New to Oregon and steelhead

[fitzi6_7]

Hi folks! I'm a noob member and Oregonian, I live in Sherwood and want to get out fairly close to home. Only been here since end of July. Never fished for Steelhead before and want to give it a go... Figure I will be parking my boat till March. Suggestions for the next few weeks? Will likely be fishing banks using bobber and worm/jig and spinners. Issue with Oregon is the opposite from Indiana. You don't have 10,000 choices to make... lol.

Any help would be appreciated. Also how long does the run typically last?

 

[jamisonace]

Welcome! I'm not familiar with the runs around your area but I know you'll love fishing in Oregon. I can catch summer run steelhead down around Eugene about 8 months out of the year and spring salmon for about 4. The Umpqua system just south of me which is also where I grew up fishes year round with Fall and Spring Chinook, Summer and Winter Steelhead, shad and smouth mouth bass. There is always somewhere fishable (except when it pours like it's doing right now) within a few hours of me and I'm sure it's the same up there.

You'll never fish all the good water that we have in this state. Again, welcome and tight lines!

 

[troutdude]

Welcome! You'll never fish all the good water that we have in this state. Again, welcome and tight lines!

X 2. Welcome. We're glad to have you join us, in our OFF centered universe.

Welcome to our beautiful state too. We hope that you enjoy it here, as much as we do. And, Jamison is quite right. I've lived here more than 50 years; and have barely scratched the surface of all of the places to fish.

I highly recommend, that you visit a local fly or tackle shop. They should have a book that will help you immensely, and quickly learn when/where to fish. It's called: "Complete Angler's Guide to Oregon", by John Shewey. I have the first edition, from 2007. But, there may now be a 2nd Ed.

Also highly recommended is the BIBLE for spin fishing: "Spinner Fishing for Steelhead, Salmon, and Trout", by fellow Oregonian Jed Davis. Third Ed,'s are available at Bi-Mart and other shops. However, if you can find a 1st or 2nd Ed. snap it up FAST! I'm attaching a pic of color plate, from one of Jed's pages for you.

And, poke around on this forum. There is a TON of very helpful threads n' posts in our archives.

Good luck, and tight lines.

 

[troutdude]

BTW, the two closet rivers to you are the Clackamas and Sandy.

The Clack(amas) has Winter Steel into March. Summer Steel from April into September. There is also a charge of Spring Chinook too (Springers). But, I can't seem to find the run timing for that.

There is also a run of C & R Coho Salmon, from August to end of October in the Clack. The upper river has wild cutthroat, brook and rainbow trout.

The Sandy River produces Winter Steel from Nov. - April. Summers run from March - November. There is also a run of Springers, that I can't find the timing for.

 

[fitzi6_7]

Thanks guys,

Thanks guys,

I will pick up the books and give her a go. Will likely fish them both. Drove by the Clackamas today and it looked a bit rough. Maybe this week it will go down enough to go. If you find yourself headed to Ky or In let me know and I will reciprocate.

 

[halibuthitman]

]Do you get paid for this??? The "run" never ends in the pacific northwest, I can catch a steelhead within 50 miles of my house any day of the year, good luck!