bit on the low and clear side. They are still very fishable, just a bit low and clear.
Salmon
Closed until springer season.
Steelhead
The Necanicum, Kilchis and North Fork Nehalem while holding fish are running low and very clear. The Wilson and Trask both have good color and are producing fish. Look for both of these rivers to improve Friday and Saturday. For bank anglers the stretch of the Wilson from about mile 20 down to Mill Creek (behind the Guide Shop) is producing steady catches. The middle Trask, along Trask River Road, is also providing a few fish.
The Nestucca, currently running at 5-1/2 feet and a gorgeous steelhead green, is in great shape. These last rains pushed good numbers of native steelies up into the middle and upper drifts of the river. There are fish scattered from Blaine all the way downstream to Cloverdale. Fourth Bridge to First Bridge and First Bridge to Farmer Creek should both prove to be good drifts over the weekend. There are still good numbers of fish in the lower river and Three Rivers is in great shape and producing good catches.
Sturgeon
Although the bite has been erratic, several days recently have produced good sturgeon catches on Tillamook Bay for anglers willing to brave the elements. Best bets for sturgeon in the bay are the dolphins in front of Bay City and the Corral. If you can't find a bite there try running over to Memaloose and fishing the hole where the Tillamook and Trask rivers come together.
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
With water levels and temperatures dropping back into normal ranges look for smalies and bucketmouths in all of the usual places. Slow-trolled plugs worked along drop-off's in the 8 to 15-foot range should produce.
I have no current, reliable reports on walleye fishing on the big river.
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. Trout stocking operations are scheduled to resume in March 2002.
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 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
Crabbing is slowly improving coast-wide as area bays repair after the last few rain 'events'. Watch tide cycles and time your crabbing to coincide with minimum tide movements. 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 steelheading is now in full swing. This means you can realisitically expect to catch at least a couple of these beauties on any given day. These are full-day driftboat trips. I am discounting my regular driftboat price from $125 to $100 per person through the end of January. You must fill both seats and book a minimum of one week in advance.
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.
CREDIT AND DEBIT CARDS: We can now accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express credit cards and any major bank debit card for payment. Please call us to complete the transaction. We choose to do this over the phone so you won't have to send important personal financial information over the internet.
Until next week, have a great time and go catch some fish.
--------------------------------------
This is Dennis Dobson at Oregon Outdoors with your north coast fishing report for the week beginning Thursday, January 10, 2002.
Over the next couple of weeks you should expect to see some changes in this column. While it will still be available at all of its regular websites it will be a noticably shortened version. The full-length weekly report - with greatly expanded where and how -to tips sections , a monthly forecast, new (and old) articles, gear and guide discounts, seminar discounts and a variety of additional features will soon be available on a yearly subscription basis. I expect to have the new subscription service up and running before the end of the month - it is turning out to be a larger project than I first thought it would be - and the first details on where and how to sign up, etc., will appear here.
General Conditions
This will be a great weekend for catching fish. Whether or not being out in the weather is as nice remains to be seen. From the Necanicum in the north to the Nestucca in the south all of our local rivers either are or will soon be fishable. And all of them are holding lots and lots of fresh winter steelies. Although we have rain in the forecast for Saturday and Sunday, which might make fishing a little uncomfortable, so far at least we're not being told to expect huge amounts. As long as all we get is rain, and not a deluge, all area rivers should remain fishable.
Salmon
A few late chinook are being taken from the Nestucca, Kilchis and Wilson rivers. As the season closed on Dec. 31, these fish must all be released unharmed and un-netted.
Steelhead
The Necanicum and North Fork Nehalem should be fishable on Friday. The Wilson and Trask, although still running a bit high, both have good color and are already producing fish. Look for both of these rivers to improve Friday and Saturday. For bank anglers the stretch of the Wilson from about mile 20 down to Mill Creek (behind the Guide Shop) is producing steady catches. The middle Trask, along Trask River Road, is also providing a few fish.
The Nestucca, currently running over six feet and a little dirty, will be in good fishing condition by Friday afternoon and should be in great shape by Saturday. These last rains will have pushed good numbers of native steelies up into the middle drifts of the rivers. Fourth Bridge to First Bridge and First Bridge to Farmer Creek shoould both prove to be good drifts over the weekend. There are still good numbers of fish in the lower river and Three Rivers is in great shape and producing good catches.
Sturgeon
Although the bite has been erratic, several days recently have produced good sturgeon catches on Tillamook Bay for anglers willing to brave the elements. Experience also shows us that the period just after a series of heavy storms often produces excellent catches. The bay is clearing up after the last rain storms and the bite should pick up. Best bets for sturgeon in the bay are the dolphins in front of Bay City and the Corral. If you can't find a bite there try running over to Memaloose and fishing the hole where the Tillamook and Trask rivers come together.
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
As river levels on the Willamette drop this week try trolling plugs along in-shore drop-offs and casting into creek mouths for bass. Work a bit more shallow that usual as high water flows will have pushed bass into relatively shallow water. Flooded river bottoms with at least four or five feet of water among standing timber of any kind should hold fish.
I have no current, reliable reports on walleye fishing on the big river.
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. Trout stocking operations are scheduled to resume in March 2002.
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 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
Crabbing is slowly improving coast-wide as area bays repair after the last few rain 'events'. Watch tide cycles and time your crabbing to coincide with minimum tide movements. 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 steelheading is now in full swing. This means you can realisitically expect to catch at least a couple of these beauties on any given day. These are full-day driftboat trips. I am discounting my regular driftboat price from $125 to $100 per person through the end of January. You must fill both seats and book a minimum of one week in advance.
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.
CREDIT AND DEBIT CARDS: We can now accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express credit cards and any major bank debit card for payment. Please call us to complete the transaction.
Until next week, have a great time and go catch some fish.
-------------------------------
This is Dennis Dobson at Oregon Outdoors with your north coast fishing report for the week beginning Thursday, January 3, 2002.
Over the next couple of weeks you should expect to see some changes in this column. While it will still be available at all of its regular websites it will be a noticably shortened version. The full-length weekly report - with greatly expanded where and how -to tips sections , a monthly forecast, new (and old) articles, gear and guide discounts, seminar discounts and a variety of additional features will soon be available on a yearly subscription basis. I expect to have the new subscription service up and running before the end of the month - it is turning out to be a larger project than I first thought it would be - and the first details on where and how to sign up, etc., will appear here.
General Conditions
As the song says, "Everything is beautiful … in its own way." All of our local rivers, from the Necanicum and Nehalems' in the north to the Nestucca in the south, are all in good shape and producing chromer steelies. With nearly 3,000 winter steelhead recycled out of Cedar Creek Hatchery the Nestucca was the go-to river until just a couple of days ago. While the fish are still there in incredible numbers, the bite has died off dramatically. Look for rain-less, sunny days on Friday and Saturday to improve the bite everywhere.
Salmon
A few late chinook are being taken from the Nestucca, Kilchis and Wilson rivers. As the season closed on Dec. 31, these fish must all be released unharmed and un-netted.
Steelhead
The Necanicum, Wilson, Trask, mainstem Nehalem and Kilchis have all come up a couple of inches, picked up a little color and are fishing very well. The Trask, while in good shape, doesn't have near the number of steelies in it that the Wilson and Nestucca have been providing.
The Nestucca in particular was hot last week but catch numbers have dropped over the last three days. Your best bet for bank angling remains the area from the mouth of Three Rivers downstream. Driftboaters would do well to move further upstream. Target the drifts from First Bridge to Farmer's Creek, Farmer's Creek to Three Rivers or even higher in the river from Fourth Bridge to First Bridge. You will probably find there are fewer fish in these drifts but they aren't getting hammered by dozens of bank anglers and fifteen or twenty baots each day. The lower river is. While a few colored recycled fish are showing up, most of the catch is bright, sea-lice infested chromers.
The Wilson and Trask are also producing steady, if not spectacular, catches. Ditto North Fork Nehalem and the Necanicum. For bank anglers the stretch of the Wilson from about mile 20 down to Mill Creek (behind the Guide Shop) is producing steady catches. The middle Trask, along Trask River Road, is also providing a few fish.
Three Rivers is in excellent shape and producing lots of fish.
Sturgeon
Although the bite has been erratic, several days recently have produced good sturgeon catches on Tillamook Bay for anglers willing to brave the elements. Experience also shows us that the period just after a series of heavy storms often produces excellent catches. Marie Will at Tillamook Bait points out that, although she and her husband Dennis just got back from vacation, they have orders backing up for mud shrimp. This is an excellent indication that sturgeon are on the prod in 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 reliable current information is available this week.
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. Trout stocking operations are scheduled to resume in March 2002.
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 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
Crabbing is slowly improving coast-wide as area bays repair after the last few rain 'events'. Watch tide cycles and time your crabbing to coincide with minimum tide movements. 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 steelheading is now in full swing. This means you can realisitically expect to catch at least a couple of these beauties on any given day. These are full-day driftboat trips. I am discounting my regular driftboat price from $125 to $100 per person through the end of January. You must fill both seats and book a minimum of one week in advance.
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.
CREDIT AND DEBIT CARDS: We can now accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express credit cards and any major bank debit card for payment. Please call us to complete the transaction.
Until next week, have a great time and go catch some fish. |
