Current numbers of returning steelhead and salmon passing over Willamette Falls fish counting station are now on the decline.  It would appear that we are now past the peak of the run.  Because of the distance involved as these fish migrate to their various tributaries, we can still expect fishable number of newly-arriving fish to continue into coming weeks.

In spite of heavy fishing pressure, we are still finding cooperative steelhead though prime steelhead locations are at a premium. 

Jim Lindly & Ron Mirable were more than please with the result of their fishing efforts on Oregons majestic McKenzie river

We hit several steelhead on a very quick McKenzie floatt yesterday afternoon ( June 17th).  Most of the steelhead we have been catching lately are running between 8 and 10 pounds, a tad larger than usual.

With the recent restrictions on salmon fishing now in effect, targeting steelhead and trout is proving a productive option.

In a year of often dismal P.R. regarding West Coast Salmon, steelhead fishing on the McKenzie River, the South Santiam and Middle Fork Willamette may be a bright spot in the clouds.