Fall Chinook fishing has been fair on Nestucca River and Bay. Fishing on the bay has been moderate with a few fish being caught at the mouth, and up in the estuary. Trolling herring or spinners, bobber fishing bait, or casting spinners are all good techniques. The river has slowed some as it drops back down, but there are undoubtedly some fish in the lower river. It’s that time of year and fishing should continue to improve throughout the month. Bobber fishing bait, Back-bouncing, back-trolling plugs or divers and bait, or casting spinners can all be effective methods. Anglers are reminded that the Nestucca is closed to all salmon angling above First Bridge (near Beaver) Aug. 1 to Dec. 31, and that there is NO wild coho retention in the rivers and bays this year.

Summer steelhead fishing has been moderate to slow, but there are fish throughout the system. Cedar Creek Hatchery recycled 152 summer steelhead to Pacific City last week, and those fish should be available.

Trout season is open, and recent surveys by ODFW found good numbers of cutthroat in the basin, and sea run cutthroat are entering the lower River now, too. Remember the limit on streams and rivers is two per day over 8-inches.

Three Rivers from the mouth to the hatchery weir reopened to hatchery steelhead on Oct. 1.