Nehalem river report (September 5th)

First trip to the Nehalem this year…..hoping for some bright fall chinook.

Got to the river a little after 7 am and put my kayak in at the boat launch below the 101 crossing between Nehalem and Wheeler. Fishing pressure was quite low. Around ten  boats were trolling in the river section north of the boat launch. This is also where I fished......trolling herring behind a flasher, both up and downstream in an outgoing tide.

Fishing was slow unfortunately….I spoke one person who caught a salmon and another person who lost one. However, I did not get to see any chinook action myself. My catch of the day: When checking my herring I found a sculpin on the free dangling hook…The fish was about the size of my headless herring but somehow had managed to confuse my 3/0 hook with a dinner (he had the hook in his mouth so he must have opened his mouth WIDE to make this happen)!! At least technically not completely skunked . I brought my fly rod as well and spent 15-20 minutes trying to get some SRC near the shore of Deer Island. I got two short strikes when trolling a streamer, but no actual hookup.  Around 11 am, when the tide started to push in, I called it a day.

Even though the cooler bag stayed empty it was a beautiful morning. The river was like a mirror most of the time, quite some sun shine and last but not least friendly people all around (I have seen quite a few others on the Columbia in previous weeks). Apparently still a bit early for the fall chinook to be present in big numbers but it should be a matter of just a few weeks now before the peak. So I’ll be back!

PS: First post on this forum. Hopefully a more successful trip next time.

Great first post.  Stick with it, the fish will come.  Getting out and on the water is a win in it's self.

Btw... it was nice talking to you on Saturday.

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One of the deepest spots is in front of the flag pole on the other side of the bridge.

@Surforegon:

Thanks for the feedback!

I have my kayak rigged with a fish finder and when mapping this part of the river last year I indeed found this deep section. I trolled through it several times yesterday, making sure my bait stayed close to the bottom. No luck though...

@hdpwipmonkey:
It was definitely nice talking to you on Saturday! Hope to see you soon somewhere on the water!

 

I have always seen (and had 1 lucky taker) in between the Wheeler Marina and The RV park marina closer to the mouth.

Hi stinger, it was great meeting at the am/pm, each of us on our way to the coast. I had a great day at PC, taking home 5 nice rockfish. Do you live a close to where we ran into each oth? Hope to run into you on the water.

Hi Helium Head,

I read the "PC Monday" thread from Mojo Jojo and saw the pictures. Sure looked like fun and good to  hear you had a great time in Pacific City!
I have never fished for rockfish yet (or made it out on the ocean in my Kayak). It is high on my wishlist, but first I want to make sure i am ready for it (gear/clothes) and don't get myself in trouble

I indeed live close to gas station. Less than half a mile away (east). Are you from around as well?

Hope to see you on the water indeed!

Stinger , the Tillamook bay is a great learning curve to the ocean and holds some smaller rockfish that make great tacos.

Thanks Mojo Jojo, I appreciate the advice.
After fishing Nehalem Bay (again) yesterday i spent some time scouting the Tillamook Bay area and the town of Garibaldi.
Somehow I hadn't seen the bay in quite a few years. It looked great and i can't wait to give it a try. If the weather cooperates I plan on being there in two weeks.

 

Hi Singer Hook, yes l live just north on Conrnelius Pass Road. I agree with Mojo, Tillamook bay jetty is good prep for ocean. Mojo is very helpful and will show you where and when to launch, things to be aware of heading to jetty, tides Etc. He lives only yards from launch.