Wilson skunked

[frankenfish]

I headed out to the Wilson last Saturday, fresh from a productive outing to the Clackamas the week before. I decided on the Wilson because it was raining intermittently and after two break-ins on the Clack, I won't go there anymore unless I can leave my windows open. I called the Guide Shop and was told the fishing was good in the upper Wilson. (According to them the fishing is always good)

I fished for 6 hours in the upper river. The river rose as I fished. Covered 4 runs with various flies, floating and sinking lines, greased line and wet fly swing, as well as nymphing. Not a single bite. No-one else was fishing (I should have taken the hint). I did not see a single fish. Lots of stuff, especially leaves in the river, though the color was good initially. I think the fish couldn't key in on flies due to the number of leaves coming at them.

I'll head back to the upper Clackamas or Sandy this weekend. Anyone hear anything about the NF Nehalem?

Frank

[Riverkeeper]

Guide Shop and was told the fishing was good in the upper Wilson. (According to them the fishing is always good)




:hoboy: Heard that before!

[lilnorthfork]

Hit the Wilson at first light for a couple hours on Sunday. River was colored up but fishable. Had a couple fishy bumps below Jones Creek and saw some rollers, plus a spawned-out nook swimming by my feet. That river is definitely not the easiest for fly fishing. Those nice folks at the Guide Shop seem to always see the glass as full. lnf

[Abalone]

If you call them on it they will just tell, "We aren't having any problem catching fish, you must not know what
you are doing " I have heard that one too.

Wilson turns on later I believe.

[chromeseeker]

There's something about there being lots of leaves in the water--never have had much luck with this scenario, especially fishing skaters. Not sure what the reason is. Maybe too much "visual stimulation" for the fish? Who knows...

CS

[Navigator]

At least you got out. Thanks for the report!

[Mad Mikey]

Go HIGHER and do it in late Oct. unless the rains blow it out. Don't pound the runs, if you don't get em' , move on. Last time I checked they do NOT release Summer steelhead smolts in the Wilson anymore so all of the fish you are after are strays. Don't let that bug you though, there are plenty of them to catch.

[Stew]

They actually DO release summer run smolts in the Wilson. They usually go as high as the deadline and do it there.

[Akuracy503]

where is the fishing deadline on the upper wilson?

[lilnorthfork]

The upper deadline is at the mouth of the Southfork, just above the bridge at the Elk Creek campground turnoff. I thought the Tuffy Creek hatchery at the Southfork prison camp released summers into the upper river, but apparently not...
Tuffy Creek Hatchery (http://www.oregon.gov/DOC/OPS/PRISON/sffc.shtml#Tuffy_Creek_Fish_Hatchery)

[Mad Mikey]

Thanks for the info Stew, I coulda' sworn I got that from a reliable source. :depressed:
Those fish pool up in the deep holes during the warmer months then will move into more steelheady looking water as it cools.
I've caught them in some very very small riffles, stuff you could almost jump over. :cool: