Alsea 12/20

Snapset · 12-20-2003, 10:50 AM

I fished downstream of the North Fork highway bridge this morning. I hooked one on a pink corkie about 8:00 a.m., but just as he was starting to lay on his side, the hook popped out. I tried spinners for a while with no luck, so with the clear water, I decided to put on a black and purple jig. It worked well. I had a couple fish within a half hour, so I had to go home.

Both fish were starting to show some color, but they were fine for eating. I am wondering if there are any broodstock being caught yet. Anybody caught any yet? The broodstockers sure hold up in the river better, I catch chrome winter broodstockers on some other rivers into April and May.

Anybody else catching fish on the Alsea this weekend?

Crazy Fisherman · 12-20-2003, 03:26 PM

Snapset, good job on the steel, on jigs yet too. I need to get going on those things. First year for me with them, hope to get out soon. Did you go up to the hatchery? If so how many fish do they got now?
Crazy Fisherman

Twitchs_Tackle · 12-20-2003, 04:03 PM

You'll only have 'til March 31 to catch one on the Alsea...but to answer your question, I have seen three, 2 hens, 1 buck.

Snapset · 12-20-2003, 06:00 PM

Crazy Fisherman, if you are going to fish small water like the NF, go with dark jigs, that has worked the best for me. The jig shouldn't be more than 24" under the bobber, in most places. My usual depth is around 18". There is a lot of rarely touched accessible water on the NF even with the crowds, make it a rule to try a couple of casts in every spot you can't see the bottom, and you will come up with some can't miss spots. Fish only in places you can't see the bottom, and don't fish for fish you can see. If the fish are letting themselves be visible, it usually means they are spawners and not something you want to be catching. I never made it up to the hatchery, every time I go up there I get depressed about all the fish I let get past me. :grin:

Twitch, thanks for the heads up. I wonder if they will extend the season, if the broodstocks show up late.

go fisch · 12-20-2003, 07:31 PM

Good Report, Thanks
Thom

willierower · 12-20-2003, 10:37 PM

Good job Mark! You are going to have o show my how to catch those NF Alsea steelies. I would probally catch some if I ever fished there..... Just 4 more months until we can go night fishing again!.

Snapset · 12-21-2003, 12:43 PM

Paul, we should get together and do some pocket picking. If we get a couple weeks of dry weather, the river will be perfect. This week is shot for me, but soon after the first of the year, lets plan a trip.

[ 12-21-2003, 01:44 PM: Message edited by: Snapset ]

willierower · 12-21-2003, 03:38 PM

Mark,

Sounds like a plan!