Feldheimers/Barton drifting

[Wet_Willy]

I haven't drifted the section of the Clackamas above Carver before and was hoping for a little insight on the type of water and rowing I would be in for. It is so close for me to fish the Clackamas, but I have mainly concentrated on the coastal streams and lately rivers on the southern coastal areas (Coquille, Siletz, Umpqua). I'm a confident drifter but not over-confident. I know the upper Clackamas has some nasty water but what about the stretch around Barton or Feldheimers. Thanks for the info.

WW

[chuck 'n' duck]

This drift is pretty tame. It is the one that I usually do during the silver run. The water during that time of year is pretty low, so it may be a different story during high water.

During low water you want to go left at the first split in the river. The next split is at Bonnie Lure. You will want to go right. This will take you past Eagle Creek and dump you down into the powerline stretch. After this, the water is pretty straight forward, but there are some slightly technical spots. One in particular is where you have to navigate in between some bedrock. Not too bad though. If you can read the water you will be fine. If you have done the Moonshine drift before, you should have no trouble with this one. With the low water you may be bumpin and scrapin in spots, but shouldn't have to walk the boat.

Like I said, I don't know how high the water is, so it may be a bit different than stated above. I think Dave Johnson has been drifting the Clack. You may want to drop him and e-mail for better info.

Hope this helps you.

CnD

[David Johnson]

He's right, if youi've done the moonshine drift on the Seletz you will have no problem.

The water is only a foot or so higher than durring the silver run. Actually the water is up a little more the last day or so because of the high snow level. I have not even scratched bottom in the last two days.

As long as you take those two arms as mentioned above you will have no problem.

David Johnson