Category Outdoors

FRANK ARMENDARIZ – THE ANGLER’S LOG Let me begin by telling you all that spring chinook salmon will soon be in our local rivers. But we might have to wait just a little longer than usual for them to reach us this year. Let me…

2019 FILE PHOTO – Fishing is foundational to the economy of the McKenzie River Valley. The pandemic presented its challenges that we are now past. Because of the fire, for decades things will look and feel different on the river. But thriving guide businesses and…

FRANK ARMENDARIZ/PHOTO – Cleawox Lake is adjacent to Honeyman State Park in western Lane County. With two wheelchair-accessible and numerous fishing access points, it is a favorite among spring breakers from the Willamette Valley. It was recently stocked with several thousand trout and the fishing…

FRANK ARMENDARIZ/CHRONICLE PHOTO – The emergence of the March brown mayfly on the McKenzie and other rivers in the Willamette valley marks the start of the fly fishing season in western Oregon. The March brown is a hardy mayfly that prefers to emerge on cool…

FRANK ARMENDARIZ/PHOTO – On Lower Winchester Bay last week the bar crossing was closed to recreational boats under 24 feet. Unless you are a commercial fisherman, sport charter captain, or possibly an avid ocean recreational angler, the Marine Resources Program is not likely to be…

FRANK ARMENDARIZ/PHOTO – Don Mike Cambra, with an Umpqua winter steelhead – one of the four that we landed last week on a morning of side drifting. This one was wild and released. At mid-winter, things are not as they should be. The dry spell…

Smith River Falls, on the Smith River, is a tributary of the Umpqua River. Still bank-to-bank with water, and carrying a fair amount of color, it had “turned over” and was falling. The Smith River and almost every other steelhead stream will fall to perfect…

Before moving on to an improving steelhead fishing report, at the end of the year there are a couple of housekeeping issues. …  Don’t forget to update your fishing license this week, and purchase a steelhead and salmon tag. And if you plan to fish…

Fishing pontoon boats are fun, and easy to row and transport. They allow access to miles of river but have safety issues consistent with any “microsized” river boat. Always wear a life jacket, share your float plan, and boat with a friend. FRANK ARMENDARIZ/CHRONICLE PHOTO…