Tom Mathews Loc: OR

Hello all, I live by Portland. We moved here and don't know the best river bank fishing for winter steelhead. Any advice on where to go would be greatly appreciated. Fish on 🎣

Thanks

johnlmac Loc: Salem OR

Winter steelhead season is about over. The Wilson and Nestucca rivers may still have some fish coming in and the summer steelhead should be coming up the Columbia and Willamette rivers soon.

Tom Mathews Loc: OR

Thank you for the information. What's the best bait to use on the Wilson?

johnlmac Loc: Salem OR

I use beads under a bobber. Also, jigs work and lots of guys use blue fox spinners. I have been using the Potskees scent on my beads. If you have never used beads before you can go to YouTube and look it up and you will find the best ways to set up and use them. I tie the hook on my leader and put the bead on about three finger lengths above the hook, and sometimes use a split shot above that and use a half-ounce weight attached to my braid. If you use soft beads the stoppers don't work very well. They slide too easily on your line and you may have a hard time hooking fish like I always do. I learned a method of putting a small craft bead above the hook and putting a sequin on that to keep the bead from sliding when the fish bite. I found that video on YouTube.

FixorFish Loc: SW Oregon

Love that sequin idea for soft beads, as they do tend to slip, and it's easy to be unaware of it happening without pulling your gear incessantly to check. Can't recall where I first saw the sequin thing, but imo, anything additional "sparkling" can't be anything but helpful.

Now...if we could just get some flows and water color to calm down!

ChuckFasst Loc: NW Oregon

Sandy River has steelies in it. And Springers on the way. And I guess there's a bunch of smelt down at the mouth as well!