Posted by Webmaster on Apr 5, 2010 in
Fishing Last weekend there were reports of at least 50 spring Chinook salmon being taken on the lower Rogue River. These salmon are running between 20-30 pounds, and the best bait is anchovies. The area from Elephant Rock up river seems to be the most productive. I also had reports of springers being caught on the Umpqua River in the Sawyer Rapids area. The recent rains have both rivers on the rise and you’ll need to check their height. As they fall back into shape, springer fishing should really take off.
Winter steelhead still were being caught just below Powers on the Coquille River.
The Coos River system reported some steelhead around the upriver acclimation sites, and these fisheries still have bright fish, but are really slowing down.
Trout fishing at Empire Lakes has been red hot. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is planning to release another 6,000 legal-sized trout into the lakes this week. This brings the total trout released to 18,000, and an additional 400 trophy trout were released this year.
Fishing near the block wall on the north lake using power bait just off the bottom was producing limits in less than 30 minutes for many anglers. If you’re not catching any of them, you may need to change your tactics. One old angler told me in jest that if you drive by slowly with your car window down, you should be able to catch your limit.
Trout fishing also was excellent at Garrison Lake in Port Orford and Bradley Lake in Bandon.
Read more…
Tags: Chinook, coquille river, empire lakes, Rogue River, salmon, trout
Posted by Webmaster on Mar 30, 2010 in
Fishing,
In The News COOS BAY — Commercial and recreational fishermen are split on several options the Pacific Fishery Management Council has laid out for the upcoming salmon season. But the general consensus is — ‘Hey! At least we have a fishing season.”
Fishermen shared their views during a public hearing Monday night at the Red Lion Hotel with the council — which included representatives from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Coast Guard and National Marine Fisheries Service. The council will make a final recommendation April 15 in Portland.
The council’s announcement earlier this year that a salmon season is likely came as a welcome relief to West Coast fishermen who have struggled without the fishery for the past two years.
Read more…
Tags: fishing, regulations, salmon, season
Posted by Webmaster on Mar 9, 2010 in
Fishing The Rogue River should have the best opportunities to catch a nice steelhead, as last week the reports were good from bank fishermen. Fishing near Huntley Bar and Canfield Riffle using a brown trout pattern Spin Glow produced the best bites.
The outstanding news is at least three spring Chinook were taken in the Rogue. Guide Rick Howard of Bandon landed two nice steelhead and a very good springer. Let’s hope this is a start to a very good spring Chinook season.
As the Elk and Sixes rivers fell back into shape, both produced some good, bright winter steelhead.
Reports from the South Fork of the Coos River were not as good, as the steelhead fishing has slowed and the numbers of spawned-out fish has increased.
The Coquille River is falling back into shape after the recent rains, and fish were being picked up on the North Fork. Fishermen also reported a larger number of spawned-out fish that they released. Fishing on Tenmile and Elk creeks has slowed as well.
The Chetco River in Brookings is also falling back into shape, and the lower river from Icebox downstream to the Social Security Bar produced the best bite.
As I reported in last week’s article, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is now stocking legal-sized trout in most of our local lakes gearing up for spring break. Fishermen at Empire Lakes were very pleased with their catches last week, and Empire Lakes offers great family-friendly fishing.
The ODFW reported that their sampling of Garrison Lake in Port Orford showed good numbers of cutthroat trout and rainbow trout in the lake. As water temperatures start to rise, these trout should be on the bite.
Crabbing reports from the Charleston area show that many boaters still are getting limits of Dungeness crabs and the quality has been excellent. Crabbing in Bandon has slowed because of high, fresh water. A word of caution — recently, a large snag has lodged itself at Weber’s Pier and crabbers have been getting their crab rings hung up on it.
The Bay Area Sportsman’s Association will be holding its 23rd Annual Sportsman’s Banquet at the Bay Area Boys and Girls Club tonight at 5:30 p.m. The money raised from this event is used to support the Boys and Girls Club, local athletic teams and many of our STEP programs. They still have a few tickets available and you can contact Mike Helfrich at 541-297-0654 for more information.
The San Francisco Pier 39 sea lions that showed up in great numbers at the Sea Lion Caves in Oregon last fall have started to disappear. The sea lion mystery began four months ago when volunteers counted more than 1,700 of them at Pier 39 and by Thanksgiving, fewer than two dozen remained. We can only hope their trip south is a non-stop one and they won’t stop to feast on our springers.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Department has implemented a trip plan form for all their outdoorsmen. The form is to be filled out and left with a responsible person prior to an outdoor excursion. The trip plan form includes the purpose of the trip, the general area, landmarks, the starting time of your trip and the time you’re expected to return. In the event that you don’t return from your trip as stated on the form, it will be given to law enforcement and search and rescue organizers. This trip plan form is available on the Douglas County Sheriff’s Web site and can be used by anyone. I highly suggest using the form to all outdoorsmen as your life may depend on it.
Good luck fishing and hunting.
Tags: Chinook, elk, fishing, gold beach, Rogue River, salmon, Sixes
Posted by Webmaster on Jan 12, 2010 in
Fishing A recent study from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed a popular salmon and steelhead bait containing sodium sulfite can harm juvenile fish.
Scientists from ODFW and Oregon State University tested a random sample of commercially cured fish eggs and found that some juvenile fish died after ingesting some brands, and later determined that sodium sulfite was the ingredient causing death.
Fishermen cure salmon eggs to preserve them and to add fish-attracting elements, said Joe Cook, manager of The Bait’s On Bait and Tackle shop in Coos Bay.
“Color, scent and texture all play into it,” Cook said.
Some anglers use their own egg cure recipes, while others use commercially available products, and both can contain sodium sulfite. There are three main cures: borax-based, sodium nitrate-based and sodium sulfite-based cures, Cook said. Borax-based cures are popular, and the easiest to use, he said.
Charlie Owen, an avid local fisherman, makes his own egg cure, and said that curing eggs is important to salmon and steelhead anglers, who guard their recipes carefully once they find a combination that works.
“I won’t catch a fish on fresh eggs,” he said.
Cook said salmon eggs are a successful bait, hence their popularity.
“It’s a very effective bait,” he said. “Nearly everything in the rivers will eat salmon eggs.”
Questions about the bait arose in April 2008, when a group of anglers approached ODFW with concerns that the egg cure was toxic to juvenile salmon, according to a summary of the study. Testing began the following month.
The cured eggs were fed to groups of 55 salmon and steelhead held in tanks over a 23-day period, and mortality was assessed after each feeding. Specific mortality rates varied among products, and ranged from 0 to 30 percent. Some fish died after the first feeding, but most were able to survive through 23 days of presumably eating the cured eggs, the study said.
Removal of sodium sulfite eliminated the mortality.
“We’ve already talked with several manufacturers and we’re encouraged by their commitment to solving this problem,” said Bruce McIntosh, ODFW deputy administrator of inland fisheries, in a press release. “Our emphasis will be on informing anglers, guides and other manufacturers about the risks sulfites pose to juvenile fish.”
ODFW cannot predict whether this has a significant effect on the overall health of salmon and steelhead populations.
Local ODFW fish biologist Tom Rumreich pointed out that there are too many variables in determining salmon population.
“But it can certainly impact individuals,” he said.
Rumreich said sodium sulfite has been widely used in various areas, including the treatment of salmon eggs.
“I know this information has really raised some eyebrows,” Rumreich said. “And I know I will never use it again.”
Rumreich said he will spread the word to other fishermen, and that his co-workers also won’t be utilizing sodium sulfites.
Though he’s not sure sodium sulfite could have long-term effects on salmon populations, he won’t rule out the possibility the ingredient could hurt future numbers.
“I certainly will be going around telling people that we shouldn’t be using it,” he said.
Rumreich pointed out that there are many alternatives for egg cures, and he has long used a store-bought meat tenderizer ??” anything derived from salt works just fine, he said.
“And the sky’s the limit,” he said.
Cook agreed, adding that a book he sells on egg cures lists at least 20 different recipes.
“There would be few people who would be harmed by switching because there are so many alternatives,” Cook said.
For more information on the ODFW study, visit www.dfw.state.or.us, and search “harmful salmon bait.” The press release contains a link to more specific information on the study
Tags: death, fish eggs, juvenile fish, ODFW, salmon, sodium nitrate
Posted by Webmaster on Dec 1, 2009 in
Fishing 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.
Read more…
Tags: coho, Coos River system, coquille river, Elk River, salmon, Sixes, steelhead
Posted by Webmaster on Nov 9, 2009 in
General The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is extending the current angling closure on the Chetco River upstream of Highway 101 until further notice. The season was expected to reopen today, but will remain closed to protect spawning fall Chinook.
Parks and Rec asks for state bikeway nominations
The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department currently is taking nominations for bike routes for consideration as State Scenic Bikeways.
Such designated bikeways would follow roads and bicycle paths that connect riders with outstanding scenic, historic and natural settings. The OPRD will be accepting nominations through Jan. 31, 2010, and annually from Nov. 1 to Jan. 31 thereafter.
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Tags: Chetco, Chinook, closures, ODFW, salmon
Posted by Webmaster on Nov 5, 2009 in
General Local lakes: The Tenmile Bass Club hosted a local tournament last weekend at Tenmile Lakes in Lakeside. The new owners of Lakeside Marina told me that largemouth bass fishing over the weekend was good and that anglers fishing in the tournament caught several nice largemouths. Rainbow trout fishing at Tenmile Lakes also has been good. Anglers trolling wedding ring spinners tipped with nightcrawlers have been doing the best. Trout fishing at Empire Lakes in Coos Bay remains very good after the recent stockings. We haven’t received any reports from Bradley Lake recently. Access has been tough because of the lower lake level and weed build-up at the boat ramp. If anyone fishing the lake would like to share some information, please give us a call at 347-2875.
Local rivers: The Chetco River above the U.S. Highway 101 bridge will open for fall Chinook fishing on Saturday, Nov. 7. With more rain in the forecast, look for Chinook fishing to improve. Traditionally, the Chetco is known for its large fall Chinook. Anglers fishing the lower Rogue River for fall Chinook over the weekend caught a few early winter steelhead. Most of the fall Chinook have been being caught in the Agness area. Anglers fishing the Elk and Sixes rivers last weekend reported catching plenty of jack salmon, along with some nice adult fish. Bob Dearth of Bandon caught two nice Chinook Saturday, one of them weighing more than 30 pounds. Anglers reported slower fishing conditions on Monday, but with a series of big high tides and rain forecasted, look for fishing to heat up again. There have been plenty of good salmon fishing opportunities on the Coquille River recently. Jon Vining of Bandon has been launching his boat at Sturdivant Park in Coquille and fishing downriver to Clausen’s Corner. He told me they’ve been catching some nice coho salmon along with a few kings. Anglers fishing the Rocky Point area are still reporting good coho fishing. Most anglers have gone from bait to spinners, which have been very productive. As of last week, the wild coho harvest on the Coquille River was at 55 percent of the 1,500-fish quota. Shore-based salmon fishermen had a good week fishing Seven Mile Slough, just above Rocky Point. Most of the fish are being caught on sand shrimp under a bobber. Anglers fishing near the forks of the Coos River are still reporting good fall Chinook fishing. Some fresh Chinook salmon are still being caught by shore-based anglers fishing the boardwalk in downtown Coos Bay. Most of the anglers fishing the boardwalk area are catching their fish casting spinners.
Area shellfish: Crabbing in the bay at Bandon was still very good over the weekend. The numbers of crab moving in and out of the bay have been changing daily due to the rough ocean conditions. The quality of crab has been excellent, since most of them have gone through their molting stage. Crabbing in the Charleston and Empire areas of Coos Bay has been great. Boaters crabbing near Empire last weekend reported easy limits of nice Dungeness crab.
(Tony Roszkowski has owned and operated Port O’ Call — TonysCrabShack.com — on the Bandon waterfront since 1989. Many South Coast anglers rely on his fish and shellfish reports. Hear more from Tony on ‘Oregon Outdoors’ Thursdays on KWRO 630 AM.)
Tags: Bandon fishing report, bass, Crabbing in Oregon, lakes, salmon, tenmile lake, trout
Posted by Webmaster on Oct 16, 2009 in
Fishing 
John Martin, left, Chad Brunick, center, and Sean Metzger, all of Klamath Falls, boat a fall chinook salmon in Chetco on Sunday. AP Photo
BROOKINGS (AP) — Despite having only a sliver of the Chetco River open to angling this month, John Martin of Klamath Falls does not lament the loss of upstream fishing access.
He drops his anchovy into the estuary between the jetties, then motors his small aluminum boat, already loaded with two friends and three adult Chinook. The fish are all around 30 pounds.
They’re trolling, though, through no more than 200 yards of the Chetco.
“Because this is where the fish are,” Martin says.
Though most of the Chetco remains closed to angling to protect a poor return of wild Chinook to this South Coast stream, anglers are finding they don’t need much space to catch fish eclipsing 50 pounds in an ongoing fishery that is as popular as it is maligned.
Estuary waters west of U.S. Highway 101 are the only part of the Chetco open under a restricted bag limit of one wild Chinook a day and no more than two this season. The low wild fall Chinook return is blamed largely on poor ocean conditions, and is expected throughout Southern Oregon streams.
But anglers are making the best of that one wild Chinook a day, hauling in some of the largest salmon seen here in two decades. Tops so far comes courtesy of Carl Johnson of Brookings, whose 58-pounder caught Sept. 30 unofficially is the largest Chinook caught in the Chetco Bay since the early 1980s.
“That was a gorgeous, gorgeous fish,” Johnson said. “I’ve caught several in that category, but none on the Chetco and not in the estuary.”
Read more…
Tags: anchovy, brookings, Chetco, Chinook, fishing, salmon
Posted by Webmaster on Sep 24, 2009 in
General 
Emergency closure: At 11:59 p.m. last night the wild coho fishery on the Coos River system was closed. We had a large number of coho caught on the bar and also in the river this past week, and we reached our 1,000 fish quota. The Coquille River has taken approximately 10 percent of the 1,500 fish quota and the coho are just starting to show up in better numbers in this fishery. You may still retain fin-clipped coho in both rivers.
Tags: closed, coho, salmon, season
Posted by Webmaster on Aug 17, 2009 in
Fishing The 10th-Annual Coos Basin Amateur Salmon Derby will be held Sept. 12 and 13 on the Coos River in Coos Bay.
Tickets cost $20, and can be purchased at England Marine in Charleston, Bite’s on Tackle Shop, Coos Bay Marine and Y Marina in Empire, and BNT in Coos Bay. Tickets also can be purchased the day of the derby at Eastside, California Street (North Bend) and Dora’s Place boat ramps. Free tickets for children ages 16 and under will be available at any of the boat ramps on the day of the derby.
A total of $1,000 in prize money will be distributed among first through fourth places and the biggest fish in the Junior Division.
Proceeds go toward the Salmon Trout Enhancement Program in Coos County.
For more information, call the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife at 888-5515 or Valerie Pena at 759-2709.
Tags: 2009, Bite’s on Tackle Shop, Coos Salmon Derby, Englund Marine, ODFW, salmon
