Northwest Fishing Reports

I know everyone is gearing up for trout,, but here is my passion, smallmouth bass, big smallmouth.
With that said I am planning a trip down to the columbia around second week in May.. Has anyone in here fish the sloughs that the bass come up into this time of the year to start prespawn? I hear it can be be a blast. Some 411 would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You

Fish around the mouth of the John Day I have a friend who swears by that water for early sm action. I guess he uses a 3 in curly tale in smoke with silver flake. Also silver and blue rattle traps.

Idaho-fishhead wrote:I know everyone is gearing up for trout,, but here is my passion, smallmouth bass, big smallmouth.
With that said I am planning a trip down to the columbia around second week in May.. Has anyone in here fish the sloughs that the bass come up into this time of the year to start prespawn? I hear it can be be a blast. Some 411 would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You

If you are going to be near Beacon Rock State Park off Hwy 14- head towards the boat launch. Anywhere along the rocky shore you will find happiness. I caught my personal best smallie last June dinkin around with my son casting a small roostertail near the shoreline. 19 inches and fought like none other. I ended up catching its brother further down to the right of the launch not to mention trout and 2 walleye.

Crow Butte State Park. Haven't been there in a number of years, but always had a nice launch and lots of SMB.

Where about are you headed. I've done a little on the Snake. Smallmouth are new to me on the fly but fast becoming a favorite. There is a big write up in the March/April issue of Northwest fly fishing magazine. It mainly focuses on the lower columbia around The Dalles and has some good info. I've done well at the mouth of the Palouse down at Lyons Ferry and on the lower Ronde later in the summer. I'm heading down there too in a few weeks to chase carp and smallies. I will let you know how it goes.

talus wrote: I'm heading down there too in a few weeks to chase carp and smallies. I will let you know how it goes.

How about the big cats????:-"

I will be targeting cats in June with the bait caster, this next trip is mainly a flyfishing trip, wind permitting of course.

This is when we would be hooking the big ones up above Hells Canyon Res. ! Up to 35lbs!! Always after spring break and before May:-$ You got to fish for something at night:bball:

Just remembered fishing for bass using the little corkhead poppers. They'd be great on a fly rod. Have never flyfished for bass myself, but have friends that do it. Have fun.

I have fished the Oregon side of the Columbia at Cascade Locks. There are lots of nice rock shoals with lots of pockets to hold bass. I've only fished there with standard tackle and have always done well with 3 to 5 inch tubes, grubs, and jerkbaits. The same holds true on the Snake River downstream from Lewiston/Clarkston. There is a road that runs the north side of the river called Wawawaii Rd. If you're banking it, hit the various boat launches on this road. There is lots of rip-rap to cast to. I've caught some big fish along the north shore. Boyer Park on the down stream side of the Lower Granite Dam also has some good fishing.

With a fly rod, I'd suggest poppers in the morning and then switching to a sink-tip and a leech, woolybugger or a muddler minnow. You might even get some strikes on a clouser. Pick shad colors such as blue/white and black/white for clousers.

For information on the small lakes along the Columbia, check out my article "Small Lake Fishing For Columbia River Bass" on page 4 of Tackle Box Tales. Love that area. Good Luck! BJ