It seems that most of the Fishingnw membership is somewhat removed from the Westside fishing opportunities, but for anyone with ideas of catching steelhead fresh from the salt, the winter run is beginning to make its appearance in many of the coastal rivers. For the smaller streams, look for a good shot of rain to move the fish and add enough color to the water so that the fish drop their guard. In the larger streams, the fish should be making their way through the lower stretches of the river. We saw a few steelhead on the south Oregon coast among the hordes of old salmon, which were either sitting on reds or long dead on the bank--markers of high water in the past. We skipped over the tailouts full of these tired salmon and focused on the faster riffles where fresh steelhead would lay. It finally paid off with this beautiful near-chrome buck: fishingnw.com/modules...._photo.php

If you get a chance, the winter run is upon us. Go get 'em.

E-mann

E-Mann,
You are not alone in the quest for chrome! I watch river levels like a hawk and drive long distances to the Columbia tribs for a chance at fresh fish. Your photo shows why it is all worth while!

JimmyD

nice fish