Youngfishermen said:
Thanx man, but one question you say winter fishing ends in december and when does it start?? thax again
Here's the set up I use all winter long on the Sandy. It will work just fine on the Clackamas too though.
I always carry two rods. Both 9'6" 8-15lb (or similar) casting rods with Abu Garcia Revo reels, I don't like spinning reels. One rod is a dedicated drift fishing/spinner/spoon rod and one is a dedicated float and jig rod. For drift rigs I pretty much always use a rag and boraxed eggs, a 4" pink worm, or a yarn ball. Between these three presentations if there's fish around they'll usually take one of these. For the float rod I use a 20 gram Drennan piker float, I think the length and shape of this float lets you know what is happening under water much better than many of the other floats on the market. I like brighter jigs in the winter time, pinks, reds, orange they all work First Bite is my favorite brand. Sometimes darker is better you never know what they'll want from day to day, that is why it is important to be prepared.
My winter steelhead chest pack:
Pliers/knife (Leatherman style)
hook file.
hooks (size 1 owner super needle point)
size 7 barrel swivels.
a few duo locks.
a few different globug yarn colors.
a few different size pink worms.
size 4 & 5 R&B spinners with silver blades. (body color doesn't matter)
a few 2/5oz & 2/3oz R&B spoons (Silver)
10, 12 & 15lb test Maxima ultra green.
Rags & a sewing needle to thread on the leader.
Pretied leaders size 1 hooks 10 or 12lb test.
pretied leaders with yarn balls.
some 1/4" hollow core lead. I use this for drift fishing and as my weight for float fishing.
a few spare floats.
bobber stops & beads.
A small assortment of jigs 1/8-1/4oz
I'm sure I over looked a few items, but you get the idea.
Winter steelhead will be around in November, but not in good numbers until December-January through April/May. Summer steelhead will generally show up in fishable numbers in late April-early May and I bet there are still nice summer steelhead in the Clackamas now. I actually just caught a stray hatchery summer steelhead on a creek I was salmon fishing yesterday and it was in great shape.
Now, you could ask a 100 different steelheaders this question and get 100 different answers and they'd all be right too. It comes down to your style of fishing, and personal preference. What I've listed above is what works for my style of fishing and is just what works best for me. If you want to cut the learning curve WAY down book a trip with a guide and ask a lot of questions. Ed Fast is an excellent guide and you bank fish only so its very hands on. It costs money, but you'll learn more in a day than you will fishing two years by yourself.
Good luck.