Necanicum Report

5-Cents · 12-24-2002, 05:53 PM

The wife setup a trip to my moms house in Gearheart for the family to spend the night for a little early Christmas Cheer! I was much happier to go when she showed me the new Loomis GL3 Spinning rod and Shimano reel she got me for Christmas! :shocked: [img]graemlins/hearton.gif[/img] She said I had been a good boy so I could have it early and try fishing for a few hours today!

Hit the water at the crack of 7:30 and was off the water by noon. Started at the largest Spruce Tree parking lot and worked my way down stream. Used glow bugs and jigs.

Landed two steelhead and lost another. One lost on orange glow bug. Landed one 1/2 pounder on a peral/pink/white jig and a 5-6 pounder on a hot pink jig. Both were native and released unharmed. I did not bring the camera because I was by myself.

The water was pretty clear. I sneaked into most spots.

I talked to another couple of guys that also landed two fish, one wild and one nice bright 8 pounder clipped fish that they kept.

Merry Christmas Everyone

Good to the Last Cast · 12-24-2002, 06:18 PM

5-Cents well spent :grin: :grin: :grin:

ZaQ · 12-24-2002, 08:57 PM

Nice, we got one 8 lber today on the Wilson, and one half pounder. Nice fish, nice day, nice company.

Steelie Steve · 12-24-2002, 09:10 PM

5 cents,
Thanks for the report. I'm leaving tomorrow afternoon for Seaside for the rest of the week. Was wondering if the fish were in there yet. Now I'm really excited...

I'll report back when I return.

Steve

boo · 12-24-2002, 10:56 PM

Cheers for the report...a breath of fresh air.

ssteelheadsteve · 12-24-2002, 11:03 PM

1/2 pounders on the Wilson and Secret Seaside River ? I doubt it. True 1/2 pounders are summer fish. You may be catching "jack " steelhead but that is probably not the true either. " jack" steelhead are seldom found in Hatchery winter runs. Common in Native winter runs some years. Most often caught from Feb. on. Better chance your catching fresh Sea-run Cutts. Sure would like to see a good picture. The secret Seaside river used to be FAMOUS for it's Sea-run Cutts.
The reason I say this is that while guiding the coast streams the last couple of years I have noticed an improvement in the Sea-run numbers. This is a direct result of the limited Trout fisheries on Coast streams.A worthwhile cause that some of us fought for for over 25 years before ODF&W finally caved in.What a long battle. In truth the final push was from the FEDS. As predicted and hoped the Sea-run population would be the first fishery to recover. A good closeup pic and a check under the chin will tell the story. Fish ID is somewhat dificult if you haven't caught a bunch of Cutts and especially when you are trying to not injure a fish you are returning to the stream. In any event it is GOOD news. Thanks for reporting it.

Rusty · 12-25-2002, 06:53 AM

I am curious. Did you happen to see any drift boats or trailers at the Park during your day on the River. I want to fish after Christmas, but am afraid the Necanicum might be too low...even for my 11' raft.

Please let me know.

Thanks,

Rusty

5-Cents · 12-25-2002, 08:02 AM

Rusty,

It was pretty low. There were no DB trailers that I saw and there were none down at the take out either. There was one guy hitting the water in his little pontoon boat as I was leaving.

Take Care

David Johnson · 12-25-2002, 08:07 AM

ssteelhead Steve,

We've caught two jack steelhead on the coast so far this winter-and one sea run cut. Both those jacks were wild.

I'm sure those other guys know what they are talking about when they say they caught some jack steelhead.

[ 12-25-2002, 09:15 AM: Message edited by: David Johnson ]

Rusty · 12-25-2002, 09:54 AM

5-Cents,

Thanks for the quick report. I really want to take my 11' raft on Thursday, because I don't want to "fight" the crowds in my DB on the bigger rivers. I hope I can drag my boat down the creek!!

Rusty

5-Cents · 12-25-2002, 10:10 AM

Rusty,

There is a tree all the way accross the river just before the bridge by the blue surf shop. Just thought you would like to know.

One other thing the half-pounder was definately a wild jack steelhead. I looked to see if it was a cutt becuase in my younger days (early 80's) I fished that river for searun cutts!

Shane

[ 12-25-2002, 11:11 AM: Message edited by: 5-Cents ]

5-Cents · 12-25-2002, 02:17 PM

Rusty,

It's all the way accross the river. You can see it from the bridge by the surf shop. There is maybe 8'-10' at the most that the tree is 4 inches under the water on the left bank going down stream. The bank is very steep here with blackberry bushes all over it so I doubt you could get on the bank there.

Shane

[ 12-25-2002, 03:25 PM: Message edited by: 5-Cents ]

ZaQ · 12-25-2002, 03:04 PM

It was no cutthroat, it ws a small steelhead for sure.

Rusty · 12-25-2002, 11:13 PM

5-Cents,

Is the tree a major obstacle or can I portage my raft around it, under it, or over it? Beside low water, is there any reason to think I could not get down the river if I can get by the tree?

I reeealy want to fish on Thursday!

Rusty