Gorge Fly Shop Blog: Columbia Gorge Fishing Report (November 23rd)

Fishing Report

Chinook Salmon are almost all dead now, but there are numerous redds out there in shallow water. Please watch where you wade and be on the lookout for salmon redds. John did catch a very fresh looking jack on Thursday that looked as if it didn’t know that September was two months ago.

Summer Steelhead are still coming through, although anglers are chomping at the bit to hear of fresh winter steelhead coming in. We are still a ways out from winters entering the Gorge tributaries, but fishing out on the coast should be great this week. Plenty of high water likely pulled hatchery winter fish into the North Fork Nehalem, West Fork Greys, and Wilson Rivers, among others. I would bet the Sandy and the Clackamas now have winter fish in too.

Summer fish are still on the bite in local rivers here including the Deschutes, John Day and the Klickitat. Torrential rains last week put a kink into many anglers’ fishing plans this last week. After a week of high, muddy water, most of the rivers are coming back into good shape for Thanksgiving week. Remember, the Klickitat closes on Nov 30, so get it in while you can.

Ryan: Bass On!

Trout fishing is closed on several local lakes and streams now. Please consult the regulations before fishing.

Areas closed for trout include: East Fork Hood, Hood River (for trout), Eagle Creek, and the Deschutes upstream of the northern boundary of the Warm Springs Reservation. The White Salmon above the county road bridge below the powerhouse (old dam). Laurence Lake is also closed, as well as the Metolius River above Allingham Bridge.

Areas open for trout include: Deschutes downstream of the Warm Springs Reservation (Maupin area and downstream are open), Lost Lake, Goose Lake (WA), The White Salmon from the mouth upstream 2 or so miles to the old county bridge and Yakima River. November trout fishing can be really good, especially big fish eating big meaty streamers. Get out your favorite streamer patterns and go!

Rainbow trout fishing on the Deschutes has been fabulous recently. Pulling streamers has been very productive (egg-sucking sculpin), as well as nymphing BWOs, egg patterns, midges and small pheasant tails.

Smallmouth Bass are getting back on the bite. There are some big fish to be had out in the Columbia. Last week, Ryan caught his biggest fish since moving out here and fishing should remain good as the water in the big river is cooling down. Look for current, there is not much out there, but where there is any, you will find fish.

As always, we are happy to talk fishing any time. Give us a call if you have any specific questions on local rivers, gear, and tactics, or if you just want some encouragement to get out of the office.