"The Loop"

SmallieWorld · 08-13-2008, 04:21 PM

Does anyone know of some areas to put in and take out my pontoon when floating "The Loop" around Big K ranch? I fished this earlier in the summer with great success, but had problems trying to find good places for launching.

Troutski · 08-13-2008, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmallieWorld

Does anyone know of some areas to put in and take out my pontoon when floating "The Loop" around Big K ranch? I fished this earlier in the summer with great success, but had problems trying to find good places for launching.

That is a million dollar question, if you find a way please let me know. I caught my 50# Chinook on that stretch of river...and the Smallies are unbelievable through that section. Can you imagine the fight of a Salmon like that in your toon...

Chuck

ArcticAmoeba · 08-13-2008, 06:02 PM

If you can carry or roll your 'toon, I believe putting in near Kellog, just off the highway is a real good spot, it does get a little fast at times putting in up there, but it is not a real dangerous stretch by any means...It is right before you get to Farm Yard Airfield heading towards the coast on 138. Or just heading into Kellog, and finding a safe spot to park is always an option, as the river runs right through town. I recommend you park your take out rig on one of the small roads that follows the Umpqua, and get out before the section of water that runs under the 138 bridge a few miles before Elkton, as it gets rael scary if I remember correctly...If you have Google Earth, which I don't right now, or I'd be able to tell you, but check out the roads that run with the river, and decide which one seems good enough, as you can make it a 3 hour float, or an all day riot depending on river levels, and distance you float. And it goes right by that Big K Ranch, and they give you funny looks when you dump anchor and fish the middle of that river bend in front of their property. Bass city there. If you are into murdering the bass that are voraciously eating our Salmon, and Steelhead smolt, then bring a fly rod, and you will catch as many as you can handle! Not even a fly rod, just a few bass flies, and light spinning gear will do it. The Loop is one of those places where I wish those guys didn't try to raise the numbers of introduced predatory fish, but it turned it into an incredible bass fishery if that is your bag. Which it probably is judging from the name and all!

Great float, one of my absolute favorites, and the sea run muscle fish on a pontoon is a kick right in your pants Troutski! What a rush. Good luck on your adventure Smallie, and remember the flies!

Troutski · 08-13-2008, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArcticAmoeba

If you can carry or roll your 'toon, I believe putting in near Kellog, just off the highway is a real good spot, it does get a little fast at times putting in up there, but it is not a real dangerous stretch by any means...It is right before you get to Farm Yard Airfield heading towards the coast on 138. Or just heading into Kellog, and finding a safe spot to park is always an option, as the river runs right through town. I recommend you park your take out rig on one of the small roads that follows the Umpqua, and get out before the section of water that runs under the 138 bridge a few miles before Elkton, as it gets rael scary if I remember correctly...If you have Google Earth, which I don't right now, or I'd be able to tell you, but check out the roads that run with the river, and decide which one seems good enough, as you can make it a 3 hour float, or an all day riot depending on river levels, and distance you float. And it goes right by that Big K Ranch, and they give you funny looks when you dump anchor and fish the middle of that river bend in front of their property. Bass city there. If you are into murdering the bass that are voraciously eating our Salmon, and Steelhead smolt, then bring a fly rod, and you will catch as many as you can handle! Not even a fly rod, just a few bass flies, and light spinning gear will do it. The Loop is one of those places where I wish those guys didn't try to raise the numbers of introduced predatory fish, but it turned it into an incredible bass fishery if that is your bag. Which it probably is judging from the name and all!

Great float, one of my absolute favorites, and the sea run muscle fish on a pontoon is a kick right in your pants Troutski! What a rush. Good luck on your adventure Smallie, and remember the flies!

I know now where my next Umpqua float will be....I know the area and from what I just went through on the lower section I can handle this. Again thanks - so where do I send the Million Dollars ? Tight lines.

Chuck

GraphiteZen · 08-14-2008, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Troutski

I know now where my next Umpqua float will be....I know the area and from what I just went through on the lower section I can handle this. Again thanks - so where do I send the Million Dollars ? Tight lines.

Chuck

And to think you almost sold your boat

We all knew you would be back bwahaha

Troutski · 08-14-2008, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GraphiteZen

And to think you almost sold your boat

We all knew you would be back bwahaha

I feel so ........ well, what can I say.

Chuck

ArcticAmoeba · 08-14-2008, 11:05 AM

That section, that runs through "The Loop" is a really mellow float, and I'm glad to hear other members here have interest in, or already have floated it! The stretch of water that runs by Big K Ranch is good for everything, the salmon, are not as thick right now as they will be here in the next month or so, and I guess the steelhead are running thin too, but at leasat you guys can get yourself some bass righ now... Absolutely Chuck, if you drop in at Kellog, the float is wholly do-able almost year round. There are no real riffle sections unless you put in near the Airpark. Good luck on your floats gentlemen! And Chuck, where you sent those stickers, thats where the million dollars should go! Thanks again for sending me some of those, just got them yesterday.

Troutski · 08-14-2008, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArcticAmoeba

That section, that runs through "The Loop" is a really mellow float, and I'm glad to hear other members here have interest in, or already have floated it! The stretch of water that runs by Big K Ranch is good for everything, the salmon, are not as thick right now as they will be here in the next month or so, and I guess the steelhead are running thin too, but at leasat you guys can get yourself some bass righ now... Absolutely Chuck, if you drop in at Kellog, the float is wholly do-able almost year round. There are no real riffle sections unless you put in near the Airpark. Good luck on your floats gentlemen! And Chuck, where you sent those stickers, thats where the million dollars should go! Thanks again for sending me some of those, just got them yesterday.

Your the first member I have heard back from on the stickers...I was beginning to worry. Enjoy them and I will do that float...most assuredly doing that float.

Chuck

SmallieWorld · 08-16-2008, 08:24 AM

Thanks for the information so far; I found a BLM road that looks to have an access piont directly across from Big K's main launch. That will be a really good take out spot after putting in at Kellogg. If my memory serves me correctly, there is a long stretch after Big K's launch where the wind blows directly upstream and it is heck to get down the river. Right before the 138 bridge(south of Elkton) there are some quick shoots, but these are avoidable by staying to the right and maneuvering some minor ripples. Looks like I'm going to hit it on 8/21 or 22. Maybe some salmon will be making there way up by then.

ArcticAmoeba · 08-16-2008, 12:28 PM

There is a BLM access road. It is a good take out, but we just try to make a longer float is all...And the turn after Big K, does get a little windy, but we normally try to hug the port side of the river and that seems to be the ticket on the blow hard days. Does the faster section south of Elkton, but before the 138 brdge always have enough water flowin by to make it navigable to the right, away from the rapids, or does it change with flow levels? Good luck Smallie, and let us know if the Chinook are there in force at all, as I think it mught be just a hair early to start layin it to 'em, but for sure post a report about fishin, and put in/take out spots!

08-13-2008, 04:21 PM	#1
SmallieWorld Neophyte Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Cottage Grove, OR Posts: 11	"The Loop" Does anyone know of some areas to put in and take out my pontoon when floating "The Loop" around Big K ranch? I fished this earlier in the summer with great success, but had problems trying to find good places for launching.

08-13-2008, 06:02 PM	#3
ArcticAmoeba Moderator Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: O.C. Posts: 899	If you can carry or roll your 'toon, I believe putting in near Kellog, just off the highway is a real good spot, it does get a little fast at times putting in up there, but it is not a real dangerous stretch by any means...It is right before you get to Farm Yard Airfield heading towards the coast on 138. Or just heading into Kellog, and finding a safe spot to park is always an option, as the river runs right through town. I recommend you park your take out rig on one of the small roads that follows the Umpqua, and get out before the section of water that runs under the 138 bridge a few miles before Elkton, as it gets rael scary if I remember correctly...If you have Google Earth, which I don't right now, or I'd be able to tell you, but check out the roads that run with the river, and decide which one seems good enough, as you can make it a 3 hour float, or an all day riot depending on river levels, and distance you float. And it goes right by that Big K Ranch, and they give you funny looks when you dump anchor and fish the middle of that river bend in front of their property. Bass city there. If you are into murdering the bass that are voraciously eating our Salmon, and Steelhead smolt, then bring a fly rod, and you will catch as many as you can handle! Not even a fly rod, just a few bass flies, and light spinning gear will do it. The Loop is one of those places where I wish those guys didn't try to raise the numbers of introduced predatory fish, but it turned it into an incredible bass fishery if that is your bag. Which it probably is judging from the name and all! Great float, one of my absolute favorites, and the sea run muscle fish on a pontoon is a kick right in your pants Troutski! What a rush. Good luck on your adventure Smallie, and remember the flies! __________________ Get Bent...Yo Rod That Is.

08-14-2008, 11:05 AM	#7
ArcticAmoeba Moderator Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: O.C. Posts: 899	That section, that runs through "The Loop" is a really mellow float, and I'm glad to hear other members here have interest in, or already have floated it! The stretch of water that runs by Big K Ranch is good for everything, the salmon, are not as thick right now as they will be here in the next month or so, and I guess the steelhead are running thin too, but at leasat you guys can get yourself some bass righ now... Absolutely Chuck, if you drop in at Kellog, the float is wholly do-able almost year round. There are no real riffle sections unless you put in near the Airpark. Good luck on your floats gentlemen! And Chuck, where you sent those stickers, thats where the million dollars should go! Thanks again for sending me some of those, just got them yesterday. __________________ Get Bent...Yo Rod That Is.

08-16-2008, 08:24 AM	#9
SmallieWorld Neophyte Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Cottage Grove, OR Posts: 11	BLM road Thanks for the information so far; I found a BLM road that looks to have an access piont directly across from Big K's main launch. That will be a really good take out spot after putting in at Kellogg. If my memory serves me correctly, there is a long stretch after Big K's launch where the wind blows directly upstream and it is heck to get down the river. Right before the 138 bridge(south of Elkton) there are some quick shoots, but these are avoidable by staying to the right and maneuvering some minor ripples. Looks like I'm going to hit it on 8/21 or 22. Maybe some salmon will be making there way up by then.

08-16-2008, 12:28 PM	#10
ArcticAmoeba Moderator Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: O.C. Posts: 899	There is a BLM access road. It is a good take out, but we just try to make a longer float is all...And the turn after Big K, does get a little windy, but we normally try to hug the port side of the river and that seems to be the ticket on the blow hard days. Does the faster section south of Elkton, but before the 138 brdge always have enough water flowin by to make it navigable to the right, away from the rapids, or does it change with flow levels? Good luck Smallie, and let us know if the Chinook are there in force at all, as I think it mught be just a hair early to start layin it to 'em, but for sure post a report about fishin, and put in/take out spots! __________________ Get Bent...Yo Rod That Is.

Username
Password
Remember Me?