North Santiam River Report Feb. 2

[billsan]

February 2, 2004

North Santiam River Report

The Little North Fork clears and drops more quickly after storms than the main North Santiam primarily because it has a natural flow and the main river has impounded floodwater in Detroit Lake that is released more slowly. Good flood control takes time, and the main North Santiam is high now because of the recent storms. So much water went into Detroit that it will probably take a week and a half for it to go on downstream. In the meantime, there are three good choices: use high water techniques on the North Santiam, fish the Little North Fork, or fish some other river that clears quickly.

When the North Santiam river level is high, steelhead often take a vacation up the Little North Fork. The lower couple of miles can have quite a few winter steelhead that will return to the main river at lower levels. A walk into the parks can be very rewarding, and there are few people this time of year. Although the river is fairly steep and the rapids are difficult, this is an ideal and challenging river for pontoon boats.

Trees in the river were a problem again last week between Stayton and Green’s Bridge, and even more high water this week could allow for more changes. Boaters in that section should expect the unexpected. There will be quite a few steelhead available in the run from Green’s Bridge to Jefferson or even down to the Willamette, and there are a few places where the current will allow for anchoring. It is pretty high, but it is fishable. The first 3 ½ miles below Green’s Bridge are probably the fishiest.

North Santiam River Guides meet on Feb. 25 at 6:00 p.m. in Aumsville. Steelheaders meet on Feb. 18 at 7:00 p.m. at the Salem Library. Details of the “Learn the River” trips will be discussed at both meetings, along with other programs.

The Sports Show in Portland runs from Feb. 4 through Feb. 8, and this is the big show of the year. This generally is the rainiest, coldest week of the year, so we should be able to visit the show without losing much fishing time. Many great exhibits of tackle and discussions by guides will make this a worthwhile trip. Several fishing clubs have booths there, and it is easy to learn about fishing and the clubs that specialize in different areas.

Winter steelhead have been coming into the Willamette and Santiam River systems slowly since November, and are now starting to increase in number. The best of the run will start now and continue through April, but summer steelhead will start arriving in big numbers in April and May through the summer. Chinook will start in April and will peak in June. The season on the North Santiam is really just starting, and we look forward to an excellent year with large runs of all fish predicted. So far, we have about 1500 winter steelhead in the North Santiam system, and that is about 30 steelhead per mile. As the season matures, we will have hundreds of steelhead per mile, and it is exciting to see so many fish on our trips.

Bill Sanderson

[UmpquaSpecial]

Bill,

I always look forward to your comprehensive reports on the North Santiam. Don't know the river well, and haven't had a chance to fish it, but I thoroughly enjoy the information you provide. I wish folks that know their home rivers as well as you would step up and emulate your reports. Thanks and keep them coming.
Chris

[SKP]

30/mile, that's one every 176 feet. That's enough to catch.

High water tactics are in order.

The fish will be against the banks at your feet, not in the raging waters.

Thanks for the good report Bill!

SKP

[tag-a-long]

Thanks for the update Bill.

[billsan]

The post from Hooker on Feb. 3 shows a picture of a nice fresh winter steelhead taken on the North Santiam with bobber and jigs. The season is just starting, and this is a great sign that activity will get serious as the river drops and the weather settles down.

[RiverRogue]

Thanks for the report. Am looking forward to the short trip to the south instead of long trips everywhere else! Gonna try some boating tactics on the Willamette areound Salem as soon as it is fishable.