High water summer steelhead from the McKenzie
It is almost time for summer steelhead in the Willamette Valley, and this year is shaping up to be a good one. As of the last few days of fish counting, the numbers of summer run steelhead have been the closest to the year of 2004, where the counts were some of the highest ever recorded. Hopefully the trend of having the high numbers keeps up, and we can be catching fish with regularity in the South Valley very soon.
Willamette River Steelhead "Town Run"
McKenzie River Steelhead
The earliest steelhead tend to be some very radical fish to handle on a 7 or an 8wt rod. They literally can jump out of the water 5 feet above the water’s surface at times. They make runs that rips off line fast, and before you know it; you are 100 feet into the backing chasing it down in the driftboat. They are supercharged when you get them this early.
High water springtime Summer Run Steelhead - McKenzie
The fish are very aggressive also, and they seem to really move a lot for your fly this time of the year. The question is whether you can land them or not; since the first couple of minutes are completely out of control and the fish owns you. After that part you can fight them for a few runs, and then the landing mode is another stressful time for the angler. Once you get one of these early Willamette Valley summer run steelhead in, you will be one totally stoked angler! Watch the numbers on the Willamette Falls Fish Counts (which is linked on this site) and you will know that you have to hit the water ASAP! It’ll be time to take off from work and book a date with me to show you how to get into these amazing fish.
Summertime admiration....
This was while giving a lesson on how to cast the fly rod.....
Fish on!!! Woo Hoo!
Early morning steelhead - McKenzie River