1outdoorsman: Kalama Washington home of the steelhead

1outdoorsman: Kalama Washington home of the steelhead: "Each summer hundreds of anglers line the shores and tread the waters of the Columbia River in Kalama Washington seeking the prize fish that..."

Kalama Washington home of the steelhead

Each summer hundreds of anglers line the shores and tread the waters of the Columbia River in Kalama Washington seeking the prize fish that have made Kalama the home of the steelhead. In the past weeks thousands of fish have passed through the area seeking critical spawning habitat.

Located 30 minutes north of Portland off the I-5 Kalama is only a short drive from the city for some great fishing.  Steelhead are not the only fish that pass through as several species of salmon like the chinnook and sockeye have been caught in good numbers as well as white sturgeon and channel cats.

From the shore a popular fishing spot among the locals is next to the grain elevators off the Todd Rd. exit. A permit is required, which can be picked up at the port office about a half mile up the road free of charge.

A typical set up includes a six or eight ounce pyramid, a size 4 watermelon Spin-N-Glo, and coon shrimp or prawns attached with size two hooks on 25 lb. mono line. There are many different arrangements that can bring success and some anglers use as many as nine points while fishing.

Many natives have been caught this year and they must be released. Treble hooks are permitted but not recommended as they cause a great deal of harm to native fish lowering their chances of a successful release.

Be sure to watch the tide charts as the best fishing is during and after high tide which varies each day. The fish come in large waves so when someone up the beach hooks up be prepared because they are in the area.

1outdoorsman: Bull trout released in the upper Clackamas River E...

1outdoorsman: Bull trout released in the upper Clackamas River E...: "The US Fish and Wildlife service released the first bull trout into the upper Clackamas in what will be a 20 year effort to restore bull t..."

Bull trout released in the upper Clackamas River Estacada Oregon

The US Fish and Wildlife service released the first bull trout into the upper Clackamas in what will be a 20 year effort to restore bull trout to the ecosystem. With weak salmon and steelhead many question why a predatory fish that feeds on salmon and steelhead would be reintroduced into the system. Millions of dollars are spent each year on salmon and steelhead recovery efforts and some feel that their populations are not yet strong enough to sustain a sustaining bull trout population.

Only about 20 adults were released June 30^th with about 40 more adults in the coming weeks. They will also be accompanied by 1000 fry by the end of July. Some of the adults were equipped with tracking devices for monitoring purposes.

With such a small number of fish released there is not expected to be a major impact on salmon and steelhead populations. If there is a major impact there are contingency plans to remove the trout if necessary. The release is purely experimental as biologist attempt to understand how they might be able to restore bull trout to its native territory in the not too distant future.

The upper Clackamas is a catch & release single barbless hook zone. Anglers should be sure not to target, harass, harm, or even remove bull trout from the water. They are protected under the endangered species act and this small population needs as much protection as possible.

Projects like these may someday restore an apex predator to its rightful place the ecosystem. Reintroducing top predators of many species like the grey wolf have been a resounding success as they have proven to improve the health of the entire ecosystem effectively repopulating many other species as well. Bull trout have had a 50 year absence in the region and it is time.

These efforts may someday lead to the bull trout being removed from the endangered species list and they may once again become the prized trophy fish they once were.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Bull trout released in the upper Clackamas River Estacada Oregon - Portland Fishing | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/fishing-in-portland/bull-trout-released-the-upper-clackamas-river-estacada-oregon#ixzz1QzEerqDB

Summer Chinook in the Lewis River Wa.

The summer weather has been mild and the water levels in the Lewis River are still high, but the salmon action is starting to heat up. Out at the hatchery on the north fork in Woodland the action is heating up. On the west bank, eight nice Chinook were brought in using a bobber with jigs and spinners from 5:30 through 8:30 AM which is pretty good considering there were only about 20 people. There were four anglers drifting eggs on the west bank without success. The water levels are a contributing factor and in a couple of weeks things should start to get a little better.
WDFW officers were present but they were merely making their presence known. No citations were handed out as the anglers were not checked. Be sure that if you are using spinners it is a single hook zone no treble hooks. The #4 blue fox and small red jigs were very effective. The west bank offers more fish, but with that comes more competition as the seasoned combat fishermen jockey for position. The west bank offers a more peaceful atmosphere with a little elbow room perfect for drifting, it is pretty hard to drift when people are shoulder to shoulder. The locals are always friendly and are more than happy to offer advice so don’t be afraid to ask, after all they are the ones who know where the fish are. Get out on the river as the summer Chinook will soon pass through and you’ll have to wait till late September for things to heat up again.

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Check out Harper’s tackle on your way out to the hatchery. Unlike the fisherman’s depot, which has been the mainstay for years, it is very well stocked. It is nice to see some competition as they are both right next to each other which means they will both have to stay on top of their game. They are both right next to the gas station as you exit the freeway.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Summer chinook in the Lewis River - Portland Fishing | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/fishing-in-portland/summer-chinook-the-lewis-river#ixzz1QhoPFaE3

1outdoorsman: Gifford Pinchot National Forest Camping with Elk

1outdoorsman: Gifford Pinchot National Forest Camping with Elk: "About one and a half hours north of Portland is Kalama Horse camp located in the Gifford Pinchot National forest. The site offers many trail..."

1outdoorsman: Salmon viewing at Lucia Falls Park in Yacolt Washi...

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