Wednesday, July 23, 2008 |
Local lakes: local anglers Bud Abbott and Ted Malin reported catching limits of rainbow trout out at Floras Lake. Even though the largest rainbows have been harder to find, Ted managed to catch one trout that measures 19 inches in length. Shore-based anglers are still catching plenty of rainbow trout, but the weed growth and warmer water are making fishing conditions tough.
On windy days, Power’s pond is still a great place to catch trout and bluegill. Bluegill fishing has been good, with the bigger fish being caught 50 to 100 yards from the shoreline. Anglers are reporting success fishing a small hook under a bobber with a worm. Poppers and other surface flies have been working as well. One angler has been catching plenty of large-mouth bass in the 11⁄2-to 2-pound range, casting a rainbow trout-colored jointed rapala.
A local 9-year-old angler, Bryce, surprised everyone fishing out at Tenmile Lakes last weekend. Bryce caught a 91⁄2-pound, 27-inch hybrid striped bass fishing from shore with six-pound test line and a night crawler.
Local rivers: Last Saturday, on the lower Rogue River, 13 fall Chinook were reported caught, according to Jim Carny at the Rogue Outdoor Store. Two Chinook weighed in at 25 pounds and one 231⁄2-pound Chinook also was caught. Expect catch rates to improve toward the latter part of July as more fall Chinook move into the bay. Some summer steelhead have also been caught on the lower 14 miles of the Rogue River. Anglers have reported catching summer steelhead up to 18 inches in length.
Fishing guide Scott Wolfe is reporting great small mouth bass fishing on the Umpqua River. Scott is the top guide working out of the Big K Ranch near Elkton (541) 584-2295. He told me the smallies are hitting to plastic baits in the morning and a variety of plastic worms and grubs fishing deep during the day.
A fall Chinook was reported caught under the power lines on the lower Coquille River last week. We should start hearing of more fish taken as more effort continues. In year’s past, it was not uncommon to see a few big Chinook taken on the lower Coquille in late July.
Pacific Ocean and jetties: Visiting angler Nick Ketcham and his dad caught limits of greenling off the rocks near Shore Acres recently. Nick caught one greenling that weighed in at four pounds. The wind has kept most anglers off the ocean in the past week. Dave Miller of Bandon reported catching a 40-inch Pacific Halibut on a recent bottom fish trip with nephew Jeff and Dave Jr. They also caught limits of rockfish and a nice basket of ocean dungeness crab.
Area shellfish: The Department of Agriculture has lifted the closure of the harvest of mussels and scallops coastwide. Clamming on beaches and bays has remained open and a minus tide series starts July 15 through July 21.
Crabbing in Bandon is starting to heat up as dock crabbers and boaters have been bringing in crabs for us to cook. The crabs are starting to molt, so you might have to sort through them a bit. Russ Churchill of Bandon has been bringing in some nice limits of dungeness crab for family and friends.
Crab Derby: Last Saturday was the first drawing for the 2008 Bandon Crab Derby. Bandon resident Richard Christensen won $100 in cash, a gift certificate for a tri-tip dinner from Ray’s Food Place and a $85 crab pot donated by Englund Marine in Charleston. Monday morning, 30 more tagged Dungeness crab were released in the bay at Bandon, so bring out the kids and join in on the fun. The next drawing will be at 4 p.m. Saturday, July 26, at Tony’s Crab Shack in Old Town, 347-2875. Along with the $100 cash prize, a jet boat trip donated by Jerry’s in Gold Beach will be given away, and there’s lots more prizes.
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