Gorge Fly Shop Blog: Columbia Gorge Fishing Report (November 1st)

Fishing Report

Trout season wrapped up this weekend in many areas and fishing in general just got a lot more interesting with this big storm blowing out most of the local rivers. This will definitely get fish moving around, which tends to put them on the bite.

Chinook Salmon are all but done. Its major spawn time and the high water will definitely bring a bunch of salmon out of the Columbia into the tributaries. This should trigger the last push for spawners. We are still a few thousand fish short of breaking the record for total passage of Fall Chinook over Bonneville Dam, but there are a few weeks of stragglers left that could push us over the top. Either way, the run size was encouraging; the river conditions through most of the season were terrible, so we shall see how all of these recovery efforts play out over the next couple of years.

In the meantime, please be aware of spawning fish and look for redds. Please do not walk across, over or through them.

Targeting Chinook in the Hood River is prohibited after June 15.

Summer Steelhead: Fishing was pretty darn good most of last week. We heard good reports of fish being caught throughout the Columbia system. All of the typical rivers were kicking out fish daily. After all of this rain, it will likely take most of the week before our rivers are fishable again, but possible cold temps will help clear them up quicker. The Deschutes above the White River should have the best chance for good conditions early in the week. The Klickitat and the Hood will likely take a few days to clear, and the lowest part of the Deschutes below the White River will likely be muddy for much of the week. This is all just armchair speculation based on experience, predicted before the bulk of the rain appears. Conditions can change quickly.

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!

Smallmouth Bass fishing has been tough now that the level of the Columbia is so low. They are looking for current and not finding much. Fishing should improve after this storm as river temps should drop and bass will get happy again. Water temps in the 50s would be really nice.

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.