Tidewater Fishing Not Over

Hello Anglers,
Recent rains will push many fish upriver, but more are still coming. Once the rains stop for a few days, expect more fish to stack back in upper tidewater. The Siuslaw above Mapleton is high enough to drift, but the color is off (as of Sat. night). It should be fishable either Sunday afternoon or Monday. I'll be bobber fishing below town later this week.

Here's this week's Siuslaw News story:
Bobber Fishing for Fall Chinook Part II

In last week’s article, I discussed the rigging I use when bobber fishing for salmon on the river. In this week’s article, I’ll talk about some of the places I look for fish in rivers. There are few things more satisfying than fishing a new part of the river and locating fish.

Rolling Fish Are A Sign
Many times, fall salmon give away their location by jumping or “rolling”. Though scientists and fishery biologists have been debating the meaning of this action for years, this guide is pretty sure they do it because they can’t stick their tongue out at us! But seriously, rolling fish are active fish. If you see a lot of rollers, it’s a good place to start fishing. It is also important to note that not all rollers are biters, and there’s nothing more frustrating than having fish roll all around you with no bites.

Incoming Tides, Scum Lines and Time of Day
I aggressively bobber fish during incoming tides. Fresh fish move upriver following the incoming tide, and it’s a great time to catch them. Fish new to an area are more aggressive than fish that have been holding for a few days. Also, fish generally move at night, feeling safe under the cover of darkness. So fishing the incoming tide early in the day gives you the best chance of locating biting fish. Another sign I look for is the “scum line” in the river. Some anglers avoid it, fearing the sticks and leaves will foul their presentation. Seek the scum line out and fish in or next to it. This is where the current is moving and where the fish will be.

Shallow Water Vs. Deep Holes
Don’t be tied to the idea that salmon only hold in deep water. Salmon will often hold and stage on shallow “flats”. Try these shallow water areas during incoming tides, early and late in the day. If the weather is rainy and overcast, you can fish these shallow water areas all day. During outgoing tides and bright conditions, concentrate on deeper holding water. If it’s sunny and clear, salmon will tend to find deep holding water where they’ll feel secure. Also, fish don’t have sunglasses or even eyelids, so they want to get out of the sun.

See you on the water,
Action Jackson

(Please send comments or questions to Action Jackson at 268-6944 or www.actionjacksonfishing.com)