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.

There are good numbers of steelhead arriving daily to the various tributaries on the Willamette System.  These include the Middle Fork Willamette, both forks of the Santiam and our local jewel, The McKenzie.

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.

Lots of policy and regulation changes coming this season.........................will they improve the fishery?