John Day

alwayslookin · 11-25-2002, 04:24 PM

Any news on the John Day pool for steelhead? We trolled up there last Tuesday and went 2 for 6. The clipped keeper was 13.5lbs...... We're thinking of heading back out tommorrow morning.

dampainter · 11-25-2002, 04:41 PM

alwayslookin...where exactly did you troll?were you up near phllipie? the mouth?? or....
I trolled out front of the deschutes sunday, kinda slow but did catch a keeper of 13 lbs.

alwayslookin · 11-25-2002, 04:51 PM

dampainter, we trolled from the deadline at the dam to the mouth, but most of the action was within 200 yds of the deadline and in the corner by the Oregon Side. I'd say during the day we saw 20 fish taken. alwayslookin

SureSet · 11-25-2002, 07:01 PM

AlwaysLookin, We were there as well last Tues. Caught 2 keepers but both were on the dusky side and went back in. We fished up the arm and in front of the deadline, 1 fish in each area. Seemed like only a couple of the fish we saw taken were bright enough to make good fare. How did your's look?

SureSet

Navigator · 11-25-2002, 09:41 PM

I would be interested in some basics on trolling techniques - lures, weight, speed, ... okay, throw in a couple of secrets as well.

David Johnson · 11-25-2002, 09:59 PM

Troll your plugs on a flat line. Wiggle Warts, craw dads, Hot Shots, Hog Boss......

alwayslookin · 11-26-2002, 04:09 AM

Sureset, it was bright, however I can't figure out how to attach a picture at this hour of the morning. I'm hitching up the boat and heading out. I'll post the pic an update this evening. Tight lines to all.

alwayslookin

Charlie · 11-26-2002, 06:20 AM

Any more reports on the John Day?

spinnermaker · 11-26-2002, 06:35 AM

A friend of mine was there Friday landed 3 withone keeper 21# buck.

rags · 11-26-2002, 07:47 AM

Thinking about going to the John Day this Friday. Is it best to put in at the mouth and run up river? How far up do you go before you start trolling plugs? I went up there last year and ran all the way up to the end then hiked in and fished. Don't want to spend that much energy this Friday after overeating. Any help would be appreciated.

5-Cents · 11-26-2002, 09:01 AM

I am heading up there tomorrow and will report later tomorrow eve when I have time.

Hogmaster · 11-26-2002, 09:21 AM

Take your file this time, buffalo man! :grin:

PS - The new colors work.

PPS - Take some sand shrimp.

PPSS - I don't want to take tomorrow off and go up there. Nah, why would anyone do that?

NETONE · 11-26-2002, 09:29 AM

What about those East Winds....out in Troutdale it is howling like wild....

fishing is life · 11-26-2002, 10:36 AM

one important thing is how far back you troll. i usually will troll 21 pulls for 11-16 ft water. any other opinions?

dampainter · 11-26-2002, 10:58 AM

I have been doing good with 50 pulls everytime with mag warts in 18 - 25 feet of water, Are you guys using sandshrimp with these , and if you are... are you using whole or tail? front or back hook???

alwayslookin · 11-26-2002, 08:07 PM

Update on the John Day for Tuesday. Wind was howling through the gorge up until Hood River area. Put in at the John Day at 8:30, it was sunny and calm throughout the day. We caught 4 fish, kept three, one was dusky and looked as if it kissed a prop, the head was chewed up. Two of the keepers were caught within 200 yards of the red buoy by the deadline at the dam, and the other two were caught up by the second park up the John Day arm. All were caught on flat lined wiggle warts.

David Johnson · 11-26-2002, 08:11 PM

So how cold was it?

Wood N' Fish · 11-26-2002, 08:13 PM

Foggy and dank!!!!!! :shocked: Best head for the west side for fog and drizzle!

Hogmaster · 11-26-2002, 08:33 PM

DJ asks a good question. Lots of times the winds stop east of Hood River and the JD can be nce, but be prepared for a very cold morning.

I was up there with a friend about a month ago, and it was 12 degrees in The Dalles before we got to the ramp. For the first 2 hours my kicker didn't even "pee" because the tube to the warm water reservior was so frozen. It warmed continually during the day, but in my open Willey I wore that morning:

Underwear :grin:
Long Johns
2 Pairs heavy socks
Tee Shirt
Long sleeve Tee shirt
Another Long sleeved Tee shirt
An ugly sweatshirt with a high collar
A Wool shirt
Heavy Army surplus wool pants
Gore tex rain pants
A jacket
A Gore tex coat
Heavy insulated rubber pac boots
A ball cap
A full face ski mask when travelling fast, a wool cap on the ball cap if not.
Wool gloves of course

And I was warm enough.

Do you have this much clothing for winter conditions in an open boat? :smile: We never even felt the need to start the heater or nip on "helper" even though it was a whopping 12 degrees when we launched.

Note that this didn't even make my "cold" post. If you dress for the conditions things can be OK. Layering allows you to strip as it warms, which helps remain comfortable all day.

You cannot be dressing too warm for the mornings up there!

PS - Maxine the Chewbacca imitation wonder dog didn't mind it at all! Wonders of fur!

[ 11-26-2002, 09:49 PM: Message edited by: Hogmaster ]

fishing is life · 11-26-2002, 11:08 PM

dampainter, i have been using the tail on the belly hook.

alwayslookin · 11-27-2002, 03:49 AM

It was probably about 28 degrees when we put in at 8:30 and it probably warmed to about 45+ throughout the day. I actually ended up taking my insulated Carhart coat off by 9:30 and was in a flannel over a sweatshirt and longjohns. It really wasn't that bad. But I agree with Hogmaster, take everything in you closet, put it on and then peel it off as needed.

5-Cents · 11-28-2002, 09:31 AM

OK I said I would report and here it is...

SLOW, SLOW, SLOW

Put in a 7 AM ran up to the boaters park and trolled for about 1 hr nothing.

Went outside on the OR side and trolled for about two hours (down to deadline and back) nothing

Went up to narrows tried trolling and bait under bobbers nothing

Went back outside to WA side for a few hours nothing nothing nothing

Back up to in front of the boaters park to finish off and one strike that did not stick

The fish checker at the ramp said she checked 3 fish all day. It was a little foggy when we got there but when it burned off it was a beaut. A little windy on the big river but not bad at all especially when the boat drives by itself and we were in the heated cabin :tongue: There were quite a few rigs but not crowded by any means.

As we were leaving I was getting everything I needed to out of the boat. I moved a box of garbage bags on the self on the frame for my canvas and I found a nasty looking yellow and red mag wart hiding up there. He looked right at me quite scared that I found him. He was the one that had stolen my fish mojo! I put him back with his brothers and sisters. I think I will do some catching next time out!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Hogmaster · 11-28-2002, 09:56 AM

I can hardly wait for next May when you find that bag of anchovies that got left under the seat! :shocked: :grin: :grin: :shocked:

Thanks for the lousy report! Guess I'll have to go to plan B now.

Take some turkey bones and shake them in a can. Dump them out and face the direction that most of them are pointing. Then chant, "I will get my mojo working" 500 times.

I have noticed your reports going downhill ever since that auto pilot has been in. I think there may be another source of yer problem. Soak it in a 5 gallon bucket of W-D!

Either that or the fish committee has decided that you look entirely too comfortable in that ride and are boycotting. You gotta work for fish! :grin:

Happy T-day anyway!

5-Cents · 11-28-2002, 10:22 AM

Hog,

Some would say it is better to have fished and lost than to have never fished at all [img]graemlins/eek13.gif[/img]

We did see a 3 point buck swim across the JD just below the boaters park. I will post pictures later my camera batteries need recharging. Still, fishing is better than not!