River Trail Outfitters
Frank Armendariz Florence Oregon USA
River Trail Outfitters
The Perfect River Levels
The Perfect River Levels for drift boat fishing, bank angling and high water plunking
The rivers listed here can be fished from the bank at lower and higher water than the levels listed
for Drifting & Floating. The "Perfect River Level" is the ideal level for both boat and bank angling.
I hope this information makes your day on the river more fun, safe and successful.
(This information is copy written and may not be reproduced without permission please.)
frank@rivertrailoutfitters.com
*Before you head out, get the most current Oregon stream and
river flow levels by following this link.
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/or/nwis/current/?type=flow
*All gage readings were established in a McKenzie style river boat but
could apply to a wide range of river craft. Remember, rivers are dynamic, safety is
relative to skill, do not over estimate your skill and always wear a life jacket.
How To Interpret The Table.....
*All gauges are listed in "feet" unless noted "cfs"
"Drifting & Floating" are the levels that can be boated in a drift boat.
"Perfect River Level" is the best level for fishing salmon, steelhead & trout.
"Plunking" very high water, bank fishing would be your best and safest bet.
("click" on the river name below to get real time flow information)
(* Rivers still in development- I am about 80% confident in the data but look for refinements.)
Salmon & Steelhead Rivers Drifting & Floating --- Perfect River Level --- Plunking
McKenzie @ Vida 0.9-3.5 1.5-2.25 3.00-4.5
Md.Fork Willamette @ Jasper 1.5-4.5 2.5-3.5 4.00- 5.00
Willamette @ Harrisburg 1.5- 4.5 2.5-3.5 4.5- 6.00
South Santiam @ Waterloo 5-5.5 2.5-4.5 5.5- 6.5
Molalla @ Canby 1,200-4,000cfs 2,000-3,000 4,000-5,5000
South Yamhill @ McMinnville 1,000-3,000cfs 1,200-3,000 3,000-4,200
Clackamas @ Three Lynx 1.5-4.00 2.1-2.8 4.0-4.8
Sandy @ Bullrun 8.5-11.00 9.0-10.5 11.5 plus
Deschutes @ Moody 3,400-6,000cfs 4,000-5,000 5,000-plus
Lower John Day @ Service Creek 1,200-6,000cfs 1,800-2,800 3,000-plus
Nehalem @ Foss 5.5-7.8 6.3-7.1 7.5-9.0
Wilson River @ Tillamook 3.5-6 4.8-5.4 6.5-plus
Kilchis River, use Wilson River @ Tillamook 4.5-7.5 5.5-6.5 6.5-plus
Nestucca @ Beaver 3.5-6.5 4.5-5.0 6.5-8.8
Siletz @ Siletz 3.5-7.4 4.75-5.8 5.8-8.8
Alsea @ Tidewater 3.5-7.00 4.5-6.3 6.5-8.0
Siuslaw @ Malpeton 3.5-8.0 4.5-6.0 6.5-13.0
Lake Creek ( use Sisulaw @ Malpeton) 2,800-10,000cfs 3,200-5,000 5,000-plus
Umpqua @ Elkton 3.5-4.9 3.6-4.0 5.0-plus
North Umpqua @ Winchester 1.0-4.5 1.8-4.0 4.5-7.0
Coquille @ Coquille 2.0-4.0 3.0-3.5 3.5-4.5
Elk River @ Hatchery (call:541-332-0405) 3.5-7.0 4.0-6.0 6.0-10.0
Sixes River (use Elk @ Hatchery) 3.5-6.5 4.0-5.0 5.5-8.0
Rogue River @ McLeod 1,000-4,000cfs 1,200-3,500 3,000-plus
Rogue @ Grants Pass 1,500-4,500cfs 1,800-3,200 4,500-plus
Rogue @ Agness 2,000-6,000 2,800-4,500 5,000-plus
Chetco @ Brookings 1,200-4,000 2,000-3,800 4,700-plus
*Smith River@ Jedidiah State Park Ca. 8-12 9-11.5 13-plus
*Klamath River@ Orleans Coming soon.....
*Eel River@ Fern Bridge, coming soon.....
*Mad River near Arcata, coming soon.....
*Mattole River@ Patrolia, coming soon
Small stream bank fishing, winter steelhead/trout; these are great streams and creeks to fish when
the bigger rivers are blown-out. Be sure to check the most current angling regulations.
Central Oregon Coast
These small central coast rivers best correlate best to the Siuslaw River
Siuslaw@Mapleton
Cummings Creek Correlation 6.2 or higher
Tenmile Creek Correlation 5.8 or higher
Rock Creek Correlation 6.0 or higher
Big Creek Correlation 6.0 or higher
Cape Creek Correlation 6.2 or higher
Southern Oregon Coast:
These small south coast rivers best correlate to the Chetco River
Chetco River@Brookings
Hunter Creek Correlation 3,000-5,000cfs
Eucher Creek Correlation 3,000-5,000cfs
Pistol River Correlation 2,800-4,500cfs
Winchuck River Correlation 2,800-4,500cfs
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River Trail Outfitters LLC, Florence Oregon USA