boating the Clack

[Tagster]

Any thoughts on when is the best time to get a jet boat on the clack? I have a 19' North River and want to get it out this winter, however, I really don't want to bottom that baby out...If I use the river gauges available, what should I look for? What point is too low?

Thanks,

Tag

[whitewaterbill]

Others can help you with the river gauge as far as when most people run most sections.
In general.....If you purchase a jet boat to run small rivers....Hitting the bottom is going to happen. Its not a case of if....More like when...
To minimize those events learn the river first hand with someone that has run it for many years or don't go...Or have money set aside for repair work.
Your most valuable lesson will be the first trip you make to the shop after you hit hard. Anyone that has run much Whitewater has been there and done that.
When the Clackamas has enough water for boats and fish it will have lots of down river traffic and fishers that have no tollerance for new guys in inboards...Still want to go?

Advice is free....Aluminum welding and pump parts...Not so cheap.

What did I leave out here guys?

Bill

[fishbait]

12.2 OK
12.5 better
13 great

This is on the upper river

[Spooled]

I fish Carver down to Riverside a lot in a drift boat. For that stretch, I see sleds all the time at 11.5. When it gets to 11.0 - 11.2 you start to see fewer sleds. I think it fishes best around 11.5. I floated it at 13.2 last year and it was a quick ride down. Ask Joe or Dave at North River. They are always doing boat demos there, and can easily answer what is best for sleds.

[David Johnson]

You sure better know what you are doing if you are going to run it below 12.5.

Spooled is talking about it fishing best at 11.5, I agree with him if your in a drift boat because the flows are low enough to make it managable. For fishing it with a sled 12.8-13.5 is ideal.

11.3 is my minimum for sledding, in some areas I wouldn't run it below 12.

[I'mThe10Percent]

Don't listen to Spooled, he's never rowed down the Clackamas river.. He always makes me row! :grin:
He takes me along because he knows I'm the best rower ever, and I always get him into the fish!
And to top it off, he puts my rod up with him in the front so he's fishing both rods!!! My rod will bury, and he hands me his rod to reel up for him while he fights my fish!!!!

[ 11-15-2001: Message edited by: I'mThe10Percent ]</p>

[damc]

Tagster,

Have you run much white water in your sled? Do you have a tiller? If you are experienced with reading water, the clack is not too hard to run in a sled (I started running it in a 20 ft Northriver before I could drive).

If you stay below carver, the river is pretty easy to run. I would strongly advise you to go with someone else a few times first, unless the water is really high. I think drifting it might be helpful, as it is a lot easier to see the water at 5 mph vs 25.

As far as water levels go, I saw two guys running the river this September in a 14 ft sled. The water was at 10.5 and they didn't seem to have any problems (except for angry looks from those in driftboats), so I guess the water level is not as important as your skill level.

Good Luck,

Mike

[rags]

A good place to start would be Riverside Park behind the Safeway warehouses. Run up river from here and you should have no problems. I agree with David Johnson's recommended river heights. There are some good backtrolling holes in this stretch. Good Luck.

[Spooled]

Tagster. I would use David Johnson's recomendations, as he runs both a sled and driftboat on the Clacakamas. He is probably on the Clackamas more than 95% of the people on this board. He would definately know what levels are OK for sleds, and what levels are too low. Also damc has good advice about drifting it first to see the best line through rapids and low spots.

Hey 10%. It took me a while to figure out who you were, but only 3 people have ever rowed my boat, other than me, and the other two aren't so full of themselves. :grin: Yeah, you are the best oarsmans (not rower, probably didn't have that one in your large vocabulary) that has manned my boat. Hey if someone wants to row me down the river so I can fish, I am all for it. Don't forget that you never fished the Clackamas until last spring. And who was rowing when the biggest fish was caught this spring? Who's eggs? Who's perfect net job? Don't make me post that picture. :grin:

[JPSFISHY]

I agree w/ David. 12.5 is probably a good rule of thumb to start by for someone not very familiar with the Clack. You see, it's not the same ole Clack. The 96 flood took out alot of river, and redeposited tons of rock and gravel. The bottom is now "soft" and keeps changing daily. Riffles and bars, are even changing in low water conditions. The lower river down buy Riverside has some reasonably safe water for a jet boat. There are turns were you can't see very far ahead, so be ready to act when coming up on boats with lines out. Please don't do what the North River boys did all last winter.
A True and fun quote.

THE RIVER
AN OLD BOOK
WITH A NEW STORY
EVERYDAY Mark Twain
Good Fishin

[Drachir]

I have fished the Clackamas for over 28 years, both Dave and Jimmy, are right on. My favorite level for Winter steelhead is from 12.8'to 13.6' it fishes just great in that range. The way the river has changed since the '96 Flood, you had better know how to read water very well, and go with someone who knows the river if you plan on running a 19' North River, below 12.5'. Other wise you could easily run into some real trouble spots, ie. very shallow gravel bars, narrow channels, and some wicked new twists and turns. My advise, hire a good Guide, they can teach you
a whole lot, and would be money well spent!! :smile:

[ 11-15-2001: Message edited by: Drachir ]</p>

[I'mThe10Percent]

All right Spooled, no need to threaten me with posting that picture. Yeah I did catch the big fish last spring didn't I? Damn I'm good. Next time when you're netting such a beast, remember to net the fish head first!!

With such a pretty boat you have now, even ol' Dave will be impressed when he see's us on the river. I'll try not to "low-hole" him in your boat. LOL :grin:

[CATCH AND EAT]

Yep, my minimum is 12.4. Found a big rock just under the surface that did not even make a ripple. Launched the flat bottom a couple of feet in the air and came down with a lot of noise and one 350# buddy on the floor. Turned around and went back up to check the exact placement of that rock. Mental note made....do not run under 12.4. BTW it was between Barton and Carver a little more then half way up.

Be very careful running this puppy from Carver up. Even good guides have torn lower ends off new boats up hear. Just ask J.T.

Spooled you are just a brutal dude. Always hurraaaaaasin the Steelhead with your riparian (thats river) expertise (knowledge). Your just the fish master :grin:

[David Johnson]

Another suggestion, go out there now and get your practice in befroe all the fishermen get out there in the heart of the season.

You can alwyas book one of us guides to show you the ropes as well. :smile:

[JPSFISHY]

Sure glad to here some great support on Jetting the Clack. Jet boating in any river is like fishin. Learn and know your basics well, and you stand a lot better chance of suceeding. Don't take someone telling you 12.3,12.5,13.6,11.3 as gospil. Every one of those numbers is simply a tool. If you don't know how to use the tool, you may be at risk. A high % of big time guides that have run the Clack for years, have torn up boats/motors, torn shoes off, busted pumps. I for one am a whimp, and don't mind telling you. I have more respect for my $30k sled, and the safety of others than to chance anything for the sake of catching a fish. When I,m in doubt, I'll run a driftboat trip in order to study a spot or two up close and personal. I can't afford to tear up expensive motors. The Clack is not the most friendly river in the world. River courtesy is a big one too. Slow down and idle buy a driftboat or boat with rods out when your in close quarters. You know when that is. As we get more and more folks on the river with big boats, it's everyones resposibility to be safe and respectful of your fellow outdoorsmen. OK, outdoorwomen too!!ha Enjoy a great season, and feel free to call me anytime if I can be of help. Thanks for your time. JP

[Drachir]

Jimmy,

I want to say congrats for such a great post. Good advise and I wish more people would think like that, it sure would solve a whole lot of problems on our rivers!! :grin: :tongue: :grin:

[Tagster]

I really appreciate all the help and advise. I do have some experience in sleds, I have run the snake and the salmon over in Idaho, but, those are big rivers with big water...I ran my pontoon boat from Barton to Carver earlier this fall and had to walk it in many places, although I do top out at 290#...

What is the best way to get in touch with some of you guides out there to plan a jet trip?

Again, Thank you for all your input...I want to learn this the right way...probably safer and more courteous if I do...

Tag

[ 11-16-2001: Message edited by: Tagster ]</p>

[Tagster]

[ 11-16-2001: Message edited by: Tagster ]</p>

[Drachir]

Several of the guides have links on the main I-fish page. I think both who have been in on this topic would be good choices. Just my .02 worth!!

[Spooled]

One thing that Jimmy mentioned is to slow down going by drift boats fishing. Although I am sure some will dis-agree with me, on the Clackamas, I prefer the sleds to go by at speed even with my rods out. For some reason or another, I hook a lot of fish right after a sled goes by. It probably stirs up the fish. I think most drift boats would rather you slow down as Jimmy suggested though. There is room for sleds and driftboats on the Clackamas to co-exist. Just use good judgement. Springer fishing seems to be when tensions rise highest. Mostly boats you don't see during steelhead season cause the anxiety.

[JPSFISHY]

Spooled, I agree with you. Good judgement is key. Different water for different seasons, you bet. Pullin sticks on hot springer water is a tough haul, thats when I prefer the "motor boat"ha. Each season and species of fish use different water. Early winters are different than late winters-diff water. Don't waist your day being brain dead on one type of water. Summers- a different ball game all together. Springers, Slivers- their all different. They use different water, on the same river, maybe at the same time of year even.ha God I love fishin.
There is certainly is room for drift boats and sleds on any river that is big enough to be safe. Education, respect for each other, and a line of communication such as IFISH helps us all. I heard all the stuff about what would you pay??? I figure, the more I learn, the more educated I become to fishing and the environment, and what I can do to help my fellow fishermen/women-fisherpeople?? the bigger the BANG I'm gettin for my buck anyway. I'm flapped out. The water on the Clack is in prine shape for bringing some chromers in. Santa's Coming!!!!!! Good Fishin

[David Johnson]

If learning the river you may want to go out there this time of year before the croweds come so you're not going to get in any ones way while you learn.