Running the Clack. For the First Time

[Coop]

Look out we are running the Clack. on Sunday, I would steer clear of the river we are rookies. We now have a boat that we can run the rivers with (20' Motion Marine). We plan on running it from the mouth, any help on navagating the river or tips would be great.HELP HELP HELP HELP HELP

[ 12-06-2003, 09:12 AM: Message edited by: Coop ]

[devonian]

you shouldn't have a problem with the river running almost 14ft. it was 11.5 when we ran the mouth to carver last weekend.

[cully]

Coop, a friend of Scotty Mac's?

[FishinMission]

Just because the river is higher doesn't necessarily mean it is safer.

Be careful..save yourself some throttle just in case you need it.

Fish the slower water out of the main current.

Man...I gotta get over there one of these days...

Mark

[Lund]

Unless you've run asled b4, I strongly recomend you spend a few hours in the Willy first. You will be glad you did.

The Clack at any hieght is by no means a rookie river. Fishin Mission will back me on this one. The clack has just as dangerous of water in the first 3 miles as it does at McGiver. If you value your boat, you should become very skilled b4 you attempt the Clack.

[Coop]

I have Had the Boat for while, and am very confident running it. I just havent been on the Clack. Pryor to this boat I had a 18' Weldcraft, but it was a prop. I was looking for more detailed advise like which part is the hardest, which areas to stay away from. ETC.

[Wang]

I personally think the wisest thing to do is go with someone who has experience running it in a sled.

[FEAR NO FISH!]

Ask "Fishing is Life" That river is in his backyard and he knows it well. Go with James and he can scare the hell out of you! :grin:

[Lund]

Stay away from High Rocks, It's about 1/2 above the ramp. If you're not well versed on running a boat in very fast current and a switch back corner with about 30 feet of width to the river at 6000cfs, don't go to the Clack or Capt John will be pulling you off the bottom. At this hieght it is for the expert boatsmen. If you rate you river running abilities at a 7-8 on a 1-10 scale go for it. But if you wouldn't concider running the Rougue from the mouth to Angness,then forget it.

I'm not trying to keep you from the river, just save your life/boat.

[Sturgeon Tom]

Go with someone that knows the river and which ways are best to go. It all looks different going up and down the river unless you really know the river. Learn the river from someone who knows it. That river has eaten a lot of boats.
Wear your PFD.
st

[Plum Crazy]

Coop,
Probally the easiest of the stretches of the Clack are From Riverside up to the 1st riffle below Carver Bridge. That riffle can be shallow but not so much this time of year. Get your feet wet with the 1st 4 rapids and just do some piloting. With a little fishin in there. You have to get your feet wet sometime. Sounds like you know how to run a boat. Just watch your lines and a buddy can really help as a look out. Wear a lifejacket and you should be fine. Stay away from High Rocks and that stretch. If It looks hairy take a good look at it and If you haven't run the river before don't be afraid to stop below and walk up to check it out. :whazzup: If you have a buddy who knows how to drift it take a ride in his Drifter. Great way to learn a river. Hope this helps If I can help in any other info give me a write.
BE Safe!!! Keep Smooth!!! Don't Panic!!!
HAVE FUN!!!
Fire

[Thumper]

Coop --- You sound like you may be suffering from advanced testosterone poisoning. You don't learn a river by going out and "running it". That is a good way to bend some significant aluminum. The problem is that it is easy to read water going up, and very hard to read it going down.

Take your time. Drift the river several times with someone who knows it.

Then take your fancy new sled and run, from below, one or two spots. Go back down and do it again and then again, until you know that part like the back of your hand. Boring, isn't it?

Then wait a week and do it again, maybe adding another riffle or even two. Every week re-run the spots you think that you know. Up and down, many times.

It's not a race. Cool your jets, m'boy. :tongue:

[Tilla]

The one problem with the higher water is that it covers up spots you should be aware of...such as where the main channel is located. A river will go from 60 feet to 100 feet wide with higher water, that extra 40 feet is probably not the best travel area. Today on another river I noticed that all the visible hazards were just covered up.It would help to find someone who has done it before.
Go slow when you can, go fast when you need to.

[Get Bent]

coop stay home its not worth it i looked at it after work riverside up not safe either dont let anybody talk you in to it i know what boat your running stay home

[SteelieSteve]

Sturgeon Tom isn't blowing smoke either. The state sold what was left of his sled on ebay. Go down the river with someone who has previous experience there... be safe.

[justcastn]

Get Bent :grin:

[Coop]

Well thanks for all the info guys. To Get bent: whats the deal with my Boat, is it to big or not safe or something?

[drhall99]

Coop,

How did your trip go?

D.

[Coop]

The river was rippin and so was the Motion Marine. We did fine that boat handles the Clack. like a champ. I'm finely happy, I've been wanting to run the Clack. since I started Salmon fishing two long years ago. Pics to follow....

[ 12-07-2003, 08:37 PM: Message edited by: Coop ]

[Coop]

[ 12-07-2003, 02:10 PM: Message edited by: Coop ]

[troybuz]

Coop,
That is one SEXY Boat!
Great photo opportunity.

[Reel Creel]

nice boat,

[justcastn]

To bad it has a windshield!! :tongue: :grin: It didn't help that much for me today did it... :grin:

[Plum Crazy]

See all you have to do is use your head and wear a lifejacket. Good to see you made it safe. Now your Feet are wet on the Clack.
River didn't look too bad this morning. Willamette sure is a lumber yard.
Fire