Fishing is generally best when flows are below 3,000 cfs. Currently flows are around 2,850 cfs at the Waterloo gauge as of April 9. There isn't much to catch until spring Chinook and summer steelhead begin to arrive in late April. Summer steelhead are off to a decent start this year with over 800 adults having crossed into the upper Willamette River so far. It will be a few weeks before they show up in good numbers in the Santiam basin, however.‌

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