The cold weather that rolled in put a damper on our fishing efforts but a few of us managed to get out and make some good things happen. Pictures are first with the report below.

From Brian Dawson: A beautiful Chilean Chinook from the Rio Serrano caught by my wife.

From Chris Brehm: Brother Stevie said the Crooked was lights out so we headed out on a sunny but frosty morning. The river was running about 100 cfs. Stevie got busy catching Whitefish doubles while I found a good spot for Rainbows; the largest came on a small black leech. We caught our fill up at Big Bend then decided to go downstream to Palisades. Stevie continued to hammer the Whitefish. While looking for more rainbows I hooked a steelhead. My tippet seemed way too light, so I carefully played the fish for about 20 minutes while yelling for Stevie to come back, help net it and try to get a picture. We got a quick shot as it flipped out of my net. It had taken about a size 16 red and green euro nymph. Stevie starts casting to where I hooked that steelhead and immediately gets a grab that broke off his tippet. I cast back to that spot and a few casts later hooked another one. Apparently there are a few hundred Steelhead in the Crooked system. These had been trapped below the dams and released into Lake Billy Chinook.

From Dave Doble: Purchased my first drift boat in December and got out on my first run on the Clackamas in January. No fish were seen. Conditions were low and clear, but the experience was great and has opened up so many opportunities!! (congrats Dave!)

From George Krumm: Caught this Sandy River buck on New Year’s Day on gear (soft bead). The pic was taken as we were transferring it into the brood stock tank.

From Jan Jacobs: Floated the North Fork of the Nehalem with Gil Muhleman and caught this nice hatchery steelhead.

From Dave Kilhefner: havent been getting out much in the cold weather. Have regularly been seeing Sea Lions down by Milwaukie chasing sturgeon (pictured) and salmon.

Thanks to everyone for contributing reports this month!

We’ve been having a longer than normal cold snap the last couple weeks and it looks like it will continue for a while. This cold weather & resulting plummeting water temperatures have shut down the fishing in our local waters. For a while at least, we have fly tying weather!

Since we are stuck with Fly Tying weather, this month’s meeting will focus on Fly Tying. Bring your fly-tying stuff to do some tying or feel free to watch our tyers & ask questions. We’ve done this before and it’s a fun meeting!

As we discussed at last month’s meeting, the location for our February 22^nd Fish A Long is weather dependent, thus we are still waiting to see what our best prospect will be. Hopefully we’ll get some warmer weather to spark the bite at one of the OFC trout ponds.

Here is some good news: Marty & Mia Sheppard of Little Creek Outfitters are resurrecting the Sandy River Spey Clave. Mark your calendars for May 9^th & 10^th at Oxbow Park.

For several years now we have been posting monthly fishing reports. Looking back on them is a good way to get ideas for local fly-fishing opportunities currently happening or coming up. I’ve tested it out; type the word February or March in the search box and you’ll get all the past reports for that month.

Please remember our local fly shops and sporting goods stores. Hope to see you at a meeting or on the water!

Dave Kilhefner