Willamette River
Coast Fork
Recent Guide Reports
Trending Flies in Recent Reports
- Parachute March Brown
- March Brown Nymph
- Chubby Chernoble
- San Juan Worm
- Killer Mayfly
- Pheasant Tail
Current Conditions
Gauge Flow
High Water Warning
Gauge Height
Water Temperature
Water Temperature Over 68°F
Condition Graphs
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Recent Guide Reports
Oregon DWR
COAST FORK WILLAMETTE RIVER: Chinook, summer steelhead, trout
The river is open to fishing all year for trout, hatchery Chinook salmon, hatchery steelhead and wild steelhead over 24 inches.
Use of bait allowed April 22 Oct. 31 but beginning Nov. 1 anglers may only use lures and artificial flies. In addition to five hatchery trout, two wild trout may be kept daily. Last updated 3/10/26.
MIDDLE FORK WILLAMETTE RIVER: Trout, steelhead
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers refurbished the boat ramp on the south side of the Middle Fork Willamette just below Dexter Dam allowing drift boat and raft access. Chinook and summer steelhead fishing should be good June July downstream of Dexter Dam.
A Columbia River Basin Endorsement is required for anglers targeting salmon and steelhead.
The Middle Fork Willamette above Lookout Point and Hills Creek reservoirs are open to fishing using lures and artificial flies. All wild trout must be released upstream of Lookout Point Reservoir. The Middle Fork Willamette River is not stocked with hatchery trout. Last updated 3/23/26.
WILLAMETTE RIVER: Catch-and-release sturgeon, steelhead, spring Chinook, coho salmon, small and largemouth bass
River conditions and fish counts:
Link to: Willamette Catch SummariesDaily report Willamette River Portland-Temperature/VisibilityLink to: Willamette Falls Counts Link to Willamette River Morrison Bridge Hydro DataLink to NOAA-Willamette River Forecast (Salem)
The Willamette often gets overlooked because it is so close. But this river offers convenience, good access and variety.
The river is ideal for small boats such as canoes and kayaks, but there are enough public access points for bank anglers as well. Consult Oregon Parks and Recreation Department for specific locations.
The upstream section between Albany and Harrisburg is open year-round for trout fishing, which can be very good when flows are cooperating. Look for deep slot pools and the tail-end of long riffles and the head of pools where the fish are likely stacked up in feeding lanes.
Smallmouth bass can be a lot of fun to catch and are plentiful between Salem and Corvallis during summer. Anglers also report the occasional walleye up to 20 inches. Trout prefer the cooler water temperatures upstream of Corvallis. From Salem downstream there are plenty of largemouth bass in the deeper, quieter sections. Trout can be kept in some sections, but not in others. Consult the regulation booklet for details.
The river is open to fishing all year for trout, hatchery Chinook salmon, hatchery steelhead and wild steelhead over 24 inches.
Use of bait allowed April 22 Oct. 31 but beginning Nov. 1 anglers may only use lures and artificial flies. In addition to five hatchery trout, two wild trout may be kept daily. Last updated 3/10/26.
MIDDLE FORK WILLAMETTE RIVER: Trout, steelhead
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers refurbished the boat ramp on the south side of the Middle Fork Willamette just below Dexter Dam allowing drift boat and raft access. Chinook and summer steelhead fishing should be good June July downstream of Dexter Dam.
A Columbia River Basin Endorsement is required for anglers targeting salmon and steelhead.
The Middle Fork Willamette above Lookout Point and Hills Creek reservoirs are open to fishing using lures and artificial flies. All wild trout must be released upstream of Lookout Point Reservoir. The Middle Fork Willamette River is not stocked with hatchery trout. Last updated 3/23/26.
WILLAMETTE RIVER: Catch-and-release sturgeon, steelhead, spring Chinook, coho salmon, small and largemouth bass
River conditions and fish counts:
Link to: Willamette Catch SummariesDaily report Willamette River Portland-Temperature/VisibilityLink to: Willamette Falls Counts Link to Willamette River Morrison Bridge Hydro DataLink to NOAA-Willamette River Forecast (Salem)
The Willamette often gets overlooked because it is so close. But this river offers convenience, good access and variety.
The river is ideal for small boats such as canoes and kayaks, but there are enough public access points for bank anglers as well. Consult Oregon Parks and Recreation Department for specific locations.
The upstream section between Albany and Harrisburg is open year-round for trout fishing, which can be very good when flows are cooperating. Look for deep slot pools and the tail-end of long riffles and the head of pools where the fish are likely stacked up in feeding lanes.
Smallmouth bass can be a lot of fun to catch and are plentiful between Salem and Corvallis during summer. Anglers also report the occasional walleye up to 20 inches. Trout prefer the cooler water temperatures upstream of Corvallis. From Salem downstream there are plenty of largemouth bass in the deeper, quieter sections. Trout can be kept in some sections, but not in others. Consult the regulation booklet for details.
Oregon DWR
COAST FORK WILLAMETTE RIVER: Chinook, summer steelhead, trout
The river is open to fishing all year for trout, hatchery Chinook salmon, hatchery steelhead and wild steelhead over 24 inches.
Use of bait allowed April 22 Oct. 31 but beginning Nov. 1 anglers may only use lures and artificial flies. In addition to five hatchery trout, two wild trout may be kept daily. Last updated 3/10/26.
MIDDLE FORK WILLAMETTE RIVER: Trout, steelhead
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers refurbished the boat ramp on the south side of the Middle Fork Willamette just below Dexter Dam allowing drift boat and raft access. Chinook and summer steelhead fishing should be good June July downstream of Dexter Dam.
A Columbia River Basin Endorsement is required for anglers targeting salmon and steelhead.
The Middle Fork Willamette above Lookout Point and Hills Creek reservoirs are open to fishing using lures and artificial flies. All wild trout must be released upstream of Lookout Point Reservoir. The Middle Fork Willamette River is not stocked with hatchery trout. Last updated 3/23/26.
WILLAMETTE RIVER: Catch-and-release sturgeon, steelhead, spring Chinook, coho salmon, small and largemouth bass
River conditions and fish counts:
Daily report Willamette River Portland-Temperature/Visibility:Link to: Willamette Falls Counts Link to Willamette River Morrison Bridge Hydro DataLink to NOAA-Willamette River Forecast (Salem)
The Willamette often gets overlooked because it is so close. But this river offers convenience, good access and variety.
The river is ideal for small boats such as canoes and kayaks, but there are enough public access points for bank anglers as well. Consult Oregon Parks and Recreation Department for specific locations.
The upstream section between Albany and Harrisburg is open year-round for trout fishing, which can be very good when flows are cooperating. Look for deep slot pools and the tail-end of long riffles and the head of pools where the fish are likely stacked up in feeding lanes.
Smallmouth bass can be a lot of fun to catch and are plentiful between Salem and Corvallis during summer. Anglers also report the occasional walleye up to 20 inches. Trout prefer the cooler water temperatures upstream of Corvallis. From Salem downstream there are plenty of largemouth bass in the deeper, quieter sections. Trout can be kept in some sections, but not in others. Consult the regulation booklet for details.
The river is open to fishing all year for trout, hatchery Chinook salmon, hatchery steelhead and wild steelhead over 24 inches.
Use of bait allowed April 22 Oct. 31 but beginning Nov. 1 anglers may only use lures and artificial flies. In addition to five hatchery trout, two wild trout may be kept daily. Last updated 3/10/26.
MIDDLE FORK WILLAMETTE RIVER: Trout, steelhead
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers refurbished the boat ramp on the south side of the Middle Fork Willamette just below Dexter Dam allowing drift boat and raft access. Chinook and summer steelhead fishing should be good June July downstream of Dexter Dam.
A Columbia River Basin Endorsement is required for anglers targeting salmon and steelhead.
The Middle Fork Willamette above Lookout Point and Hills Creek reservoirs are open to fishing using lures and artificial flies. All wild trout must be released upstream of Lookout Point Reservoir. The Middle Fork Willamette River is not stocked with hatchery trout. Last updated 3/23/26.
WILLAMETTE RIVER: Catch-and-release sturgeon, steelhead, spring Chinook, coho salmon, small and largemouth bass
River conditions and fish counts:
Daily report Willamette River Portland-Temperature/Visibility:Link to: Willamette Falls Counts Link to Willamette River Morrison Bridge Hydro DataLink to NOAA-Willamette River Forecast (Salem)
The Willamette often gets overlooked because it is so close. But this river offers convenience, good access and variety.
The river is ideal for small boats such as canoes and kayaks, but there are enough public access points for bank anglers as well. Consult Oregon Parks and Recreation Department for specific locations.
The upstream section between Albany and Harrisburg is open year-round for trout fishing, which can be very good when flows are cooperating. Look for deep slot pools and the tail-end of long riffles and the head of pools where the fish are likely stacked up in feeding lanes.
Smallmouth bass can be a lot of fun to catch and are plentiful between Salem and Corvallis during summer. Anglers also report the occasional walleye up to 20 inches. Trout prefer the cooler water temperatures upstream of Corvallis. From Salem downstream there are plenty of largemouth bass in the deeper, quieter sections. Trout can be kept in some sections, but not in others. Consult the regulation booklet for details.
The Caddis Fly Angling Shop
There few flies that are developed as general attractor patterns, but happen to really work for a very specific hatch. One of those patterns is Howard Crostons Full Metal Jacket from our friends over at Fulling Mill for use fishing our spring March Brown hatch. The flies produced by Fulling Mill have an astounding level of consistency, which for this particular hatch is exceptionally important.
March Browns belong to the clinger family of mayflies which means they have a very unique body shape, silhouette, and leg configuration. There is nothing else hatching in our rivers this time of year that looks like a March Brown; in fact, we dont have too many other major hatches of clinger mayflies aside from our beloved March Brown. Having consistent flies batch to batch is crucial with nymphs with as many unique attributes as March Browns.
Clingers are characterized by their flat, ultra-streamlined bodies which allow them to thrive in areas of the river that other nymphs cannot. Their bodies are wide and their legs are burlier than swimming, burrowing, and crawling mayfly nymphs. March Browns, clinger mayflies broadly speaking, are the masters of adaptation and have filled a niche of the river that at one point was not habitable for larger, clumsy nymphs.
Howard Croston is an English fly angler, fly tier, fly designer for Fulling Mill, and member of the English National Fly Fishing Team. His Full Metal Jacket serves as an attractor pattern, but really excels for our spring March Brown hatch.
The FMJs construction really caters to the clinger family of mayflies. A collar of hair holds its shape and provides an extra wide body near the bead, similar to a March Brown nymphs natural taper. The body of the fly is constructed of a biot and provides both realistic texture and segmentation.
I believe I read somewhere that the extra-heavy drop tungsten bead is fixed with solder for additional weight. This is perfect for spring as we can have unpredictable high flows. The FMJs slim body cuts through the water, with the collar/legs still providing a wider, tapered silhouette that our trout are currently keyed in on.
I like to fish this fly in tandem with something bigger. Here are some flies I like to fish it in tandem with when the water is high: Bubbas In The Zone Stonefly Nymph, Olsens Straggle Stone, a Slush Egg, Weiss Secret Worm, or Crostons Jigged Chenille Worm. When the water is low and clear, I like to fish smaller, slimmer offerings in tandem with a Full Metal Jacket. Here are some options: Weiss Possum Anchor Jig, Olsens Blowtorch, Crostons Spring Brown Jig, or Weiss BP Dark Heavyweight Perdigon.
It is worth noting that Croston does have a Spring Brown Jig that is another fantastic option for the March Brown hatch. The beauty of the Full Metal Jacket is that it is versatile and can be fished year round as well. It is a fantastic attractor pattern that can be run under a large gold chubby in the summer, or under an oros indicator in the middle of winter.
Simon
If you want to tie some, the recipe is listed below. The possibilities are endless with color & size combinations.
Hook- Fulling Mill Jig Force FM5045
Bead- Fulling Mill Tungsten Drop Bead
Thread- Fulling Mill Pro Thread Flat 70D
Tail- CDL
Body- Turkey Biot
Thorax- Fulling Mill Eco Warrior Dub
Legs- Deer Hair
Flash- Flashabou
March Browns belong to the clinger family of mayflies which means they have a very unique body shape, silhouette, and leg configuration. There is nothing else hatching in our rivers this time of year that looks like a March Brown; in fact, we dont have too many other major hatches of clinger mayflies aside from our beloved March Brown. Having consistent flies batch to batch is crucial with nymphs with as many unique attributes as March Browns.
Clingers are characterized by their flat, ultra-streamlined bodies which allow them to thrive in areas of the river that other nymphs cannot. Their bodies are wide and their legs are burlier than swimming, burrowing, and crawling mayfly nymphs. March Browns, clinger mayflies broadly speaking, are the masters of adaptation and have filled a niche of the river that at one point was not habitable for larger, clumsy nymphs.
Howard Croston is an English fly angler, fly tier, fly designer for Fulling Mill, and member of the English National Fly Fishing Team. His Full Metal Jacket serves as an attractor pattern, but really excels for our spring March Brown hatch.
The FMJs construction really caters to the clinger family of mayflies. A collar of hair holds its shape and provides an extra wide body near the bead, similar to a March Brown nymphs natural taper. The body of the fly is constructed of a biot and provides both realistic texture and segmentation.
I believe I read somewhere that the extra-heavy drop tungsten bead is fixed with solder for additional weight. This is perfect for spring as we can have unpredictable high flows. The FMJs slim body cuts through the water, with the collar/legs still providing a wider, tapered silhouette that our trout are currently keyed in on.
I like to fish this fly in tandem with something bigger. Here are some flies I like to fish it in tandem with when the water is high: Bubbas In The Zone Stonefly Nymph, Olsens Straggle Stone, a Slush Egg, Weiss Secret Worm, or Crostons Jigged Chenille Worm. When the water is low and clear, I like to fish smaller, slimmer offerings in tandem with a Full Metal Jacket. Here are some options: Weiss Possum Anchor Jig, Olsens Blowtorch, Crostons Spring Brown Jig, or Weiss BP Dark Heavyweight Perdigon.
It is worth noting that Croston does have a Spring Brown Jig that is another fantastic option for the March Brown hatch. The beauty of the Full Metal Jacket is that it is versatile and can be fished year round as well. It is a fantastic attractor pattern that can be run under a large gold chubby in the summer, or under an oros indicator in the middle of winter.
Simon
If you want to tie some, the recipe is listed below. The possibilities are endless with color & size combinations.
Hook- Fulling Mill Jig Force FM5045
Bead- Fulling Mill Tungsten Drop Bead
Thread- Fulling Mill Pro Thread Flat 70D
Tail- CDL
Body- Turkey Biot
Thorax- Fulling Mill Eco Warrior Dub
Legs- Deer Hair
Flash- Flashabou
This report was written by The Caddis Fly Angling Shop:
http://www.caddisflyshop.com/
(541) 342-7005
(541) 342-7005
The Caddis Fly Angling Shop
The long awaited March Brown hatch each spring is notorious for having fantastic fishing swinging soft hackles. In this video, Simon ties a simple March Brown using one of Ahrexs newer hooks, the LE880. March Browns have a tendency to shed their nymphal shuck subsurface. This creates cripples and stillborns suspended in the water column. Fish are already keyed in on ascending nymphs, but also will likely pick off an ascending bug in a bind. This fly features a hidden tungsten bead which aids in getting the fly down during higher spring flows. Swinging this fly is a dream for the March Brown hatch and will equally be enjoyed on a 9 5wt or an 11 3wt trout spey. The bead can certainly be removed for situations where you dont need to get as deep. The bump of Fulling Mill Eco Warrior Dub is dubbed tight, but will pick out and add extra bugginess as the fly gets chewed on. The Fulling Mill CDC bubble is suggestive of an emerging dun and excels when the fly is beadless at holding the fly in the film. The beadless version of this fly makes a fantastic trailing cripple to run behind a dun. Tie some up and hang on tight.
Hook- Ahrex Legacy Wet Fly LE880: Size 12 (New Last Year)
Bead- Hareline Countersunk Tungsten Bead: Copper 3/32 or 2.3mm
Tail- Hareline Ringneck Pheasant Tail: Natural
Abdomen- Hareline Ringneck Pheasant Tail: Natural & Uni Medium Soft Wire: Copper
Thorax- Fulling Mill Eco Warrior Dub: Pepperbox (New in shop last year)
CDC- Fulling Mill CDC: Tan (New Last Year)
Collar- Hareline Hungarian Partridge Skin
UV Resin- Solarez Bone Dry
UV Torch- Loon Plasma Light
Bobbin- Smhaen Tension Bobbin
Vise- Renzetti Master & Deluxe Streamer Base
Hook- Ahrex Legacy Wet Fly LE880: Size 12 (New Last Year)
Bead- Hareline Countersunk Tungsten Bead: Copper 3/32 or 2.3mm
Tail- Hareline Ringneck Pheasant Tail: Natural
Abdomen- Hareline Ringneck Pheasant Tail: Natural & Uni Medium Soft Wire: Copper
Thorax- Fulling Mill Eco Warrior Dub: Pepperbox (New in shop last year)
CDC- Fulling Mill CDC: Tan (New Last Year)
Collar- Hareline Hungarian Partridge Skin
UV Resin- Solarez Bone Dry
UV Torch- Loon Plasma Light
Bobbin- Smhaen Tension Bobbin
Vise- Renzetti Master & Deluxe Streamer Base
This report was written by The Caddis Fly Angling Shop:
http://www.caddisflyshop.com/
(541) 342-7005
(541) 342-7005