Originally Posted By: Salmo g.
I was going to suggest that you go the last 4 days of the season. Peak abundance doesn't occur until after the closure date. And we don't know what day it will close. I guess it depends how risk averse you are. The last few years it has closed after April 15, so you might plan to fish April 11-15. You won't be fishing the peak, but you'll be fishing as close as you can without risking it being closed when you're scheduled to be there. Springer fishing is a lot like winter steelhead fishing - the more flexible your schedule, the higher the probability you can fish when the fishing is best.

Sg

I'd throw in with this.
I would also be prepared to use the Willamette as a backup plan. The other lower tribs don't look to good for 2011 Springers.
A good Willy run is forecast and when I look back and think of those big, 70 - 90 fish days out of Fred's it was April 15th - 30th with a strong emphasis on a day with 20-something in its date.

Fred's Marina is at the "Head of the Slough" (Multnomah Channel) which is close to the mouth of the mainstem Willamette.
Fred's sampling is guesstimated at about 30+% of the fish caught in the area.
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NO STEP ON SNEK