Fishing around Portland at Christmas Time

[Scoey]

Greetings and Salutations from the Keystone State. I'll be coming home to Portland to visit family and (hopefully) get some fishing in over my Christmas break. I fear that if I don't feel the pull of a salmonid soon my arms may shrivel up and die, as I haven't hooked one since August of 1999 (living in Philadelphia will do that to you...). I anticipate having 1 or 2 days with which to fish, and am aching to hook into something [c'mon, put yourself in my shoes: you haven't even wet a line in 15 months...sniff, sniff]. Where will my chances of success be greatest? Blue Creek? Late run Dawgs/Silvers on the Satsop or Nisqually? Sandy steelies? Elsewhere? I don't mind fighting crowds [combat fished in Alaska since I was kid] and am willing to drive 2.5 or 3 hours or maybe more if needed. Thanks so much for your help. I really do appreciate it.

Tight lines,
Peter

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mmm...64 Slices of American Cheese...

[Roeboat]

Traditionally Blue Creek's combat fishery is very crowded that week but also very productive, hence the crowds. Scoey, you seem to have a pretty fair idea of your options already. Dawgs on the Nisqually is often fun but you may have to put in some work for a fish and the lure of steelies is usually much stronger (at least for me). That would be pretty late for silvers on the Satsop. A guided trip on the coast with one of the guides would be awesome. The good thing is almost all rivers have some fish that weekend. Too many rivers, too little time to fish. Almost anywhere you fish Christmas break , you will encounter crowds (and fish).

Peter, we are expecting the best steelhead runs in many years region wide. So the more important thing is to find and go to the nearest good river with the best water conditions. We have regular reports on here and links to river level guages and weather forecasts from the Ifish home page. .... With so many steelies coming back this winter I suggest you start working out your atrophied arm muscles immediately. If you plan on fishing in Oregon rivers work the heavy weights in a good comprehensive gym. If you plan on fishing in Washington rivers just bend over and pick up a few bars of soap and you'll be ready for up there . jk jk jk

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Know fish or no fish. - RT