Wilson River help please

[klaypigeon]

I just moved real close to the Wilson. Unfortunately, I don't know the river at all. I wanted to take my little sister from Wisconsin over there for some Steelhead fishing. She is gonna be here around 20th of March. Any ideas what I might expect? I know the winter fish are "supposed" to be there through the end of March, but its been such a rainless year...Any hints on flys/techniques/holes are of course always appreciated.
Cheers,
Theo

[clacksteel]

If you are planning to fish the river a lot, it is worth the money to get a guide. You will really eliminate a lot of the time it takes to learn a river. As for flies, I suggest using an indicator and nymphing some of the slots w/ egg patterns (small for clear water). Swinging flies can also be rewarding at times.

[SalmonJeff]

ditto on the guide deal :wave: one of the best guides and guys I know is one of our own John Barth( fishin magician) he knows the wilson like the back of his hand . he knows hat upper river realy well too I would bet that if someone sweet talked him a little he might be willing to do a great trip for you and run the lower river and maybe, just maybe show you a couple of holes up high to.

I have all his info if you want it shoot me a Private message and I can get it to you.

[steelhead86]

Back in the day my favorite area to fish the Wilson
was just below the forks (Devil's, South etc). I did
extremely well with the little passion fly (I think
there is a pic in my gallery). Small flies with natural
coloration (egg patterns also) is the key. For some
reason the fish on the Wilson can be really spooky
so any fly pattern that is to brightly colored will
send them running! When I was stationed in Astoria
with the Coast Guard the Wilson was by far my
favorite river to fly fish - you need to be stealthy,
use small simple patterns, along with a longer leader
even with a sink tip - 2x is the largest I would use.
The upper river is wonderful to hike along. When you
fish it - don't overlook any rock depressions, riffle
water, and put a fly in front of, beside and behind
every boulder/large rock you see. I've had Steelhead
hit flies in frothy riffle water that was only around
a foot deep on that river - had no idea it would even
hold any fish - suprise!

:cheers:

[klaypigeon]

Good advice. I have never hired a guide before, perhaps I will. This time of yer with the rain so spotty I am wondering if I am going to be better off up top or down below...oh hell, its not that long of a river :smile: May as well fish both. Any ever fish it with mono and a huck n duck technique? That has been killer on some rivers back in WI.

[Navigator]

Small, purple, bunny, starlight leech or comet. Dead drift in deeper slots. An out-of-town buddy of mine got one earlier this year with that kind of pattern.

Great bank access from about Milepost 15 to Lee's Camp (milepost 28 or so).

Also, some good water right off road above Mills Bridge - look for road turnouts with direct access to river - no houses or yards.

Let us know how you do.

[Stew]

I've seen black jigs with red beads take three fish this past Friday.
So tie accordingly :cheers:

[klaypigeon]

The only thing I can tie are the laces on my boots, and even that knot isn't pretty. Maybe one of these days I will develop the patience to learn.