The vast majority of the smallmouth on the river will stay in the river & follow the food in the fall. Those ponds get too cold to sustain much of the forage base.
I've been using 1/2 oz white & chartreuse spinnerbaits with a silver/ gold tandem willow leaf out on the grass flats on the upper willy this week. I have one word for it. FUN.
Lol, thanks Dana. It was a pleasure to fish with you again. I was throwing a deep diving custom painted crankbait, that I painted, I call the tualatin craw. It's been the hot ticket on the river this year.
I'm taking my kids camping this weekend out to the clackamas River past estacada this weekend. Any advice for getting into some trout would be greatly appreciated.
I took my son out there yesterday for a couple of hours. we caught 3 very small bass on plastics. I'd be interested to hear how you do. Where are you thinking of launching?
that is excellent, I have my air brush set up. I have been painting lures for a couple of years too. I just haven't gotten into making the hard baits yet. would you be interested in a trade? I'll paint some swim baits for you in exchange for a couple of those 8" baits. Take a look at the pics...