Lee says most anglers fish the tailrace from boats. The majority of guys use spinning gear and cast Mepps spinners, floating crankbaits, and jigs. Anything that resembles a smelt will produce. Lee usually launches at the Tailrace Launch, motors upstream, then floats back down, keeping his bait near the bottom. Boatless fishermen can get in on the action by fishing from the riprap bank, but Lee cautions against wade fishing directly below the dam.
Water levels can fluctuate and the current is strong.
The fishing remains good for 8 miles downstream, and wading is safer in the lower sections. As long as you're fishing the tailrace waters, you've got a good shot at smashing the state cutthroat record this season, Lee says. We can't predict how these fish will grow, but it wouldn't surprise me to see a 20-pound fish come out of there.