There’s no good reason not to be targeting winter steelhead on the Clackamas of late, as return took a significant turn to the positive the past week. Winter steelhead fishing conditions saw further improvement this past week with continued mostly pleasant spring-like temperatures and decent flows. Despite the seemingly slow start in getting back from the ocean, winter steelhead numbers saw a nice spike upward this past week when the Clackamas hatchery crew opened their trap to 151 winters collected on one day, and were expecting a similar number in the trap next day.

Despite almost no precipitation for another week, the  the level of the river is holding up at 12.82 ft. at the Estacada Gauge, which is sufficient for fishing from inflatables and some drift boats. Flows are still low and cold enough that smaller gear may pay off.

USGS hydrological data for March 26 shows river flows at 2,750 cfs water temperature up a several degrees to 44° F, and the gauge at 12.82 ft. All of the readings come from the Estacada gauge near Milo McIver State Park. Hydrologic data and river forecasts can also be accessed on the NOAA/National Weather Service NW River Forecast Center -- NW River Forecast Center.