The passing of Thanksgiving marks the beginning of winter steelhead season on the Clackamas & Sandy rivers. Our rivers typically see a good push of early wild fish in December. With water temperatures in the 40's and fish fresh from the ocean, early season fishing can be really good.
While January can bring unpredictable weather and water conditions, watch for dropping streamflows after mid-winter storms for the best fishing.
The heartbeat of spring is faint but growing in February. Both the Sandy and Clack consistantly give up their biggest fish during this time of the season.
As spring starts to show it's face in March, the weather and water temps start to improve. Along with longer, warmer days comes the big push of wild winter steelhead.
Many anglers write off April for winter steelhead, choosing to head east for trout or to chase springers in the big rivers. Consequently, we're left with ideal water and weather conditions and un-pressured fish. Plus, chrome bright summer steelhead start showing up in numbers in April overlapping the end of the winter run. -It's a wonderful time to be on the water.
Hope to see you out there this season!
-TL
Read more about my Clackamas River guide trips
Read more about my Sandy River guide trips
More articals on winter steelhead:
Winter Steelhead... Timing is Everything
