Need More Help On Eugene Springers

salmonking · 03-10-2004, 09:01 AM

HI FELLAS, [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img]

I AM MOVING TO EUGENE AND AM WONDERING IF THERE IS ANY SPRINGER ACTION THIS FAR UP ON THE WILLAMETTE OR TRIBUTARIES. I KNOW ABOUT THE SANTIAM, BUT NO IDEA ABOUT THE MCKENZIE OR THE WILLAMETTE IN THE EUGENE AREA. IS IT WORTH IT OR AM I NEEDING TO DRIVE TO THE SANTIAMS?? PLEASE HELP....THANKS

[ 03-10-2004, 10:26 AM: Message edited by: Pete ]

Boedy · 03-10-2004, 09:10 AM

I know they do alot of springer fishing around Dexter dam later in the year...

Gun Rod Bow · 03-10-2004, 09:20 AM

That is where the fish we are trying to stop are heading.

What Boedy said. Late May through June.

Jet Drifter · 03-10-2004, 09:26 AM

Hi Salmonking, welcome to Eugene! I used to live in Ukiah, Oregon.
I'm sure there is a very good spring chinook run up the Willamette River through Eugene and then up the Middle Fork of the Willamette to the base of Dexter Dam. Also, the McKenzie River also has a run of spring chinook. I'm sure there are other Ifishers out there with better advice who don't have a skunk in their pocket. I will be posting open seats for you to consider for the Santiam, lower McKenzie and the Willamette up to Eugene.

deep set · 03-10-2004, 09:32 AM

McKenzie River from Leaburg Dam or Greenwood Drive down. There is some good late action. Need to make sure it is open as they have closed it in the past.

You will get into Steelies in there as well.

shalom · 03-10-2004, 10:02 AM

You will have all of the action that you want in the WILLAMETE AND McKINZEY (SPELLING) . I haven�t fished down there in 25- years but it was great . I liked to fish below DEXTER DAM from my sled . The fish will hold up in pools and not move very fast . Fish the holes hard and slow . I liked to anchor and throw eggs . Don�t worry about the fish being dark . I released about 20- fish before an old timer said sonny why are you turning that beautiful prime eating fish loose ? I TOLD HIM THAT IT WAS TO DARK TO BE A PRIME FISH TO EAT . What a tongue lashing I got .HE SAID THAT THEY WOIN�T GET ANY BETTER THAN THAT . He then told me to keep the next one and clean it . I thought back and remembered that the last 20 fish were as dark as that last fish that he had called PRIME . I did keep the next one and cut it open . I expected the meat to be a grey or white color , much to my surprise it was as RED and good looking as any fish that I had caught in the ocean . The CHINOOKS take a long time to get to Eugene and they are away from the salt water so long that they turn dark . THE WOIN�T SPAWN for a long time so that is why there meat will be prime for a long time.
Don�t worry about sleds running over the hole that you are fishing . When fishing got slow we would throw the buoy out and run over the hole that we were fishing . It would get them moving and they would star biting again . You will have a great time fishing down there .I know times have changed , but I still hear good reports from down there .

:smile:

shalom · 03-10-2004, 10:10 AM

GEE i thought that i would be the first to reply . I guess from all of the replys that were ahead of me you can tell that i am not very fast at typing . [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] Party: :smile:

nitrobass · 03-10-2004, 10:52 AM

It can be really good fishing for springers, usually around May. Watch the water flows, and when they drop it be there in the next day or two and lay it on them. On the Willamette there are loads of people there but if you have a drifter you can escape a lot of the traffic. Unfortunately most of the fish stop right below the hatchery in both rivers and thats where the fishermen keg up too. Even if they arent biting the people watching can be hilarious/revolting.

If you can get them before June or July they are still pretty bright, after that its hit and miss. See ya up there

OregonSportsman · 03-10-2004, 01:57 PM

Hey everyone, I'm glad this topic was brought up because I had the same questions. I live in Eugene during the school year and rarley get a chance to get out. If there is anyone in the Eugene area that needs a fishing buddy I would love to go out with you and have someone show be what's going on around here, thanks.

Sir Fishalot · 03-10-2004, 05:49 PM

Both the Mckenzie and Willamette around Eugene get good runs of springers and summers as everyone has mentioned. However, they do not get a fall run of chinook or a winter run of steelhead. No worries though. The Siuslaw river (coastal river located 35 to 50 minutes west of Eugene) fills this void by offering good fall chinook and winter steelhead fishing.

Also, Eugene is about an hour away from the Umqua River where I make frequent trips to as well (an hour to an hour and a half away).

I'm also a Eugenian who is constantly in search of more fishing buddies. :tongue:

Quasimodo the fish killer · 03-10-2004, 06:08 PM

this goes for any of the guys from eugene when they get here look me up I am always looking for people to fish with I have a drift boat and dont really like to go alone because I dont like leaving it while I pack back for my rig.

if you dont have a boat or dont know how to row no biggy I dont mind rowing at all.

Quasi.

.

Quasimodo the fish killer · 03-10-2004, 06:10 PM

this goes for any of the guys from eugene when they get here look me up I am always looking for people to fish with I have a drift boat and dont really like to go alone because I dont like leaving it while I pack back for my rig.

if you dont have a boat or dont know how to row no biggy I dont mind rowing at all. I also have very liberal days off so I fish in the middle of the week a lot

Quasi.

.

salmonking · 03-10-2004, 11:29 PM

Thanks ifishers for the replys. [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] I forgot to mention one very important factor. I do not have a boat, so am gonna have to be banking it and I am getting older now, so can't pack up and down steep hills and banks. :depressed: Any ideas for an older ifisher?

Quasimodo the fish killer · 03-10-2004, 11:55 PM

Hello salmon king welcome to eugene. the willamette and mckenzie both get runs of spring chinook and summer steelhead both get an imence amount of pressure also. most drift boaters prefer the float from dester dam down to pengra boat landing some float from pengra down to jasper be warned there are some ver narrow spots on that float with blind corners and the last few years has seen increased sled traffic they are an accident waiting to happen.

from the bank the best fishing is right below dexter dam on the north bank. they line up thick there but the fish lay in the flat below the dam and it can be very productive. I fish that flat hard from my drift boat and rarely end up going down the river I just row back up and take out. you will catch a mix of chinook and steelhead.

on the mckenzie people fish all the way from leaburg dam to green wood drive on the bank there are a few spots that are public access one is on the south side of the river below the dam down river from the hatchery. it gets lots of pressure but there is lots of fish there. the mckenzie was closed above greenwood drive for the keeping of chinook in the past but I believe it is open clear up to the dam this year I would check the regs to be sure. there is also a place on green wood drive by the boat ramp that is public access lot of people fish it. the river narrows there and many chinook and steelhead are taken from that hole.

I am always looking for people to fish with I have a 17 ft drift boat we should hook up and fish when they get in down here same for you jet drifter you cant have enough fishing buddies in my book.

Quasi.

.

Jet Drifter · 03-11-2004, 05:07 AM

Thanks Quasi! Yes, I agree, can't have enough Fishin' Buddies. And Ifish.net Community is a fantastic place to hook anglers together. I already added you to my Buddy List and sure would like to trade trips with ya

SalmonNilla · 03-11-2004, 06:58 AM

Quasi, I'd love to hook up sometime. I'm looking for a little time in a driftboat to see if I really need to get one. I think I do! And you can never have too many fishing buddies, right jetdrifter? Had a great time by the way.

salmonking · 03-11-2004, 09:52 AM

I would like to give a hearty thanks to all of you who responded to my email. [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] What a great bunch of guys. Also, thanks to all who offered to take me fishing. [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] How kind. I would absolutely love to take you up on this offer. Please write me at my email address and give me you contact information for the future. email: greerd@aol.com
Thanks again
Salmonking
Don

Quasimodo the fish killer · 03-11-2004, 10:40 AM

Any one that wants to hook up and fish just fire me a message when the fish get here and I am sure we can figure out a day to fish.

Quasi.

.

NetProfit · 03-11-2004, 12:07 PM

Cool, I like fishing with new people e-mail me or call Steelheaders West, ask for steve's number they know how to get in touch with me.

goodkarma · 03-11-2004, 12:15 PM

if they are making it up the Willamette to Eugene, they must pass through Corvallis at some point as well, anyone ever fish the Willy around Corvallis?

Quasimodo the fish killer · 03-11-2004, 12:24 PM

I have tried to fish them from the peioria boat landing down to corvallis with no luck so I cant help you much there.

I have fished the lower santiam below I5 and done ok that would be your best bet or up the santiam further I think. both the willamette and the lower santiam are a hoover fest when fishing bait :grin: I wish salmon bit as good as hoovers do.

Quasi

.

OregonSportsman · 03-11-2004, 12:49 PM

Well I'm going to keep you guys in mind here in another month of two when the run gets here. Until then I have to go up to Portland to go out with my Dad and Uncle. I haven't done a lot of salmon fishing (mostly in the ocean) but hopefully they will teach me the ropes then while I'm not busy with class I can hook up with someone!

Drachir · 03-11-2004, 05:35 PM

This is a great thread. [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] I will be moving to Eugene somtime this Summer, and would love to hook-up some of you Eugene area I-Fishers. :grin:

I went on a guided trip last year on the Willamette, from Sprinfield to the Beltline. We went 2 for 3 and had a great time. We got all of our fish downstream from I-5. It is a great river and lots of fun to drift. :smile:

Drachir · 03-11-2004, 05:36 PM

oops! :blush:

[ 03-11-2004, 07:15 PM: Message edited by: Drachir ]

Jet Drifter · 03-12-2004, 02:33 PM

Quasimodo and NetProfit, I sent you a Private Message because of some email address error. You may access your Private Messages on Ifish through your Profile button in the gold header bar below the advertising above.
I was able to email everyone else who expressed interest in fishing buddies.

sawman · 03-12-2004, 11:15 PM

I live in Eugene and would love to meet some fishing buddies. I have not been fishing much in the past few years and would like to get back into it. The only fishing I have done is on the Umqua and I would like to learn the local rivers. I will have my boat very soon and will be looking for people to go with. I have been lurking for a long time and could not pass this one up. Talk to you soon.

holyhogmolly · 03-13-2004, 09:11 AM

Gentlemen-
there are too many of you to list, but you are all more than welcome to join me this spring/summer, i just got a new boat, and am looking for some fishin buddies, im a student at u of o though, so it will most likely have to be on weekend

if you guys want to hook up and kill some fishes, shoot me an email, it's under my profile

hhm
zach

Drachir · 03-13-2004, 09:21 PM

Jet Drifter,

Thanks for the great e-mail!! :smile:

Quasimodo the fish killer · 03-13-2004, 11:10 PM

I am not sure whats up with the email problems I checked its right on my profile. anyone that wants to fish let me know by sending a private message or an email.

I got you message jet drifter and salmon king lets hook up and fish some time you both have my home phone number now feel free to call

Quasi

.

onebadfish · 03-14-2004, 07:12 AM

i lived in eugene until 1995. dexter dam is a zoo, it's nasty, drunk, and biligerant crowd will make you wonder why you ever went there. we used to put in around valley river center and float down to brown's landing by junction city. awesome fishing where the mckenzie runs into the willamette. if you don't mind using some crude ramps you can take out just downstream from the confluence of he two rivers. right before dark is great. i've had really good looking springers and summers around june and july, plus there are huge rainbows all through the area there.

holyhogmolly · 03-16-2004, 10:39 PM

come on guys, doesn't anybody else live in the eugene area?

oregon sportsman: i got your message, i'll give you a call and we'll go get some fishes :grin:

~hhm

steel_beaver · 03-17-2004, 01:12 AM

goodkarma,
i've been wondering the same thing...... one of these days i'll get out and do some scouting.... look for a good place to kill a few hours.... will keep you posted.

SB

northriver1 · 03-17-2004, 08:22 AM

Looks like the secert spot is not so secert anymore. I have changed my fishing habits for the McKenzie River do to all the fisherman. However, my only beef concerning the presure from fisherman is it is forcing many to pick up bad habits. It has become hand to hand combat out there. There were problems in the past but not like the last two years. In addition to bringing your own rock to fish on bring a gun to protect it. I wish I could say the boaters were better but that would be a lie. Had one low life anchor up right on top of the water I was bobber fishing last year. I wish I had an answer but I don't but I will pass along one thought, keep the rudeness to yourself when on the rivers.