May 31, 2004

North Santiam River Report

Fishing and catching were both good for steelhead just before the big rainstorm last week. From Thursday through today (Monday) the river was high. On Tuesday, we expect a medium flow, and after Wednesday we expect normal levels. With the variables of Mother Nature, we don’t always get what we expect, but we have good guesses that will probably work out. Last Friday and Saturday, the rains brought some mud into the river, but that has gone away. The weather forecast is very favorable, with minimal rainfall expected for the next five days. Some sunshine and some overcast conditions will make for good angling as well as provide a good background for scenic trips and photography.

Multiple Chinook salmon catchings have started as far upriver as Mill City. Some of the fresh fish have had so much energy that they have been “too hot to handle”. It is frustrating to have a big fish run straight upstream through a big rapids and take all the 20 pound test line on a medium sized reel and break off without even showing itself.

Steelhead catchings have been doing just as well as the salmon. Since they lay in different types of water, it makes sense to fish in a variety of locations with a variety of baits and lures. Although the most successful way to access the different locations is by boat, many of the parks along the river have plenty of variety. North Santiam State Park, Fishermen’s Bend, and Minto Park have several miles of some of the best all-around fishing water on the river. The extremities of the parks have little foot traffic, even when the day use areas are busy with picnics.

Steelhead and salmon are counted as they go upstream from Stayton Island, and there are somewhere around 5,000 steelhead and salmon in the North Santiam above Stayton. That’s already a lot of fish in the 28 mile section, and the run is just starting. The fish are counted lower in the river system at Willamette Falls, and fish passage has been so busy there that the counter is behind schedule in posting the numbers. On one day in late April, more than 4,200 steelhead and salmon came upriver. The counter has been behind ever since. Many days since then have had 2,500 fish, and we are eager to see the postings as the counter catches up.

June 5 is the “Learn the River” trip from Fishermen’s Bend to Mehama. This river section covers eight miles of medium difficulty rapids and excellent fishing holes. It does not have the big rapids of the upper section (Packsaddle), but the rapids are tricky enough to provide for an exciting whitewater experience as well as being very fishy. The group has an optional breakfast at the Swiss Village at 7:30 or 8 a.m. and unloads boats at Fishermen’s Bend at 9:00. We do our own shuttle and shove off in the river at 10:00. There are so many boats that we do not concentrate on fishing, but we do show people how to run the river and where the fish are. Someone always manages to catch a fish on these trips, even with too many boats.

June 12 is Free Fishing Day, and licenses are not needed for this day only. Steelheaders are hosting two fishing events in the area for kids at both Cascade Gateway Park and at E.E. Wilson Wildlife Refuge. Boys and Girls Club members will fish at Cascade Gateway, and Karl Magnuson is coordinating that event. E. E. Wilson fishing is open to the public, and reservations are requested: 503 375 2814. Cascade Gateway is just South of Hwy 22 (Mission Street) on Turner Road. E. E. Wilson is 10 miles South of Monmouth on Hwy 99W. The Wilson event is “Youth Outdoor Day” and both fish and wildlife activities will be featured. Don Homuth is the coordinator for the fishing part of this event, and Steve Sessa from Ducks Unlimited is the general chairman. With the variety of outdoor activities, this will be a significant day for many kids. Pictures will be taken of the kids with fish and birds.

Stayton and Jefferson are still great places to find fresh steelhead and salmon. The fish are moving upstream, and all river sections have good chances for success. The most fresh fish are still in the lower sections, and the scenery is much better in the upper sections. Perhaps the middle section is the best place for us to be this week.

Bill Sanderson