drifting the clackamas ??

[The Bad Fish]

i am planning to drift the clack on sun and it will be my first time on that river. i need some info like where is feldheimers? and how long of a drift from there to carver? any help would be appreciated. kb

[STGRule]

Unless your an experienced boat handler, don't do this one. It's about a 5 mile drift. Most is easy last little bit (1/2 mile above Barton) is nasty. S-curve that needs to be done right or your toast. Some braided channels, have to choose the right one.

PS Feldhiemers is just before McIver. Gravel road (Feldhiemers Road on your left). If you come to The Viewpoint you've gone too far.

[ 11-15-2002, 08:26 PM: Message edited by: STGRule ]

[Flatfish]

BF, drive to Carver,cross the bridge,turn left.
.Go upstream about 6-9 miles(somewhere about 3 miles is a fork,stay to the right.Do not go towards barton)on the right is a street sign that says Feldheimers.the sign is on the right.The turn is on your left.Zigzag thru the blackberries til you get down to the river.Nice ramp(for drifters).Ifyou miss the Feldheimers turn off,you will come to a bar/resturant.Turn around and go back.It is easy tomiss the turn the first time
The water can be pretty easy or rough.If you can read water and handle a boat well you will be fine.If not,I cant help.Stay to the left at all the islands on that drift.There is a shuttle for 20 bucks.The # is on a tree at the ramp.The drift to Barton is 5 miles,maybe a touch less.carver is close to doubling your drift in miles.
Ifyou are going based on what you read in the paper,stay home.It was good a month ago.Last weekend we got a nate and a brat.A lotta hours for 2 fish.Most of the fish have moved up with the rain.
If you are new to drifting,and insist on going,bring a rope(100 feet should do)and rope thru the chute that is about 600 yards below the put in.Still tight in there even after the rain.
Good Luck.
Mark and the dog

[Corkie Monster]

Same situation here, My brother and I are new at the oars, We were going to try the Carver to Riverside float. Not out to do any serious fishing, just to get used to the boat is all. Is there any hazards we should worry about before we do this? :grin:

[Flatfish]

A lot easier down there CM. Good luck and keep them hooks wet.
Mark and the dog.

[STGRule]

Carver to Riverside is a good for beginners and lots of good, fishy water. About a 1/2 mile below Carver, river makes a hard right, stay to the inside, don't go down the gut.

PS. I'm trying to type this all in with input from the peanut gallery. Sorry I missed the important stuff that flatfish said.

[Steelie Steve]

I would have to agree with FF and STG. Carver to Riverside is pretty simple. Did it myself as an inaugural drift when I got my boat.

Let us know what the fishin' is like.

Steve :cheers:

[Chris Nordling]

The Leaves are beginning to make me really happy :mad: graemlins/berry.gif NOT !!

The Clack has a nice tea color right now. Almost as many leaves in the water as rocks and beer cans :shocked: These are just the subsurface leaves.

When the winds picks up...that adds to the excitement of reeling in every 40'.

Not much bumping on the lower drifts. Follow STRule's advice for below the wall at carver. Stay to the inside of that first turn to the right. The middle drifts are less bumpy with this minor raise in the water too.

Remember all parks are closing at 6pm ( not sure about Feldheimer's tho..)

Have fun, and bring the Rake graemlins/idea.gif

Chris :cool:

[Corkie Monster]

What is at this first right turn that we should avoid?

[Chris Nordling]

The middle is very shallow there. By staying to the inside, you'll have a nice line of water flow to push you thru.

You'll see. Other than that it's fairly straight forward. Oh yeah, on the one split there is right now , stay right. Not that you can't go left, it's just easier to the right. This is when the road is right in front of you ( Like 500 yards, but you can see it and the cars)

Without stopping to fish, you should be done is a few hours.

Good Luck !

Chris :cool:

[Corkie Monster]

The little trip is canceled, But thanks for all the good info, will use it for the futer. :grin:

[Booja 1]

Hey Keith..If you're going to do it Carver is quite a ways down the road while Barton is a nice comfortable drift distance wise............

You trying for a summer...getting ready for dem winter steelies huh?? Should let me tag along and make sure no mallards get in your way...Good luck...........

Les