Willamette River

Everyone knows squirmy worms work whether you like them or not. Silicone squirmy material has a serious Achilles heel. The silicone the worms are made of is extremely fragile. If you crank too hard with thin, but strong thread it breaks. Sun exposure causes melts and splits. Summer heat degrades the material. It is prone to being beat up by fish teeth and torn up and breaking. Our friends over at Montana Fly Company developed a genius solution to this issue. They coated a small chenille core with silicone material. This heavy chenille core is similar to the material used in a San Juan worm; it is virtually indestructible. With Trinas Squirm Material from Montana Fly Co, you get the durability of a San Juan Worm with the realistic look that a squirmy provides. With this upcoming rain in the forecast, the rivers will bump in flow and this fly will be a staple until levels drop.

Hook- Ahrex CZ Mini Jig FW 555 Barbless: Size 12

Thread- Danvilles 70D: Red

Bead- Hareline Slotted Tungsten Bead: 5/32 or 3.8mm

Squirm Material- Montana Fly Co Trinas Medium Squirm Material: Red

Dubbing- Hareline Ice Dub: Red

UV Resin- Solarez Bone Dry

UV Torch- Loon Plasma Light

Bobbin- Smhaen Tension Bobbin

Vise- Renzetti Master & Deluxe Streamer Base

Blue Winged Olives or Mayflies from the Baetis are a staple in trouts diets all over the world during the colder season. Many places only have a good BWO hatch in the spring and fall, but our weather is mild enough that we have them opt off during the winter too. They prefer hatching on overcast days when the air is cool, not cold. In this video, Simon ties a fantastic classic unweighted baetis nymph. This creates an extremely versatile fly, one that can be fished with virtually any rig. Because it lacks a bead, it can be fished as a dropper behind a small dry fly. If you want to fish it as a nymph locally, you will have to use another fly or add split shot to aid in getting it deep enough. The fly uses a new material from Montana Fly Company called Medallion Sheeting V2. This makes a great body when palmered around the hook shank, and an even better wing case. Feel free to size this up or down and adjust colors to mimic other species of slim bodied mayflies.

Recipe

Hook- Ahrex Traditional Nymph FW560: Size 18

Thread- Semperfli Nano Silk: Olive

Tail- Whiting Coq De Leon: Dark Pardo

Abdomen- Montana Fly Co Medallion Sheeting Gen 2: Amber & Uni Black Soft Wire: Extra Small

Thorax- Montana Fly Co Special Sauce Dubbing: BWO

Wing Case- Montana Fly Co Medallion Sheeting Gen 2: Dun & Hareline/Hedron Micro Flashabou: Pearl

Legs- Hareline Fluoro Fibre: Tan

UV Resin- Solarez Bone Dry

UV Torch-Loon Plasma Light

Bobbin- Smhaen Tension Bobbin

Vise- Renzetti Master & Deluxe Streamer Base

COAST FORK WILLAMETTE RIVER: Chinook, summer steelhead, trout

The river is open to fishing all year for trout, hatchery Chinook salmon, hatchery steelhead and wild steelhead over 24 inches.

Use of bait allowed April 22 Oct. 31 but beginning Nov. 1 anglers may only use lures and artificial flies. In addition to five hatchery trout, two wild trout may be kept daily. Last updated 2/2/2026[YS3] .

MIDDLE FORK WILLAMETTE RIVER: Trout, steelhead

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers refurbished the boat ramp on the south side of the Middle Fork Willamette just below Dexter Dam allowing drift boat and raft access. Chinook and summer steelhead fishing should be good June July downstream of Dexter Dam.

A Columbia River Basin Endorsement is required for anglers targeting salmon and steelhead.

The Middle Fork Willamette above Lookout Point and Hills Creek reservoirs are open to fishing using lures and artificial flies. All wild trout must be released upstream of Lookout Point Reservoir. The Middle Fork Willamette River is not stocked with hatchery trout. Last updated 1/13/2026.

WILLAMETTE RIVER: Catch-and-release sturgeon, steelhead, spring Chinook, coho salmon, small and largemouth bass

See summaries for more details.

Spring ChinookSteelhead

River conditions and fish counts:

Daily report Willamette River Portland-Temperature/Visibility:Link to: Willamette Falls Counts Link to Willamette River Morrison Bridge Hydro DataLink to NOAA-Willamette River Forecast (Salem)

The Willamette often gets overlooked because it is so close. But this river offers convenience, good access and variety.

The river is ideal for small boats such as canoes and kayaks, but there are enough public access points for bank anglers as well. Consult Oregon Parks and Recreation Department for specific locations.

The upstream section between Albany and Harrisburg is open year-round for trout fishing, which can be very good when flows are cooperating. Look for deep slot pools and the tail-end of long riffles and the head of pools where the fish are likely stacked up in feeding lanes.

Smallmouth bass can be a lot of fun to catch and are plentiful between Salem and Corvallis during summer. Anglers also report the occasional walleye up to 20 inches. Trout prefer the cooler water temperatures upstream of Corvallis. From Salem downstream there are plenty of largemouth bass in the deeper, quieter sections. Trout can be kept in some sections, but not in others. Consult the regulation booklet for details.