Jig fishing the Wilson (Questions)

[Artwo]

I have vowed to jig fish only this winter for steelhead and got some new gear for Christmas that I need to get the stink off of. I have never fished the Wilson and am looking for some general bank places to start. I'm not looking for your honey hole (unless you care to share by PM) just some general spots to start. I know I can follow the crouds but was hoping to get away from that if possible.

I plan to go visit Marie first thing Sunday morning to restock my scent supply and then fish back towards Portland from there (I have all day to get there).

If you see a white Mazda 4x4 with a white canopy (Steelheaders sticker on the canopy window) stop buy and say hello, I'll have my green ifish hat on.

Thanks in advance for any and all help, hopefully we'll see you on the river.

JK

[David Johnson]

It's not a great idea to fish with just one thing all the time. You have to match the conditions.

[Jennie@ifish]

I suggest that if you want to learn jigs that that is all you take out for a day. That's how I did it, and boy was I surprised!!!

I would start back on the Wilson, and stop at every pull out that you see. Look over the side, and see if you can spot any, or see an area that looks good, and that you are up to hiking to. Many of the spots are difficult to get down to. That's what limits me, anyhow.

I would stop at the Guide Shop for sure, and watch people fish with jigs. I'm sure there will be some.

Then, hit the road, pulling out, wherever you can, to let faster traffic by. Take side roads that look like logging roads that follow the river.

Perhaps, stop and get a state forestry map that shows which ones follow the river. Then, make sure that you aren't fishing in closed waters... take your reg book!

I have had more fun discovering new areas, than I have when someone shared a honey hole with me.

Look for water that is going no faster than your normal walking pace for best jig results... However, when you see water that is faster, the water both on your side, and the opposite side of the shoot can hold fish.

Just make sure, while fishing water far away, that you hold your rod up high, so that the jig is sitting pretty and your bobber is at attention. :smile:

Keep your line out of the faster water, while working a slot the opposite side of you.

Start your jig at 4 feet, and then try deeper depths. Sometimes, I have caught fish on jigs set at as little as two feet, in faster riffles.

I have also caught steelies, with my jig set as deep as 10 feet.

I like to keep the jig about a foot off of the bottom. Steelhead lay on the bottom and look up. You dont' want that jig too low.

They will travel up to see it, but not as often down.

Think pink and white, pink and white, pink and white. I have used other colors with success, but I could get away without owning anything but pink and white, both for salmon and steelhead.

Hope this helps, and I hope you share in the fun of finding your own honey hole. There are still some around, believe it or not!

Jen

[Navigator]

Ar2 -- I have the exact same plan if the river levels hold overnight - I will keep an eye out for you. Good luck regardless!

[Artwo]

Thanks everyone for your responses and advise.

David, I have caught many steelhead on other methods in the past but this year I thought I'ld concentrate on bobber and jig so I can get proficient with it.

Jen, thanks for the tips................I'll try some of them tomorrow.

Nav, maybe I'll see you on the river tomorrow...........good luck to you as well.

JK

[blacktail]

Jeff,

Let's make sure and hook up this Winter. I'm pretty decent with the float and jig thing and have plenty of gear for it.

Mike

[Navigator]

Well, I decided to follow Dave's advice. After about an hour or so working a jig through some prime looking water, I decided the flow was too high (though the river was gin clear) for jig fishing and switched to other techniques. That did not prove to any avail at the first spot I chose to fish - so I went back to the basics.

I moved to Mills Bridge in the afternoon - surprisingly there was a lot of good looking water open. I looked for some 'smaller' water - slower current. Red corkie, white yarn, sandshrimp tail (from Tillamook Bait of course :smile: ), pencil lead (I had just changed lead to match the current speed) - and whammo! - fish on :shocked: . Gotta love drift fishing. About a 6 lb buck - mmmm, good.

Overall, seemed slow for bankies but the boats were getting some fish. Water looked great - high, but clear and holding steady despite a steady rain and snow over the pass.

Good way to end the year - first winter steelhead on the Wilson for me.