Wilson River bank fishing questions....

[nauman]

Any help would be great, im thinking of taking a couple days off of work next week and hitting up the Wilson for some steelhead bank fishing. Generally speaking where would be some good places to check out first I have heard rumblings of above mile post 22, but any other info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for any help and its great to be a new guy on such an informative board.

[spinner53]

Go all the way down to the guide shop ( MM 6 ) there's good fishing there from the ramp up to the bridge.
MM 7 ish on left as you head up.

[ultralight]

I would focus more on the lower section of the river, or perhaps go higher if the river level is high. As you probably have heard already, there are many pullouts along the highway which frequently runs right next to the river, so you can hit those spots. Besides doing the search here, you can also either buy or borrow (from the library) "Fishing in Oregon" book which gives you a crude map of the river and a couple of dozen spots. There has been several Wilson or coastal river posts here in the last couple of weeks, so you should get some decent returns.

Welcome aboard

[Wild Chrome]

There's better bank access on the upper river, but I believe most of the winter run smolts are released in the lower river and seem to stick to the lower river when they return. The upper river is great in late winter/spring for natives and in June/July for summer-runs.

Anyone actually know where the winter-run smolts are released?

[24 on/ 48 off]

I have always wondered that myself.

--spud-- :smile:

[fishnbus]

A local fisherman watched while I played and landed a 7# buck Thursday and said that he believed the smolts were released at Mills Bridge. He said that in the 35 years he had been fishing the Wilson he has noticed far fewer winter steelhead present in the upper river. He is a bank angler also.

[Spanky]

Wild Crome is dead right about the upper river in late winter early spring...It's top notch for catch and release natives...Been having good luck with the lower river so far this year...Went 1 for 2 on thursday around mp7...do a search on my member id for more specific info on the wilson...
Spanky

[Billy Tillamook]

Wilson is a cool river to learn by foot and exploring by pulling over and checking spots out. I keep a little record of the mile post signs and where the killer water is in high,perfect low conditions. Start exploring as high as mile post 27-28 (better later) all the way down...theres some primo water especially from mp 22 all the way down to the guide shop and below...just park and explore... i love the upper in feb, march...may the force be with you!