News From Around The Area

Some spring-like weather has finally started to show over the past few days. Even though most of the river is closed to fishing to protect juvenile salmon and steelhead, there’s still plenty of fishing to do. Here’s the latest from around the area.

Siuslaw Open To Steelhead Whittaker-Wildcat
The mainstem Siuslaw is still open for steelhead fishing from Whittaker Creek to Wildcat Creek until April 15. The extended season is to allow anglers to harvest as many of the broodstock fish as possible. The last I heard steelhead were still showing up in the STEP trap, so there’s reason to believe fish are still around. Fishing with bobber/jig, bobber/eggs, pulling plugs or driftfishing are your best bets.

Springers On The Umpqua
Over the past few weeks there have been a lot of fishermen on the Umpqua fishing for springers. Recent catches have been better. April is traditionally the best month for the lower river. Algae will foul your gear later in the spring. Best fishing is from Scottsburg to Elkton. Many anglers pick a good slot where springers travel and anchor. Fish can be caught back-bouncing eggs, with Kwikfish wrapped with sardine or anchovy fillets or with anchovy spinners (Rogue River style). If you’re looking for your own travel lane to fish, here are some tips: look for water moving approximately “walking speed”. Not too fast and not too slow. You want your Kwikfish to be diving and working properly. Begin your search in tailout type water 6-10 feet deep. Often these slots will appear right next to the bank. If you don’t have a boat, plunking in these areas can be effective. Many of these spots are well know, so don’t be afraid to stop the car, walk down and ask what’s going on. Most folks are friendly and happy to answer some questions.

Other News
· Cleawox and Carter Lakes were stocked with rainbow trout on Monday. Cleawox, Carter and Woahink will be stocked on Apr. 13. Powerbait™ and nightcrawlers are effective. Feel free to contact me with any questions about how to catch these fish.
· The Florence STEP group invited a Todd Hannah, a Reedsport guide to discuss sturgeon fishing at their monthly meeting. People showed up in force. Todd shared his theory as to why sturgeon fishing has been later each year and generally poor: better ocean conditions. When ocean conditions were poor, many sturgeon were in the river looking for food. With improved ocean conditions, most fish are in the saltwater looking for a meal. Makes sense to me.
· Many, many concerned anglers have urged me to address the problems we have with fish-eating birds, specifically cormorants. If you have eyewitness accounts or pictures, please call or e-mail me. I want your story.


See you on the water,
Action Jackson

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