Steelhead near Portland

[joesnuffy]

I may be in the Portland area on the 24th or 25th of Jan (in 2 weeks).

Is there any good spots around there to catch a steelhead? Preferably on a fly rod but I'll have my spinning gear as well. Thanks in advance.

 

[FishSchooler]

I may be in the Portland area on the 24th or 25th of Jan (in 2 weeks).

Is there any good spots around there to catch a steelhead? Preferably on a fly rod but I'll have my spinning gear as well. Thanks in advance.

As everyone is talking about, the clackamas and sandy rivers would be good. I havent been out yet but those are the two rivers to give a try. Drift fishing is probably the way to fish, as everyone else is.

 

[Irishrover]

Joe, the best bets for the metro area are the Sandy or the Clackamas. Depends on which part of Portland you are headed to. I just got back from the Sandy it is running high fast and dirty. Fishtopher has a fresh post up with pictures of the Clackamas (stuff related to fishing section). It is up and high. I'll try to keep you posted on the river conditions because they can change rather quickly. PS if it works out that I'm around I could show you some spots on the Sandy. I don't fish the Clackamas much.

 

[FishSchooler]

Joe, the best bets for the metro area are the Sandy or the Clackamas. Depends on which part of Portland you are headed to. I just got back from the Sandy it is running high fast and dirty. Fishtopher has a fresh post up with pictures of the Clackamas (stuff related to fishing section). It is up and high. I'll try to keep you post on the river conditions because they can changerather quickly.

The clack isn't very dirty (from what I see in the pics) as it used to be. Just very high waters.

 

[joesnuffy]

I should have been a little more clear. I don't have to be fishing in portland. I'll be passing throuhg on my way to Seattle. I could travel in different directions from there up to 30 or 40 miles.

Of course this is all weather pending. If the waters blown out, I might just have to catch a movie

 

[ninja2010]

I should have been a little more clear. I don't have to be fishing in portland. I'll be passing throuhg on my way to Seattle. I could travel in different directions from there up to 30 or 40 miles.

Of course this is all weather pending. If the waters blown out, I might just have to catch a movie

catching a steelhead is wayyyyy more fun than catching a movie.

 

[Irishrover]

I-84 crosses the Sandy at Lewis and Clark State Park. Scenic Hwy 30 runs along the river with good public access, and up to Dabney Park. So you won't have to go out of your way to be in good steelhead water. You just have to be able to drive by the John day and the Deschutes I'll be keeping an eye on the river!

 

[joesnuffy]

Well crap, it doesn't look good for the trip..... I'm probably not going not. I'll find out for sure on monday.

I am however starting to plan out a trip for March to that area..

 

[NewToORFishing]

As everyone is talking about, the clackamas and sandy rivers would be good. I havent been out yet but those are the two rivers to give a try. Drift fishing is probably the way to fish, as everyone else is.

If "everyone" is drift fishing, then what are those people with floats and flyfishermen doing?

 

[Kodiak]

Not catching fish

Not catching fish

:

If "everyone" is drift fishing, then what are those people with floats and flyfishermen doing?

The float and fly guy's are getting skunked. Drown enough lead and corkies and you too may feel the tick of a take.

 

[joesnuffy]

WooHoo! it looks like the trip is back on. How are the water levels over there?

 

[joesnuffy]

thanks for the Graphs, um, are those good levels? lol

 

[meluvtrout]

Guys, correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe most consider at or below 13' as an indicator of good fishing for winters in Clackamas.

 

[luv2fish]

between 10 and 13 feet are ideal river conditions for winter steelhead.

 

[ArcticAmoeba]

The fish don't disappear when the levels/flows change...They just situate themselves in different areas. Most guys think the Clack, is only runnable/fishable in 12-14 feet of water. It does get easier to fish when the water stabilizes at roughly 12.5, but fishes well it at all stages, you can only learn where the fish end up when you are out in the variety of conditions we've had lately.

Joe - It will be a foreign river, but it will fish well if you are a versed drift fisherman. You like the fly, matbe some Creek Settings would be ideal for your type of fishing. I dunno. you are gonna have to see I guess, but bring a variety of gear. You knew that though!

 

[joesnuffy]

trips cancelled! lol

grrr, I was really wanting to hit some water over there. thanks for your imput peeps!