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Beware the Ides of March - et tu Smallmouth

I hit the Columbia out of the Dalles on March 15th, the Ides of March. Since I was no a roman emperor I did not think I had any reason to be worried. In fact, I was looking forward to a banner day. I had smashed them pretty good on a trip 2 weeks prior and now the water was a good 3-4 degrees warmer. I headed out with dreams of lots of monster bass dancing in my head. To make a long story short I had a pretty mediocre day. I only caught 8 bass and only 3 of those were over 2lbs and the...

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Big Day on the Big River!

I hit the Columbia at the Dalles on Sunday. The wind forecast was for a strong east wind in the gorge the Dalles is the one place that is usually protected and calm when that happens. I am happy to report that I had glassy conditions all day long. Water temp was 43F and the visibility must have been about 7 feet!. A buddy of mine fished out of Stevenson (I tried to talk him into the longer drive) and he was big wave fishing all day long. Enough with the weather report now on to the fishing...

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Soapstone Lake and Trail

The girlfriend and I went on a little hike up to Soapstone lake on the coast last week during the sunshine and it was absolutley amazing. I was hesitant to post anything at first but in the time we were there we saw 3 other groups of hikers so I figured the cat's already out of the bag. It's a very easy 1 1/4 mile hike round trip. The trail is extremly easy to walk along and well marked with a neat crossing at soapstone creek. The trail took us around the lake and across the inflow creek...

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Steelhead 2026 Show OFF

Here’s a nice broodstock fish I got during the snow event a couple days ago. It was a nightmare getting home with all of the closed roads and accidents but fishing in the snow is my favorite weather so it’s always worth it.

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First February Bass Trip And Bonus Otters, Eagles and a Rainbow!

I have never tried to fish for bass in February before. Last year was the first time I fished for and caught bass in January and I had wanted to fish in February but between bad weather and other commitments I did not make it out. So I was really excited to make my first February bass trip ever! I hit the Columbia out of Stevenson on Sunday. The day before had been warm, sunny and beautiful but the wind forecast in the gorge was a no-go. So I found myself launching in a steady rain but at...

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Fish DO Exist in the Lower Deschutes

After three trips out there, finally lander one, tiny as it was. Hooked it with a zebra midge hand tied by yours truly to boot.

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OFF FB Page

About a year ago OFF FB Page has been hijacked and I lost admin access to it. All this time FB support team told me that there is an investigation and I should wait a little bit more... Long story short - today I created a new page, because this "wait a little bit more" might last forever. Please join, like, etc. https://www.facebook.com/OregonFishingForumII/

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Hagg Lake Winter Bassin'

I hit Hagg lake on Sunday the 18th with Michael Jarvis (https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelJarvisFishing). I have to say Mike is an awesome guy to go fishing with. He is knowledgeable and just a really nice guy. I had a blast. We both got to the lake around 8am and my thermometer said it was 28F in the parking lot. The frost on the road and ramp walkway assured me that my truck thermometer was pretty spot on. We fished a first spot near the ramp without any luck and decided to head across the...

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Starting 2026 OFF in a BIG way!!

I took my first trip to the Columbia this year on Sunday, January 11th. The wind was forecast to be out of the east but no too bad. It was nice in the afternoon but the morning was pretty rough. The good news is that it was dry all day long and I was dressed for the weather. Something that feels pretty cool is being plenty bundled up when there is a cold wind blowing and you can just laugh in its face! When I got to the water I was happy to see the water color Probably at least 2' of...

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Narrowly Avoiding The Dreaded Skunk - Hagg Lake New Year's Day

I hit Hagg lake on New Year's day hoping to catch my first bass of 2026. I figured the lake would not be in great shape but with the dry spell leading up to New Year's I figured perhaps I would have a chance. I also brought some trout trolling gear in case I got tired of not catching bass. Sometimes it is fun to switch things up and not catch trout for a while :) I was the first one to launch at boat ramp C. I figured maybe that would bring me some good mojo - it didn't. Well, to make a...

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Are there any crappie fisherman on here?

Just wondering if any of you guys out there are fish for ccrappie as we do custom plastic baits . Www.bobsjigs.com

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Just discovered an amazing addition to a blade

I just happened to bag some glitter for a customer and noticed how it sparkled when looking at it from different directions. So I put a drop of nail polish on the concave surface of a small Colorado blade and sprinkled fine gold hologram sparkle. No matter what angle viewed, various colors sparkled and even in low light! It didn't take much, being less than 1/4" in diameter, but I believe fish will notice color and concentrated light flashes regardless of the direction the lure is when...

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Happy Fishin’ New Year!

After a skunky couple of trips to the Deschutes and the Metolius, closed out 2025 with a couple costal cutthroats on Gales Creek today.

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Tenkara anyone?

Anyone else on the forum fish Tenkara? With all of the gear we pack along to catch a fish, it sometimes can actually deter you from getting up and going fishing. I experienced this many times. I was introduced to Tenkara fishing awhile ago, and let me tell you, my catch rate went up tenfold!! I LOVE hiking, and the ability to just throw a collapsible 10' rod in my pack that collapses to 14" was beyond appealing to me. Line is attached, even the fly in some instances, and I am in the water...

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Fighting bass and mother nature in December!

I hit the Columbia on Saturday the 13th. The wind forecasts were calling for light winds. That was a lie. I think meant to lure me out into that mess. The day started out pleasantly enough, there was only a light breeze and soon after I launched I saw a head pop up, an otter! No, 2 otter, 3 otters, 4 otters, 5 otters! I guess it was family day for the otters. We stared at each other for a few seconds and then they went on their merry way. By the time though that I got to the first...

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So nice to discover new things when it comes to lures!

My previous post discussed lure contrast such as anything that contrasts with nature, be it lure color and/or action. Here's a contrast based idea I had mulling around in my basement workshop. I still have bags of glitter in my basement from the days I used to sell to lure makers/sellers. I just happened to notice how some gold-hologram flakes reflect colored specs of light in the lowest light. I figured that spinning blades reflect the most light from the surface facing the light source...

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Looking for adventurous fly fishing buddies

New member here, life-long PNW native. I am in my mid 50's and love to hike and fly fish! I love stream fishing for trout primarily and like to explore less fished, often times more obscure locations. I do have a fishing kayak for lakes as well. I am pretty fit, so hike and fish doesn't deter me. Trying to find some fishing buddies with a similar mindset. I live in Vancouver, but plan on solely fishing Oregon this year. Give me a shout if you are interested! Tight lines! (Pic for interest)

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Baby Steelhead?

Caught this beast on Gales Creek this afternoon. It’s face was hardly bigger than the size 20 red zebra midge sticking through it.

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First Fish on a Fly

Caught this little one (rainbow?) at the Wilson River Footbridge Day Use Area back on October 28th. Can’t wait to go back.

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Invasive crab found in the Willy near Sellwood Bridge

From ODFW: Invasive species alert: A Chinese mitten crab, a prohibited species in Oregon, was found in the Willamette River near the Sellwood Bridge and reported to ODFW on Nov. 17. If you spot a crab with hairy, mitten-like claws, a notch between the eyes, or four spines on each side of the shell — take a photo, note the location, and report it to Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

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They are Still Biting Good!

I hit the Columbia out of Stevenson on Sunday the 16th. The wind forecast called for a still wind first thing that would die off after an hour or two. Miracle of miracles the forecast was correct! I had to fish through a brief period of a 20mph east wind but that died off after a bit and it was glassy calm for most of the day. Almost did not feel like I was fishing in the gorge! The difference in the wind made me appreciate how much of the surface current is due to the wind. As the wind...

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Saying Yes to No-vember!

I hit the Columbia out of Stevenson, WA on Sunday the 2nd and the wind forecast of little to no wind held true all day long! I almost did not feel like I was really fishing the gorge :) So the wind was cool and light but the action was hot and heavy. I ended the day with 36 bass with the best 5 weighing a combined 14lb 10z and the biggest on the day being a 3lb 8oz. I probably had at least a dozen bass over 2lbs. I was not even weighing them unless they looked like they had a chance to...

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Waldo Success Story

Long time lurker on this forum, first time posting- I have to give credit where credit is due… Big thank you @Troutski for the posts of years past giving me a glimpse of what Waldo Lake could produce. I owe you big time! Thank you for sparking my curiosity. I took his advice, fished the SW quadrant of the lake around the island and had smashing success all day (10/23/2025). Most fish were caught on a sweep style fly line with a baitfish imitation booby fly (traffic light). My 4yo was...

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Big waves, big bass!

I hit the Columbia on Saturday the 18th out of Stevenson. The forecast was for a stiff East wind and the forecast did not disappoint! The day started out calm enough so I decided to try and hit some of my top-producing spots from the past few trips. Those spots were decidedly less hot than previous trips. I only caught a fish or two at best over the handful of spots that had been so good to me. By the time I had finished those rounds the wind had picked up in earnest and I decided I should...

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Wrapping it up

Fished yesterday on the Siletz and it likely be the last outing for me for the season. Life intrudes. I am in mourning, as this was one of my most active and successful since I set out to learn about catching salmon 10 years ago. I've fished on the Willamette, several sections of the Columbia, the Salmon, the Alsea, the Siuslaw, Tillamook Bay , and the Siletz. I love towing my modest boat around behind my Subaru and checking out these amazing places. I rented a cabin on the Alsea...

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Bass in Bunches, the Fall Feed is ON!

I hit the Columbia River out of Stevenson, WA on Friday the 10th. I had not been out in 2 weeks so I was curious how long it would take me to find the bass since fall smallmouth are notoriously mobile. Last trip I did not have a sniff on the first point closest to the ramp. It was starting to seem that way again this week since I blanked on several lures before giving the drop shot a try. First cast with the drop shot and I hooked a good fish! I fought it up close to the kayak when the hook...

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Big day on the big river!

I hit the Columbia on Sunday the 28th and conditions could not have been more perfect. The river was like glass until about 11am which was quite the treat! With those conditions I just knew the topwater bite was going to be on fire. I was extra excited because I had just bought a new Whopper plopper color on eBay that looked awesome. I made that first cast and I was laser-focused on that lure as it gurgled back to the kayak. "Well catching one on the first cast is bad luck anyway" I said to...

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Moving to Multnomah County from out of state with my Triumph 1700CC W/ 60hp outboard

Good afternoon! This is my first post as a member of the forum. I am moving to the area from out of state with my boat and I am wondering if you guys/girls think that the boat will be okay for fishing the Columbia/other rivers in the area.

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Fresh Nooks still coming in on the Slaw

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A pleasant day on the water and my first upper Willamette walleye!

I hit the Willamette out of Willamette park in West Linn on Saturday. I was not there hoping to catch a coho like most of the folks, I just wanted a laid back, calm, no wind-fighting day of fishing :) The Willamette delivered on that and even gave me a bonus, my first upper Willamette river walleye!! The bulk of the fishing on the day was typical for the Willamette (at least for me). Lots of bass, but most all were dinks. My "big" fish for the day was a 1lb 10oz bass and I probably only a...

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