Copyright 2010 James Marsh
Fly Fishing The Willamette River
Oregon
The Willamette River is a large tributary of the
Columbia River. It flows from its beginning north of
Eugene Oregon for one-hundred, eight-seven miles to
the Columbia River near Portland. This course the
river takes runs between the Coastal Mountain range
and the Cascade Mountain range.
The North Fork Middle Fork (also called North Fork
and North Fork of the Middle Fork) of the Willamette
River starts as a small outlet of Waldo Lake in the
Cascades. It drops 2,400 feet in three miles over
thirty-four waterfalls. The West Cascades Scenic
Byway offers access to this part of the river.
The Middle Fork of the Willamette River between
Lookout Point Reservoir and Hills Creek Reservoir is a
very good wild rainbow and cutthroat trout stream. It
has great access because it flows through National
Forest Land most its length. The rainbows and
cutthroats probably average about twelve inches but
they get much larger. This section of the Middle Fork
of the Willamette is twelve miles long and is all
designated 'catch and release only' water.
The Coast Fork of the Willamette River starts a few
miles above Cottage Grove Reservoir in the
Calapooya Mountains. There is some decent cutthroat
trout fishing in this area of the stream. Below Cottage
Grove Reservoir the river parallels I-5 all the way to its
confluence with the Middle Fork and the main-stem of
the Willamette. The fishing is limited to stocked trout
and isn't good compared to the many other streams in
Oregon.
The Willamette River has both a Spring and a Fall run
of Chinook Salmon. The Spring run of salmon move
through the Willamette Falls ladder from March to July
to spawn in September and October. The Fall run
moves through the ladder between August and
October to spawn during this period of time. Four
large hatcheries provide additional salmon. The
natural reproduction comprises about 28 percent of
the total according to the state.
Both Summer and Winter runs of steelhead occur in
the Willamette River. The Fall run fish move upstream
from March to October and spawn in January and
February. The Winter run of native steelhead passes
through the Willamette Falls ladder from February
through May. The wild steelhead return in December
and January.
Season:
The season is open year-round in most places but it is
all species specific and subject to change.
Winter:
Winter runs of steelhead prime season
December/January.
Spring:
There is a Spring run of Chinook salmon. Great time
for trout fishing the headwaters.
Summer:
There is Summer run of steelhead.
Fall:
There is a Fall run of Chinook salmon. Great time for
trout fishing in the headwaters.
Fly Fishing Guide to the Willamette River
Fly fishing the Willamette River varies greatly with
species, areas and seasons. (Click Here To Continue)
Oregon
The Willamette River is a large tributary of the
Columbia River. It flows from its beginning north of
Eugene Oregon for one-hundred, eight-seven miles to
the Columbia River near Portland. This course the
river takes runs between the Coastal Mountain range
and the Cascade Mountain range.
The North Fork Middle Fork (also called North Fork
and North Fork of the Middle Fork) of the Willamette
River starts as a small outlet of Waldo Lake in the
Cascades. It drops 2,400 feet in three miles over
thirty-four waterfalls. The West Cascades Scenic
Byway offers access to this part of the river.
The Middle Fork of the Willamette River between
Lookout Point Reservoir and Hills Creek Reservoir is a
very good wild rainbow and cutthroat trout stream. It
has great access because it flows through National
Forest Land most its length. The rainbows and
cutthroats probably average about twelve inches but
they get much larger. This section of the Middle Fork
of the Willamette is twelve miles long and is all
designated 'catch and release only' water.
The Coast Fork of the Willamette River starts a few
miles above Cottage Grove Reservoir in the
Calapooya Mountains. There is some decent cutthroat
trout fishing in this area of the stream. Below Cottage
Grove Reservoir the river parallels I-5 all the way to its
confluence with the Middle Fork and the main-stem of
the Willamette. The fishing is limited to stocked trout
and isn't good compared to the many other streams in
Oregon.
The Willamette River has both a Spring and a Fall run
of Chinook Salmon. The Spring run of salmon move
through the Willamette Falls ladder from March to July
to spawn in September and October. The Fall run
moves through the ladder between August and
October to spawn during this period of time. Four
large hatcheries provide additional salmon. The
natural reproduction comprises about 28 percent of
the total according to the state.
Both Summer and Winter runs of steelhead occur in
the Willamette River. The Fall run fish move upstream
from March to October and spawn in January and
February. The Winter run of native steelhead passes
through the Willamette Falls ladder from February
through May. The wild steelhead return in December
and January.
Season:
The season is open year-round in most places but it is
all species specific and subject to change.
Winter:
Winter runs of steelhead prime season
December/January.
Spring:
There is a Spring run of Chinook salmon. Great time
for trout fishing the headwaters.
Summer:
There is Summer run of steelhead.
Fall:
There is a Fall run of Chinook salmon. Great time for
trout fishing in the headwaters.
Fly Fishing Guide to the Willamette River
Fly fishing the Willamette River varies greatly with
species, areas and seasons. (Click Here To Continue)
| Type of Stream Tailwaters Species Rainbow Trout Cutthroat Trout Brook Trout Steelhead Chinook Salmon Size Large Location Northcentral Oregon Coast Nearest Towns Eugene Season Most of it is open year-round Access: Fair to great, depending on the location Special Regulations Yes, species specific, check the current regulations Non-Resident License State of Oregon Weather National Weather Service Hatch Chart Perfect Fly Hatch Chart Fly Fishing Guide Hatches and Flies Fly Fishing Gear Stream Flow Data: Real time data |
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Willamette River Oregon
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Photo Courtesy of
Dennis McCarthy
Dennis McCarthy
Photo Courtesy of
Dennis McCarthy
Dennis McCarthy
Middle Fork
North Middle Fork
"Perfect Fly"
Pacific Coast Steelhead Flies
"Perfect Fly"
Pacific Coast Salmon Flies
Pacific Coast Steelhead Flies
"Perfect Fly"
Pacific Coast Salmon Flies
| Options For Selecting Flies: 1. Email us with the dates you will be fishing this stream and we will send you a list of our fly suggestions. Please allow up to 24 hours for a response. 2. Call us 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide which flies you need. 3. Call or email us with a budget for flies and we will select them and get them to you in time for your trip. Shipping is free in the U. S. Orders over $50 are shipped Priority Mail. |