by Cynthia Wall

Created on: February 16, 2009   Last Updated: August 02, 2011

Driving up Interstate 5, many people zip right through Albany on their way to Salem or Portland. Other than crossing the Santiam River, there are no bodies of water that catch your eye. Look again. Travel down any back road near Albany on a weekend and you're likely to follow a fisherman on his way to a favorite spot.

Fishermen take their sport seriously in the Willamette Valley. Noted sports writer, Henry Miller wrote in the local paper that if you see one fisherman sporting a pink boa land a big Steelhead, you can pretty much guarantee that the next day there will be 20 others all with pink boas. Albany, Oregon, right in the middle of the fertile Willamette Valley, has a variety of rivers, streams, and lakes to make fishermen happy. Oregon State University, just ten miles away in Corvallis, posts favorite fishing spots for students on its website.

LONG TOM RIVER. Just east and south of Albany, the Long Tom River is a good place to fish for bass, crappie, bullheads, and the occasional sunfish. There is an unimproved boat launch. Most people who go to the Long Tom follow it until it joins with:

FERN RIDGE RESERVOIR, a 9000 acre body of water which has excellent bass, sunfish, crappie, and bullhead fishing. Crappie are the most prevalent fish. There is a good bank access, handicapped access, a concrete boat launch, moorage, and restrooms. In addition to fishing, Fern Ridge is a favorite summer place for boating and swimming.

WAVERLY LAKE right in the heart of Albany is a fun place for the entire family. In the summer while children steer paddle boats around the huge landmark duck, fishermen (and fisherwomen) can catch bass, sunfish, crappie, and bullheads. There is good bank access and adequate restroom facilities.

ADAIR POND is another local spot. Near the military base, Camp Adair on the west side of Corvallis, Adair Pond is a six acre pond full of bass, sunfish, and channel catfish. Its excellent bank access makes it a favorite spot for easy fishing.

River and stream fishing near Albany challenge the true fisherman. Because the fish tend to run in the worst weather, a turbulent storm is often accompanied by hardy fishermen making their way down slippery banks to the treasures below.

THE SANTIAM RIVER is particularly popular. The North Santiam starts at its source in the Jefferson Wilderness area in the Cascades east of Albany. It flows 90 miles before joining up with the SOUTH SANTIAM, just minutes from Albany. The Santiam is an excellent source for

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