North Fork Nehalem report

[Jennie@ifish]

I went down the North Fork Nehalem today with Jim Erickson and Bill.
Man, I have a love hate relationship with that river. The Tank hole, then the Jack, Queen and King were..... well, Jim was singing Dixie again, which means to hold on tight!!!

There was a suck hole at the Jack that was like staring down into the world's biggest toilet, or looking down into an F5 tornado! YIKES!!!!!!... Uh, Jim? Can we avoid this? NOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooooooo!
"Oh, I wish I were in the land of Dixie..." (Continued three octaves higher by Jennie, when going over the queen...)

Anyway, as for reports, Bill and Jim both hooked fish that had been in the system too long. One was a blast, though, cuz Bill was jigging alongside the boat, just as we were going through the shoot by Milton's place, and he thought he hung up. NO!!!! It was a fish! We had no choice, since we were in fast rapids, but to keep going and hope the fish followed without breaking off. Some hot, fast action followed!

We finally got to a landing spot, landed and released the fish, and took a deep breath.

We had plenty of excitement, and it's always a pleasure to float that river. Many surprises, a touch of fear and awe, and smiles all the way around.

I really played hookie today and I have tons to catch up on now.

The water was a beautiful green, a touch high, but... the fish? Where the heck are the fish????

That, is the question.

Jen

[ 01-06-2003, 04:47 PM: Message edited by: Jennie@ifish ]

[Scott B]

That is the question. Hopefully I am going to make it out on one of the rivers down here. I let you know how we done. Hope it's better than the past few times.

[fishy2k]

Wow sounds like a fun time Jennie. I want to hit the NF soon, maybe next Monday. Fished the Kilchis today below the park, but no fish. I saw them, but coouldn't get them to bite. I saw a drifter just below where i was fishing, but they didn't do anything while i was there. They were anchored right below your house when i drove out. The water was getting pretty clear by 2 this pm.

[brshooter]

I got busted by Jennie this morning. I was down at the N.F. Nehalem hatchery helping them spawn winter steelhead today. I saw Jennie, Bill, and Jim as they were launching. I went to talk to Jennie and didn't realize that I had on one of Marty's hats (Steelheader.net). My Bad!!!! I had to explain to Jennie that I didn't want to get my ifish hat all slimed up.

I got there early so I could cast for an hour before we began spawning. Didn't touch anything. Saw a few caught. One below the deadline and a couple at the disabled platform. Water was at 48" and color was great. Not that many in the trap for us to sort and spawn. There really should be more fish by now.

[Joe]

As of today Cedar Creek has collected 1,450 Winters and recycled most of them. It seems to be a decent run on the Nestucca system (as far as fish numbers go). Some real big fish as well. There was one in the trap today between 22 and 24 pounds.

It just doesn't make sense for the fishing to be that slow. :whazzup:

[MasterCaster]

Joe......How do the rivers look? 3 rivers and the Tucca?

We will be over there Wed and just wondering how the rivers are looking.

Jon :smile: :grin: :smile:

[Flatfish]

Master Caster,
your timing is perfect for the big river.
Mark and the dog.

[Joe]

Three Rivers is in great shape! The Nestucca is getting there.

[MasterCaster]

Thanx flatfish and Joe. Maybe that 20# fish will be there with my name on it!

Jon :smile: :grin: :smile: