Drift Creek, Alsea basin

[EugeneFisher]

While searching for some new water, I came across Drift Creek within the Alsea basin. I see a lot of the gear guys trolling the mouth but haven't been able to find much information about the actual creek besides what's in the book "Fishing in Oregon."

Would anyone mind sharing their experiences on this river? There are a few dirt roads on the lower and upper stretches of the river; are they all private farming roads, or is there any public access afforded by following these roads?

I'd be more than happy with a PM if you don't want to broadcast any secrets. Thanks!

[steel_beaver]

I lived in Newport for two years and I never got the chance to try it while I was there. I was told that there is a park/wildlife area in the middle stretches but I heard that is was quite a hike (can't remember the name). That being said, the creek is "managed for wild fish only" and ther are supposed to be some real nice nates in there. Good luck if you decide to make the trek.

[Siwash]

I've hiked in there a couple times... taking the spur road off Hwy 34 just before the bridge at Tidewater (Risley Cr? can't recall for sure) and then there's a marked trailhead on the ridge at the edge of the Wilderness area. It's probably a couple miles down, so be prepared to hike back out (bring a headlamp, it gets dark faster than you think down in the canyon). Once you get down on the creek, I've been able to pick my way along the bank and wading across as needed in places as long as the flow isn't too high. Never really had a super successful catching day down there (some SRC and dark salmon this time of year) but the hike weeds out the crowds so that's nice. Timing is tricky to get high enough water to bring in fresh fish vs being low enough to wade or else you get stuck or have to do some epic bushwhacking since there's no road around. I believe there's also another designated trail access further upstream but still in the Wilderness area (Horse Cr? or maybe that's the one I was on and I have the names confused; it's been a couple years) but I have no first-hand experience w/ it.

I've also tried poking up some of the minor back roads from the bay, but always run into gates, or private land postings, etc, and then another time I drove in way up above from Burnt Woods and found some decent water but I'd expect all the fish up there to be dark at this point.