Spring Flyfishing & Bait Trips $150 per person, per day Gourmet Shore Lunch (optional) $25 per person Peak Times Spring steelhead March 1st to mid-May Spring Chinook mid-April through June

River temperatures climb from their winter lows, making fish more active. Native "winter" steelhead, continue to enter Northwest rivers through April. Early "summer" steelhead and spring Chinook salmon arrive in April, May and June. "Kelt" steelhead (those winter steelhead which have survived spawning and are headed back to the ocean) are numerous through May. There are so many fish in the rivers, of such varying size and strength, that the first few moments of any springtime hook-up are spent trying to guess what is on the other end of the line. The best fish of this season are spring (or "river") Chinook. "Springers" enter our rivers from early April through June. They are the most energetic salmon of the year, known for destroying perfectly good tackle. From ten to forty pounds, they are pure ocean-derived energy. Because they spend several months in rivers before spawning, they arrive with extra fat reserves (around 25% body fat). This means they can fight with abandon for an extra long time, sometimes bringing anglers to their knees. Spring Chinook are also a culinary delight. Those who love to eat salmon will find no better table fish. Sadly, most wild-bred stocks of spring Chinook are in decline (not just because of their exceptional flavor, but because they are extremely vulnerable to human-caused environmental impacts). Today, what remains are strong hatchery-bred runs, allowing for a limited take. During the spring, First Water Outfitters offers flyfishing trips on the Clackamas and Sandy Rivers, and light-tackle bait trips on the Trask and Nestucca Rivers. Whatever the method, what's important to us is that our clients have the best possible day on the water. Call (503) 351-9853 to set up a trip, or e-mail to robrussell@firstwateroutfitters.com. A $50 deposit will guarantee your date.