Fishing is generally best when flows are below 3,000 cfs. Currently flows are around 9,500 cfs at the Waterloo gauge as of Dec. 5. The river is very turbid due to high sediment load caused by the drawdown of Green Peter reservoir. It's likely this will persist for the next several weeks until the drawdown is complete, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers begins storing water again. Fishing success will be extremely low during this time. A better bet is the North Santiam. ‌

Anglers are reminded that only fin-clipped trout may be kept.