Hills Creek in the AM

[troutski]

Went to Hills Creek res. this morning and what a difference from the springtime...The major Alga is gone and the fishing was superior. Fat Rainbows and Salmon that rival the Koke's at Greenpeter, Tossing spoons in the early morning near the head of the lake, overcast most of the day - and that made for a very sore arm from catching and sore jaw from smileing. The old saying "dark day dark lure" paid off wonderfully. Superdupers Brass w/red tip (magnum and Gold Little Cleo's 1/3 oz. did the trick. The fishing presure increased as the day wore on but the bite remained the same. The Salmon (Chinook) were the fattest I have seen up there in quite a while. The water temp was between 67 - 71 in the main body and the closer you got to the head the temp. dropped quickly to 51 degrees. We stayed on the edges of the channels and would cast into the shallows and eather a fish or a hit most cast, by the late afternoon we had at least 5 double hookups. It was like being at a Trout farm, in a boat. If you have the chance, go early and launch at the back of the lake, nice ramp and new bathroom. Here are a few of the beast....tight lines to all. :dance: :yay:http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/Hills_creek_Clouds_06.jpg
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/Hill_Hog_1.jpg
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/Hills_hog_2.jpg
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/Hills_hog_3.jpg
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/Hills_hog_4.jpg
If the clouds are here,
the rain can't be far behind :dance:

[lentz]

Those are some nice looking fish, and the lake looks nice too. Where is Hills Creek? If not to far, maybe we'll give it a try some time.

[troutski]

Hills Creek is about 3 miles south of Oakridge off Hwy 58. If you make it, let us know how you do. :wave:

http://www.nwd-wc.usace.army.mil/report/hcr.htm

[Mokai]

Nice looking fish Troutski..Glad to hear the algea cleared up, it was nasty in early spring..I just might head up there this weekend.. :applause:

[trollin4trout]

Wow- those are some nice fat trout! I'll have to give that a try in a couple weeks. Thanks for the great pictures and report.

[Hookset]

Thanks for the report, looks like your having a lot of fun.

I wasn't aware salmon were released in Hills Creek, is the limit 5 fish per person? What's the best method to catch salmon....trolling, jigging or casting?

I admit, sometimes I get to hung up chasing bigger fish and forget how relaxing and fun trout fishing is.

Thanks for the inspiring report,

Gregg

[troutski]

In all honesty you can only keep the fin clipped(adipose) Chinook from Hills Creek, and they are few and far between. They are an accidental catch. Never the less they are very powerful and are in great supply. The avarage Chinook is 10-12" with the occasional larger ones, the intresting thing is the weight of these fish. I found my self giggling like a kid, they fight so hard and slam the lures with such force. We were fishing with lures casting into the shallows and to where the fish were rising but I guess you could use standard Salmon setups, we just like ultra light tackle, 4 lb. line and 1/8-2/3oz. lures. Spinners and spoons. The amount of bait fish in this lake is amazing, schools of them being chased around by the Large Mouth and the Rainbows. There are also Crappie, Blue Gill along with a Cutthroat Trout once in a while. If you are interested pm me and I will give you directions to the honey holes.

[negoc8]

Hey Troutski, Great report! We spend Thanksgiving in Eugene, The Friday after, the women all go shopping and the guys all go fishing, do you think Hills Creek should be on the list of places to consider?

[Dullhook]

Thanks for the report troutski, those are beautiful fish! :smile:

Because of a limited number of trips taken in the Spring (none in the Summer...job related :bricks:) we usually by-pass H.C. and head up to Odell and Wickiup for kokes. These are a couple of great fishing and camping lakes in their own right.

Don't know much about the campgrounds at Hills Creek. Are there any where you can moor a small aluminum boat near the campsite? Haven't caught any nice fat bows for a while, usually concentrating on kokes. Thanks Dh. :cheers:

[troutski]

Yes on the camp sites, there are improved ones that charge a nightly fee (Hoodoo Corp. runs the USFS camp grounds, all have new restrooms) and there are quite a few rustic ones, those are my choice, not that I am cheap but I like the remoteness and the solitude. If you would like a map I can send you one via e-mail if you pm me your address. Depending on what time of the year you will be there, being a res. the level of the res. varies so the distance to you boat will change accordingly. The fish are very fat and full of flavor. :food:

[Super Fluke]

Nice fish.

[North-west steel]

Sounds like a place to go sooner or later.

Steel'

[StrikeFighter]

Awesome report. Congrats on your success.

[bigfish06]

If anyone needs any info about oakridge or hills creek, I have lived here my whole life. I could probably help! Tight Lines. :smash: :smash: :cheers: