Clackamas Report - very frustrating

KilgoreTrout · 09-16-2001, 02:18 PM

Fished the Clack this morning. Clackemette park was pretty slow so we moved upriver (past Carver). Saw numerous fish rolling all over the place but no takers. Do they not bite when they are rolling? Looking for any suggestions. I tried spinners and Mag Worts and a smolt imitation. All in all very frustrating day to see them all around but no bites!!!

BCFISHON1 · 09-16-2001, 05:00 PM

These fish that you see rolling will bite about like lottery kicks out winners.the odds are about the same in my book.the more casts the better the odds.Ive found the biters are usally in the fast water.I would fish for boiling fish in early morn and early eves useing spinners like blue foxes and sneeks and bolo's.you mite also try crocodiles brass with orange stripe or similar patterns.during the day try drifting eggs in the fast water and tailouts good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!

KilgoreTrout · 09-16-2001, 08:26 PM

Thanks, I don't have much experience with eggs but will have to learn I guess. I had caught a coho last year in this spot using a diving plug but I think I can right it off to random chance. I saw two guys fishing eggs but they did not have any luck that I could see. Several times the water over a large area was literally boiling with fish. Does anyone know why they do this?

Thanks,

Dave

birdhunter · 09-16-2001, 08:46 PM

Just keep trying. I caught two last Sunday, but that was a real fluke. I just happened to get lucky and get into some fish that were on the bite for some reason. I've been out there another half dozen times since then and no luck. Lost one and had a few taps on eggs, but not the real good fishing like you would expect w/ so many fish. I'd say wait for a good rain. Gets all the fish moving and moving fish tend to bite better. Hit the moving water in the early morning. Eggs would be my top choice too. Those middle river fish tend not to bite great anyways. May want to consider the Sandy. It has a good run of coho and they tend to bite fairly well. Otherwise I'd stick to the mouth or wait for Eagle creek for the best action. Best of luck to you. Don't feel bad, right now the fish are in the Clack but the catching sucks.

BTW, was this the hole at the turn-out off of 212 between Barton and Carver? That is a really good place to go. I've caught quite a few fish out of it when the are actually biting. Got one coho two years ago out of there that was 17 lbs. I don't know how well you know the area, but feel free to e-mail me if you want some tips on how I like to fish it.

FishinMission · 09-17-2001, 10:28 AM

Thought I might add one more thing.... If you're fishing spinners in the deep slow moving water holes....let them sink for a few seconds, and reel them in real SLOW. In fact..just fast enough so that you can see your rod tip working with the blade. And if you haven't tried "black" spinner blades..give them a shot. They worked great for me.

KilgoreTrout · 09-17-2001, 07:57 PM

FishinMission, thanks for the tips. I did try one black bladed spinner Sunday but I was apparently fishing it too fast. I thought since the fish were near the surface that I should pull the spinner fast to keep it near the surface also. What size blade and color preferences do you like.

Thanks,

Dave

ampersat · 09-17-2001, 09:17 PM

i fished the bus stop hole last week (i don't know what the hole is called - it's the only bank access on the north side between barton and carver [any help?]). anyway, they were rolling aplenty and i could see the schools running with a dozen fish in each pod. i pulled a red spinner through the fast water up near the surface and saw three fish tailing it as it came into the calmer water. they all turned tail at that point but i did have their interest. also, orange seems to be working well on them at this point. i picked up a six pound buck further upriver using a green corkie and orange yarn. hope this helps.

chuckee · 09-17-2001, 09:20 PM

i have also heard black wiggle warts with glitter are working good also

birdhunter · 09-17-2001, 09:41 PM

Ampersat,

Know the hole you were talking about. I've always heard it called the "parking lot hole". Was there tonight doing a drift. Plenty of fish through the whole system, but none to be caught. Saw one fish caught up at Deep creek. Looked about 5 lbs, but it took them 15 minutes and it came in backwards. Imagine that. [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img]

There are tons of fish through the whole river, but there is also a lot of pressure and not much to show for it. I guess just wait for the next rain. This weekend maybe?

[ 09-17-2001: Message edited by: birdhunter ]

Sandybar · 09-18-2001, 04:58 AM

I don't know what to make of it. But last Friday while trolling between meldrum and the Clack. I notice not one but 3 very brite dead silvers floating down river! Has anyone notice this phenominum? Is there somthing in the water, is it to warm? Or is someone snagging these fish and letting them go? These fish looked very healthy, but very dead. Any ideas?

Fishhead · 09-19-2001, 10:42 PM

Sandybar, they just bumped their heads into rocks, since they were'nt steelhead, it killed them. [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] LOL.........Fishhead Vic [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

David Johnson · 09-19-2001, 11:00 PM

That spot off of 224 with the public access is called "Grants Park" and also "Fishermens Bend"

wetaline · 09-21-2001, 12:49 PM

was at the first riffle from the mouth last night (thursday 9/21) ... nothing happening.. didnt even see fish roll...

which means it will be awsome today since i'm not going . [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

FishinMission · 09-21-2001, 01:03 PM

Kilgore...sorry to get back to you late. I used the #3 and #4 Vibrax's. Black blade, chartreuse body works well too. Go get 'em!!