Memories of the NF Nehalem

[Thumper]

Does any one here remember Pete and Ruth Myerjergen (sp?). Pete managed the NF hatchery and bought the parcel immediately below the hatchery to build his home upon. He let a few of us fish on his property for many years. It had some great holding water, and if you were skilled you could count on a limit most times out. One day my 8-year old son caught his first steelhead there. He is now 37 and still fishing regularly with me, as do his brothers. I'll never forget those rainy days up at Pete's shop drying out in front of the wood stove as Ruth brought out just-frosted chocolate cake.

One day we hosted some new young fishermen who had never caught a steelhead. In about two hours the two new guys each caught their limits, and each landed a huge steelhead, one of 18 pounds and one of 18.5. Pete came down with his scale and measured them for the happy fishermen. With limits on the bank we walked up to the hatchery hole and amazed the crowd by catching and releasing a couple of 14-15 pounders. In those days nobody released steelhead.

I miss Pete and Ruth. I'll bet Jim Erickson remembers those folks too.

[Fishin Magician]

I believe Stan Corners now owns that property. Very nice man. I have many memories of the NF and my most memorable one is about the monster that got away from me while fishiing that area. The fish blew the tailout and last I saw it , it was jumping out of the water going around the next corner....Bye!!!!! Great little river, I love to fish it.

[hawgcatcher]

The North Fork Nehalem has always been one of my favorites. In years past, we fished above the hatchery and caught nice natives. Those were years that sadly we kept them. I wish now that I had released more then I did.

I can remember that one time there were so many fish coming in that you were allowed three fish and ten jacks. My best day was a 30# Chinook hen, two 16# silvers and ten jacks. And there were only three of us fishing that day at the hatchery. Now find a day that there are that few people fishing. Sadly, I think of those times, but we didn't realize that there would be problems. We thought that hatchery management would increase runs, not hurt them.

I remember the falls. We climbed down the bank one time and caught our limit of Chinook and then could hardly get them up the bank in the slippery mud.

These memories will be mine forever, I hope. But they are mixed with sad thoughts of people gone, that I fished with and fish that should have been released.

[Mr4am]

The NF Nehalem River is by far my favorite river to fish. Especially in the fall. As the leafs start to change and the Salmon start to run. I love to see the Fall colors reflecting in the river or a warm breeze sending red and yellow colored leafs floating down from the trees. I’ve explored the river from one end to the other. Driving on the back road behind the hatchery and finding a couple of secret spots (yah right.) or driving up river and enjoying how beautiful a river and surrounding area truly are. To see a herd of Elk in a foggy meadow. To see the hatchery pin full of fish and know someone’s gotta be something right.
To be down on the river in the middle of a down poor and see hundreds of fish suddenly show up. Seeing the returning fish shoot up the falls in a do or die determination. Then to see them in the upper river pairing up to spawn. These are just a few of my memories of the NF Nehalem. Don

[HOGTIDE]

I believe it was the winter of '77. I was a college kid, home for Christmas vacation. The NF was extremely low. It was so low that 'nobody'was fishing the hatchery stretch. Although the conditions were poor, we were all alone and the fish didnot seem to mind. A good friend and I found that a cluster of non-weighted eggs, tossed into the riffles proved irresistible to bright buckin' steelhead, trip after trip. The bite was so good, you could 'call' the fish before each cast was made. Admittedly, at that time, I never released a bright fish. We limited daily for almost 3 weeks straight and gladly made the trip down to the coast each day.

The years that followed were almost 'just as' successful, but more so in an experiential way. Discovering an unfinished logging road, we were able to access the "backside" of the river by hiking in on a rather challenging trail. Long stretches of untouched water, ideal holes complete with shale-wall waterfalls and a fern-laden forested shoreline made this the stuff steelheader heaven would be made of. The fish would willingly gulp pinkpearl corkies in deep green slots and explode out of tailouts to slam an unweighted nickel spinners. But always more impressive, was our surroundngs. The sunlight and the weather was constantly filtered through the thick evergreen canopy. The atmosphere was pristine and primitive.

However, as reality would have it, in the years that soon followed, the clanging of welded tin over delicate water; the clearcutting and accessing of the river's edge, made our angling heaven turn into a place adored by the hordes. It was a place the hordes may never understand.

I do think it is time to return there.

[ 12-17-2001: Message edited by: HOGTIDE ]</p>

[salmonlips]

Hey Thumper - Probably knew you back then. My best North Fork memory was Christmas day, same year, 1977. We were in college then and found a whole raft of kegged up Steelhead under a ledge in the Alsea. If you fished from the road side you couldn't get to them. We got permission to access the farm on the far side of the river and basically dropped fresh eggs on their heads. At any rate, I was home for Christmas. Our family did Christmas eve. My buddies did Christmas day so I was alone. I dropped into the slot 2/3s the way accross the river where the handicapped ramp sits. First cast, orange corkie, 15#. Second cast, second fish, it's twin. My normal move at that time was to haul a-- to the Elochoman to try and get a Washington limit too. I didn't. I went over to the beach, had a beer, watched the surf and celebrated the most perfect day I'd ever had. 24 years have gone by, I haven't come close.

[PeterMac]

The North Fork has indeed produced many a fall / winter memory for me too, but when the skies clear and the leaves sprout is also an awesome time there. This is the river my dad taught me to toss royal humpies at overly aggressive cut throat trout (Those fish would have probably hit at a cigarette butt). Full days up and down the gravel road above the hatchery, picnic lunches, swimming, picking berries. That place rules.

[hustlerrjim]

thumper
yes I remeber pete and ruth- real staunch republicans, the hole is still there, called the 30 dollar hole now,but pete willed it to osu geodedic society and my youngest son is trying to buy it.
a lot has changed in the upper mile of the river, but once you leave the hatchery we fish all day and never see another person,all you have to do is get off the yellow line.
some of the roads in back of the hatchery are washed out but you can still walk in about 1/2 mile and be right in them.
Loretta and I moved here in 64 ,and like a lot of you we to fell in love with the n.fork.but unlike alot of people we opened our place to the public because we feel very strongly the rivers should be shared by all that enjoy it.
having the boat launch has opened up the opputunity to meet a lot of people that have become very good freinds,and we look forward to each season,
I feel very strongly about giving people the oppurtunity to enjoy this river because when odfw was trying to pass their budget last session the gimick they used was; close the n. fork hatchery,
they knew this would bring out the masses in support of keeping the hatchery open ,they were right salem was mobbed and the hearing room was packed and the hatchery is open.
All rivers could be like this if everybody took a rabid interest in each and every river.

[PeterMac]

Just a clarification Hustler, it was willed to the U of O Foundation. I hope you son can get it. We walked it a couple weekends ago - what a great piece of property!

PeterMac