Where to go when coastal rivers are blown?

Arima17Ryan · 12-05-2003, 10:02 PM

I'm new this year to bank fishing, and I have only fished the Wilson and Nehalem rivers(I live in Portland). I was planning to go fishing tomorrow, but this rain has caused the Wilson water level forcast to rise(alot). So, my question is: Where is there good salmon/steelhead fishing (within an hour drive) when the coastal rivers are too high to fish? I'd like to go out on Sunday, so could someone please be specific(not your honey hole of course, but some good areas to try). I was thinking of things like the Clackamas river, but I don't know anything about fish runs or anything. Thanks in advance for any help.

weekend warrior · 12-05-2003, 10:13 PM

You might try the necanicum or NF nehalem. I drove by the nec. today while working and it looked good. Didn't see any rigs parked on the road or anything though. Theres gotta be fish around so give it a shot.

Later Geoff

Chromaflage · 12-05-2003, 10:39 PM

Where I go when the rivers are blown: Duck Blind :grin:

ORS

SteelieSteve · 12-06-2003, 03:02 AM

Fishermans Marine, GI Joes or the Sportsmans Warehouse and maybe the grocery store. Then home to tie up more rigs and play with the new rods and reels.

Seriously not to many places to go on the coast after a couple inches of rain have blown everything.

Jennie@ifish · 12-06-2003, 05:57 AM

Christmas shopping for the toy drive on Monday. :smile:

Carver_OR · 12-06-2003, 06:37 AM

The fish don't leave the river when its high and muddy, there still there. Short line fish the edge. Walk the edge of the bank and fish a foot or two off the bank with bait, don't forget to try a big old night crawler.
Fun is called short lining.
Pat

ampersat · 12-06-2003, 07:06 AM

Last year I floated the Clack when it was just under being totally blown out. Threw out my shoulder trying to pull plugs in the main channels. We got out to do some bank fishing toward the end of the trip and one of the guys spots a chromer steelie making its way upriver in 8" of water no more than 4' from the bank.

The fish are still in the rivers. Where are they going to go? Gi Joes? FMS? There's an upside to high water - you know exactly where the fish are going to be.

Arima17Ryan · 12-06-2003, 08:30 AM

Well, I guess I go to the Wilson regardless then. This is my last weekend available this year, so I have to give something a shot. I've never fished high water, but there's a first timr for everything. See you on the bank... :smile:

letsfish · 12-06-2003, 09:26 AM

Remember living in Portland gives you options, the coast or the mountains, are how I think of it. If the freezing level comes down the Sandy will be fine. Its level right now is okay but I have not checked seen out. It is rising though. So barring any big rains in the mountains(hope for snow 4000ft level) Check this river out! Do what you need to do in the morning, throw a rod in the car and then go up the freeway and then head up the river making mental notes of how the river may look when more fishable, the bank access, current fishing pressure.Don't forget to find your way to Oxbow park this huge park is excellent for the bankie, you could familarize yourself with this real estate and get fish any month of the year.The third area is the Dodge park area lots of fine water here. Lastly, scoot on up to Revenue bridge area, the hatchery, and Marmot Dam. By then you will be amazed at how much variety this river has for fishing in a variety of conditions.Though you may not make it tomorrow or all of it in one day make it a goal this year to learn this river better, it will pay off for you.

No Wishin Just Fishin · 12-06-2003, 09:49 AM

Boy Scout hole on the Wilson fishes great at 8+ feet. close to shore at the tailout

[ 12-06-2003, 10:49 AM: Message edited by: No Wishin Just Fishin ]

PTS · 12-06-2003, 10:35 AM

Letsfish,

A nice helpful post! But, is it totally correct for this year? With the change to broodstock, will it be worthwhile to fish higher than Cedar Creek. Over the years, I have preferred to fish Revenue to Marmot. Some hiking gave me a little more elbow room. Although there may be strays, and a few wild, I am afraid that water will not have enough fish to be worthwhile. I am not sure of this. I would like some opinions.

Arima17Ryan · 12-06-2003, 12:52 PM

That's a good idea NWJF, I've been meaning to try the BoyScout hole. I've fished Kansas Creek and the Narrows, but not the BoyScout hole yet. I've been told that it's just upstream from Kansas Creek at a county park? How do I find the park? Is it marked well?