Whether angling for trout or steelhead, the fishing has been on in the last few weeks here in the southern Willamette Valley.

On the Willamette, steelhead and trout action has been steady. Most trips are turning up a fish or two with some magic days mixed in. Earlier in the month, it was Charlie Greenwood and his nephew Jason who hit that magic day. In an all-day drizzle, they rose seven steelhead, hooked five and landed three along with numerous nice wild trout. People often say, “you should have been here yesterday.” Well, as I told them that day, “today was ‘yesterday!'”

On the upper McKenzie, hatchery rainbow trout along with a healthy number of wild redsides have been abundant, providing consistent action on dries and wets. One day last week, Charlie Greenwood (who else?)and his brother Lee had a day which featured a hatchery fish-fry lunch, several nice wild redsides, a brief encounter with a summer steelhead, and a spectacular encounter with a determined osprey. Quite a day! Charlie is rewarded every year for his willingness to put dates on the calendar in the prime season and roll the dice. See you next year, Charlie!

Scott Nelson and Colin Carr floated from Macks Canyon to the Mouth twice this week. The fly fishing for Steelhead was consistent but slow. Their guests got up early and stayed out late polishing up their spey fishing techniques and were rewarded with some beautiful Wild Steelhead.

The fishing should continue to improve over the next few weeks as the fish counts are ticking up. Additionally, water temps in the Columbia River are warming, so more up river fish will take thermal refuge in the lower reaches of the Deschutes River.

These straying fish mixed in with the Deschutes Natives provide an opportunity to angle in some of the highest concentrations of Steelhead anywhere in the world. Throw in the unreal rimrock canyon light and you have a truly magical fishing trip.

We prefer to spend 3 or 4 days camping and floating through the canyon, but there are 1 day trips available. Either way, this is one of Oregon’s Blue Ribbon Fisheries that needs to be seen to be believed. Heres a few photos that might help: