I've never fished the Stilly, so I decided to go out and do a little scouting befor the salmon season starts.

I started out on Dike Road and found a spot or two that looked promising, but after an hour of seeing no signs of fish I decided to move up to Haller Park. When I got there I started checking out the shoreline looking for a good place and decided to try right under the rail bridge. I started throwing a pick jig under a float and immediately got zero response. However, almost immediately, the salmon started jumping and averaged one a minute for the next hour or so petering out around 9:30.

So, I guess it was a mixed bag. No fish, but new knowledge and the rain should bring even more fish into the river. Looks like next week should be a good opener.

Does anyone have any advice, suggestions, or simply want to hook up and go fishing out there soon? I could still use a lot of help when it comes to river fishing and wouldn't mind a practice trip befor the opener.

scraig1962

8/26/2010 8:23:00 PM

I fish the Stilly quite a bit. The spot you were fishing is a good spot for salmon due to the slow slack water and sandy bottom. That whole pool from the bridge to tail out is pretty good salmon water. There might be a few in there now, but it wont get hot till around October. The numbers are still way low in the salt, so i'd wait a while. I have caught silvers with a float and jig but spinners have produced more fish for me. There is a ton of cutthroat trout coming in right now c&r only. As far as the trout go, I have had pretty good luck fishing the tail out near the end of Haller park. My fav. spots are a ways downstream of Haller park, and around Blue Stilly park until N.Fork opens. Early morning I fish tail outs and deeper runs. When the sun hits the water I fish the riffles. Im fishing Sat. morning early. Hopefully the rain and increase water level will bring some bigger fish.

Telemachus

8/26/2010 8:34:00 PM

I did throw a #4 pink and silver bluefox spinner and a 50/50 dick nite with no luck. What color spinners?

scraig1962

8/27/2010 4:42:00 PM

The river is too low and clear for a spinner that big and bright. I use a #2 or #3 tarnished brass spinner with green reflective tape on the blade. When the sun comes up I use a #2 with a black blade. A big #4 would be good for high cold water. Switch to a small spinner with a dull finish and you should start getting hits. Also don't fish in one spot for too long. If your not getting hits in a few casts, move on.

Telemachus

8/28/2010 2:53:00 AM

I was hoping to catch up with you this morning, but I got a last minute call to shoot a football jamboree. When is the next time you plan on being out there? Also, how do you feel about Dick Nites? I won a ton of them in a raffle and figure I ought to try them out.

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