Oregon’s best steelhead scenario?

[DaleDor]

I’ve only got only maybe 2 days a year to fish Oregon for steelhead.

But WHEN I go is so FLEXIBLE that I could go:
1. During that river’s traditional best week of the year!
2. When the river has risen, and then dropped back into near-perfect flows and clarity!
3. On weekdays if needed!

My question is: with this high level of “flexibility”, is there any river that when these variables are all in place that I could play a DOZEN steelhead total, over those 2 days?

Consider emailing me if you’re a little shy about sharing it with “the whole world.”

Thanks, guys.

[ 02-16-2004, 12:03 PM: Message edited by: DaleDor ]

[DaleDor]

....am I just dreaming guys, or is there no scenario, when the variables all look "right", that a guy could hook a total of a dozen steelhead in 2 days in Oregon?

Thanks.

[blackdog]

Of course you're dreaming, but when you're not fishing that's what you're supposed to be doing!!!

I don't think that what you're hoping for is too far out of the realm to HOPE for. To EXPECT that kind of success is, however. Like you said, just too many variables. It can be done though. Heck, a couple of weekends ago I got halfway there, and that was on a weekend, after the river had already been on the drop for a week, and was my first real crack at winters this year.

Your best bet would be to saddle up with one of the ifish guides and hope for the best. You probably won't be able to get a crack at 'the best' day of the winter, when all the variables line up as they're probably all pretty booked, but you'll more than likely stand a better chance than on your own.

[Snapset]

The North Fork Alsea, between Dec. 15 and Jan. 30. If you are willing to fish all day, cover a lot of water and you have experience at fishing many different types of water, you could expect to hook at least a dozen fish per day.

[DaleDor]

Good reply, Blackdog. I'll probably check with an ifish.net guide.

So what river, guys, do you think would give me the VERY BEST shot at lots of steelies? Once I know which river, I'll have a better idea of which guides to contact, as they don't all fish the same rivers.

Email me if you're shy about posting this info publicly.

Thanks!

[steelhead22]

No, you're not dreaming, I just think nobody knows how to answer this one. When the fish are there, and conditions are right 6 fish a day is VERY realistic on almost all the Oregon streams that hold steelhead, I believe, thus the answer for this question would be almost any river in Oregon that has steelhead in it and the right conditions. There's no way of telling when or where that will be.

[Snapset]

What was I thinking? I forgot to mention the Rogue around Touvelle park August through November for some smaller summer fish, The North Umpqua around Idleyld park July and August, and the Grand Ronde. Any of these could provide the days you are describing. There are a lot more places you could do just as well, I am sure, but these are the places I have first hand knowledge of.

On the other hand, on any given day even the best fisherman could get skunked regardless of where he is fishing.