Nothing But Chrome- NF Nehalem Report

The NF Nehalem continues to produce chrome bright hatchery fish like this one caught on Jan 27th.  Water levels and clarity have been good.  The hatchery reports good numbers of fish continuing to return back to the hatchery.  Wild fish have been caught as well. 

Enjoy the thrill of steelhead fly fishing on the NF Nehalem; as they say, "The Tug is the Drug! " Our favorite way to catch steelhead is on the swung fly.  A few specific spots on the NF are custom made for this.  However, most fly fishing is done with floating lines and strike indicators.  Fly patterns are often simple egg patterns.  Pink, cerise, white, orange, salmon egg, peach are all productive colors on the NF.

Only hatchery steelhead can be kept on the NF.  Most years the limit is 2 fish per person.  Here the successful anglers of the day show off their catch as well as the camera man's.

Come join us for a fun float on the NF Nehalem river!  Click here for more info.  www.watertimeoutfitters.com

North Fork Nehalem Winter Steelhead Report

The last 8 days has been very busy for Water Time Outfitters.  Each day we've been working the emerald green waters of the NF Nehalem River. We fished our hearts out, enjoyed exciting whitewater rafting and then relaxed in the warm cabin each night right on the water.  This week the stars have aligned, prayers have been answered and a few lucky anglers have been winning the "steelhead lotto".  In other words fishing has been epic!

The river started out being muddy and high- 83" the week before.  By Sunday the water was down around 56" and dropping.  It was high but a nice green color.  Monday the river was very busy with the New Years holiday crowd.  Water level was around 50".  Through the week we had levels from 44-50" with showers, clouds and rain.  The sun even made an appearance on Sunday a week later when the water temp was at 44 degrees. 

With the water high, dropping, clearing and warm combined with a lack of rain earlier in the month of December we had a pile of fish swimming by each day.  The hatchery trap was full and you could see hundreds of steelhead which came into the trap the first few days of the year. 

Fighting a chrome bright steelhead is a great way to start the year and this trip some of our begining anglers even got to tire their arms wrestling fish.  A highlight for us was our group from Arizona with 7 year old Xeng landing 2 chrome steelhead.  This kid was a "black belt" steelhead angler under 4' tall!  The other fantastic thing we saw this week was a lot of wild fish being caught.  That bodes well for our wild run which is strongest in Feb/Mar. 

Here are a few pics of our fishing from the week.  Special thanks to all our great customers who joined us on the NF.

If you'd like to see your face in a picture similar to the ones below call Rob or Gil at Water Time Outfitters.  www.watertimeoutfitters.com  503-704-6449

John Huntsman with a dandy swung fly Steelhead he caught on his #5 weight spey rod with a 10' sink tip.

John Huntsman Pics

                                                                 More Misc Pics

                            Warm and by the fire each night, great especially on those rainy days!

Can't Wait for Winter Steelies!

This picture pretty much says it all.  Can't wait for winter steelhead to show up.  If you want to learn how to catch these amazing creatures give us a call or check out one of our many classes and seminars coming up this winter.  www.watertimeoutfitters.com 

Oregon Winter Steelhead Lodge

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The NF Nehalem is a gem among NW rivers. It flows out of the wild and rugged Oregon Coast range mountains into the main Nehalem river. The NF gets one of the strongest hatchery steelhead runs on the Oregon coast along with a good dose of big wild steelhead as well. Floating the river is an inspiring experience on it own. Over 26 waterfalls cascade into the NF canyon during our float. We float this section of river in rafts and start at the uppermost target for migrating steelhead - the hatchery.

The NF boast choppy riffles and many small pools ideal for the indicator strategy. Some sections swing a fly very well also. Each day fresh arriving steelhead ride the tides into the lower river. A mix of chrome bright fish to brightly colored fish may be found through the season.

Winter steelhead time is rain time in Oregon and having a nice warm place to dry out at the end of the day before a long drive home is a good part to any angler's fishing dream.  Warming the toes by the fire and enjoying a drink next to the fire really puts a great cap to a day on the water.  That is just what we are offering this year in January on the NF Nehalem river.  Water Time Outfitters has secured riverside lodging right on a key peice of water on the NF Nehalem river. 

Come join us for a winter steelhead fishing adventure and relax at comfortable convenient lodging at the end of the day.  Special packages for our traveling anglers available. Peak time on the NF is around the first week of January.  The run starts mid-December and runs through the first part of February. 

Guided float trips on the NF include:  Experienced guide and oarsman, flies, tippet, leaders as needed, rod/reel/lines as needed, shuttle back to your vehicle at the end of the day, hot lunch, soft drinks and waters.  $425 for 2 anglers.  (2 anglers per boat max.) 

Stay one night at our riverside lodge with guided fishing day-meals include: dinner, breakfast and lunch for only $550 for 2 anglers.  Space is very limited.  Only open dates for lodging are Jan 2,3,4,5,6,& 7th  50% deposit is required to reserve your spot.  Call now to save your date: 503-704-6449.