News From Around The Area

Steelhead season is quickly approaching, but coho fishing on the lakes is not over. In addition to the lakes, there are other opportunities around that are sure to interest you. Here’s the latest on what’s going on…

Siltcoos Lake Still Fishing Well
Over Thanksgiving week, fishing was very good, according to Dean Hendricks, North Country Lures. Thursday was red-hot, with many fish caught. Many anglers caught fish using North Country Lures’ Sonic Bell and Plugs (available at Bridgeport Market and The Sportsman). Other days were hit-and-miss. There are plenty of fish around, but with cold water temps (49 degrees F) the key is to keep moving to find biters. The dam was open last week and water levels in Siltcoos are several feet down. A reminder that this fishery closes on Dec. 31. As for Tahkenitch, I haven’t heard many good reports this season. I’ve been down there at least 6 times and don’t have much to show for the effort. A big change from last year.

Crabbing Holding Up
Reports I’m getting are that crabbing is holding up well in the lower river. Expect good crabbing until we get a big push of fresh water. Try all the usuals – fish heads, turkey, etc. If you’re not getting crabs, keep moving your pots until you find them.

Steelhead Forecast For Siuslaw
According to ODFW biologist George Westfall, there’s no good method for predicting steelhead returns to the Siuslaw. That said, returns should be in the range of approx. 4% based on previous years’ returns, good ocean conditions, smolts that were bigger than average when released and good freshwater conditions for outmigrating fish. Also, summer steelhead returns of stocks on the Oregon coast (Siletz and Rogue) were excellent, which hints at good winter fish returns. The steelhead returning this winter were released in 2007 from two different locations: 35,000 at Green Creek (Lake Creek) and 49,000 at Whittaker Creek (mainstem). In addition to these fish, look for a large number of older 3-salt fish to be in the mix. Expect 2500-3500 clipped steelhead this winter, with the possibility of more.

Munsel Producing Big Trout
Hendricks also let me know that some big trout are being caught on Munsel Lake. Anglers have been trolling deep (20 feet) and are landing rainbow trout in the 3 lb. (and larger) category. My guess is that similar catches can be made on other area lakes if the effort is put in.

As For The River
River levels are still too low for good boating, and will be so for the next few days. Fresh chinook can still be found in the vicinity of Tide, but you’ll have to search them out. There’s still plenty of water for fish to make their way upriver. All in all, a poor chinook season, but better than last year. Look for better numbers for the next several years. When I get some spawning fish numbers, you will be the first to know.

See you on the water,
Action Jackson

(Please send comments or questions to Action Jackson at 268-6944 or www.actionjacksonfishing.com)