Made up of North, Middle and South forks that flow through the Willapa Hills into Willapa Bay near Bay Center, the Nemah River is a small, wild coastal system surrounded by some of the region’s least-disturbed old-growth forest. It sits near the Naselle, about 3.5 to 4 hours from Seattle, so many anglers fish both on the same trip.
Seattle Fishing Company’s guide makes clear that fall is the Nemah’s standout season, with coho arriving in good numbers in October and running strong into November, joined by smaller numbers of Chinook and chum. A hatchery-supported winter steelhead run follows, though some sections close entirely during that season. Summer is quiet, making it a good time to scout.
Public access is limited and the banks are brushy, but the guide points to fishable water on the Middle and North Nemah and explains which reaches are closed. It also recommends bobbers with cured roe, twitching jigs and spinners for coho, plus soft beads, jigs and swung spinners for steelhead. With multiple individually regulated sections, reading current WDFW rules closely is essential. For anglers willing to put in the effort, it offers rare solitude on the Washington coast.
Read the full post here: Fishing the Nemah River
Complete guide to fishing the Naselle River
