Detroit/Big Cliff Report

18406ej · 03-01-2008, 12:20 PM

Had Friday off, so I drove to my "secret" banking spot at Detroit that has never failed to produce at least one fish (send PM if you want to try it). The spot has a steep slope before you get down to a level place at the waters edge. I have been here before at times when the water was so low you had to climb 50-75 feet almost straight down to reach the lake. When I went there yesterday, however, the water was so low that you had to climb the 75 feet down, only to reach a point where there was a sheer and frightening drop of a good 50 feet or more. There was no way to access the water at all without going up to Mongold, and God only knows how far out the water was there.

Fortunately Big Cliff was only a mile or two down the road, so I headed there where I met two other anglers at the powerlines. Neither of them had any luck, but we all cast out and just enjoyed the scenery and the sunny weather. After failing to get a bite, I moved further West on Big Cliff where I again attempted to catch something. After running through my entire arsenal, I set up a bait rig and let it drift. All of a sudden the wind that had been blowing all day went calm, and the lake went dead flat. A horde of midges arrived out of nowhere, and for the first time I saw fish rising out in the middle of the reservoir. It was actually so quiet that you could hear the fish taking the flies off of the surface. I reeled my bait rig in as fast as possible and switched over to a fly and bubble set up (reminding myself that next time I shouldn't be such an idiot, and to bring two rods). I cast out, and within a few minutes I saw my fly disappear from the surface with a little "plop". I set the hook, and felt it catch, only to have the trout jump and toss the hook. Further attempts were unsuccesful, and the wind started to pick up again.

When it was time for me to leave to pick up the boys, it was with a feeling of great satisfaction. I learned something about fly fishing, I enjoyed some great scenery with fellow anglers, and I beat the rain and wind that started right when it was time to go. You can't beat a day like that.

Hanapaa · 03-01-2008, 12:53 PM

Thanks for such a detailed story. Even though you didn't catch anything, at least you learned something that'll pay off down the road. Coming home nice and dry makes it that much better. I really hate getting beat by the fish and mother nature.

Troutski · 03-01-2008, 04:17 PM

Great story EJ, I agree with Geoff on the weather; not catching any fish is tough enough but adding mother nature's ass kicking in to the mix can really ruin the moment. I still want to give your lake a try...

Chuck

jvc7 · 03-01-2008, 09:10 PM

Hey heading up to big cliff tommorow we

ather permitting!

gonna try to troll the lake. I dont know if there is a boat ramp though? if not is there areas where u cant launch a 15 foot alumiumim boat?

any suggestions on what to troll or what to use?

18406ej · 03-01-2008, 09:41 PM

There is a small unimproved gravel ramp at the roadway that leads to the Detroit Powerhouse. It will handle your 15' craft okay. I am only a bank angler, so I can't help much with trolling questions- post a report if you do go, I'm interested in hearing about your success.

Troutski · 03-01-2008, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jvc7

Hey heading up to big cliff tommorow we

ather permitting!

gonna try to troll the lake. I dont know if there is a boat ramp though? if not is there areas where u cant launch a 15 foot alumiumim boat?

any suggestions on what to troll or what to use?

I am so much envious, deffently post when you get back.....tight lines.

Chuck

chris61182 · 03-04-2008, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jvc7

Hey heading up to big cliff tommorow we

ather permitting!

gonna try to troll the lake. I dont know if there is a boat ramp though? if not is there areas where u cant launch a 15 foot alumiumim boat?

any suggestions on what to troll or what to use?

So did you manage to make it up there? If so how'd you do?

jvc7 · 03-04-2008, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris61182

So did you manage to make it up there? If so how'd you do?

No i didnt. got all ready to go and couldnt find my trailer hitch.

I was pissed. but wanting to get on some water real soon!

chris61182 · 03-04-2008, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jvc7

No i didnt. got all ready to go and couldnt find my trailer hitch.

I was pissed. but wanting to get on some water real soon!

If you just need to wet a line and willing to get muddy this is perhaps the best time of the year to be banking it. Well at least that seems to be true for Detroit and Green Peter, while it sounds like Big Cliff is just plain difficult at the best of times.

jvc7 · 03-26-2008, 02:45 PM

Gonna try to hit up big cliff, or detroit tomarrow.

hope its not raining too hard. Anyone been up there lately. hows the fishing, and whats working? oh im gonna be bank fishing. thanks

03-01-2008, 12:20 PM	#1
18406ej Master Angler Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Keizer Posts: 473	Detroit/Big Cliff Report Had Friday off, so I drove to my "secret" banking spot at Detroit that has never failed to produce at least one fish (send PM if you want to try it). The spot has a steep slope before you get down to a level place at the waters edge. I have been here before at times when the water was so low you had to climb 50-75 feet almost straight down to reach the lake. When I went there yesterday, however, the water was so low that you had to climb the 75 feet down, only to reach a point where there was a sheer and frightening drop of a good 50 feet or more. There was no way to access the water at all without going up to Mongold, and God only knows how far out the water was there. Fortunately Big Cliff was only a mile or two down the road, so I headed there where I met two other anglers at the powerlines. Neither of them had any luck, but we all cast out and just enjoyed the scenery and the sunny weather. After failing to get a bite, I moved further West on Big Cliff where I again attempted to catch something. After running through my entire arsenal, I set up a bait rig and let it drift. All of a sudden the wind that had been blowing all day went calm, and the lake went dead flat. A horde of midges arrived out of nowhere, and for the first time I saw fish rising out in the middle of the reservoir. It was actually so quiet that you could hear the fish taking the flies off of the surface. I reeled my bait rig in as fast as possible and switched over to a fly and bubble set up (reminding myself that next time I shouldn't be such an idiot, and to bring two rods). I cast out, and within a few minutes I saw my fly disappear from the surface with a little "plop". I set the hook, and felt it catch, only to have the trout jump and toss the hook. Further attempts were unsuccesful, and the wind started to pick up again. When it was time for me to leave to pick up the boys, it was with a feeling of great satisfaction. I learned something about fly fishing, I enjoyed some great scenery with fellow anglers, and I beat the rain and wind that started right when it was time to go. You can't beat a day like that. __________________ E.J. "I am going where streams of whiskey are flowing"

03-01-2008, 12:53 PM	#2
Hanapaa Angler Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Eugene, OR Posts: 123	Thanks for such a detailed story. Even though you didn't catch anything, at least you learned something that'll pay off down the road. Coming home nice and dry makes it that much better. I really hate getting beat by the fish and mother nature. __________________ ~Geoff~ The seemingly eternal student

03-01-2008, 04:17 PM	#3
Troutski Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Springfield, OR. Posts: 2,339	Nice job... Great story EJ, I agree with Geoff on the weather; not catching any fish is tough enough but adding mother nature's ass kicking in to the mix can really ruin the moment. I still want to give your lake a try... Chuck __________________ Can't sleep - going fishing tomorrow....

03-01-2008, 09:10 PM	#4
jvc7 Apprentice Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Keizer,Or Posts: 51	Hey heading up to big cliff tommorow weather permitting! gonna try to troll the lake. I dont know if there is a boat ramp though? if not is there areas where u cant launch a 15 foot alumiumim boat? any suggestions on what to troll or what to use? __________________ Will Fish for Food-Jvc7

03-01-2008, 09:41 PM	#5
18406ej Master Angler Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Keizer Posts: 473	There is a small unimproved gravel ramp at the roadway that leads to the Detroit Powerhouse. It will handle your 15' craft okay. I am only a bank angler, so I can't help much with trolling questions- post a report if you do go, I'm interested in hearing about your success. __________________ E.J. "I am going where streams of whiskey are flowing"

03-26-2008, 02:45 PM	#10
jvc7 Apprentice Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Keizer,Or Posts: 51	Gonna try to hit up big cliff, or detroit tomarrow. hope its not raining too hard. Anyone been up there lately. hows the fishing, and whats working? oh im gonna be bank fishing. thanks __________________ Will Fish for Food-Jvc7

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