Wheatland and S. Santiam Report

Jig-N-Bobberman · 05-06-2005, 04:20 PM

I fished the lower S. Santiam just above where it dumps into the Willy. With 4 rods (2-wrapped K-14's & 2-spinner rigs w/eggs) for 6 hours and not one bite. :whazzup:
I havn't found what works when anchored in this area. I still lack my first Salmon/Steelhead of the year.

Anyone else having any luck

Salmonator · 05-06-2005, 06:16 PM

So where's the wheatland report? The lower santiam is a difficult place to catch springers, at least for myself and everyone I know it is.

kwik · 05-06-2005, 06:30 PM

Not much of a report but I fished Wheatland last week. Two rods in the water for a total of 20 hrs and one take down. Useing wraped kwikies.

Jig-N-Bobberman · 05-07-2005, 06:03 AM

Oops!

Misleading leading subject. Guess what I really meant was if anyone was catching fish at Wheatland, as I was upstream and not catching anything year to date.
I live in Independence and the Santiam is nearby, therefore that is where I learning to fish. I don't know anything about how or where to fish at Wheatland.

Still learning this Salmon fishing thing

Good luck out there this weekend

Salmonator · 05-07-2005, 07:39 AM

After reading a few of your posts I'm not so sure you don't have buena vista ferry and wheatland ferry confused?

Jig-N-Bobberman · 05-07-2005, 08:14 AM

No, I put in just south of Independence at Buena Vista ferry and run upriver to reach the mouth of the lower Santiam.
As for the Wheatland ferry I believe its north, somewhere between Salem and Portland. I still haven't tried to fish there as I don't have a clue how to fish that area.

Jet I Master · 05-07-2005, 08:42 AM

J-N-Bman,
I fished in the St Paul area which is a few miles below Wheatland on Thursday. We saw no fish caught from either the bankies at the boat ramp or from any boats. The moss wasn't too bad. We didn't even see a fish roll except for the occasional trash fish. As for the mouth of the Santiam you spoke of thats actually the main stem of the Santiam if you were where it dumps into the Willamette. The south dumps in above Jefferson a mile or so. Spinners are probably your best bet in that area. Generally in sizes #3-#5. Painted on cloudy days and early and late in the day. Golds and silvers on sunny bright days. I like to use a #4 Hildbrandt gold with orange beads and tubing as my standard spinner of choice. Try painted blades in red and white. Its a funny place to fish. You can sit for hours or even days on anchor and not touch a fish and then catch several one day or in a short period of time. Try chocking over and moving periodically as the fish seem to travel in tight lanes. I personally have done poorly up there the last few years.

Its seems that when the Columbia has been open it fishes poorly. My theory is that alot of the biters have either been caught or sore mouthed between Astoria and Wheatland. My advice is to keep moving and to experiment.Look for the current seams or travel lanes. Watch where others anchor and see if they catch any fish. Please be courtious and don't anchor closely below anyone. Make sure you have a good anchor and the right amount of rope. It gets annoying when someones anchor won't hold and they keep having to reset and disturb everyone. Its best to anchor next to them rather than right below them. Ask if they mine you anchoring next to them. Every year I have people drop anchor below me almost on top of my fishing gear.

You won't make any friends that way. You may already know this but many don't. I hope this helps a little anyway. :smile:

Jig-N-Bobberman · 05-07-2005, 09:46 AM

Thanks I'll try spinners. Hope we all find some nookie soon

guitgary · 05-07-2005, 11:29 AM

I did ok using eggs top with a spin n glo on the main Santiam last year. Trash fish drive you nuts, though!

hotslam · 05-07-2005, 12:47 PM

use prawns my friend! hotslam

night stocker · 05-09-2005, 10:48 AM

Hey Jet I,nice post.Sorry I missed you the last time.Swing on by and have a

and see what is going on.I see a lot of posts talking about water depth.I like spots that are 10 to 12 feet in depth,but like alot of people,have not done too well out there in a while.One year the moss is bad,another,I didn't get the time to fish much.The next,who knows,wrong kind of beer?I did have a few good years out there.I use the prawns with the Hildebrant blade.

Jet I Master · 05-09-2005, 08:37 PM

Night Stalker,
Is there a wrong kind of beer? Oh maybe na. Whats the point then?

We'll have to get together on the river or at home soon. If we anchor next to each other its your turn to jump over to my boat.

night stocker · 05-10-2005, 08:21 AM

If we anchor next to each other its your turn to jump over to my boat.

[/quote]What?You didn't like that little swim?It wasn't too funny then,but I look back and chuckle.See ya on the river.NS