Recently retired in Florence, Oregon. Where are the best spots for Steelies in the Siuslaw and when? Tried the N. Fork once, at boat landing. Not even a bite. Bank fisherman. Thanks.

Head up to the lake creek area. I know there's some good salmon fishing there and probablly some steelhead too. I'm not too familiar with the Siuslaw, but if you asked on www.ifish.net you'd probably get a quicker and more thourough response.

This weekend should have the best conditions so far this year. Expect lots of company. Levels of 7.5 to 5.5 make fishing,not catching, easier.

Past Mapleton towards Swisshome, weekends the bank fishing holes are easy to locate,just look for rigs parked alongside the road. Try across from the Tide store and red hill at the railroad crossing 6 miles up from Mapleton. At Swisshome try Lake Creek at the boat ramp,take dirt road to ramp.

At Mapleton towards Eugene head for Whitakerr Creek. Miles of fishing and fisherman to Wildcat creek. Good weekend to learn.

I lived on Condon Creek, trib of the North Fork, what, 25 years ago? Used to fill my card on the North Fork Siuslaw, and it used to be good from November through March. Actually, the boat launch is a good hole, and 3 or 4 spots downstream from there produce too. One of the best holes is a couple miles above the bridge on the left, just downstream of a chute of white water, fish stack up there. From Florence you also have ready access to Cape, Big, Rock, Tenmile, and my favorite, Cummins Creek, which is all in a wilderness area and one wild place to fish - the creek is mostly covered with logjams and the fish know how to use them. This is wild fish water, release them all