Headed down to tillamook to hook up with my uncle to do a little winter metal fishin on the wilson as it's basically in his back yard.Saturday was a zoo but so several fish takin thru out the day I'd say 20-25 from both bankies & drifters we went 1 for 2 and felt OK about it.Sunday it froze out and was a little cold but nothing like the 30-35 mph gust from the east pushing us down river @ mach 1 with large bow's in the lines.Made it tough fishin and took out early and headed for home.Talk about a awesome blue bird day on the drive back up the coast simply stunning views and to think that there was no wind @ Bouy-10 / Astoria bridge in the late after noon!!!!!!!!.Made me think of late August and URB's.I hadn't been down in T-Bay town for around 4 years so it was good to get back,feel sorry for the 50-60 people that will be losing there good paying jobs @ The cheese factory soon,big hit for a small local area like that.I learned a couple things while out on the river in Orgygon:

#1 If ya say high to a passing drifter they are more friendly then oh say on the coastal rivers were I fish most in Washington and they only make a cast and keep moving." Here in Worshington you say high to a passing drifter and that mean's it OK to drop anchor 20' below ya and start pounding your tail out.

It was nice to see some different water and etiquette.Sorry like alway's no pics but took a few.Good luck,
SZ

Sounds like a good weekend, better then blowin yer main on the sled. (-;

What???? Thought it was a newer motor and up grade from the four stroke.Suck's.Good luck,
SZ

Chuck, gotta agree with the start of 2012.The weekend was filled with good times,great weather and stunning scenary.If a guy could have water in the river that are steelhead green,blue bird sky's and a few fish around he would get spoiled in a hurry.

Have been down that way on several trips, never fishing. always with the wife in summer. but have to stop and look at the rivers along the way and wish i had my gear. some beautiful water for sure.and for the river eddicate, it dissapered out here on the peninsula back in the early 90's.number one reason most the old timers dont go much anymore. should make getting a steelhead punch card like getting a drivers licence. have to pass the written test and rowing test.

Paguy,

I agree.But when ya learn from a book/video and or the interwebz.The etiquette thing is not taught in those learning curves.Just sayin.

I love the Wilson River and the area. Why do fish people keep retiring in the NW WA counties where the fish are screwed? If I had the money and retirement stuff some of the folks moving here did I would definitely be looking to the Oregon Coast.

Sounds like a great trip, SZ.

Putting in at the old Guide Shop just below Mill's Bridge can get pretty busy on a weekend.
The easy water attracts all sorts.

One escape is to put in at Donaldson's (fee box) which is below the Guide Shop at 0-dark-thirty and get in front of the armada. Fish down to Sollie, take out and re-launch at the Guide Shop if it's a good day and early enough.
The other is to put in at the slide at Siskeyvile which is a couple miles above the Guide Shop.
One rock garden to navigate...not bad, but enough to scare off some n00bs.

Surprised to hear about the WA etiquette....I though it sucked down here ! (at times it can like everywhere)

DD,
We did Mills to sollie, and then mills to donaldson's on Saturday.Sunday we just did mills to donaldson's.Good luck,
SZ

Glad your Oregon trip was good. I like fishing the OP as I get to see a different environment too. Only if I could use my Electric motor and not be afraid of slashed tires when i got off the river. lol.

In oregon, almost everyone uses electric motors to side drift, I asked my friend when we fished the OP streams last year why no one did and my answer was " because", that was it; when in Rome I suppose. I just like that it allows the oarsman a chance to fish more too.

Anyway, good fishing

Oregonarcher,

There's a handfull of people that use the electric motors out this way and I use mine some times,I wouldn't worry about using them up this way if legal to do so.Just don't run a sled or kicker on some of these systems or you will not have air in your tires or possibly and working trailer when ya get back to your rig from what I've heard.Good luck,
SZ

We did real good on the Nestucca a week ago!

Or just dropping in shape................Depends were ya like to fish here @ home.Good luck,
SZ

Oh no, I'm Oregonian with WA plates.
Hope these Puget Tribe raiding parties don't cause me troubles

Huh?

Tillamook Cheese is struggling? Surprising as they make some of the best stuff on the planet. I hope it's not the entire factory.

Can you provide any details?

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2012/01/announcement_of_job_cuts_at_ti.html

Really a bummer, sounds like they are sending jobs to another state back east.

Glad you had a good time in my old home town SZ.

Next time your down this way you should contact me.

The mills bridge to Sollie is an okay stretch...lots of boat traffic as you saw. The upper drifts have more diverse water and less people. Siskeyville to Mills bridge is a good run with only the mine field to deal with...no biggie.

March & April are the best time to fish this river as the native fish return in better numbers.

Listen to this man.

That's too bad, I did not know of this. That town already has lots of problems.

Like Meth and mass drunkeness?