The water clarity and levels have started to drop on the Umatilla. A total of 288 steelhead passed Threemile Dam in January 2021 and 23 have passed so far in February for a total of 831 returning fish to date. Most of the steelhead should be evenly distributed through the system and anglers are finding success with fish moving higher up near Pendleton.

Look for steelhead to be in slow moving water and get your tackle down deep to get to them. With the cold snap happening this weekend, the fish are likely to be in the slowest pools and a bobber/jig set up should get the attention of interested fish.