Alsea R. Steelheed Tips

[Ray Wilcken]

Whats the best stuff to throw out there when you are using a spinning rod? Anyone ever tried drifting worms under a bobber?

[dummy]

JIGS AND BOBBERS THE NITEMARE JIG WORKS IN EVERY RIVER AND CONDITOIN NOT SAYING ITS THE BEST BUT IT IS A CONSTANT PRODUCER. BOBBER AND JIGS IS SO EASY TO LEARN JUST SET DEPTH ABOUT A FOOT OFF THE BOTTOM AND SET THE HOOK WHEN IT DOES SOMETHING DIFERENT THATS IT THERE IS MORE AND YOU CAN GET BOOKS TO FURTHER EXPLAIN. GOOD LUCK

Throwing light tackle when the rivers are low is the spinning rod's forte'. They don't backlash with light gear as levelwind casting reels do.

Quality pink rubber worms cut to about 2 1/2" and fed onto a metal bare jighead/hook, with about an inch left dangling past the hook bend, and scented with shrimp oil or even worm oil, works about as well as steelhead jigs at times; use under floats. Real worms work too; best for summers but works for winters (add a little pink yarn with them).

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Know fish or no fish. - RT

[Trout,myster]

Ray...been years (about 18) since I fished the Alsea while going to college. When the water gets low and clear, I used to do well on the upper end (around the town of Alsea) tossing spinners and blue "steelies". Depends on the day (overcast/bright). Blue steelies seemed to work especially well on drab days. Hardware will cover more water faster, but you may find black jigs to be best on a bright day with clear water.

Trout,myster

[chuck 'n' duck]

Ray:

I have been fishing the N.F. Alsea for the past four years while at school here at OSU. The majority of my fishing is done with the fly rod, but in the past couple of years, I have been throwing more and more gear. I have caught these Alsea steelies on just about everything. My advice would be to go with the bobber/jig or bobber/bait when the river is lower and clear. It can get really snaggy under these conditions and eat up alot of drift gear. However, when the water is higher, go ahead and throw the corkies and yarn. If you are into the fly thing, I personally like nymphing runs with egg patterns under a strike indicator. Many people also use sink tips and dredge the bottom on the swing. Both techniques are effective.

Last year a friend and I decided to fish the main fork Alsea just aways above the confluence of Fall Creek. I was using bobber and jig in a slow moving tailout. I cast my rigging out about 10 ft. and proptly got snagged (I had forgotten to adjust my bobber stop before casting into the tailout). I yanked on the line, and as I did, the bobber got pulled under by the current. Just then, a chrome bright steelie came up from the bottom and took two snaps at the flourescent red tip of my bobber. This took place about three inches from the surface of the water. After the two bites, the steelhead swam back into the depths. Craziest thing I have seen.

Good Luck,

Chuck 'n' Duck