Explorer21 said:
I have never caught a summer steelhead from the Clackamas, maybe its cause I don't know where they hold up. I have tried numerous amounts of spots with no success for the past couple years. Which I know it's not how I fish because I can go to the Wilson and catch one almost everytime. Maybe message me a good spot to try. I have jigs, spoons, spinners, corkie and yarn if needed. Help me out please...
I fish the snot out of both the Wilson and the Clack.
They are two entirely different beasts. Fish in the wilson are very agressive and fresh and are powering up white water all day, therefore eating a lot. Also most steel are still in "trout" mode in the wilson eating any thing in there way being lets say "less selective" because most of the time they are very fresh in the system coming right OFF the ocean. The fish in the clack are a litte more worn and tired. Thats not to say there arent some 20 pound monsters in there chrome as a rim. But, the majority of fish are looking to spawn and be done with it. They still do have to travel and need to get some food but they are , lets just say "much more selective".
In my experiance you have to have you presentation pretty close to perfect to get those clack fish on. Once you find a spot though and master it, you can pull a good amount of fish out of that system. Springes and Steel.
My advice is go above the crowds. There is a nice 2 mile stretch of river starting at Faraday dam in estacada and going up river.
Like CHez said look for seams in the water. Target the top end of the water right beneath the rapid this is where the aggresive fish will be. Also the seems of back eddies and any other place a traveling fish could take a break and grab a bite to eat.
Good Luck -TM
Also I floated Barton to Carver on my tube and saw probably 50-70 steel and springers. The river is stacked!
ray: You try every technique you've ever heard or read about. Use everything in your arsenal and all you get is...nuttin', honey. :wall: I wish I could give you all the secret honey holes and teach you to become an ultimate Fish Whisperer. Alas, I cannot. I can encourage you to check out the archives in this section and maybe do a search for "urban hawg map" to level the playing field. I can tell you to keep at it and learn as much as you can about the river, which can take years of determination. 
