News: Oregon Fishing Forecast - June 21, 2018
Bob Rees
Portland/Metro - Although spring Chinook fishing on the mainstem Columbia closed on June 15, the summer Chinook season starts on June 22, and water conditions are looking favorable for a fair run through the 4th of July. Passage numbers at Bonneville are already climbing. Summer Chinook commonly run larger than their spring cousins, and action should be fair from Longview to Bonneville Dam using plugs and small spinners either on anchor or trolling.
Summer steelhead remain available too, and although we're coming off of a good tide series, another strong outgoing tide happens towards the end of the month and should push steelhead towards lower Columbia River beach anglers, where catches should improve during peak migration. Small spin-n-glos tipped with coon shrimp often produce the best results for fish between 5 and 11 pounds.
Shad fishing at Bonneville is nothing short of epic, it's peak season and anglers trying for these fish should use Dick Nite spoons or small green grubs during sunny weather.
Meanwhile, Willamette River catches near the head of the Multnomah Channel near St. Johns have improved dramatically, with some big numbers being reeled in. Pro-trolls with small spinners behind them are taking the best numbers. The fishery at Oregon City has improved recently too, with trollers taking spring Chinook mostly above the West Linn Bridge. Shad catches at Oregon City are excellent too.
The Sandy and Clackamas fisheries remain challenging in the low, clear flows of each of these systems. The bite at the head of Multnomah Channel is an indication that more fish are headed towards the Clackamas system, but the fishing there has been extremely poor for Chinook, fair for steelhead.
The Sandy River should remain fair for summer steelhead, and challenging for spring Chinook, but it's a better bet than the Clackamas.
The Tillamook Report - There were some spring Chinook taken in upper Tillamook Bay last week, but overall, fishing remains slow. In recent years however, late June proved to be the best action so this week and next could be the best of the season. Springers on Tillamook are some of the largest in the state, so it should be worth the effort.
River fishing for spring Chinook just got a bit more challenging on the Trask River, where managers closed a productive stretch at the Trask Hatchery to help ensure this year's proper egg take. Catches have been slow in the district's rivers, especially in the low, clear flows. Summer steelhead remain a viable option in the Wilson and Nestucca Rivers.
Bottomfishing remains a staple this time of year, and anglers are starting to catch onto the benefits of the long-leader fishery. Although the rigging is cumbersome to figure out, a 10-fish bag limit makes the effort worthwhile. The Garibaldi Charter fleet has it figured out so booking a trip with them is a wise investment.
Nearshore halibut fishing is fair, and remains open 7 days per week inside of 40-fathoms
Astoria area - Catch and release sturgeon fishing is excellent right now, using anchovies for bait. Most areas are producing, the green line is especially good from Astoria to Hammond.
For a more detailed report, go to 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!
