John Day Report

TillamookChinook · 11-03-2003, 04:36 PM

We were on some private river frontage not too far above the mouth. The "road" in was the steepest track I have ever been on and a real test of "low gear / low range" on my old '66 Scout.

The owner is a high school classmate of my wife.

TillamookChinook · 11-03-2003, 11:32 PM

The John Day River was beautiful yesterday; clear and about a foot deeper than when I was there 13 months ago. The fishing was great, the catching was lousy.

We fished all day through light snow showers. We tried swinging traditional patterns, tried bunny leeches, etc. on sink tip, and tried nymphs under an indicator. The two of us each had a steelhead on briefly. No smallmouth to be seen.

I assume the additional water in the river may have allowed the fish to disperse and the cold weather made them just lay low.

But what do I know about steelhead? Not much.

Tanner · 11-03-2003, 11:57 PM

TC,
Whereabouts on the John Day were you?

[ 11-03-2003, 01:01 PM: Message edited by: Tanner ]

halomidge · 11-04-2003, 06:59 AM

Is there a method and starting point to fish the John Day from the mouth.... a trailhead to hike it or bike it?

TillamookChinook · 11-04-2003, 11:33 PM

I've not tried to access the John Day from the mouth. I think there are problems with private frontage. Most people access the river from bridges further upstream.

I think you would need a boat to get to the head of slack water, though it may be possible to hike from the park, but it would be a long hike.

At the head of slack water you come to Tumwater Falls. I have read a report from a kayaker who described it as an extended treacherous chute between two rock cliffs.

If you get above that you are probably on private land, and the John Day River is the focus of the legislators trying to prevent a navigability study that would guarantee public access up to the high water line. There is some isolated BLM land along the river that you can't get to without crossing private land.

BuKuBass · 11-05-2003, 09:22 AM

There's a map available through the BLM of the lower John Day -Kimberly on down- that's color-coded showing who controls what land. You might be surprised as to access availability.