Looking for a good spot to fish on the Wilson.

[Fishable]

Hello, I'm looking for any info on recent Wilson river bank fishing.

 

[SnailEye]

First off, I recommend checking the regulations. As I recall, the far upper part of the river and almost all tributaries are closed. Other areas it depends on what you are fishing for and when you are fishing. Beyond that, most of the river has easy car access. A lot of it is on public land. The closer you get to Tillamook the more private land you will find. Typically, I just look for a pullout that doesn't already have a car parked there. I'll fish that general area for a while and move on if it's slow. It's hard to find a bad spot on that river. Lots of great places to fish but you will also run into a lot of people swimming and hanging out. Some places get trashed unfortunately. I guess the next question is what are you fishing for? I'm typically after trout so the answer is probably different for salmon or steelhead.

 

[Fishable]

Good point....Trout fishing with tenkara gear.

 

[SnailEye]

I have not yet fished a tenkara rod but I suspect you will want to stay up higher in the drainage. I've fished as high as elk creek campground. I think the river is closed just above that. I would suggest starting in that area and working your way down. You should be able to cover most the river with a tenakra rod up there. Down farther there is great water but you will start to be limited by your rig as the river gets bigger. I typically fish it with a 3wt fly rod. I've always really liked that drainage.

 

[troutdude]

Good lookin' out @SnailEye. Here are the specific reg's for the Wilson.

Wilson River (Mainstem)
Hwy 101 bridge to South Fork
• Open all year for hatchery
steelhead.
• Open for hatchery spring
Chinook salmon Jan 1 - Jul 31.
• Open for fall Chinook salmon
Aug 1 - Dec 31.
• Use of bait allowed.
• Closed to salmon angling
above Jordan Cr (RM 21.9)
Aug 1 - Dec 31.

Tributaries and river sections
not listed
• Closed.

Wilson River,
Little North Fork
• Open for hatchery steelhead
Jan 1 - Mar 31 and Dec 1-31.
Wilson River, South Fork
Mouth to marked deadline
near MP 1
• Open for hatchery steelhead
Jan 1 - Mar 31 and Dec 1-31.
Tributaries and river sections
not listed
• Closed.

 

[bass]

Just drive along 6 and stop at any pullout along the open section of the river and you will find fishable water.

To give a specific spot. All through Elk creek campground there are some nice holes and a plunge pool close to where it crosses under 6 just West of Elk creek campground entrance. All along there is nice water, but anywhere from there downstream is open and as I said above just stop at any turnouts and go fishing.

 

[Casting Call]

Stop at marker #19 look at the billboard and map. Try Tenkara at the mouth of the tribs to the Wilson. You may also want to try the Trask one confluence south. Good Luck and let us know how you do. Tony