Oregon Fishing Forecast – October 25, 2018

Published 12:00 am Friday, October 26, 2018

Portland/Metro – Chinook passage at Bonneville Dam is but a trickle right now, a sign that the run is on its last legs and clearly under-performed fishery manager’s expectations. Chinook jack counts don’t point to an improvement for the 2019 return, but if there’s any one lesson we’ve all learned in recent years, predictions are unreliable. Jack coho counts on the other hand have out-paced the 10-year average, pointing to a rebound in returns for 2019. Steelhead returns often mimic coho returns so maybe we’ve seen the bottom of the barrel for the 2-salt species.

Anglers are still putting forth effort on the Sandy and Clackamas Rivers for coho, even in the extremely low flows we’re currently experiencing. Success rates are low under these conditions however coho are notoriously lock-jawed salmon, especially in low, clear flows. Eagle Creek hatchery has some fish in its holding raceway, but more are expected from the mainstem Clackamas if flows jump as expected. It won’t take much in the way of a river rise to inspire returning adults to these hatchery facilities, hopefully this week’s precipitation triggers it.

Coho on Cedar Creek on the Sandy system are also staging at the creek’s mouth, waiting for the next rain freshet that will give them access to their home hatchery. Effort can be intense at these pinch points as late October is commonly when fish are at full capacity at these hatchery facilities. Bobber and bait is producing some biters at daybreak, but fish become timid soon after sunrise.

Sturgeon fishing remains excellent in the Portland Harbor and should remain productive well into the fall. Smelt and sand shrimp should produce the best results in the deeper holes downstream of the Fremont Bridge.

The Association of Northwest Steelheaders is holding its 31st annual Hall of Fame Banquet in Wilsonville on November 10. Great raffle prizes and auction items will be up for bid with proceeds going to the many programs the Steelheaders lead. Tickets are available at http://www.nwsteelheaders.org.

The Tillamook Report – Chinook fishing in Tillamook remains challenging for most, but Bay City and the Ghost Hole will be primary targets for trollers this week with the stronger tides pushing in. Seaweed may also be a factor once again as stronger tides and a storm surge tend to bring in the fouling foliage.

Tidewater of the Wilson River is rumored to have fair numbers of Chinook available. Tides improve for bobber fishers, but do check the ODF&W web site for current regulations as there is talk of a limited closure to protect concentrated Chinook in the tidewater reaches of some coastal systems. Returns already look compromised and tidewater fish seem particularly vulnerable when they can’t access the upper reaches of these systems.

The ocean swell is forecasted to be on the increase as is commonly the case this time of year. The ocean salmon season as well as halibut season closes on October 31. Many charter operations are also closing for the winter although bottomfishing should remain productive.

Bay crabbing will be challenging this weekend with the bump in tide exchange.

For a more detailed report, go to http://www.TheGuidesForecast.com

Bob Rees is a sixth generation Oregonian and a 20-year veteran fishing guide of Oregon’s Northwest region. Bob Rees’ column, The Guide’s Forecast, has been a trusted fishing resource for over 16 years and will appear in the Thursday edition of the Portland Tribune. He welcomes the opportunity to partner with the Portland Tribune to bring the sport fishing community timely and accurate fishing information so you can catch more fish!