Lower John Day Christmas day

HOGGEMIN · 12-21-2002, 09:13 PM

Anyone fishing the lower John Day by the narrows befor, during, after Christmas?
Hoggem'in will be there Christmas and the friday after.

Waterfish · 12-21-2002, 11:22 PM

Count me as a "maybe, depending on weather and other possible family commitments for Friday and Saturday after Christmas." I have not heard any reports for there lately. I've fished it twice (once in October, and once in November). I am a relatively new boat owner and steelhead fisherman. Because of my inexperience with boating, and fear of running aground in shallow water, I've never made it all the way to the narrows, but I did get about 3 miles upstream of Phillipi boat park before turning back towards deeper water. How long does the good steelhead bite usually last in the lower John Day?

HOGGEMIN · 12-22-2002, 09:44 AM

I'm new to fishing the lower John Day but have been told as late as Feb. I was up there on Dec. 14th had 3 people in my boat we had 6 hatchery fish to the boat & released 3 wild fish to the boat.

Waterfish · 12-22-2002, 06:46 PM

Both times I've fished there, it looked like most people were pulling plugs or bobber jig fishing from Phillipi Park to about 1/2 mile downstream of the park. Just upstream from the park is where the river starts getting much shallower. Have you found that the shallow water upstream from the park is better?

HOGGEMIN · 12-22-2002, 06:54 PM

I fish between the boat park and the sandy beach where it gets realy narrow, we anchor in about 16 feet of water and bobber fish on both sides of boat.P S we use cured prawns.

Waterfish · 12-22-2002, 07:53 PM

How far upstream from the boat park is the sandy beach?

5-Cents · 12-22-2002, 07:56 PM

Waterfish,

There are deeper channels quite a ways up past the park. Stick to the steeper side of the banks and you will find the holding water. I have boated as far up as you can go and not had any problems.

Good luck if you go

Waterfish · 12-22-2002, 08:38 PM

5-Cents, Thanks for the tips. Since I have an outboard rather than a jet, I am a little leery of shallow water. If I don't end up on the John Day, maybe I can hook up with you for sturgeon... I'll be in touch.