Hebo Deli and Sporting Goods News and Updates

Speaking of bait... our shrimp is as fresh as these...

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Nestucca Valley Sporting Goods & Deli Fishing News

Headwaters of Three Rivers above Castle Rock Park February 18th...

I've seen Winter Steelhead up here spawning in the late 60's!

There was about 4" of snow up on the hill directly above here!

Like they say... "A picture is worth a thousand words"...

Mamma and Pappa Winter Steelhead ready for the grill!

Mamma and Pappa Winter Steelhead ready for the grill!

Big Nestucca River

Here's some chrome Winter Steelhead from the past.  Check out that hog...

This is what it's all about

This is what it's all about

Freshwater

Tips

• Cloverdale:  If the Big Nestucca River starts running really low... fish below the Cloverdale boat ramp for Winter Steelhead.  Incoming tide seems best but not set in stone.  Here's more.

• Mouth of Three Rivers boat ramp near Hebo:  As the water drops, walk as far as you can upstream, fishing the whole way.  Or, fish your way down as far as possible for a chrome, fresh-in-off-the-tide Winter Steelhead.  I don't know if the water will drop enough this Winter to wade across down below.

• Line visibility:  Are You Concerned about fish seeing your line in clear water?

• The Condor (first bridge above Hebo):  Excellent bank fishing and easy access/parking.  When the Big Nestucca River is running about 6'... bank access and Winter Steelhead success will improve here.

River Conditions

The upper Big Nestucca River:   Steelheading all the way down to the mouth of Three Rivers/Hebo boat ramp good to go.

Below the mouth of Three Rivers:  Winter steelhead fishing down to the Cloverdale boat ramp below Hebo should produce results if the Big Nestucca River becomes low and clear.

Check out the Big Nestucca River forecast graph.  Keep an eye on our Hebo weather as well.  The Nestucca River is currently at 6.19'.

We enjoyed beautiful Nestucca River Winter steelheading sunshine earlier this month and the last 5 days...

Happy Nestucca River system Winter Steelhead fisherman

Happy Nestucca River system Winter Steelhead fisherman

Look for more nice Hebo coastal weather today... cloudy and up to 55 degrees!

Rigging

Bobber, hardware and drift fishing are all productive while boat or bank fishing for Oregon Coastal Fall and Spring Chinook or Winter Steelhead.  Furthermore...

Back-bouncing is really effective if you're fishing out of a boat.  In certain spots, it can be effective while bank fishing your favorite Tillamook County salmon and steelhead river.  Additionally... 

Attractors (such as Kwikfish) working in the current behind your boat or even off the bank (with or without bait)...

...can really aggravate those agressive, fresh, chrome Chinook salmon and steelhead.  Try pitch and retrieve as well.  Jr at our Hebo Tackle/Sporting Goods shop will set you up with an attractor/plug.

Steelhead and salmon bait:  Here's some suggestions.

Our color tip doesn't mean you can't use other colors, it's just that you'll need your presentation to be closer to the Nestucca (or other river) salmon and steelhead before color shifting to gray, then black (shorter-range colors).

Try not to over-think though.  Fishing properly where the fish are is most important.  Your line needs to be in the water.

Possibly salmon and steelhead are more aware of spawning colors as they work their way upstream.  I'm always testing and researching this stuff from reliable sources.  Try fluorescent pink, red and orange (short-range colors... even though they'll shift to black sooner than the yellows, greens and blues in clearer water).

Here's something to think about...

If you think you're using red but it's black as viewed by the fish... are you ok with that?  I guess so if you really want to use black  :-)  However... as your presentation moves closer to the fish...

...it'll shift back to red (possibly spooking the fish in low, clear conditions?).  Hmmm.....

Tidewater

Tip

Pacific City area (salmon):  When to fish here and some interesting facts I've picked up over 30+ years of Big Nestucca River tidewater fishing!

Cloverdale:  Head of tidewater... this can be a very productive Big Nestucca salmon and steelhead fishery. 

Winter Steelhead:  When the Nestucca River gets extremely low, fish from Pacific City all the way up to Cloverdale...

...including the mouth of Three Rivers (not tide-affected here).

IF THE BIG NESTUCCA RIVER DROPS TO REALLY LOW LEVELS... SERIOUSLY CONSIDER TIDEWATER FISHING FOR WINTER STEELHEAD.

River Conditions

Pacific City/Big Nestucca tidewater will be off-color with a lot of debris a good part of the time during late Fall, Winter and early Spring.  "Out-going" current most of the time due to the large amount of fresh water except during a strong incoming tide. This is a good time to try some beach combing!

Rigging

Bank and boat fishing Nestucca River tidewater (salmon):

Fish right below Pacific City Bridge, the boat ramp below, the mouth or...

...the Pacific City Woods area up above using...

• Bobber and bait

• Hardware

• Trolling hardware with or without bait

• Anchoring in the current and "plunking" a Kwikfish or other wobbling type plug wrapped with bait or without.

• Flies

We've got it all here at Nestucca Valley Sporting Goods.  Jr will show you how to rig up.

Little Nestucca River

Freshwater

Tip

"Can I catch Sea-Run Cutthroat as well as Salmon and Steelhead?  What's your advice for fishing here in high water?  Coho Salmon?"  You'll find the answers here and more!

Just like Castle Rock Park area on Three Rivers, The upper Little Nestucca River will raise and drop quickly.

For those of you that like a clear, decent flow of water...

Is it hard to figure out where your Winter Steelhead is lurking?

Fish way up high on this Tillamook County Winter Steelhead gem first following a high water. 

If really low, clear water is your thing... fish the upper Little Nestucca River when the Big Nestucca is running 6' or less.

I've caught Sea-Run Cutthroat and Summer Steelhead fishing up here this time of year.  Little Nestucca Summer Steelhead will have a red stripe but they retain some glimmer, unlike "dark" Winter Steelhead.  If they're mating on the spawning beds... leave them alone.

Here's an option, using the Big Nestucca River as a guage, If it's 8' and dropping!

River Conditions

Rigging

Little Nestucca fly fishermen:  "What type of Winter Steelhead fly rod should I use?"  This might be useful.

Catching a chrome Winter Steelhead is fun... conventional gear or fly fishing...

Looks like fresh Winter Steelhead steaks for dinner tonight!

Looks like fresh Winter Steelhead steaks for dinner tonight!

While fishing for fresh Oregon Coastal Winter Steelhead like these!

• Fly fishing:  Thought about fly fishing for Summer or Winter Steelhead?
  
  
• Fishing hardware:  Very productive in certain conditions and sometimes downright deadly!

Drift fishing, bobber fishing and other Little Nestucca River salmon and steelhead fishing techniques...

WE'LL BE COVERING THESE IN THE FUTURE (we haven't forgotten... been really busy!).

Tidewater

Tip

You can find lots of tackle that floated down one of our Nestucca system rivers here!  Check out tidewater or on the beach... close to the mouth of the Big Nestucca River.

I also forage for seaweed, a wild edible that I eat...

You can eat this Cape Kiwanda seaweed raw or dried

You can eat this Cape Kiwanda seaweed raw or dried

101 Bridge area and above:  Fish all the way up to the head of tidewater!

River Conditions

Little Nestucca tidewater conditions are ok today.

Keep in mind... Chinook Salmon will still slow down and possibly hold in tidewater for a spell...

...when the water drops considerably late in the Fall during Little Nestucca Chinook Salmon season.

As noted above... I've caught Little Nestucca tidewater Winter Steelhead during low water periods.  

Rigging

Salmon and low-water Winter Steelhead:

Bait.  Hardware.  Flies.  Plugs.  Flashers.  Hoochies.  Here's more. 

If you're not a Nestucca fly fisherman, don't be afraid to fish a fly below your bobber if bait isn't doing the trick.  I've seen this work with the Clouser Minnow and other flies... 

Maybe substitute this with a Hebo Sporting Goods "wiggly" GoldStar Hoochie squid.  Also, try adding some scent and or bait.

When you're fishing jigs for Winter and Summer Steelhead, you're using a fly  :-)

I know a guy who was very successful bobber fishing for tidewater Winter Steelhead with a rubber worm (with nothing else, possibly a scented steelhead rubber worm) using a fly rod...

on the Wilson River around 101 bridge.

Does anybody miss Fall Chinook fishing?

Does anybody miss Fall Chinook fishing?

Three Rivers

Tip

Unlike other Nestucca River fisheries, the hatchery does fish in turbid, high water.  In the old days... we fished here when the Nestucca River was 10' and less (6.19' now) or even more when dropping... seriously!  Use heavier salmon and steelhead fishing gear. 

When Three Rivers drops and clears after being high and roily...

Park behind Nestucca Valley Sporting Goods and walk downstream.  I start fishing for Winter Steelhead here on Three Rivers when the Big Nestucca River is running about 6.5'-7' and less while dropping.  Or... fish in the S-curves down below Cedar Creek Hatchery alongside the road. 

The upper river is lined with private property until you hit the Castle Rock Park area.  You can get out there and walk upstream (or down).  Check with Cedar Creek Hatchery first to find out if they're letting fish up past their electric weir.

River Conditions

Cedar Creek Hatchery down to the Mouth of Three Rivers:

Three Rivers Hatchery is getting low.  Combined with lots of Winter Steelhead angling pressure... you might focus on early and late.  Use your "low water" know-how techniques.  Seemed to be a lot of activity there again yesterday for the 5th day in a row.

Worth repeating:  If there's any Three Rivers Hatchery Winter Steelhead around... fishing early and late will pay off when it's running on the low side in addition to lots of Winter Steelhead angling pressure.

Downstream all the way to the mouth of Three Rivers below our Hebo Bait Shop...

Good to go  :-)

Castle Rock Park: 

Getting really low and clear up here.  If you don't care about that, bring your kids and dogs... enjoy the weather and solitude! 

I always enjoy viewing upper Three Rivers from "my" logging road culvert.  Probably no bright fish up here but... that's not so important to me anymore.  

Stop in for a warm meal from our Hebo deli and share pictures of your Three Rivers Winter Steelhead  :-)

Fishing above Cedar Creek Fish Hatchery:

When conditions are favorable... start up high on Tillamook County's Three Rivers and work your way down to Cedar Creek Hatchery and below as noted above.  Stay in touch with the Hebo Weather Forecast.  

Three Rivers is open (above the Cedar Creek fish hatchery weir) all year for hatchery steelhead and open for Fall Chinook Aug 1 - Dec 31.  I'm pretty sure there is no fishing deadline above Three Rivers Hatchery.  Check here.

Worth mentioning again:  Is Three Rivers Hatchery allowing Winter Steelhead to migrate upriver at this time?  Give them a shout.

A chrome Nestucca River System Winter Steelhead...

Wonder what hot Winter Steelhead rig he was using?

Wonder what hot Winter Steelhead rig he was using?

Rigging

Salmon and steelhead:

Bobber and drift fishing for salmon and steelhead...

...including hardware and flies... it's all good.  Save your hardware for clear water conditions although... it's still productive when Three Rivers is off-color. 

We carry all of that stuff here at Nestucca Valley Sporting Goods.  Check out our Color Tip above.

Swing, strip and drift you flies.  Same with spinners although...

Fishing blades slowly retrieved cross-current should be the method used (most) frequently when fishing Hebo area Three Rivers with spinners.

Neskowin Creek

Freshwater

Tip

Neskowin Creek does have a run of wild salmon and Winter steelhead.  I'm not sure about the numbers.  There's a lot of bank access up there.  I know a gal who lets the Game Comission use her river-front property to monitor Neskowin Creek wild salmon and Winter Steelhead returns.  Click here to find more information. 

No floating crafts allowed.

I'll check in with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to learn more about the Neskowin Creek wild fish populations survey when I have more time.  Sorry I haven't done this yet... didn't forget.

Rigging

Neskowin Creek offers a diversity of water types.  Lure, bobber, drift and fly fishing can all be enjoyed!

Conditions

Fish above 101 Bridge if the Big Nestucca River Level drops to 8' (6.19' this Monday morning).  Use this as a guage.  Do you want to fish below the bridge?  Always wait a day afterwards if Neskowin Creek fishery is dropping.

Today Lincoln County Neskowin Creek Winter Steelhead fishing conditions are favoring low, clear water.  Start above the 101 Highway bridge first... then fish below.

There's not enough freshwater to give fresh Winter Steelhead a safe passage up river from the ocean surf.

Tidewater

You can fish the Neskowin Creek "tidewater" area as well when the river conditions are good.  We used to fish it from the south side before those houses were built and...

...along the highway before all the trees grew up out of the rip-rap.

Actually... this is not really tidewater when Neskowin Creek is running low along with low tides.  But, when the creek is high, the ocean is roily and the tide is high... it'll push up into this area creating a "Neskowin Creek Tidewater."

Give it a shot during these low water Neskowin Creek conditions.

Important to know:  The mouth of Neskowin Creek is constantly changing.  At times... the river needs to be really high along with an extremely high tide...

...so Winter Steelhead and Fall Chinook salmon to have safe passage up into freshwater.

We're Growing!

Flies?  Yes!  As our Hebo rivers website grows... we'll really dig into fly fishing for steelhead and salmon as well as other topics...

We'll also start building content pages about bait, bobber and lure, etc., fishing in the future!  Many other topics will be included (as per your request).  Get involved... don't be shy and let us know what type of content you would like to see on our Nestucca Valley Sporting Goods/Deli Website. 

Additionally...

You can chime in with your advice/experiences, etc.  We'll use it as a content page for our Hebo Sporting Goods and Deli Website (if you don't mind the whole world seeing it).  You can include your photos as well.  Here's our first one!

Need Bait?  Click Here. 

If you forgot your lunch... we've got you covered including clam chowder or tomato bisque soup!

We'll Start Covering Your Favorite Tillamook Chinook and Steelhead Rivers as well...

...including bottom fishing, crabbing, camping, hiking, food, etc...

Anything related to Our Hebo Deli Food and Sporting Goods Store/Website!

Speaking of... I've fished the Kilchis River all throughout December in the past for Fall Chinook.

It will be fishable before the other Tillamook River System Chinook and Winter Steelhead streams.  Using the Wilson River as a guage, I knew exactly when it was good to go but can't recall.  Sorry.  I'll figure this out for you for future use (I'm not going to just "Google it").

Coming:  Table of Contents for Quick, Easy Access!

We'll build a Table of Contents at the top if this Nestucca Valley Sporting Goods/Deli Blog Page.  At times it can be lengthy for mobile viewers. 

We're really busy building our online and offline business right now.  It might be a while before we cover a greater area of Tillamook outdoor/fishing news updates.  Let us know what you expect here.

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