Fishermen preparing for steelhead
The Coquille River has experienced a rise in the conditions that pushed most of the fish upriver, but we still have some reports of a few fish being taken. It looks like we’ll make it to the end of the month without reaching our wild coho quota.
Fishermen on the Coos River systems reported a few fish being caught, but fishing has been slow and the fishermen have been few and far between. A few winter steelhead have been taken on the east fork of the Millicoma River. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is expecting a good return of both hatchery and wild steelhead to the Coos Basin this year. Traditionally this fishery gets into full swing in mid to late December.
The Elk and Sixes rivers have been difficult fisheries this season. The number of fish taken early was very good, but the recent rains, or lack thereof, have made the rivers rise to fishable conditions and then drop back down, which makes it very difficult to forecast fishing. As of yesterday, I talked to two fishermen on the Sixes who said the river was dropping and fishing was slow. The Elk River had dropped even lower and cleared, and the most effort was on the Sixes. If you’d like to call ahead for river conditions, use the ODFW hotline at (541) 332-0405.
The lower Umpqua River had a spurt of bright Chinook that were being caught around Middle Creek. Right now, most of the Umpqua fishermen are gearing up for steelhead.
Anglers at Garrison Lake in Port Orford reported catching their limits of very nice-sized trout in recent days. One angler reported that as the lake levels rise and water color changes, try switching to brighter-colored baits like pink and chartreuse. Tenmile Lakes also reported excellent trout fishing in the last few days. These trout fishermen seem to be practicing for the later run of steelhead that should start in the next couple of weeks. Early steelheaders caught a few winter steelhead plunking Spin & Glo’s from the lower Rogue River gravel bars. The winter steelhead run should increase in the next few weeks.
Even though the water has risen on the Coquille River and is a little murky, crabbing in the bay at Bandon still is producing. Crabbing in the Coos Bay area of Charleston and Empire still is producing excellent catches. The ODFW announced that the commercial and recreational ocean Dungeness crab season will open on Dec. 1.
Oregon boaters, beginning Jan. 1, 2010, will pay an additional $5 surcharge as part of their boater registration fee. This surcharge is called the Aquatic Invasive Species Permit, and the money will be used to fund prevention and control programs. Permits can be purchased starting Dec. 1 at any ODFW license agent location. Non-motorized boat operators will need to purchase and carry an annual permit for canoes, kayaks, sailboats and drift boats. Permits are required for both residents and non-residents and are transferable to other non-motorized craft, but every vessel on the water must have a permit.
The ODFW announced that 2010 hunting and fishing licenses will go on sale Dec. 1. They also announced that they will be available on the ODFW Web site and at ODFW license agent locations. A new Juvenile Resident Sports Pac makes a great gift and allows 12- to 17-year-olds to fish, hunt, crab and clam all year for only $55. The package includes one of each of the following: Combination angling/hunting/shellfish license; combined angling harvest tag; upland game bird and Oregon waterfowl validation; and tags (general or controlled) for buck deer, elk, bear, cougar and spring turkey. They also have reduced pricing in a Sports Pac for the adults.
Oregon’s Nearshore Research Task Force that was created in 2009 to advise the state on how to ensure the protection and utilization of Oregon’s nearshore resources, will meet Dec. 2 and 3 in Newport. This meeting is open to the public.
Good luck fishing and hunting.
