John Day Arm?

[MarlinMark]

Does anybody have some tips about the John Day arm and the park that is up there? How do you fish this arm and is it too early now? We are just looking to get out and have some fun. We have a jet boat so we would like to camp up at that park that is boat access only. Catfish, smallies etc. Whatever is going on is great. Thanks in advance.

Mark :cheers:

[MarlinMark]

I noticed 40+ looks and no replies. Nobody can help us out? I'm not looking for the secret stuff, just a little help. :shrug:

Mark :cheers:

[happybrew]

I think those looking were looking for the same info you are! Wish I could help you, but I've never fished there.

happybrew

[MarlinMark]

Well I guess you may have a point but I find it hard to believe that nobody has fished up there. I thought I heard something about decent catfishing in there. I will give a heads up after the weekend, if we go.

Mark :cheers:

[BuKuBass]

Did you try a search for previous posts? I recall alot of info on navigating up from the mouth. I don't fish there myself; more of an upriver guy.

[fisher47]

Marlin Mark,
I see no one is responding to you, so I'll try to give you a little info. it has been several years since I've fished it. but here goes. I manly fished smallies up there. What I look for is rock, ie. small rock and rock points. grubs and 4 inch worms fished on a 1/8 oz. grub is effective.i have seen people fishing cats near the power lines below the park, but haven't tried myself. good luck

[Wreckless]

The Park (Phillipi) is about 1/2 way up to the Narrows, the highest point to take a boat. Be careful about the "channel", my "Northwest Bass boat" aka 18' flatbottomed sled with a bowmount electric is fine but there are some spots were the rocks come almost to the surface, up toward the narrows. Be careful!!

Good smallmouth fishin' with the usual stuff, I'll usually "search" for fish with a crank bait, then use a grub or tube to get a few more. I almost always use natural colors no matter where I fish. Crawdad, greens blacks....

BE CAREFUL OF THE WIND IT CAN BLOW HARDER THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE!!! :shocked: really ....I've seen full sized dome tents blow away....the owners had to go looking for them, and I've seen a large Canvas "wall tent" TORN DOWN.

I hear a local describe the wind as "Jeckyl & Hyde"

As someone mentioned...check the archives & good luck!

[MarlinMark]

Thank you for all of the tips. I will give a report if we end up over there.

Tight lines,

Mark :cheers:

[Just Fish]

ILive close to the John Day I have fished It for 30 years.The advice on the wind and shallow water is fact.This time of year it can blow out from run off real quick.But the smally and catfish is good in spring and early summer.The upper park is nice.It gets alot of fishing pressure and the bass are getting smaller but there are lots of them good luck.

[duckhat]

I've also fished this area several times. Same comments as the others. Wind is the main problem & the river can blow out fast. Watch the river levels at the stations up river, you can see the spring run off start about this time & when it tapers off.

Be careful of the area up from the camping spot you're talking about. There's lots of flats that arn't real easy to see. Go slow & use the depth finder. If the wind is down you can move to the mouth & work the rocky areas all the way into the Columbia.