Brook trout in Oak Grove Fork of Clackamas and Still Creek?

[DanFlashes]

New Oregonian here, long time fly fisherman. I am making my second trip up to Mt. Hood to try to catch some brook trout. I am wondering what results y'all have had fishing the Oak Grove Fork of the Clackamas on the right hand side of Timothy Lake by the Oak Grove campground, or the stretch between Timothy and Harriet? I also was thinking of fishing Still Creek road on my way up because I've read good things online.

Bonus if you have any recommendations on fly shops in the Portland area that may have helpful advice on fishing these places? I will pass through portland on my way over and noticed thats just about the only place near me there is any fly shops.

 

[troutdude]

Welcome to Oregon and of OFF.

Some friends and I caught rainbows by the Oak Grove campground; on the east side where the lake flows out and into the stream (the Oak Grove fork of the Clackamas river). We didn't catch any brookies...but we weren't targeting them either.

If you're into books, this one may answer many of your questions:

https://garylewisoutdoors.com/product/fishing-mount-hood-country/

I searched our archived threads and found this one, which be helpful:

F

Thread 'Brown/brook trout'

Oct 24, 2022

Hello everyone, I've been trying to find brook or brown trout around mt hood lakes , with no luck , I've catch and released bunch of rainbows but not yet seemed to find a brook or brown . Is there specific bait or lures to use for them ? I fished clear lake, timothy , frog lake, trillium lake and few other lakes. I fish from the bank with spinners and worms. How would someone locate some brook or browns to cross off my bucket list .

• Fishpdx
• Replies: 26
• Forum: Trout fishing in Oregon

Good luck; and let us know how you do.

 

[troutdude]

@DanFlashes I'm sending you a PM too

 

[DanFlashes]

Welcome to Oregon and of OFF.

thank you for the info. Just following up: fished the Oak Grove Fork of the Clackamas where the lake feeds in by the campground. Walked up through the river until I couldn’t anymore and hooked lots of small brook trout and a few cutthroat. Nothing huge but lots of fish.

 

[olshiftybiscuits]

thank you for the info. Just following up: fished the Oak Grove Fork of the Clackamas where the lake feeds in by the campground. Walked up through the river until I couldn’t anymore and hooked lots of small brook trout and a few cutthroat. Nothing huge but lots of fish.

I guide the oak grove fork between Timothy and Harriet through a shop called Northwest Fly Fishing outfitters. We are the only outfitter currently permitted to guide anywhere in the Mount Hood National Forest and can help show you the ropes. We even offer half stream/half lake days now through the end of September.

Between Harriet and Timothy, you can find four species of trout. Cutthroat are the most common, browns and brookies you’ll find just occasionally, and rainbows most rarely, primarily in the last half mile above Harriet. Above Timothy, it’s brookies and cutts.

 

[DanFlashes]

I guide the oak grove fork between Timothy and Harriet through a shop called Northwest Fly Fishing outfitters. We are the only outfitter currently permitted to guide anywhere in the Mount Hood National Forest and can help show you the ropes. We even offer half stream/half lake days now through the end of September.

Between Harriet and Timothy, you can find four species of trout. Cutthroat are the most common, browns and brookies you’ll find just occasionally, and rainbows most rarely, primarily in the last half mile above Harriet. Above Timothy, it’s brookies and cutts.

I’ve really enjoyed exploring the section between Harriet and Timothy and above Timothy and plan to return soon. This is my first season exploring there, how long into the fall does the fishing stay good in your experience?

 

[olshiftybiscuits]

I’ve really enjoyed exploring the section between Harriet and Timothy and above Timothy and plan to return soon. This is my first season exploring there, how long into the fall does the fishing stay good in your experience?

It's such a great little stream, I'm glad you're having a good time out there! Season length sort of depends on how cold the outdoor temps get and when. As you've probably noticed, the Oak Grove Fork is COLD in that section, so when the daytime temps start to drop the fish will slow down quite a bit -- especially on dries and streamers. But there's a really nice window in September -- sometimes early, sometimes late -- when October Caddis have shown up and the fish are still active. You can skate them, drown and strip them like a streamer, whatever your pleasure, and you'll catch a lot of fish. I also do find that when the surface action slows, you've got a better chance of finding bigger fish. In October, brown trout will run up the creek to spawn -- but I've never really tried to intercept them, my focus has typically shifted to sea run cutts by then.

 

[DanFlashes]

It's such a great little stream, I'm glad you're having a good time out there! Season length sort of depends on how cold the outdoor temps get and when. As you've probably noticed, the Oak Grove Fork is COLD in that section, so when the daytime temps start to drop the fish will slow down quite a bit -- especially on dries and streamers. But there's a really nice window in September -- sometimes early, sometimes late -- when October Caddis have shown up and the fish are still active. You can skate them, drown and strip them like a streamer, whatever your pleasure, and you'll catch a lot of fish. I also do find that when the surface action slows, you've got a better chance of finding bigger fish. In October, brown trout will run up the creek to spawn -- but I've never really tried to intercept them, my focus has typically shifted to sea run cutts by then.

Good to know, I appreciate the intel on the water temp. I may try to head back soon and log at least one more day on Mt. Hood this season. I’m about to switch my focus to sea run cutthroat fishing along the coastal rivers, that’s what I enjoy the most about early fall in the PNW.

 

[Chromatose]

How did it go?