Nestucca 6th Bridge down

rags · 02-20-2001, 08:17 AM

I have fished the Nestucca for many years but always from the 1st bridge down. I want to fish the 6th bridge down but would like some comments on the float. What is the best level, bad spots and if you put-in at the 6th where do you usually take-out? I drove around last weekend and notice some places where you need to be careful, like just below the sixth but are there others and what is the best way to run it? Anyone want to make a float? Thanks for your feed back.

WheresMyBobber · 02-20-2001, 08:31 AM

I'd be happy to make this float with you if the timing works out. I've never floated there, but I have a friend that lives in the area and is quite familiar with the river who I can contact about your questions. In fact, he may also be willing to make the float. I just got an email from him this morning which said that the hatchery component of the run is pretty much through, and it's mostly natives right now, but it would still be fun.

WheresMyBobber · 02-20-2001, 08:40 AM

Rags, if your questions don't get answered here, or you want to talk about setting up a trip, send me an email. Right now I'm headed out to the Willamette to break in a new trolling motor and maybe get lucky again with an early springer. I'll be back later this afternoon.

Pete · 02-20-2001, 01:22 PM

I'd suggest scouting the river first. The drift from 4th bridge down has a little technical water at low flows. The falls above 5th bridge might be pretty interesting in very low water.

Grant Scheele · 02-20-2001, 03:29 PM

How has the native fishery been this year? Is there much pressure right now?

Grant Scheele · 02-20-2001, 04:01 PM

I have another question. Are electric motors allowed on the Nestucca?

willierower · 02-20-2001, 05:05 PM

Yes you can use electric motors in the Nestucca. In fact you can run a sled in it certain times of the year. I wouldnt reccomend it though. You would probably get shot.
Nate fishing should be decent. I like fishing it later in the year. My best day was April 1st. Between 2 people we hooked 8 and landed 5. were real pigs.

Fishen Fool · 02-20-2001, 05:24 PM

I used to fish from bridge 6 to 4 a lot. I definitly wouldnt do it in this low water. There are 2 pretty hairy spots to get throught. O yeah, this is the run where I landed a 21 pounder several years ago!

------------------

tight lines------<*))>>< fishen fool

Gone Fishin · 02-20-2001, 05:32 PM

I know of a guide that runs that water with some regularity...It's Gone...something....

I'm sure he'd show you that water, I think you can find his site on that awesome fishing site: IFISH.NET

02-20-2001, 09:41 PM

Whew! Geez Rags, I read the topic headline and thought the bridge collapsed for a second.

Nah. jk ... I used to row that run when I was guiding many years ago. I don't know what significant changes have occured from recent floods there. I agree with Pete that you should scout any new water that is a technical run. Hey, looks like you already have a crew, but if you wind up an oarsman short let me know. I've finally got my back strong again, working out on the Bally's rowing machine and other equipment. I used to be a hard core white water rat, and I will row another guy's driftboat thru about anything if there is enough water to float it (ask Roy - Bait O' Eggs - about that; it's more fun in someone else's boat

). If you wait for about a 5' level and scout, it shouldn't be a prob if you are a good oarsman; it's not that tough. It's easier than the N.F. Nehalem hatchery down run, if you've tried that section. Have fun; with the nates too

.

RT

Bait O' Eggs · 02-21-2001, 07:04 AM

Ya I will vouch for RT taking on the "different" water. I gotta tell the story against my personal policy, we float down into a hole and we are drift fishing it, and RT keeps looking up the river at the rock forming the top of the hole. He asks if he can pull the boat back up the riffle and run the boat down the other side of the rock in the faster water. He is mumbling something about a "double pivot point turn" blah blah blah ..... I didn't think he was serious. Ever been around a guy who doesn't make much sense when they are muttering something. Anybody fishing the river would slide down the left side of the rock and fish the short hole from the side. RT wants to come over the right side of the rock which would put you over the small hole. He asked a couple times before I realized he was serious. I couldn't imagine anybody wanting to pull the boat back up the riffle. (Maybe it was his spawning instincts kicking in) Let alone somebody who has a bad ankle and had a hard time getting down the steep bank at the launch to the river. I got out of the boat, because I figured if he really screwed up and sank the boat, the least I wanted to do was rescue my oars

I have never tried to go down the right side of the rock in over 100 floats down this river, no reason to, but it didn't look that hard. After we finish fishing the hole he manages to pull the boat back up the riffle in low water and crawl into the boat, I am stationed down river fishing, still concerned about my oars, RT runs the boat down the right side of the rock. My boat has several dents in it, and boat damage is kind of a non concern. The water has a foot or two of drop from upper tail out to the current hole I am in. The water almost gets white and frothy, but not quite in this section. After he got back down the river to me, I got back in the boat and shook me head a few times, we continued on fishing. Go ahead and let RT man the sticks, he did fine.

rags · 02-21-2001, 09:30 AM

Thanks for the feedback everyone. As soon as the river comes up I plan to run it. WheresMyBobber, if you want to run it maybe we can set-up a time. RT, you are welcome to come along, maybe we can get Gary to bring his boat. I am anxious to try some jigs in this water for the Nates.

Big Willie · 02-21-2001, 10:04 AM

Hey Rags! You bet I'd be up for that. I've done 4th to 1st and it's some of the best steelhead water I've seen, not to mention beautiful scenery, as with any of the upper stretches of our north coast rivers. Never done 6th, want to though. The water needs to be up, like close to 6, 4th was no prob at around 5-5 1/2. Rain Rain Rain!!!

02-21-2001, 01:35 PM

Hey, I forgot from other posts you guys know each other. Gary and I did the 4th down last year Rags, and have plans to run 6th down this year in March. You should have seen Gary's face the first time he looked down the Vanderzanden steep long rail launch on the Wilson. His expression was kinda like 'oh my poor Willie'. Come to think of it I've heard him say that before, and his boat was fine

. I'm up for a tandem float anytime either of you have an open seat. I love the challenging water from both a boating and fishing perspective. There's a lot of nice pocket water to try and pick fish out from. Fun place in my memories.

Steve

No Pilgram · 02-21-2001, 02:05 PM

You will need No Pilgram to bring you guys good luck so keep me posted.( I can shuttle the vehicles if nothing else)

rags · 02-21-2001, 02:23 PM

It's a done deal! Let's go in a few weeks or earlier. Gary, Matt and I will meet you and RT and we will hit it. Let me know when you guys can go.

02-21-2001, 03:30 PM

I assume you mean you and Gary will both bring your d-boats? I sold mine long ago after the back probs. I am fairly flexable thru March so when the conditions are right just get ahold of everyone and let's get after it.

Big Willie · 02-22-2001, 06:40 AM

That would be a fun drift to 1st. Long day? You bet. So you better get your beauty sleep RT! Come to think of it, you better hit the rack now and we'll give you a wake up call around mid-March.

-Gary