Nehalem River Fishery

[SteelieSteve]

I used to fish the Nehalem but then they made it a wild fish only river. Not quite sure why as it had good populations of both wild and hatchery fish. Regulating it only stopped my friends and I from fishing it. Who wants to spend the gas and time to drive from the valley to fish for wild ones only. Occasionally it's nice to eat a fish. We had some awesome days on the big river. Saw the biggest bright steelie caught by a buddy, about 18#. I would like to see ODFW change it back and plant hatchery fish again and by the way They must keep the North Fork Hatchery open!!!! The big river was our favorite for floating. Anyone fished it in recent years?

[Deleted User]

I haven't in recent years Steve. I remember the big late nates in good numbers many years ago. I also used to row my driftboat down from Spruce Run Park and have it and a lot of fish to myself and passengers. I probably wouldn't even recognize it now, with so many years of flood changes. - RT