Willamette near Salem

I will be launching my kayak right around 5 o'clock this evening at the boat ramp right next to the West Salem bridge. Probably concentrate on bass fishing just across from the ramp and up that slough where the stern wheeler is located if anyone wants to  wet a line.

How’d it go? How’s the launch on that side, and how’s the current getting across? My kid fishes that slough from the bank, but have wondered about coming across from the other side as you described on our tandem.

How’d it go? How’s the launch on that side, and how’s the current getting across? My kid fishes that slough from the bank, but have wondered about coming across from the other side as you described on our tandem.

Crossing there is not bad. The current does move quickly through there but you can still paddle across with out much trouble this time of year. If you are not comfortable crossing you can use the kayak launch at the end of the dock over by the willamette queen. It’s way easier to use the boat ramp though since you can’t drive right up to the dock.

The crossing was easy. I fished the slough, then paddled up river a ways and fished back down. Not even a bite. I sure pulled in a bunch of grass. I was still better than doing yard work. I work in south Salem, so I just left the kayak in the pickup and went straight there.

When we’ve floated up closer to Keizer or when my son has bank fished those sloughs the past few weeks, nothing has started biting until closer to 8 or so lately. Those suckers are getting picky.