Document text
http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Multimedia Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend March 1, 2007 Fishing and Hunting Report River Outlook ROGUE — The latest series of rain and snow has damaged much of the Rogue's winter steelhead fishing in the short-term, and who knows what sits on the horizons as more rain and snow is forecast for the region. The best bet is the far upper Rogue, which pretty much is the only show in town now thanks to one of the weirdest winters around. The flows upstream of Little Butte Creek are clean enough for winter steelhead fishing, and that's about it. Through Feb. 23, 2,768 winter steelhead have been counted going over Gold Ray Dam. That's fairly good for this time of year, and there's also plenty of hatchery steelhead in the mix. Flows look decent for the next week or so, but the main issue will be dealing with the turbidity. The Grants Pass area has been a bust and likely could remain a bust into the weekend as turbid water has definitely put the skids to steelhead fishing. Plunkers and side-planers working places like Griffin Park could jump in front of some steelhead, however. The lower Rogue has produced some late-run fish for some plunkers, but the numbers of fresh steelhead are waning daily. Still no confirmed spring chinook catch in the lower Rogue, but expect to see the first springers of the season in next week's Outdoors Page. Advertisement Most of the Rogue's winter steelhead are wild, and all wild steelhead must be released unharmed upstream of Gold Ray Dam. Downstream from the dam to the mouth, anglers may keep one wild steelhead a day over 24 inches, and no more than five of those per season. Fin-clipped hatchery fish over 16 inches can be kept as adults, and up to two a day for those (except it's just one hatchery fish if you keep a wild steelhead that day). Many of the steelhead are cookie-cutter, 5-7 pounders for which the Rogue is famous. Some big steelhead in the 15-plus pound range, however, have been caught already this year. For daily flow reports out of Lost Creek Lake, call 800-472-2434. APPLEGATE — Fresh steelhead are present throughout the Applegate, and fishing is fairly decent despite somewhat turbid flows. More fish are in the lower section, but the water is so much better for steelhead fishing farther upstream. The trick is to find the middle. Flows at Applegate were 446 cubic feet per second Wednesday, but they roared at 1,240 cfs at Wilderville. So try at public-access spots around Murphy Dam. Roe and spoons will work best, but don't shun worms and corkies. Fly-fishing will improve as the water level drops. All wild steelhead must be released unharmed, and no fishing from a floating device. Most of the Applegate is on private lands and access is limited. CHETCO — The river was flowing over 5,000 cubic feet per second Wednesday and rising, which has kept boat traffic virtually off the river. Plunkers, however, are faring well at Social Security Hole. Look for the Chetco to drop into conditions worthy of boat fishing perhaps as early as Friday afternoon. Angler can keep one wild steelhead a day and up to five a year as part of their limits. Hatchery steelhead are less prevalent than wild steelhead. ELK/SIXES — Both rivers were up and rising Wednesday, but still in decent shape for winter steelhead fishing. Winter steelhead are well-distributed throughout both rivers. The Elk and Sixes get a late splash of fish each February and March, and these steelhead are aggressive biters of plugs. ILLINOIS — The Illinois is high and muddy and out of shape for winter steelhead fishing. That pattern could continue as more rain and snow are forecast for the region. The trick will be when and how fast the snow melts. Freshet-like conditions could remain in place indefinitely. Virtually all the steelhead are wild and must be released unharmed. Also, no bait is allowed. UMPQUA — The main-stem Umpqua in the Roseburg area and the South Umpqua were rising and too dirty for steelhead fishing, and conditions could be poor until the weekend. When conditions improve, look for excellent steelhead fishing to continue on the South Umpqua, which has been one of Oregon's hottest steelhead streams this season. Steelhead also are moving into the North Umpqua as well. Sturgeon fishing has slowed down in the estuary thanks to the recent freshet. COOS — Steelhead fishing has slowed amid high, turbid water. The season runs through March. COQUILLE — The South Fork was high but fishable earlier this week, and new rains threaten to stall what has been a very good winter steelhead fishery this season. Fish plugs from driftboats, or small clusters of roe in deeper, slower water. Lake Outlook HOWARD PRAIRIE — The lake is closed to angling. HYATT — The lake is closed to angling. LOST CREEK — The lake's surface temperature has improved slightly, but conditions remain cold enough to keep the trout bite slow and but the freeze on smallmouth bass fishing. Bait-fishing upstream of Peyton Bridge remains fair at times despite an increase in inflows, but effort is very light. The fish are concentrated, so they might be tough to find. EMIGRANT — Winter weather conditions and regular winds have hampered trout fishing near the park and around the earthen dam. Cold water also has slowed the warmwater catches. A health advisory has been issued about eating all but trout from the lake because of elevated mercury levels. APPLEGATE — Trout fishing has remained poor for both legal-sized rainbow trout and stocked salmon, which tend to school at rocky points. Anglers can keep up to five rainbow trout or stocked salmon a day, but only one fish can be more than 20 inches long. Also, no bass between 12 and 15 inches can be kept, and only one bass larger than 15 inches can be kept. EXPO POND — One of the ponds near Gate 5 has been stocked with excess summer steelhead from Cole Rivers Hatchery. They are biting woolly buggers and small Panther Martin lures. Action is slow and the water is cold. Only one of these steelhead over 20 inches can be kept daily. KLAMATH/AGENCY LAKES — Fishing for large Klamath trout has slowed throughout the lake during extremely cold weather conditions. Ocean Outlook The ocean outside of Brookings is forecast to be rough for the next few days and probably not good enough for bottomfishing or crabbing. Early lingcod fishing has been good outside of Brookings when weather allows for easy passage. Dungeness crab are very plentiful throughout South Coast estuaries, but the vast majority of crabs this season has been undersized. Perch fishing has been good off the beach at Kissing Rock near the mouth of Hunter Creek as well as the rock bay at Ophir. The entire Oregon coast is now open for razor clams, bay clams, and mussels. Before doing any clamming, check for any updated health advisories by calling the Oregon Department of Agriculture's Shellfish line at 800-448-2474 for updates. For more information about razor clams and current status of particular areas see " target="_blank">www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/shellfish/razorclams. Hunting Outlook JACKSON — Cougar hunters are reminded to buy a 2007 cougar tag. With low snow levels cougar tracks may be easily located along ridge lines. Predator calls have been successful for cougars. Watchable Wildlife ROGUE — A covered viewing station on the Denman Wildlife Area provides a good opportunity to view waterfowl, egrets, raptors and songbirds. The structure was built by the Oregon Hunters Association and is accessed by a paved, wheelchair-accessible pathway. It is on Whetstone Pond, just north of the ODFW office. GENERAL — The Oregon Coast Birding Trail Guide at www.oregoncoastbirding.com is a Web site that highlights great birding opportunities all along the Oregon coast. It's divided into sections of coastline, and the north coast is only a click away from the main home page. Links to checklists and sponsors can be found on the home page as well. COAST — Gray whales are migrating south from the Bering Sea on their way down along the Pacific coast to the Baja area. Late December and early January is the peak of the migration season, but the migration continues through March. There are a number of excellent places to view the whales. From north to south, including Harris Beach near Brookings and Cape Arago near Charleston. Binoculars are recommended. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Trunks, Footlocker Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Discount Hotel Reservations Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Debt Help New Hampshire Primary