John Day River Steelhead???

The Reverend · 11-29-2003, 03:53 PM

Hey everyone! I've got a few questions. I was wondering if anyone has been fishing steelhead on the upper river, aroun Spray and the North Fork. Second, was wondering if there are any fish up that high yet. Thanks in advance for any replies! Oh, I was also wondering, is there any bank access down near the mouth where my father and I could get into some big B-run steelies?????

BuKuBass · 11-29-2003, 06:13 PM

I've been hooking a few around Clarno. And won't hit the North Fork until February.
A search here should reveal bank possibilities around the mouth.

CAGEY · 11-30-2003, 07:59 AM

check your email

long_shanks · 09-06-2004, 08:41 PM

I just fish the lower section near Rock CR

letsfish · 09-06-2004, 09:26 PM

The River runs into Lake Umatilla (the backwaters of the John Day Dam on the Columbia). Consequently for a number of miles up from the Columbia River it is just anoter arm on the Lake. It is accessed via La Page Park fust of I-84. The property surrounding the waters are private range land.Some fish around the briges there. It is very popular in that area in late October early November for the B-run.
If you have a boat you can motor up to where the John Day flows in, hike up and fish,but be respectful of the landowners - if it says "No Trespassing " it means it. Again this fishery really takes off in October.