Santiam Ready

[White Water Fisher]

I'm ready to hit the Santiam River! I'm sure there are a few pros out there that can give me a tiny bit of advice.
Is there much fishing between the Willy and I-5? I've drifted the Santiams for a few years and have experience, but not much in the Jeffereson area. I'd like to take my new purchase, '89 Alumaweld Sled, up and fish for steelhead and/or springers. When's the best time to go? What river level would be best? Sorry for so many questions, but it's hard to find info. Nobody talks much about the lower Santiam.

Thanks for the help. :smile:

[billsan]

There are good numbers of steelhead now, but Springers really don't start (in appreciable numbers) until the first week of April down there. There are three ramps to consider: Buena Vista, I-5, and Jefferson. The recommendation for BV is good because you learn the easier water on the lowest section, but you have to drive through Talbot to get there, and it is poorly marked. Perhaps you already know how to get there, and that would be a good thing to do. I-5 is a shallow gravel ramp, but is in a good location. Jefferson is a good ramp, but the upper section is more difficult to learn. I suggest either I-5 or BV, with a preference for BV if you can find it. It is 6 or 7 miles from BV to I-5, and 4 or 5 miles from I-5 to Jeff. Good luck.

[billsan]

There are good numbers of steelhead now, but Springers really don't start (in appreciable numbers) until the first week of April down there. There are three ramps to consider: Buena Vista, I-5, and Jefferson. The recommendation for BV is good because you learn the easier water on the lowest section, but you have to drive through Talbot to get there, and it is poorly marked. Perhaps you already know how to get there, and that would be a good thing to do. I-5 is a shallow gravel ramp, but is in a good location. Jefferson is a good ramp, but the upper section is more difficult to learn. I suggest either I-5 or BV, with a preference for BV if you can find it. It is 6 or 7 miles from BV to I-5, and 4 or 5 miles from I-5 to Jeff. Good luck.

[skeezer]

it is time, there have been alot of people hitting the river , they have been drifting from greens bridge down to jefferson :shocked: .we went out last week and it was good to us and alot of others....

[Phishin Phool]

Skeezer-pm or email me and tell me who you are? I thought I knew all the Ifishers from Jefferson and their handles.

--PP

[Joss]

I have a 19' Northriver Sport Jet if anyone who is familiar with the Santiam wants to show me around they could drive my boat and show me the ropes and we could wet a line. Still getting familiar with a jet. Got the boat in September and only been hunting out of it thus far.

[Phishin Phool]

I'd be willing to show anyone around the santiam. I've lived on the Santiam my whole life (44 yrs.) But I've just begun to learn the all the fishing holes. I've spent most of my time from I-5 to up above greensbridge. As a kid used to float from Greensbridge to Buena Vista all the time. Have run my sled from I-5 to just below Shelburn a few times.

--PP

[Mr. Shannon O'Brien]

Right on PP. I'll keep that in mind! Be cool.

[White Water Fisher]

Skeezer, bill, JT
Thanks for the information. I'll put in a BV and run up. I'll definately bring some corkies along and may even do some plugging.

[Jet Drifter]

My advice WWF, is to get out on the Santiam today with your new sled. If you have an outboard jet pump, learn the Santiam below I-5 Bridge first. The Santiam at Jefferson is 5.8 feet and forecast to continue dropping very slowly. Put in at Polk County Buena Vista Boat Ramp ( west side ). Run up the Willamette River to the mouth of the Santiam. There is enough water height for you to use your drift boat water reading skills to negotiate all riffles from the Santiam mouth up to the I-5 Bridge.
Continue to run the Santiam in the weeks ahead and take note of the river levels.
Click here NorRivDave provided some great advice last year

[ 02-22-2004, 12:41 PM: Message edited by: Jet Drifter ]

[RiverRogue]

WWF- I run a 23' sled and run typically between Greens Bridge to the mouth. Typically, at least below Jefferson, minimum depth is 3' on the gauge. I have run above the Greens' bridge, but it can be testy. Launching at I-5 is a little trying at times. The paved boat ramp has filled in and is unusable at about 4.5'. Must launch off the shore under the bridge. Be careful there as the current can take you right into the bridge support if not being careful. First time run is easiest if launching at Buena Vista and run upriver to the mouth, less than 2 miles. If you'd like more info, let me know. Or we could get together. Coming to the Salem iFishers meeting at Porters' Pub Thursday? Look me up.

[willametteriveroutlaw]

Don't run diver and bait right now. Way to many people on that river running it lately .

[willierower]

Ditto on what WRO said. Leave the divers at home!! You really dont need them........