Willamette Springers Above Falls

[GutshotApe]

Anybody ever fish for springers in the mid-Willamette (above the falls, below the McKenzie)? I've tried likely spots between Harrisburg and Eugene several times but haven't figured it out yet. :whazzup: Thousands of fish go up the river and many are caught at the upper end near Pengra and Dexter - but what about the 150 miles of river between O.City and Eugene? graemlins/1zhelp.gif

[Drachir]

I know several people that have been very successful up it that stretch. They have all said to look for areas where the channel narrows, and fish tight to the bank. They anchor fish there with spinners. I've never fished it but sure want to. :grin:

[Danderson]

I have fished between salem and the mouth of the santiam. Hold close to the bank look for the holes that hit 15-20ft of water work a diver bait or a good ol' willamette red prawn. Caught a fair amount of steelies too.

[1pump]

Had a T-Bay guide tell me about 15 years ago that he fished for springers in the Wheatland Ferry-St Paul-Newberg area. I don't remember any details, but he said he anchored. Never tried it myself, obviously. :whazzup:
I'm always looking for new water, so I might give it the old collge try someday. :wink:

[NEUTRON]

This is waterdog's Notellum area, bad fishing,
too much moss etc etc. :wink:

[WaterDog]

Neut, SSSHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! This is a zipperlip dont ya know. :wink:

I have never fished above the Santiam but would think the same rules apply. Here is some of what I know:

I ususally fish between Newberg and Salem. Anchor fishing is the prefered method using spinners. For the most part you want to fish 4-6 feet of water, 2 to 4 oz of lead on a 18 to 24 inch dropper and 20 to 36 inch leader off a spreader. Look for features that will push fish towards a side. Long gravel banks that have a good slope are good areas. And yes you anchor right off the bank.

You will need a heavy river anchor with 150 of rope and a float. A quick release for the anchor so you can chase fish is helpful. A top and a heater/cooker is a must for max comfort. A good book and a radio helps pass the time. If your like me, a bed is SOP. :grin:

The fishing can be absolutely awesome :grin: and it can be so frustrating you want to scream. :mad: Most guys I know did not do well last spring dispite 80k+- over the falls. I put in a ton of hours for my fish this year. The Spring of 01 season was none existant because of low water and moss (alge). I think I got two days in and called it quits. :depressed:

Hope this helps. Anything else shoot me an email. :smile:

[GoFish]

This is a good thread about some underutilized water. Anybody got tips on where the launches are and what to look out for?

[GutshotApe]

Thanks for the info - the Willamette is an under-utilized river, for fishing, at least.

A good source for launch site info and other river-related stuff can be found in "Willamette River Recreation Guide" published by the state marine board and the state parks dept. about 1996. Its a free 34-page booklet with maps of river segments from Warrior Rock to Dexter Damn, state-owned lands, powerline crossings, river hazards, etc.

Still available OSMB, OSParks, ODFW, etc. offices? :whazzup:

[Salmon Stryker]

I don't know that I would call the Wheatland ferry area "underutilized". I quit fishing there last year and started launching at Wallace park because if you don't run the river in the dark out of Wheatland on a weekend you won't find a good spot to fish.

With a prop I don't run the river in the dark. Wheatland is a very shallow stretch and if you don't know right where your going you'll bust up your prop.

WaterDogs tips are right on, I've also been succesfull running a prawn on an erics prawn rig. They like the flo pink dyed prawns. Steelies eat um too.

We had one day last year that was a multiple fish day, a couple days where we caught one, but most trips ended up with a skunk. It's nice, relaxing fishing though. Anchor up and BBQ some steaks is my favorite way to fish. The river is beautiful and on a weekday you can find some solitude in certain spots.

[WaterDog]

Underutilized :whazzup: I think NOT! :hoboy: Don’t kid yourself, it gets real crowded. My mentioning a bed was a hint. :wink: Salmon Styker is exactly right about getting there early. You better know where your going at 0300. :shocked: There are lots of bars and logs in the river. When my Pops and I started fishing this area there were only a few boats around. It’s not like that anymore thanks to a TV show a few years back. :rolleyes:

I have said it before but we are a tight lipped group that wont say too much. Some of the old time regulars say nothing and if you ask, they will tell you they caught nothing when the cooler is full, especially if they don’t know you. Because there are a limited number of “good” spots, occasionally we will camp on a spot. I have (I don’t do this) seen where a group will occupy a spot for weeks by swapping boats every couple of days. That’s just the way it is, get over it and find your own hole. :smile: There are no hoglines but occasionally you will see a couple of buddies tied up together. Most like NOT having a neighbor. DO NOT anchor above or below someone too close. :smile: There is a lot of husband and wife fishing out here because of the relative privacy. I know my wife likes it.

I post this so those who want to come down and try it will know what to expect. Right or wrong it’s just the way it is. I got ifish stickers on my boat and I’ll give you the straight skinny so don’t be afraid to stop by. There are a lot of places to fish and experimenting put fish in my boat last year.

Salmon Stryker says:
We had one day last year that was a multiple fish day, a couple days where we caught one, but most trips ended up with a skunk. It's nice, relaxing fishing though. Anchor up and BBQ some steaks is my favorite way to fish. The river is beautiful and on a weekday you can find some solitude in certain spots.
<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">Exactly! :grin:

The “Willamette Recreation Guide “ is still available.

[ko]

Has anyone ever fished south of Corvallis? My mom lives on Kiger Island, and it would be very convenient to be able to fish that area.

[GutshotApe]

Waterdog/Salmonstryker - "Underutilized" is a relative term. I do all my fishing monday-friday :wink: and stay home on the weekends :cool: . I launch at either Peoria or Harrisburg - sometimes at the Beltline in Eug. and in May and June there are few other boats on the river during the week. Anchoring has been a problem even though I have a 45 lb pyramid and 150' line. May try a fluked-type anchor next year. So far, I've enjoyed quite a few pleasant springtime mornings on the river reading the paper, listening to the radio, reading books, cooking breakfast........done it all except hooking a chinook. :depressed: Looking forward to 2003. :smile:

[FishinMission]

Gutshot...I've never fished that high up on the Willamette, but it looks to me alot like the Clack. I don't know how the water levels are near Eugene....but if there's some deep spots, or narrow spots...you might wanna try backtrolling shrimp, or even back bouncing.

Hard to beat anchor-fishing tho, especially if you're anchored in a nice slot lots of fish move through!!

Mark

[CATCH AND EAT]

FM What???? :whazzup: :whazzup: :wink: