Springer fishing on the McKenzie and Middle Fork Willamette is improving daily with rewards coming to those who put their time in. The McKenzie is running a bit high, but may drop this coming week with sunny weather in the forecast. McKenzie water temperatures are still in the 40s. As they climb into the lower 50s, we can expect a more aggressive bite. The Middle Fork Willamette was running slightly off-color last week with big releases coming out of Fall Creek Reservoir. As Fall Creek releases are reduced, so should water clarity improve on the Middle Fork. We saw a high percent of natives in the McKenzie catch. This is typical of the early-arrivals. Back-bounced baits seem to be out producing back-trolled Kwikfish significantly.