You're Using Dyed Red Salmon Eggs.  Does it Appear Red to the Fish?

If you think you're using red but it's black as viewed by the fish... are you ok with that?  Check this out!

I've tested the color shift theory underwater, in a gin-clear swimming pool.

Productive Steelhead and Salmon Fly Fishing and Spinner Fishing Techniques (freshwater)

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.  I've caught more Winter Steelhead fishing spinners this way than any other technique.  However, other methods do work:

• Drifting
• Swinging
• Even jigging

I prefer stripping my Winter Steelhead streamers cross-current as well.  However, swinging flies is very effective.  But, I can cover more different types of Winter Steelhead holding water.  Hardly anyone uses this Winter Steelhead fly fishing technique but... it works!  Mix in:

• Drifting
• Swinging
• Jigging

Mouth of Three Rivers boat ramp near Hebo:  As the water drops, walk as far as you can upstream, fishing the whole way (unless it's too low)  Or, fish your way down as far as possible for chrome, fresh-in-off-the-tide steelhead and chinook.  I don't know if the water will drop enough during the winter months to wade across down below.

I begin bank fishing here (the big hole at the boat ramp) for Spring and Fall Chinook, when the Big Nestucca River drops below 6'.  When fishing for Winter Steelhead at the mouth of Three Rivers... also wait until the Nestucca River drops below 6'.

Fish 6'-9' deep if you're bobber fishing for Spring and Fall Chinook (in the deepest part along the logs) when the Big Nestucca River level is around 6'.

Low, Clear, Cold Water Winter Steelhead Fishing

When the Oregon Coastal Winter Steelhead Rivers become lower and colder, make sure you've got a steelhead rod rigged up, ready to go with your favorite spinner, plug, or other type of lure.

Furthermore, Winter Steelhead prefer slower flows during low, cold, clear water conditions.  Marabou Jigs (really flies) shine here.  Just the slightest breeze and it wiggles and undulates!  We've got 'em.

During low water conditions...

About mid-January at dark I shined my headlamp into the water right by the bank at the Cedar Creek Hatchery deadline.  I saw 3 Winter Steelhead fining in the current.  Low water conditions:  Include fishing early or late up here.

When the water becomes lower, focus most (not all) of your Three Rivers Winter Steelhead fishing from Nestucca Valley Sporting Goods and Deli downstream...

DO NOT leave your jigs and lures at home!

Last year, April 15th, I was running up Gauldy Mt Road above Three Rivers Hatchery.  On the way down... two Spring Chinook fisherman returned from the Heart Attack Hole.  One fellow  was packing a Three Rivers Spring Chinook about 15 lbs.  Just food for thought. 

Give it a try now... hike down from Gauldy Mt Road.  Start fishing at legal time, one hour before sunrise.  Fish until about 6:30 am... that's it.  It's super low and clear.

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