North Santiam River Report Feb. 9

[billsan]

February 9, 2004

North Santiam River Report

Medium river flows will occur on the North Santiam probably the rest of the week. Since we have had high water since the last storm, the flows will allow for some good fish finding. We know that lots of steelhead have come up the river, and we know where we should be able to find some of them. We don’t know exactly when or under what circumstances they will savagely attack fishing lures and baits. We are eager to try our offerings and hope to land numerous sporting events. After hearing and seeing all the information at the Sports Show, we are eager for some field work and actually doing some fishing instead of just talking about it.

Historically, the fishing for winter steelhead has started to be pretty good in late February every year on this river. This year, more fish than usual have come into the system, so we expect good activity for 2,004. Some steelhead have run clear up to the top of the river and are available around Minto Park and Packsaddle, some are in the middle reaches, and most are still coming up through the low drifts in the area of Green’s Bridge and Jefferson. This time of year is especially good for Derek Mendiola, the barber in Jefferson. Derek’ shop is just around the corner from the boat ramp, and he fishes nearly every day there with bobber and jigs. He’s a great resource for information about the fish runs in Jefferson.

The river levels this time of year make it awkward for driftboats upstream from Mill City. It is absolutely necessary to know the river level before putting a boat in up there in order to have a safe trip, and information from the day before does not help much, since the river often changes levels in the middle of the night. Navigation is predictable safe for experienced boaters below Mill City, and it makes sense to fish the lower sections anyway because of the arrival of the new steelhead.

A few changes in river navigation occurred with the last storm. A few new trees were deposited in the river below Fishermen’s Bend, but they are easy to see and easy to avoid. Some of the rocks were moved around in Cherry Creek Rapids, Lower Indian Rapids, and DeWitt Falls, and the movement was helpful rather than problematic. Part of the reason for the easy navigation was the higher water level, which covered over many of the rocks. Even at lower flows, the river will be easier to drift. North Santiam State Park had some trees fall into the river in the middle of one of my favorite fishing holes. We will have to figure out how to fish around the new configuration. Guides Island is normally drifted by the South channel, and many new branches have dropped over the safest boating channel below the first island. At high flows this is not a problem, since there is enough water to float over the gravel bar. At lower flows, a boat would be washed into the overhanging branches on the left side, or the boat would get stuck in the shallow gravel in the center of the river. Some volunteer work will have to be done here to improve safety. The shuttle driver, Bob Lusk, is considering the problem, and he has been helpful in the past with these kind of situations. Having woody debris in the river is a good thing, but it should not be hanging in the safe boating channels. At Little River Rapids, just above the confluence with the Little North Fork and just below Neal Park, new branches have fallen into the river from the South bank. We used to drift next to the South bank, but that channel is now partially obstructed. The North side of the river has some rocks that need to be avoided, but that side of the river is safer at this time. The configuration of the rapids may be seen from the boat ramp at Neal Park, and it deserves a good look before proceeding. Below the Mehama Bridge at the end of the straight section, new trees have washed up against the top of the island. There are more trees washed into the North channel, but the South channel is as good or better than last year. Boats may go directly to the middle of the island and take the channel to the left and have a smooth run. There were no other problems from there down to Stayton Island, but a few new branches were washed onto the boat slide on the island side of the South channel. Boats can still slide down the ramp, but they bump into the branches. That is still very workable, but it does work. Actually, the ramp is easier to use than last year. There were no other problems down to the Stayton Bridge.

Rumor has it that there are problem trees between Stayton and Green’s Bridge. No one has drifted that section in the last week that we know about, so we need to make sure about safety there. More information should come in this week, and often power boaters from lower in the river will check on that.

Fish catching reports have been good around Green’s Bridge.

The first “Learn the River” trip is March 6 from Green’s Bridge to the Willamette. Details will be discussed at the River Guides meeting on February 25 at 6:00 p.m. at Nuefeldt’s Diner in Aumsville or at the Steelheaders meeting February 18 at 7:00 p.m. at the Salem Library. Chap Milbank at 503 585 4569 can provide more details about the trip. Dennis Richey will be the program speaker for the Feb. 18 Steelheaders meeting, and he will show us techniques for making spinners and jigs, along with techniques for catching fish on the lower Willamette, and also will give us an update on liaisons with other fishing clubs and legislative matters.

Valentine’s Day is approaching. Good fishing conditions are approaching. It is a good time to do something nice for your sweetheart, take her fishing, or both.

Bill Sanderson

[Sharted]

Thank you for your report. :smile:

[silverhead]

Thank you for the report you efforts are greatly appreciated.

[SpinnerMan]

Bill,

Thanks for your reports. I really enjoy them. We are lucky to have people like you on ifish. :smile:

SpinnerMan

[Vandal]

As always...an excellent report. Thanks for the work you put in on the North Santiam.
[img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

[Beaver1]

Thanks! I might try to make the "learn the river" on the 6th!

[billsan]

The "Learn the river" trips are often participated in by guests and Steelheaders from other chapters. They are an excellent way to learn where boat ramps, access points, and fishing drifts are located. Not much fishing is done on these trips, since we have many boats. We float right through most places and show new boaters exactly how to run the rapids and where to find the fish. Trip participants also discuss potential improvements that could be made to the habitat, and Watershed Council staff helps to implement many of the ideas. More information is available through the Watershed Council Coordinator, Liz Redon, at 503 930 8202.

[billsan]

Update: on Feb. 13, flows decreased to near summer levels (1300 cfs at Niagara), and the North Santiam is very fishable today. I'll get the forecast for the next week and post it as soon as possible.

[billsan]

Update: North Santiam river flow forecast from the Army Engineer Corps this afternoon is for 1300 cfs at Niagara for the next week and until the next major rainfall. The lake needs to fill, so low flows will occur. Many newly arriving Winter and a few Summer Steelhead will make some exciting fishing with good river conditions.

[stick flicker]

Thanks for thye post, it pays to be an Ifisher. Check out the results of low water on the Santiam today.