Water Levels = Best Fishing

[fatfish]

Since the steelhead season is now here and the questions about best water level to catch fish begin being discussed I thought it might be a good idea to share info about rivers, when to fish them and who to call. The newbies could print this and have a handy reference. Please add your info on your favorite river.

Nestucca: Fishes best above 4' & no higher than 5.5'
Wilson: Fishes best above 4' & no higher than 6.5'
Trask: Fishes best above 5.5' & no higher than 7.5'
Necanicum: Fishes best when N. Fork Nehalem is @ 40"-50"

Smelt Report: Bob's Sporting Goods in Longview @ 360 536-3870

Updates on Wilson & Trask: Guide Shop 503 842-3474
Kimmel's Sporting Goods 503 842-4281
Tillamook Bait Co. 503 842-5031

This is from an old hand written listing I've had for years. If anything is different, please update as needed.

[rags]

Someone check me if I am wrong but the Nestucca gage seems to run a foot higher than it use to. My favorite level on the old gage was 4.4 ft. Now a little over 5ft seems to be the best.

[SafetyChain]

Can anyone offer this info for the Sandy, Clack and Deschutes?

[drifter24]

How about the Alsea or Siletz?

[drift fishing fool]

i dont really know the siletz but on the alsea ive found some holes that fish really good when its low(1.5ish)like it had been so far, and some that fishup to about 7. at that high the main stem is pretty green but fish can be caught. and when its higher than that, a few other places in that general area are even better this info should get you started but dont just mooch of others, do some of your own research, check river levels, check different holes at different levels and keep some records. good fishin'

[ 12-13-2002, 06:58 AM: Message edited by: drift fishing fool ]

[No Wishin Just Fishin]

Grew up on the Alsea and return every Dec Jan when the river is 4.0 to 4.3 as at my grandfathers place there is a slot thet is 10' by 10' that every upriver fish has to go thru. Have had many 25 fish days on that rock shelf

[David Johnson]

Drift Fishing Fool is so right-do some homework, take some notes, spend some time on a "home" river and learn the best spots for each condition.

On the rivers I fish, I know what holes-even down to spacific rocks and ledges fish hold behind- that produce under each fishing condition.

So if the river is at 11.5 or 13.5 I know were I am going to target before I even get to the river.