Upper Salmonberry river/N fork Salmonberry

[BlueWater]

I hiked in on the N Fork Salmonberry Rd while I was elk hunting this year. Were the N fork and the main river meet are cables running over the river. Does anyone fish up there? Is that why the cables are there? So you can cross at high water. It looks like really good stealhead water all along the tracks. I walked all the way down to Ripple Creek and all I could think about was how I could fish each drift a passed.
So the question is when is it good? Are there just steelies or are there salmon also? Questions Questions Questions! If anyone can help I would be greatfull.

BlueWater.

By the way There are no elk down there. Well at least not when I was there. :grin:

[Fishbulb]

There is a fairly robust population of steelhead in the Salmonberry and they are brutes. They have an average size much bigger than the majority of other coastal steelhead populations. I imagine they would dispearse themselves as far up as need be or until they run out of suitable gravel. The run timing is similiar to other wild run timings, later than the hatcheries and peaking in early and mid Feb-early March. It is primarily a catch and release stream now with only a remote chance of hooking a smaller north fork hatchery stray. There are fall Chinook spawning there low in the system I believe in Oct-Nov.

[fishbait]

BlueWater,
There are some really nice fish that migrate up that creek, I can attest to 20lb fish at times Most, if not all are native and should be treated with respect. It's worth the hike if thats what you enjoy, but please tread lightly on these fish.

[Pete]

I used to cross the river suspended from that cable. 15 years ago the cable wasn't in good shape ... not sure if I'd trust it anymore unless it's been replaced.

How is the road ... can you drive all the way down to the fork?

[winkie]

In the late 5o's i fished this part of the salmonberry. Drove in from Timber and down the beaver slide road , (some real nasty spots).Opening of trout season. There use to be a old logging bridge across river at the forks. Always saw steelies in flat water. Threw spoons and, crocodiles to hook up, on trout gear. Also could ride train up river from mouth if timming was right. The upper river rarily saw many fisherman in those days. Very special place.

[ 11-03-2001: Message edited by: winkie ]</p>

[BlueWater]

Thanks for the posts!
I figured it was a wild fish show when I looked at it and that is was got me going so much. I am mostly a catch and release kinda guy on the coast rivers. Those wild fish are alot spunkier it seems. (fighting words I know) For those interested the cables have been replaced and are in good shape. You will need a pully and some kind of seat to get across. The N F road is in bad shape and is closed about a mile and a half from the fork. It has wash outs ect. I also had to chop out a fallen alder tree that blocked the road on my way out after I had driven in.
It also looks like good fly water having plenty of room for a back cast along the tracks. Looks like I will get the 8 wt, put on the long johns and try to hit it in Feb or March. I'll let yall know how it goes.

Any one else have some info? I am excited to finnaly try some new water after many years.

BlueWater :smile:

[Tanner]

Yeah, I certainly wouldn't hunt for elk in there. There aint no elk around there. :smile:
I saw a steelhead up near the forks once that was every bit of 30 lbs. There are some huge native steelhead in there. Probably some of the biggest in the state.