Nehalem Hatchery Fish

FishinTechnician · 02-21-2004, 06:53 AM

Caught a bright fin clipped 6 lb Hen in the mainstem Nehalem yesterday well above the mouth of the Salmonberry. I thought they weren't planting hatchery fish in the river any longer. If so, its likely this may have been a stray from the No. Fork. Has anyone had caught any fin clipped fish in the main Nehalem in the recent past? Are they planting hatchery fish in the mainstem now? Also hooked about a 11-12lb wild Hen.

OneLastCast · 02-21-2004, 07:05 AM

I don't think they have planted the South Fork for some time now. Last year three of us were plunking in the old fish shack and had released three fish when we noticed the fourth fish was missing a fin. (we had never checked the first three). We ended up with two fin clipped that day. Now I always check.
I believe they are strays.