WILLAMETTE VALLEY & COLUMBIA RIVER DRAINAGE
Last year's low water didn't do much for the fishing on the Clackamas, where the action didn't really heat up until mid-March.

Given a normal winter of rain this season, start watching the Clackamas and the Sandy in early December for the first hatchery fish to show. By March, the Clackamas River should be chock full of winter steelhead. You may find fish anywhere from the mouth all the way up to McIver Park. These are big, brash hatchery and native winter-runs.

Side-drifting eggs or sand shrimp is popular on the Clack. From the bank, you can drift bait or cast spinners. If you head upstream to fish Eagle Creek or in the McIver run, bring your fly rod or jig and float setups.

Bank fishermen can find good access at Clackamette Park, Riverside Park, Coffey's Drift, the Carver Boat Ramp, Barton Park, Bonnie Lure at the mouth of Eagle Creek, and at McIver Park. For up-to-date stream flows, call the PG&E Fish Line at (503) 464-7474.

The Sandy River's winter steelhead fishing begins in earnest in December and peaks in January. Much of the best fishing can be found in the middle section. Some good bets are Butler's Eddy, the Blue Hole, the Gauge Hole, Dodge Park, Soapstone and the mouth of Cedar Creek.

Drift gear and hardware are the favored methods. When fishing spinners or spoons, reel as slow as you can, bumping your lure on the bottom; the heavier your lure, the better. When the water is low and clear, use smaller baits or lures to avoid spooking fish.

For information on local water conditions, call Fisherman's Marine and Outdoor at (503) 557-3313.

EASTERN OREGON
If you want to catch steelhead on a fly then head to the Deschutes or the John Day in November. These are summer-run steelhead and by November, they'll be spread throughout the lower Deschutes from the mouth up to Warm Springs. Deschutes fish average 5 to 10 pounds but the opportunity to hook larger steelhead is good. Plenty of fish, long runs and lots of water make the lower Deschutes a prime destination for anglers from all over the country. Consider bringing a shotgun for some cast-and-blast action.

Often there isn't enough water to run the John Day in November, but early rain showers kept the river level up last season and a bunch of fish made it to Service Creek in a hurry. If there's enough water to drift, and if temperatures stay reasonable, you can also catch bigger smallmouth bass and channel cats this time of year.

Early in the season, the best choice is low in the river near the Rock Creek confluence. Or try the float from Service Creek to Twickenham or Twickenham down to Burnt Ranch or Clarno. A raft or pontoon boat is the best choice on the John Day. For river conditions, call Service Creek Stage Stop at (541) 468-3331.

Wherever you prospect for steelhead in Oregon or Washington, stay on the move and in the know until you find them. Whether you're chasing your first one or your next one, you have to earn your fish.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Oregon waters are home to both hatchery-raised steelhead and natives. It's easy to tell them apart. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife removes the adipose fin (the small fatty fin located between dorsal fin and tail) to help fishermen differentiate between wild and hatchery fish. See the 2005 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations for more information.

(Editor's note: Order a signed copy of Lewis's book, "Freshwater Fishing Oregon and Washington," by sending $22.95, includes shipping and handling, to Gary Lewis Outdoors, PO Box 1364, Bend, OR 97709 or visit www.GaryLewisOutdoors.com.)