My Archives: March 2005
What is up with this weather in Oregon.If it stays like this we are going to be in trouble come summer. On the other hand one thing I can tell you is that in years past when we have a low water year with little or no spills we have a very good sturgeon year. As the water warms the fish tend to move up toward the dams to get the water displasement through there gills. This I have found is more true in the bigger pools. The water for example in the Johnday pool around Arlington Boardman will get very warm and the fish try to move up into cooler water at the dam. The walleye I think also have a very good spawn. On a low water year theres no silt to cover the eggs the level with stay about the same with very little or no spill. The big problem though is the salmon and steelhead are not even going to be able to get up are smaller streams so fish and wildlife are going to end up trucking them. This takes away are fishing in the lower rivers such as on my home river the Umatilla. And most of the other eatern Oregon and Washington rivers.
Sturgeon: Fishing is still slow below the Jonhday and Mcnary dams. Look for it to start getting good and time now. The water is starting to warm up and we all know that they are going to start feeding heavy any time. Squid and roll mop are my two favorite baits this time of year.
Salmon: Just starting to show in the lower river to early for me to get excited. Wait another two weeks then head for the mouth of the willamate river or below Bonneville dam. Remember the regs have changed below Bonneville so check before you go. Its one fish three days a week.
Walleye: Starting to pick up finally. The water is warming a little and there starting to move around. Got a 15#er yesterday March 8th thats my biggest so far.Its only going to get better as the month go's on.Getting some smaller males so there starting to stage and look for the females. Look for them in 34 to 44 feet of water. The bigger fish still seem to be out of the Boardman area this year although my biggest was closer to Irrigon. Spinners and jigs are both working its a slow show move slow, you have to put it right on them to get them to take. Also remember that these fish are pre spawn and should be released. I have seen some pretty big fish killed this year and thats just going to kill are trophy fishery. So if you want to keep catching trophy walleye you need to release these fish.
Bass: The bass fishing is starting to pick up also they are still out in deep water about 30 feet. You need to also move very slow for these fish as they are a warm water fish also and the water is'nt warm yet. I would give it another two weeks before I got excited. See you on the water Bob Roberts CBGS