Upper Alsea

[roblosey]

Hello all:
This is report/call for advice. Fished the Alsea around Clemens Park today. Saw three steelhead hooked in one pool, two were undersized and one was quite nice. I believe that all were hatchery fish and were caught on eggs below corkies. For myself, I caught and released several nice branches with my flyrod, not a scratch otherwise. Does anyone out there flyfish the Alsea for steelhead who would be willing to share their knowledge and advice? Any helpful tips would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Williedrifter]

I ain't no expert but from what I've been told on the Alsea as well as the other coastal rivers you can't beat an egg imitation like a glow bug(pinks, orange, chart.). They couldn't be any easy to tie and are the most effective. I usually just dead drift it near the bottom using splitshot or adding weight to the pattern. Also it may be helpfull to use a stike indicator. As far as where to fish on the Alsea the north fok is probly the best suited fly fishing but with the lower water the mainstream would also not be a bad alternative to the north fork crowds.

[chuck 'n' duck]

Roblosey:

I saw that you did not get much response to this e-mail so I will try and help you out.

I used to fish the N. Fork Alsea exclusively with the fly. In my opinion, if fished correctly, small stream steelheading is best done with the flyrod. It is simply because you have the best control over presentation. I am not convinced that the pattern makes much difference. Stick to this rule and you should be fine. Low, clear water = small subdued pattern...High, dirty water = larger bright patterns. I personally fished a two fly system during typical winter flow. I would use a small wooly-bugger type pattern as as my lead fly with a small egg pattern on a dropper off of the bend of the lead fly's hook. This worked very well for me.

Generally on this river, you will see two methods of flyfishing. The first method utillizes a shooting head system. I personally do not like this system as it is does not allow you to fish many different types of water. I prefer to fish the second method which is dead-drift nymphing. It is very easy and very effective. You simply add split shot to your leader just above your flies. Place a strike indicator above according to the depth of the water, and you are all set. Just cast above the holding water and dead drift you flies down through the pocket or run. It is a little cumbersome to cast, but with a stout rod you should either be able to flip or roll it without too much trouble. Make sure that you mend several times during the drift so that your fly reaches the bottom and drifts naturally with the current. However, do not overmend. What I mean by this is do not move your line around so much that it jerks the fly around unnaturally.

The last tip I can give you is wait at home and tie some flies until the water comes up. You will get very frustrated fishing the N. Fork in these low water conditions because your success ratio will be extremely low. Just be there with a box full of flies after the next good rain and you should be set.

This is just some general info for you. Hope it helps. If you need some specifics, feel free to e-mail me or post a question.

Good Luck and Pray for Rain,

CnD

[SSPey]

Excellent advice so far. I use both dead drift techniques and shooting heads, depending on the particular spot (holes and slots get fished dead drift with indicator and weight, more typical riffle-run reaches with swinging heads). I would only add that many fish tend to hold in the deeper holes on the N. Fork, which is no great surprise or secret, but they aren't always at the deepest spots of those holes - they just like to know there is security nearby. In deepest of holes on the N fork fish are often near the margins in "softer" water and occasionally right up in the riffles (in warmer months - March). One other thing about the Alsea - with this dry winter, don't be afraid wait a month or so until late Feb, since the river will be blitzed with anglers after a good rain anytime this month. In late Feb, after the meat anglers have left for greener pastures, you'll have more water to yourself. There are fewer fish then, more natives, and in warmer waters they will fish more like summer steelhead and be more receptive to the fly. have fun!

[roblosey]

ChucknDuck
Thanks for the helpful tips. Maybe we will get lucky and get some rain before the weekend. After I spent my money on a shooting head system I have been amazed to learn of the number of fishermen using a nymphing technique for steelheading. I found this to be especially true down on the Upper Rogue in the fall. I find the head system lets me get down in most situations but it sure does have its limits. I do enjoy fishing my type III head instead of nymphing during the summer--seems to result in less hangups. Anyway, I will probably end up on the Alsea again this weekend, rain or not just because it beats setting at home. I will let you know how I do. Thanks again.