Clackamas Coho

birdhunter · 09-09-2001, 07:34 PM

Wow! That is about all I can say. Went down there for my first fishing attempt of the season this evening and went 2 for 3. I've got two bright beautiful identical 8 lb hens downstairs just waiting to be filleted.

Got to the river about 5:30 and fished till dark. Was below Carver and above Safeway if that helps. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] Got there to find fish rolling in the shade of a deep hole. Threw spinners and drifted eggs and jigs through them for about an hour w/ out a tap. Finally pulled out a nordic and threw it out there amongst the rising fish. No sooner did it hit the surface of the water than I had a fish on. Nice coho that tail-walked twice before I got it to the bank. I've had this happen before w/ coho. Throw stuff at them all day and then first cast w/ a nordic...BANG!

Fished the deep hole for a while longer until the fish started to move to the head of the hole and up the riffle. Switched to a brass spinner and after a long while I hooked a fish. Jumped once and threw the spinner right back at me. [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img]

Switched over to drifting eggs through the riffle for a while longer and finally managed to connect w/ another coho about a half hour before dark. Good thing it was a hatchery fish because it took it deep!

Without a doubt today was one of the best coho days I've ever had on the Clack. I caught fish and w/ different techniques too. I was only expecting to scout for fish, not actually catch any. In case you can't tell I'm really pumped about this. Had the bank all to myself and the fish were actually biting. Usually those middle river fish are notorious for lock-jaw. Saw about 50 fish this evening in schools of 5 to 12. I can't wait till the run really comes in! Be back out there tomorrow for sure.

Bigstew and RT, shoot me an e-mail when you have time and we'll get out there this week. It only gets better from here.

Anyone else do any good? Saw plenty of fishermen around Carver, but no other fish.

Jojo · 09-09-2001, 08:22 PM

Ahhh...good to hear this bit of news. I was going out tomorrow just above Safeway...thought I'd do some scouting as well but it looks like I may have a change to get into some.

Tell me...what's a nordic? Hope I'm not sounding to ignorant.

Salmonator · 09-09-2001, 08:28 PM

similar to a buzz-bomb but with a fixed hook

09-09-2001, 09:00 PM

Good news about the start of the run Ben! I can't hike it this week (sore ankle), but as soon as they get my Bronco engine installation done I will get in touch and we can either tow Roy's d-boat and Stew over there to float Carver to Safeway on a weekend, or during the week I can tow my new Don Hill mini-drifter for 2 fishermen and have at 'em. I have penciled in Thursday for another NF drift I've been invited on, so whatever other day we can both go; after I get my truck back. - Steve

Lured In · 09-10-2001, 10:23 AM

Took the wife and oldest son out to the Clack above Carver on Saturday afternoon to check things out. Threw spinners for about 2 hours and didn't see a thing. Heard a few people picked some up. There was a rumor of black rooster tails being a hot item. Anyone else hear that?

birdhunter · 09-10-2001, 07:35 PM

Ahhh. Back to the coho fishing I know and hate. Spent the evening out again and didn't get so much as a nibble. Still saw fish moving through, but not as many as yesterday. No takers to any of my techniques. This is typical for coho in the middle Clack. Usually the bite best at the mouth and Eagle Creek. Although a lot of those Eagle Creek fish get caught w/out biting at anything. [img]images/icons/mad.gif[/img] The next good rain should not only send in a push of fish, it should also get them on the bite. Early mornings are almost always the best time I have found. Evenings are a distant second, but the only option I have for now. Oh well, give it time. Somewhere, swimming innocently upstream, there is another fish w/ my name on it. Mu ha ha ha ha!

birdhunter · 09-14-2001, 07:37 PM

Fished the Clack again tonight. Hooked and lost one fish. Green spinner w/ copper blade. A few rolling, but not too much action. Very slow. May drift tomorrow or hit the bank. Will report back.

Silent Lucidity · 09-14-2001, 07:52 PM

I'll be down at Riverbend tomorrow morning. Of course I didn't see your message until I got back from Fisherman's to see the color combination that you are tossing. Bought black on black and flame orange. We'll see how it goes.

Hoosier Daddy · 09-15-2001, 09:15 AM

God Dammit, I wish this baby would hurry up and show!!!!!

birdhunter · 09-15-2001, 10:09 AM

Well I was really excited about the conditions, but no fish to show for it. Fished from about 6 till 10. Overcast, rained a little last night...you'd think the fish would be on the bite. Only saw a couple roll. I had a hard hit on eggs once fishing the head of a hole, but that was it. Stripped the bait and I didn't even get to swing and miss. Probably wasn't a salmon anyways. Right? [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] We left after my buddy broke the tip off the spinning rod I lent him. [img]images/icons/mad.gif[/img]

Pretty sure I saw you out there today Silent Lucidity. Below River Bend w/ brown waders and a black hat right. I was on the other side of the river in brown waders and a green hat. Fishing next to some tall goof-ball in a white shirt. Drove a bright orange truck. Nice how that drift boat anchored up right across from you. I actually had to share the bank today. 6 other bankies w/ me. On private property even! Oh well, plenty of room out there. Just no fish.

I counted 10 trailers at Carver. None of the boats I talked to did any good. May be back out tomorrow, but I'll probably just go goose hunting and fish on the side.

Silent Lucidity · 09-15-2001, 12:00 PM

Yeah, that was me. Did you happen to see me drag the ********* out of there? That baby slammed my purple and white Silent Approach with a pink worm and since it still was pretty dark I got excited.

He got himself stuck on the other side of a rock and I let him have some line and he freed himself. I was thinking "must just be a jack, but it's my first salmon in years so BRING IT ON!". When I first lifted part of him out of the water he had that telltale yellow glint to him. Pretty healthy 20+ inch "pike minnow".

Only a couple fish rolling in there this morning. The drift boat was there most of the morning, which was fine as my loan to buy the river fell through. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Agreed it's still early, but with such primo private property to myself I had to give it a try. That and I needed some water time to reconnect with my world recently turned upside down.