Spring Chinook Arriving in Good Numbers to Willamette System Tributaries – McKenzie, Middle Fork Wilamette, & South Santiam

RFGS Newsletter – Spring/Summer – 2015

Dear Friends, Fishermen & Guests,

I greet you with exciting news. Hard fighting Spring Chinook salmon are currently arriving in really decent numbers in the major tributaries to the Willamette River. With a low snow pack in the mountains, a mild spring, and below average rainfall, the Springers have migrated way earlier than usual this season and are posting some pretty impressive numbers. Nature never ceases to amaze me. It seems the fish instinctively know that they need to make their move upriver early this year while river levels and water temperatures are still conducive to migration toward their natal streams. To date, over 30,000 adult Spring Chinook have made their way past the fish counting station at Willamette Falls and are headed for our local fisheries on the McKenzie, Middle Fork Willamette and the South Santiam. This is great news as the total run of adult Springers that migrated over the Falls last season only amounted to about 30,000 fish when all was said and done. That number fell miserably short by about 26,000 fish of the total upriver run projected last season by our fish management professionals. Fortunately it appears we should definitely meet and exceed the projected numbers for 2015. To salmon aficionados, Spring Chinook in particular, is the “salmon of choice” when it comes to table fare and the BBQ. Because these fish evolved to travel long distances on their migratory return to spawning grounds and birthplace, they rely solely on a huge reserve of body fats for the journey. Those same stored Omega 3s provide the succulent buttery flavor and texture coveted by salmon lovers and gourmet chefs.

There is however a caveat to all the excitement. The same low water conditions that appear to have triggered the early migration, may dictate consequent changes in fishing tactics and even trip timing and planning. I can easily foresee us scaling down the size of our plugs, baits and presentations as we adapt to the low and clear conditions. As you put together your summer plans, it may make sense to consider earlier fishing dates than usual. It remains uncertain as to when the actual fishing peak will occur this season, but you may want to err on the earlier side. For example, if you were thinking about a date in late July, you might want to see if there is day in June that could work instead.

Fortunately we have other fishing opportunities here on the local rivers that continue into the latter part of summer. As Spring Chinook fishing begins to fade, trout and steelhead fishing can provide great fun alternatives. Our upriver trips fly fishing for trout are fun and exciting and generally quite productive, even for first time fly-rodders. I network with a group of local guides so we can accommodate group trips using multiple boats. For folks looking for fishing action further into fall, for the last 2 years running, we have had really great action on Coho or Silver Salmon down on the Siuslaw estuary near Florence in late September and October. Visit the web site for a glimpse. I hope to hear from you soon and wish you a fun-filled summer.

John Gross – Roaring Fork Guide Service –
Hm-541-726-7234 Cell-541-912-8899
Email: roaringfork@aol.com Web Site: www.oregonfishingtrips.com