ALSEA, Ore. — Well-known for its scenery and reliable returns of winter steelhead, the Alsea River is consistently among Oregon's top 10 steelhead producers. The North Fork Alsea also enjoys a healthy winter run. In fact, there have been years when the retained catch was higher on the North Fork than on the main stem.

Tried and true

Much of the Alsea's popularity stems from an excellent hatchery operation that has provided the parent stock for many programs throughout the west.

"The hatchery run usually peaks in early January, with good fishing lasting into February," said Kevin Goodson, with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife in Newport (541-867-4741).

The bulk of this year's returning adults were released as juveniles in the spring of 2000.

"We released 88,000 directly from the North Fork hatchery," Goodson said. "They only have an adipose (fin) clip. Another 45,000 were released in Fall Creek, and they are missing both their adipose and right maxillary."

The maxillary is a bony structure that resembles the fish's upper lip.

The Alsea also shines when it comes to water conditions. Providing drainage for about 350 square miles, the Alsea travels well over 50 miles from its headwaters rooted in the Siuslaw National Forest.

"It can handle quite a bit of rain," said Todd Longgood with Fins Feathers and Furs Guide Service (541-926-4372).

"I rely on it because it seems to stay in shape longer than most others, and it usually comes back into shape pretty quick if it does get high. The North Fork can clear up in just a day, and it actually fishes best when it's on the high side."

Ins and outs

Sporting over a dozen established boat access points and roughly 30 miles of driftable water, the Alsea is a favorite among driftboaters.

"I think water height and personal preference are the key factors in deciding which drift to make," Longgood said. "The upper river is usually fishable when it hits 6 feet, and the sections above Fall Creek fish best between 4 and 5 feet."

Angling is not allowed from a floating device above Mill Creek.

"When the level is in the 4- to 3-foot range, then the sections below Fall Creek fish real well."

Highway 34 parallels the river from just east of the community of Alsea to Highway 101 at Waldport. The highway is a favorite route to the coast for steelhead anglers residing in the mid-Willamette Valley.

"It's kind of out of the way for the Portland crowd," said Longgood. "We see some guys from up north, but most are either local or coming from the Albany and Corvallis areas. It usually doesn't get too crowded. That's mainly because there's a lot of options and room to spread out."

If there's a down side to the Alsea's out-of-the-way location, it has to be the lack of nearby bait or tackle shops and a shuttle service.

"You definitely need two rigs," said Longgood. "Bikes are an option, but only if you make a short drift. I've hitchhiked a couple of times and always got a ride, but I wouldn't recommend it."

Getting the drift

Drift fishing is the most popular method for hooking up with these often-acrobatic steelies that usually tip the scale between 5 and 7 pounds.

"I would say most guys are drift fishing," said Longgood. "It's tough fishing though because it's mostly a bedrock bottom with lots of ledges, channels and slots. It doesn't really matter whether you use slinkies or lead; it's still tough.

"And some of the best on the river just add a couple of split shot."

Pinch the split shot to the tag end of the knot connecting mainline to leader.

Bobber and jig or bobber and bait combinations also work well.

"Bobbers and jigs worked really well last year," said Longgood. "You can also use bait under a float to work through the ledges and slots. It can be a killer method."

Bobber setups also work well in the slower flowing sections.

Back-trolling plugs is also an effective method for boaters.

"We do real well on plugs," said Longgood. "Because of all the ledges and slots, the plugs are effective, and you can cover lots of water on the longer drifts."

Longgood recommends Tadpollies, Wiggle Warts and Hot Shots (size Nos. 30 and 35) in "shades of red." Metallic blue, green, copper and gold are also good choices, and don't forget the Pirate colors.

Bank on it

The highway provides good bank access to the river.

"There are plenty of pull-outs all along the river between Mill Creek and tidewater," said Longgood. "Be respectful of private property and don't enter without permission.

"There are a couple of places where you can pay and get in, but most of the private property is closed."

Most of the boat launches and bridges also provide good bank access.

Located just off Highway 34 on Fish Hatchery Road, the water just below the North Fork hatchery is some of the most productive, and definitely most popular, for bank anglers.

"There's about 120 to 150 yards of accessible water there and it can get crowded," advises Longgood. "It can also provide excellent fishing when conditions are right."

Most anglers drift fish here with size Nos. 8 to 12 Corkies and Cheaters popular. Fly gear is an option when water conditions allow. The North Fork is only open for steelhead between Dec. 1 and March 31.

Clemmon's Park, located between Alsea and the hatchery, also provides also some excellent bank access and there are landowners in this general area who allow access for a small fee.

On the lower river, the Mike Bauer Wayside has a very nice plunking shack available and a handicapped-accessible area.

Get wild

As mentioned, through the years the Alsea River strain of hatchery winter steelhead has been one of the most dependable, but improvements are under way.

"Last year, ODFW started a wild brood stock program on the Alsea," said Longgood. "We're excited about how this new approach will improve an already excellent fishery."

Other similar programs on the north coast have enjoyed very good results and the first return from this program is expected in 2002-03.

The program was able to capture the desired 35 pair of wild steelhead last year.

"We were able to get the needed number of fish," said Goodson. "Most were caught by anglers and we took a few from the trap on Fall Creek."

Anglers place fish in tubes and leave them at specific locations along the river, hatchery workers are notified and they pick up and transport the fish.

"It's important that (anglers) get registered with the Department before retaining a wild fish." Goodson said. "If they aren't, State Police could write them a ticket."

Boat access rundown

Mill Creek Park: No angling from a floating device above here. Paved ramp with parking. Campbell Park: Paved ramp with parking.

Salmonberry Park: Across the river on Salmonberry Road. Good ramp with graveled parking area.

Missouri Bend Park: Newly paved road with good parking. Long wood slide requires 100-foot rope.

Fall Creek: Private, gravel.

River's Edge: Paved ramp with parking. Note: Challenging boulder patch just above Stony Point.

Stony Point: Unimproved. Parking along road.

Five Rivers: Unimproved gravel. Off old highway above bridge, parking along old highway.

The Launching Boat Ramp: Paved ramp with parking, a.k.a. "The Maples."

Blackberry Park: USFS Park. Paved ramp with parking.

Mike Bauer Wayside: Challenging during low water. Gravel parking area. Plunking shack and handicap access.

Rock Crusher: Unimproved. ODOT property, parking on road.

Hellion Rapids: Dirt slide over bank, parking along road.

Barclay Breaks: Unimproved. Take out only during steelhead season. Below Boundary Road bridge.

Material from Fishing & Hunting News
published 22 times a year.
Visit them at www.fishingandhuntingnews.com