This year prospects again look promising. Be it from the bank or boat, there are plenty of fishing opportunities.

Bank on it

With high water levels throughout much of April, many fish quickly shot upstream rather than holding in lower sections of the river.

This is great for bank anglers on both the western and eastern shores of the river.

Those without boats have their best bet of catching fish just below Dexter Dam.

If you're looking to fish from the western shores, get on Highway 58 and head to Elijah Bristow State Park.

Below the salmon fishermen who congregate at the foot of the dam lies good steelheading opportunity.

Fish will hit the channel close to shore, moving within easy casting range on their way to the dam.

If you're fishing from the western shore, head to the hatchery at Dexter Dam. Parking opportunities exist just north of the hatchery off Old Pengra Road.

Though this is a popular area, there's usually plenty of room for anglers.

The most productive spot is where the hatchery water dumps into the river by way of two large chutes.

The turbidity and smell attract steelhead to this location, making for high-success bank angling.

While the uppermost boat ramp sits at this site — approximately 300 yards below the hatchery — there is also excellent bank fishing here, not only from the ramp itself, but above and below it.

When you're fishing the western shoreline, chest or hip waders are a good idea.

The floodgates of the dam can open at any time, raising the water levels, making fish tough to reach.

Hatchery run

The first run for boaters on this river begins below the dam, off Old Pengra Road.

Get on Jasper Road, south of Springfield, and follow the signs to Dexter Dam and the hatchery.

Prior to reaching the dam, a marked gravel road leads to the river and the ramp.

This stretch of river takes you through prime steelhead water, where lure, jig and bait anglers will find plenty of places to test their skills.

When the water is low, fly fishers hitting shallow riffles and breaks have good success.

There's also a bit of plugging water in this stretch. There are a few big boulders, swirls and downed trees to watch out for.

Each season I see someone who has capsized their boat on this run, so don't take it lightly.

If you proceed with caution, all should go well.

The takeout point for this drift is at the Pengra Access Ramp. This is a nice, paved ramp and is actually a good bank fishing hole.

Many steelhead, and spring Chinook, are annually taken from the bank just above this ramp.

Pengra drift

For boaters with sleds, the Pengra Access Ramp is a popular place to launch. This allows boaters to move up and downstream, several times a day if they wish.

With good water in both directions, this is the premier site from which sleds can operate.

For drift boaters making this run, there is excellent plugging water to concentrate your efforts.

If the water is high, 30 and 35 series Hot Shots work well. If it's low, 30 and 40 series plugs are a good choice.

Working a diver and bait are also effective due to the type of water in this section.

Sand shrimp — alone or in combination with eggs — can be very productive.

Where Fall Creek enters the river, the Willamette does not run as clear as above.

Due to sediments, visibility can be somewhat limited downstream, so choose your terminal gear accordingly.

Be extremely careful when picking your way through this segment of the drift, as there are a lot of stumps and logs present.

Pay attention to any signs warning of such obstructions.

When you see Jasper Bridge passing over the river, you know the takeout is near; it lies directly under the bridge, on the western shore.