Fishing is generally best when flows are below 3,000 cfs. Currently flows are around 2,700 cfs at the Waterloo gauge as of April 16. There isn't much to catch until spring Chinook and summer steelhead begin to arrive in late April. Summer steelhead are off to a pretty good start this year with over 1,200 adults having crossed into the upper Willamette River so far. A few of these fish have already arrived in the South Santiam, but it will be a few weeks before they show up in good numbers.‌

Spring chinook are also beginning to show up at Willamette Falls. Anglers are reminded that bait is not allowed until April 22.