P
pancakesnarfer
New member
How does the Breitenbush river fish this time of year? Looking to head down there for a winter fishing trip. is bank access good? what water discharge level is too high for fishing?
Breitenbush River trout fishing
Raincatcher
Moderator
Bank access is best at the pull-outs. There are a few with picnic tables, the one closest to the park has always been good. Here is a bit more info: https://myodfw.com/recreation-report/fishing-report/willamette-zone
Blue Lines
Member
Last time I fished it was in late July/early August and I struck out hard. Out camping there for two nights, and this was my first time back since the fires. Aside from a few Kokanee I didn’t even see a fish (no hits, nothing). I fished up by the hot springs, the middle river, even down close to the lake and turned up zilch. Convinced it could just be me I took a quick drive to the upper Santiam (above the lake) and caught a decent trout on my second cast. Three days on that river and absolutely nothing.
The Breitenbush has never been the most productive river for me (unless they *just* stocked it), but I’ve never struck out like that before. Who knows, it could have just been me. If you do go please be safe (I imagine it’s cold and high right now) and report back on what you find.
The Breitenbush has never been the most productive river for me (unless they *just* stocked it), but I’ve never struck out like that before. Who knows, it could have just been me. If you do go please be safe (I imagine it’s cold and high right now) and report back on what you find.
F
frontierhistorian
0
I was there late last month. Lot of snow I w on the ground and fast moving water. I parked at a bridge and tried nymphing on both sides with no bites. Of course, I'm a novice fly fisher.
P
pancakesnarfer
New member
Went up there about a week ago and caught nothing, threw spinners, drifted worms, and other bait. the river was moving fast but it was definitely fishable. pretty clear too but didn't see a single fish in the 4+ hours i was thereBlue Lines said:
M
mattsavage
New member
My experience on the North Santiam above the lake was similar to your Breitenbush.... This was back in late October. Zero fish for a whole day and a half of fishing. Saw some massive zombie salmon up there though, maybe that was part of it, salmon presence were pushing the trout out of the holes? Or maybe those arms just dont have many trout anymore. Would be cool if they reintroduced bull trout up there.Blue Lines said:
Next time i'm tempted to fish that area, I might just hop over to Quartzville.
Last edited:
O
olshiftybiscuits
Active member
All of the Santiam tribs above the reservoirs hold trout, but they’re tough places to fish in cold weather. When the water is high and under 40 degrees, you can work your butt off all day and never see a fish. In my experience, it’s not really worth the trip until the weather warms and the fish get moving.
I fished Quartzville last week when the flows dropped a bit and it was a serious slog.
I fished Quartzville last week when the flows dropped a bit and it was a serious slog.
P
pancakesnarfer
New member
did you see any fish when you were up at quartzville? I went up there last week when it was low and I fished for 3+ hours and didn't even see a single troutolshiftybiscuits said:
O
olshiftybiscuits
Active member
Not a single one either! And there were plenty of bugs hatching, it was a beautiful day. Should have at least been a few noses poking up.pancakesnarfer said:
T
thejazzmarauder
New member
Is it worth taking my son out to the Breitenbush or Santiam (above the lake) to try out luck with spinners here in the next month?
O
olshiftybiscuits
Active member
Yes, both were stocked this week. Breitenbush access is still limited due to the fires, but there’s lot of room on the upper north Santiam.thejazzmarauder said:
