Spring Steelhead on the Nehalem

March 28th was scheduled to be a day of Spring Salmon fishing on the Lower Columbia with Rick and his son Tommy from Kalmath Falls. With the Columbia colored from recent rains we discussed the fact that Steelhead were available on the Main Nehalem from the beaver Slide ( crash boom bang) to the cement plant.

With the weather forecasted to be awesome we decided to go for it. Herb's Biscuits and Gravy, hot coffee and a meeting in the Safeway parking lot then off to the river. Once I could see the river it was a little high but falling fast. The color was a deep greey green. No wind and no fog. The temp was cool not cold.

We were joined by my son Jon who is 14 and a great fishermen at his age. We started out fishing a spot where we have had great success so I floated striaght there. We had Divers and Sand Shrimp out and it did not take long for a nice 13 pound female to come to the net for photo's and release. Tommy landed that once and it was a start to a great day!

Over the coarse of the day we hooked nine wild Steelhead and landed seven. Size was from 7lbs to 14 lbs. We also lost a HOG that jumped several times finally breaking the leader! Fsihing was great the catching awesome.

I great day on the Nehalem and a great day with good people!

Hopefully will edit soon with pics once my daughter downloads from Virizon!

More later!

Val Perry

Perry's Fishing Adventures
www.fishingwithval.com
fishingwithval@msn.com
866-738-6991

Special Note we are doing a Lower Columbia Sturgeon Clinic May 1-2 at Joe's in Beaverton from 6:30 - questions stop!

Now booking
Lower Columbia Sturgeon May 12 - July 4th
Alaska Halibut and trophy Kings in Cook Inlet www.trophyking.com
Buoy to Silver/Chinooks
Fall Nehalem & Tillamook Bay Chinooks

Spring Salmon, Keeper Sturgeon and Alaska

First off we have to apologize for the long period between posts! We had some kind of a virus for a week or so and then could not regain access to the Blogg. Being a fisherman not a member of the geek squad I was unable to fix a simple little setting until geek member showed me and made fun of me. Bet she can't fillet a Sturgeon! Ha!

Okay I feel better, it is late March and we are crazy with reservations, fishing for Steelhead and Springers and getting ready for both the Keeper Sturgeon on the lower Columbia and our trip to the Cook Inlet and Trophy King Lodge ( www.trophyking.com ) in July for Kings up to 80lbs and Halibut Barn Doors.

Steelhead fishing is spotty but the quality of fish is very good. we landed three on the Main Nehalem this week on glo bugs soaked in Pautzke's Nectar and was rewarded with two fish in the 16 pound area and another about 10. We also fished the Necanicum this week one day and landed four downers and one chrome 12 pound wild hen!! Bobbers and First Bite Jigs! Pink & Pink/white.

We also fished last week a few days and also two so far this week for Springer's on the Lower Columbia. We fished from Jim Crow to Pudget Island and only landed three fish. We also fought a Stellar Lion and lost a great plug with a chrome Chinook in his mouth. But over all the fishing was SLOW!! The water needs to clear up and as soon as that happens be ready for some good action before they close it in Mid April!

Once the Springer's Close on the Columbia we will then focus on Lower River Sturgeon and Willy Springer's. We have a few spots available from April 16 - May 10th. On May 12th we begin daily trips for Keeper Sturgeon on the Lower River. During this time we will be running two trips a day. Morning trips will be 8-9 hours or until we limit and the evening trips 4-5 hours. Make sure you get your dates as this is a crazy busy time!

Our last trip for my boat will be june 25th that is when we fly to Cook Inlet and Torphy King Lodge for five weeks of Halibut and King Salmon trips. In additin we will hit the Kenai, Kasilof and some flyout trout, cockeye and bear viewing days as well. THis is a first class lodge with meals, beverages, private rooms & baths. The boats are all custom 24' and all of the guiding team knows how to get you into some great fish. The Lodge King record is 84 pounds and the Halibut a huge 350 pounds. We are also going to be exploring Salmon sharks!

I want to thanks our partners as I do not get to very often. Team Joe's, Gamakatsu, Quantum, Pautzke's, Sufix, Hunting & Fishing News, Bud's Camp Ground, Sturgeon Paul's, Trendwest, Hallmark Inns, Holiday inn Express of Seaside and Astoria, Clackacraft Drift Boats, North River Boats, Yakama Bait Company ( Fatso's, Flatfish & SPinners ) & Brad's Wobblers and Wiggler's .

For my customers do not forget to get Joe's Discount coupons from me before shopping!!