For now, with rising rivers and smelt-laden mainstems, spring Chinook success has hit the brakes. Until the rivers drop and clear and some of the smelt on the mainstem Columbia filter out, it’s going to be a tough weekend to score salmon in the region.
There were still some Willamette and a few Columbia River springers caught and retained but the Portland area, at least on the Columbia, has yet to kick off. It’ll be well into next week before anglers will have spring Chinook opportunities again, save for the mouth of the Clackamas, which will clear sooner.
Metro anglers should look up trout stocking lakes and ponds in the Willamette Valley. It’s “All in” for trout plants in many still waters, in preparation of spring break. Check out the stocking schedule HERE…