Eagle Creek

[Navigator]

Well, I found a couple extra hours in my day today and I decided to spend them on Eagle Creek. This is the first time I fly-fished this stream and the first time I have fished it for steelhead. I had the creek to myself up at Eagle Fern Park. Turned out to be a pleasant day. Water conditions looked perfect. The slots and runs were a nice emerald. Clear, but not low. I threw bunny jig leech, glo bug, spawn sacks - mostly pink and white combo's. Tried a purple starlight leech. Not a touch.

Anyone want to share how they approach this stream for winter steelhead?

[ 03-20-2003, 10:33 PM: Message edited by: Navigator ]

[dirtyCut]

I like to throw just about what you listed. I always go with the leeches first, then try glow bugs, egg patterns even some of my heavier brighter streamers. I tied up a Deschutes Madness sz 4, weighted and had one on and another hammer it.
I have only fished EC a handful of times though so Im sure other fly guys have different tactics/patterns. I would like to hit it again with some more info on what to throw....


KC

[hickwithaflyrod]

Ummmm... well there are lots of differant things you can do just go crasy, don't stick to what everyone else is using. But for that river I like to stick to my basic flies that I use most every where else. I like the Skyomish Sunrise, Leech (bolth articulated and not in black and purple but try a pink one too), Glow bugs, Carbellero eggs, Moe eggs, Green Butt Skunk, and the good old Freat Train. When swinging them try to use you smallest leader possible (I messed up with this in the past) for this river I like a 4ft maybe if the water is a little dark or you have clear shorter like 3ft. If you have any more question just shoot me an e-mail at LittleRiffle@netscape.net .....

John

[ 03-27-2003, 09:52 PM: Message edited by: hickwithaflyrod ]

[Grantspastor]

A growing weapon of choice down here in So Oregon on the Applegate is dead drifting nymphs, usually with a strike indicator. I've heard first hand reports of some pretty good action on late winter Steelies

[Snap-T]

I have fished EC for over 15 years now. Your trouble hooking fish is due to your late arrival. Most of the fish in EC come in Dec-Feb. Look down stream, there are Summers coming in to the mouth of the Clack.... This should tell you that the winters of EC are all but gone, or in the last stages of spawning.
Better luck next year.
Go down river and fish these early spring-summer fish.

[andy-ap emerger]

Navigator:
The above post is true. When there are plenty of EC posts & even more trucks along EC, that's when you too need to be @ EC.
It's either ON or OFF.
IMHO they don't stage or hang too long there. Just a mad dash to the hatchery trying to dodge thousands of orange balls, shiny spinners & bright pink marabou fluffies being thrown at them.
Every once in a while you can be there and have a beautiful stretch, on a wet & green winter evening all to yourself. Quiet air and rustling river below and see hundreds of steelies or Coho whizz all around you. Gotta put in the time.
Sometimes it's just stunningly beautiful.
andy"ap emerger"