North Santiam River Report January 1, 2013

The North Santiam River level is dropping and the water is cold. Clarity is tolerable. Some new steelhead are coming upstream, and we now have 412 fresh steelhead in the river system plus quite a few left over summer steelhead, some of which are still good and some of which should be returned to the river. The newest, freshest fish will be found around Green’s Bridge and Jefferson, but all locations on the middle and upper river will have the possibility of big fish some of the time.

Since most of the leaves have fallen, boaters have a good view of the river banks and wildlife. Although the air temperature is cool, the view is great for looking at all the rock formations and hillsides. Deer and other wildlife are spotted more frequently now.

Catching the first steelhead of the New Year is a priority for many anglers. The  North Santiam is a great river to fish to fulfill that goal.

Steelheaders Salem Chapter Board meets on January 2 at 6:30 p.m. at Wholesale Sports in Salem. New projects and outings will be discussed.  Steelheaders general membership meeting will be on January 15, with a guide program by Curt Curry at Keizer Community Center at 7:00 p.m..

North Santiam River Guides Association will have their annual banquet on January 19 at Gates Fire Hall and it will be a potluck with a good program. Chap Milbank, Bob Lusk, Mike Ferris, and Dennis Chamberlin can take rsvp’s.  NSRGA will have their regular meeting on January 23 with a program including Karen Hans from ODFW who will talk about the Packsaddle ramp.

River volume has been around 2,500 cubic feet per second flow at Packsaddle and it is dropping down to around 1,900 cfs by January 3. With the cold temperature, snowmelt has been slow. Conditions vary according to snow, rain, and temperature.

Learn the River trips start in March. Guided trips are available all year around with North Santiam River Trips.

Bill Sanderson
North Santiam River Trips
503 897 3301
North Santiam River Trips