I fish the Wilson River flowing into Tillamook Bay and have noticed a steady influx of fresh Nates all through April. In previous years the majority of the run is in the river by the end of March with just a trickle of fish arriving later. Could this be a sign of improved ocean conditions? Just curious if you guys fishing NW Wash are seeing the same thing.
Mark

On the SW Washington coast we've seen a mixed bag. One river that usually finishes with a flurry was dead 3 weeks before the end of March closure. The other river I fish (I'd name them but I've had cyber-admonishings to keep them hushed up by several members) Usually slows in Feb. but had fresh nates rolling in until the bell went off. Very surprising indeed.

caught nates early on the sky this year (early March..), had some good action then it slowed down some...haven't been out lately due to workin' weekends (hi chuck, when do ya go north? ted, mark and steve have been asking about you)

STLHDR,
My friend fished the Siletz yesterday afternoon on his lunch break. He caught 2 of those brood stock fish (palmer creek) The parents of those fish were wild stock. The river has been real good for the few people who have been fishing. On sunday another guy I know hit 7 fish, 4 were palmer creek fish the other 3 were wild. The fish are late this year,
Ive caught chrome bright nates all the way into the first week of may on north Oregon streams. Im gonaa hit the river on monday, I'll give you a report.

STLHDR - Do you ever fish the Bay for Springers? Sure enjoy my week down there in the fall fishing for those brute Kings...

willierower

Sounds like the Siletz has lots of fish too. I've heard the same reports from the Nestucca. My best fishing this year has been in April. There seems to be an upturn in numbers of Native Steelhead returning to all coast streams. That's good news.

Barnyard
I fish pretty much from the bank. I do look forward to Springer fishing in the rivers though. In June you don't know what your going to be hooking into. It's a lot of fun fighting a fresh from the ocean Springer on 8# line.

Tight Lines guys
Mark

STLHDR,
We fished the Siletz today. We banked it in the lower gorge. Hooked 5, 3 were chrome, 2 were dark. My girlfriend spanked a chromer wild hen that was a solid 12 lbs. I got a coloered up wild buck that was pushing 15 lbs.
the other 3 fish were hatchery fish that were fresh.
I think there is a bunch of late returning fish this year. We saw about 20 or so fish spawning, we left those alone.
Any springers up your way yet? I want to hit the netucca at least once this year.........

Willierower, Thanks for the report on the lower gorge. I haven't heard of any springers or summers yet but they should be moving up soon. I wonder if they'll be late also.

I believe everything this year has been late. I've been fishing the Sky at lease once a week since the end of Feb. The fishing has been slow for me during this period. Now the last two weeks have been great.