Wilson Springers

Bigdog2250 · 02-20-2002, 09:49 AM

I am planning a trip to Tbay area for Springers.
Could I get some tips on run timing,launches(drift boat)and tactics?

I could bring a bay boat and fish the lower tillamook but I would really love to drift.Also being that I have never rowed these rivers,I would rather not drift a section with a lot of suprises.
I will have one empty seat if anyone that knows a drift would like a ride.Thanks in advance. Bigdog out.....

Thumper · 02-20-2002, 10:31 AM

BigDog, you also asked about F4 info on another thread. If you review my posts on PP you should find several items of use for F4.

Bigdog2250 · 02-20-2002, 10:44 AM

Thanks Thumper,

That is some good info on F4 over at PP.In fact I saved that thread already for later use.
I haven't decided if I'm going to stay in Woodland or St Helens though.Maybe see you out there.

Is the run timing about the same at Tbay rivers as it will be for F4? That would make two long road trips pretty close together.

blackdog · 02-20-2002, 12:24 PM

Bigdog, as far as fishing the rivers go, at that time of year it can be real weather dependent to get the river levels up. The springer season in the rivers has generally been ending June 15th, although I heard that it will stay open until the end of the month this year. These added two weeks should be great, given any reasonable water levels. I would say that your best bet in the rivers would be anytime they get some water after Memorial Day. If you want to troll the bay, you could probably start any time, begining around the first of May.

David Johnson · 02-20-2002, 12:46 PM

The Tillamook springers peak in the bay in mid to late May and into June. The Tillamook rivers get their fish mostly in June.

Sparkey · 02-20-2002, 09:05 PM

Brining this back up to the top for the BigDog!! :smile:

First Bite · 02-20-2002, 09:13 PM

BigDog
The Wilson will be at its peak for Springers in June. The regs changed this year and now you can fish for them until July 31st. The fish must be fin-clipped though if you want to keep them.

BUGLEMAN · 02-20-2002, 09:36 PM

I'll be there in June. Sounds to cool. Springer fishing on the Wilson.

Also, I have to close the deal and make it sort of a cool record. First "Wilson" Winter Steelie, Summer Steelie, Chinook, Chum and need that first Wilson Springer in a little over a year. In my boat and on my rod ta boot.

Bigdog2250 · 02-21-2002, 03:57 AM

Thanks everyone! That's alot of great info.It looks like June then.
That works out great because we will be visiting my sister and her husband in Oceanside too.

Hope to see some of you out there. Bigdog out.......

Fishing freak · 02-21-2002, 07:53 AM

I spend most of my time in June fishing for springers on the Rogue (2 week vacation). I didn't think that the Wilson had much of a spring run any longer. Am i mis-informed?

Lund · 02-21-2002, 03:24 PM

i've fished the wilson and trask rivers for springers sense mid 1980's. they have seen better days. the trask has the best of the two runs. wilson may get as many as 400 returning adults this next year. not much there to fish on. what fish do make it into the river generally dont get there till first week of june and by then water is so low and clear you can see most of the fish in the holes and they are very spooky. some will bite, but not enough to make it something to plan a day of fishing for, if you are expecting fish. south santiam river is expected to have 5-8000 adults back this year. that is a great river to fish in june.

David Johnson · 02-21-2002, 08:56 PM

Bugleman,

What about a silver? I've caught a few silvers in the Wilson in the fall. There's less of them so now you will have your work cut out for you

BUGLEMAN · 02-21-2002, 09:45 PM

Geez David, I forgot about the coho, I have my work cut out for me know unless there is an early fall fish. I forgot about the coho. Oh well.

As for Springers, I would feel bad harrassing such a depleated run. Might as well let those that arrive spawn, if it is true only 400 fish. Unless someone is holding out on us. Is there any hatchery production on any wilson streams?

I saw you buzz by mid day on Monday on the Clack. I was in my older fish rite blue/grey with a red stripe. I was pulled over on your right as you went up a long riffly stretch. Do you care to say how you faired up there. Not many caught that day. Zero in my boat.

[ 02-21-2002, 10:48 PM: Message edited by: BUGLEMAN ]