my last chance for steel

motocross5646 · 12-16-2008, 11:36 PM

well for a while anyways... in February I'm off to Japan to spend the next two years serving the Lord.

anyways i have yet to catch a steel head and i was hoping to get out and get one before i leave. could anyone point me in the right direction? I'm 19 now and have been fly fishing for trout since i was 13, i just need to know what flies to use and where to use them. any help would be greatly appreciated.

thanks

steel_beaver · 12-17-2008, 12:38 AM

where are you? When the cold spell breaks, and the water warms up a little (rain) go to a river next to you and you are in business. Indicator rigs work great on smaller/medium rivers.... or you can swing big leeches in the bigger runs. Good luck

motocross5646 · 12-17-2008, 10:50 AM

I'm across the river from Oregon city. so im next to the clackamas. the thing is i don't really like fishing in crowds. would i have better luck going up river?

JRV · 12-17-2008, 10:53 AM

Go to Eagle Creek, hike down to the mouth, all that is great water to fly fish. egg patterns work great.....

motocross5646 · 12-17-2008, 09:24 PM

thanks. ill have to try that. do i need to get up there early to get a spot?

anyone else have suggestions? how is the deschutes for steel head?

motocross5646 · 12-18-2008, 04:02 PM

i just got back from eagle creek at the mouth. i fished an egg pattern under an indicator. but i didn't bring waders so i was limited to a couple bank spots. i fished for two hours with no luck. id like to go back but maybe after the next big rain or temperature rise.
thanks for the help

AndyK · 12-18-2008, 04:19 PM

The Eagle Creek run is usually a late January/February run. You will probably find more fish after Christmas and into the new year.

There are probably more steelhead in the Clackamas right now.

Good Luck.

JRV · 12-18-2008, 04:43 PM

You have the right idea, as AndyK said it's a little early.

The deschutes should fish right now, if your crazy enough to brave the weather i'm sure you would have the river to your self.

Sandstrom 22 · 12-18-2008, 04:51 PM

some coastal rivers fish good...the neccanicum, Gnat cr., big cr., and the klaskanine river.

motocross5646 · 12-18-2008, 10:34 PM

in the summer i dirt bike near the upper Wilson (at Jones creek/diamond mill). i see a lot of fishermen there at times. should i wait a couple weeks before heading over there to try it out?

also when i was fishing with the egg pattern, the egg wasn't really sinking more then a foot or two. is that ok or does it need to be bouncing the bottom?

SouthSantiamSlayer · 12-19-2008, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motocross5646

in the summer i dirt bike near the upper Wilson (at Jones creek/diamond mill). i see a lot of fishermen there at times. should i wait a couple weeks before heading over there to try it out?

also when i was fishing with the egg pattern, the egg wasn't really sinking more then a foot or two. is that ok or does it need to be bouncing the bottom?

In warmer summer time water fish will more likely come up to take an offering.
With this COLD winter water were having I'd get your offering near the bottom where they are holding. They are not going to move too much to strike in real cold water. They become lethargic. My

money2182 · 12-19-2008, 05:07 PM

good luck mate and God bless for doin good works over in japan maybe you will be able to do a lil fishing over there again good luck

motocross5646 · 12-19-2008, 05:43 PM

thanks guys
what leader would you guys recomend for this?

sherretb · 12-20-2008, 12:45 PM

Motocross,

I started fly fishing for winter steelhead a few winters ago so I'm not to far ahead of you.

I can tell you the rig that I use and Maybe it will help.

I fish a 9' #8 rod with about a 10' leader. For my leader/tippet I simply tie a surgeons loop in a 3' section of 25 lb mono, then use a blood knot to tie another 3' section of 15 lb mono. Finally I use another blood knot to tie my 3'-4' 8 lb mono tippet.

I use an indicator (find the one that looks like a ping pong ball and it will cast easier - my personal preference) at about 1.5 times the depth of the water, and usually fish waste deep, walking speed water. To get my egg patern down to the bottom, I usually use three to four of the small split shot about 14" above the fly. You can also use a large, heavily weighted fly tied above your egg patern. This method can cause more frustration than its worth though.

I am over on the deschutes and I would not reccomend coming over. Access if difficult due to the weather and a large part of it closes on Dec. 31

PM if you have any questions and good luck!