Reviews are mixed on the South Coast on the idea of banning felt-soled fishing boots to slow the spread of invasive species.
Jim Carey of the Rogue Outdoor Store said he thinks a ban would be a good idea, and his store will be taking matters into its own hands.
Siuslaw River: Recent rains have moved and activated the steelhead.
Ben Irving Reservoir: Stocking will begin in March.
Chetco River: Flows are low and clear. Anglers fishing smaller baits and lighter line are doing the best.
Coos River Basin: Steelhead will distribute more once the water comes up from the next significant rainfall.
Local lakes: Forty-three boats converged on Tenmile Lakes last weekend for the Frostbite Bass Tournament sponsored by the Emerald Bass Club. The big bass of the event weighed in at 5.81 pounds and the winning five-fish total weight was 22 pounds, 4 ounces. Anglers reported catching the majority of the largemouth bass on grubs, jigs and brush hogs.
It’s time to dust off your trout gear because next week will be the first round of trout stocking by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife for 2011. Bradley Lake, Empire Lakes, Johnson Mill Pond, Powers Pond and Saunders Lake are all scheduled to receive 3,000 legal-size trophy trout. Families with kids under 14 are more than welcome to stop by Port O’ Call in Old Town Bandon for a free rod, reel and line courtesy of the Kids Fish Free program.
Siuslaw River: Winter steelhead angling has picked up. Warm rains have the river rising and fish on the move. Fishing around Whittaker Creek down to the lower Lake Creek area should be productive over the next week or two, either bank fishing or drifting from a boat.
Arizona Pond: Trout fishing is good. Youth anglers have been picking up quite a few holdover trout now that days have been sunny and warm.
Siuslaw River: Winter steelhead angling is slow to fair. Low flows and clear water have slowed fish movement and catch rates. Focus on deeper holding water and the lower river during these conditions.
Chetco River: Water flows are low and clear. Anglers fishing smaller baits and lighter line are doing the best. Boat and bank angling pressure is light.
Siuslaw River: Winter steelhead angling is expected to slow as flows continue to drop and clear. Look to fish deeper holding water until the next rain event.
Chetco River: Flows are low and clear, and steelhead are throughout the system. Anglers fishing smaller baits and lighter line are doing the best.
Siuslaw River: Winter steelhead angling is expected to improve through the weekend. The recent high flow event should stimulate fish movement over the next week. During higher flows, focus on the upper river near release locations or try plunking slower side waters in the lower river. Side drifting or pulling plugs should be effective as the river level drops this week.
Chetco River: The river is low and clear, and steelhead are throughout the system. Anglers fishing smaller baits and lighter line are doing the best. Angling pressure has been high.
Siuslaw River: Winter steelhead angling is expected to improve through the weekend. The recent high flow event should stimulate fish movement over the next week. During higher flows, focus on the upper river near release locations or try plunking slower side waters in the lower river. Side drifting or pulling plugs should be effective as the river level drops.
Chetco River: Steelhead fishing has been good if you can get out when the flows have been dropping. Steelhead are spread throughout the system, with the lower eight miles of the river producing good numbers of hatchery and wild fish.
Siuslaw River: Winter steelhead angling is slow to fair. Best chances during the early part of the run will be in the lower to mid river of the Siuslaw and Lake Creek.
Coos River Basin: The West and East Fork Millicoma rivers have been low and clear this week but should color up and fish extremely well with the next rain.
Bright steelhead are moving into the river systems with each rain, and fishing should continue to get better in the next month.
Sterling Cook poses with a pair of steelhead he caught on the South Coos River. Steelhead season is in full swing in area rivers.
Dodging winter rains, South Coast anglers spend time nabbing winter steelhead from local rivers.
They put up a fight, but that’s the fun part.
“It’s a lot more challenging than people think,” said Tony Roszkowski, who operates Port O’ Call in Bandon. “There’s a real subtlety.”
The sea-run rainbow trout is a feisty fish after spending many years in the ocean.
Copyright © 2012 Fishing / Clamming / Crabbing Blog All rights reserved. Theme by Laptop Geek.
