John day help

[Cliff]

Hey could you guys tell me where i could fish the John Day from the bank? My father and i are going campin up there and were hoping to get into some fish. Thanks!!

Also what should we use there?? Senkos? Spinnersbaits? Cranks? Anything helps

Thanks

CLiff

[shalom]

BuKaBass is the expert and he will let you know as soon as he reads this .

[oregondukhntr]

Where the highway crosses the river between Wasco and Condon. I fished there a few weeks ago up and down river from the bridge and caught tons of fish, so did my wife who has never fished bass. Its the only place I have fished on the John Day but it seemed like a good place for a day trip.

Brian

[bucketmouth]

The Highway crosses the John Day at Cottonwood Bridge. There is fair bank access in both directions.

[Striper Club]

I thought you are the JD expert Bert! :grin:

PS: Knee healing well?

-Rich

[Salmon Stryker]

On the east side of the bridge just down the road a ways is a gravel road to the right. That road heads down river for a ways and there is some pretty good bank access along there. It is BLM land and I think (could be wrong) but I think you can camp there. A lot of fish in that section of river. Should be really low and warm and you could wade most of the river in a pair of shorts and tennis shoes. I'm not a bass fisherman but we were slamming them on 2 and 3 inch pumpkinseed color grub worms. The ones with the curly tail. But I think they will hit whatever you throw at em.

[Cliff]

Thanks for all the responses! What about what to use? Thanks again

Cliff

[BuKuBass]

Aw Shuckin's Shalom, 'tain't nuthin'.
Striper Club: I don't know about the JD but since I showed Bert some holes and tricks at Oxbow Rez., he can hold his own there.

Cliff, where are you and your Dad camping? Public access varies with the location. Obtain the map of the "Lower John Day River" from a BLM office; it's color coded as to who owns what.

As I've previously opined, a smallie is a smallie is a smallie. Anything that works elsewhere will be effective on the JD; some tactics are just more efficient or more fun than others.

For grins and giggles, it's hard to beat top waters such as Tiny Torpedoes, Chug Bugs, buzzbaits or paddletail worms retrieved on the surface fast enuf so that the tail spanks the water. If you miss a strike, let the worm drop and the bass will usually hit.

Since the flow is at 40% of normal for this time of year, during the day the bigger bass will be found at most deeper spots that have some current with a riffle or rock garden within a quarter mile. They hang in the holes and work the nearby rocky areas at low light. Last Wednesday I discovered two such places that were 7,8 feet deep with some large submerged boulders; the depth 150, 200 yards in either direction was less than four feet. I took 2 14s and a 16"er from an 15 foot square area by drop-shotting them with a nose-hooked Albino Super Fluke. Swimming a grub or fluking (unweighted) them will work as well.

BucketMouth, if you're reading this, one of those spots was where we fished in May after getting Ryker in the morning. We fished up the south bank and were stopped by the bluff that ran to the water's edge. If you aren't reading this, never mind. :grin:

I finally broke down and bot a $16 Lucky Craft 110 Pointer in the "Ghost Minnow" color. With it you can actually "walk-the-dog" underwater; Amazing! But at that kind of money I should spool a reel with 60# test seven strand wire!
Other suspending jerk baits such as a Husky Jerk will also work but NOTHING has an action like the Pointer.

[shalom]

I love to read the reports from BuKaBass . He has a gift of letting the words flow in a very interesting way to read . They are all so , very informitive .

[kenbear65]

if you go up or down from cottonwood make sure you know what is blm and what is private. i live near and fish this area with several owners permition. dont assume anything make sure or you could ruin access for many. especially if you walk trails or roads above the high water line. there is also a access road on the west side across from the upper boat park and if you walk up river from the end of the road there is good bass and catfish. :cheers:

[Salmo trutta]

Priest Hole outside of Mitchell.

[bucketmouth]

BuKuBass. Of course I read your post. I'm not suprised about the location. The way you described it, I kinda thought you were talking about that or a similar place.

As Shalom said your post are fun to read. At least one does not get the feeling that you still need language and or spelling lessons.

By the way, I sent you a PM concerning Oxbow.

[ExBassGuide]

?????????????????????????????????????????

[norsky]

Get the BLM map first...... :grin:

I fished bass in the John day from 1973 til 1994. From Dayville to Cottonwood bridge. The only rig that I found to be consistently effective is a #5 or larger floating rapala minow. in blue back/ white belly, or *********/sucker color, the one with red dots at the head. Work the boulders and shadows during mid day. best in late evening in small pockets next to fast water entering pools. just before dark fish it like a topwater, cast it and let it sit, give a twitch or two, and be ready for an explosion. Words of caution, little poops are really shy in clear water so watch your shadow carefully. I used light enough line to allow casting at least 40 or so feet. "they are watching you". Another thing, I always wondered if I am quiet and sneaking up on the bass "am I sneaking up on the rattlers too?"

[BuKuBass]

XBG:

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!

I wanted my response to be as emphatic, concise and substantive as your queries. :grin:

[ExBassGuide]

Spent yesterday afternoon and most of last night fishing the John Day above Priest Hole, Cot so many dinks that I thot about harnessing 50 or so to my kayak, dangling an Albino (pearl w/ a hint of blue) Super Fluke in front of them and see if they'd pull me up the river.



I see what you are saying :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:!
cot & thot :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
small fish can be fun if the big ones can't be found!

[BuKuBass]

Yep Rog..."cot" & "thot" are my own concessions to incorrect spelling; laziness or efficiency...you decide. Me...I figure why type four letters when one will suffice.
However, by just now explaining my rationalization, I may have negated any time and/or effort savings gained thru-out the years. Oops...There's ("u" instead of "ough") another one.

Do not attempt to adjust your television. We control the horizontal....

[ExBassGuide]

Thanks for clearing that one up!!!!! :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: