View Full Version : Chinook stocking on Eagle Creek
birdhunter
10-01-2001, 01:03 PM
I don't know of any fall chinook on the Clackamas any more. Eagle Creek doesn't release chinook any more. I know some go up there in the spring though. I would guess it is just a late springer or a stray. You said it wasn't too dark, so I don't think it would be a springer. They are still in there, but most of them are absolute boots right now. Still I was seeing mint bright chinook in the system as late as early July. I guess it could be one of them. My best guess is that there are some hatchery strays from elsewhere going up with the coho. Very wierd. Do you have any pics?
Ramstrong
10-01-2001, 01:06 PM
lund,
I caught a dandy of a fall chinook jack. Very little bronze, white belly and firm pink flesh. My wife liked it almost as much as fresh springer. Due to the fact that it was clipped I thought for sure it was a coho but it was definately a chinook. Black gums, spots on both sides of the tail, the right coloration and I haven't made sure but I think also the right # of **** fin rays.
BUGLEMAN
10-01-2001, 01:25 PM
Due to the stocking of springers in E. Creek in the past there is a reminant run that has established itself and is growing. I am sure there is a few strays though.
ramstrong,
my partner scott amerman and I have been getting eggs from the clackamas for about 3 months, and they've just started to become loose in the last few days. but while watching them get fish out of the trap i've noticed bright jacks in there too. spring jacks come in at the very end of the run, where as fall jacks come in first. those bright jacks are just late spring jacks. at this time there is'nt a single hachery chinook in the fall on any willamette trib. anywhere, so the chances of it being a stray from some other hachery are slim.i'm not suggesting that strays dont occur, but i've fished the clack and eagle creek from 1978 til now and know lots about it. it did have a fall run years ago, and still may have a few left, but they are all natives.
[ 10-01-2001: Message edited by: lund ]
[ 10-01-2001: Message edited by: lund ]
SandyRiverFisher
10-01-2001, 02:18 PM
Hi everyone!
Eagle Creek does get a few springers. I know guys who claim tp hike in to fly fish the deeper holes like the treehouse for chinook in June, but Ive never tried it. Another interesting occurance, about four or five years ago in September Eagle creek got a huge shot of springers. I remember it well, while fishing for early coho we went to look at the deep hole below the first ladder only to find hundereds of dark chinook milling about. After that we went up to the bridge above Eagle Fern and guys were catching chinook up there as well. Strays? I dont know, all I know is that they are in there from time to time, and every year I see some large dark chinook caught during silver season. If my memory serves me all the fish I have seen have been un-clipped. Maybe they are wild spawning? I would imagine that clipped fish are late run Clackamas strays.
Ramstrong and I have both recently caught fin clipped Chinook on Eagle Creek. I've never heard of a Chinook stocking program there however. Anybody know where these might have come from? A limited stocking? mixed transfers? A secret plot to snap the leaders of unsuspecting Coho anglers?
eagle creek has a strong spring chinook hachery program. it was shut down for years, but as of a few years back it has started producing chinook. the fish you are catching should be very dark ones if they are springers?