It’s been a couple of years considering that we have actually seen a hatchery summertime steelhead keep up any substantial numbers. 2024 wants to buck the pattern with 7,000 and counting fin clipped, prepared for the barbeque, summertime fish.
If the rely on the chart above continue as they did 2000-2017, we might see an actually excellent variety of summertime steelhead in both the McKenzie, and Willamette Rivers. Fish are presently expanded a bit, moving through the system with spring circulations. We have actually discovered them in the “town run” on the Willamette near Eugene, the lower McKenzie, the upper (above Leaburg) McKenzie, and in the Middle Fork of the Willamette from Dexter Dam to Island Park in Springfield. These fish will take a swung fly well, and we have you covered with tested patterns like Sen’s Sylvenator, M.O.A.L Leeches, Marabou Tubes and more. A short sink tip will quickly ply the containers of the Willamette, as the water drops a drifting line is simply great. 5-7wt 2 handers and 6-7wt single handed rods manage these fish. Fluoro tippet in 1x does the job, or you can utilize excellent old Maxima 12lbs and reef on them all you desire.
The water remains in best shape to fish the Willamette in the area, and the rest of the basin’s rivers are gradually dropping and warming. May and beyond are a fun time to go out there and capture a summer season steelhead.
Delighted Memorial Day
