Sandy report, boo-hoo!

oregondak · 12-30-2002, 09:44 AM

Myself and two others have been pounding the sandy roughly 2-3 miles above dodge, at least 4 times a week the past 3 weeks. Results: Three bites, zero fish on. I'm trying to get down this jig and float process, and the other two are pitchin' drift setups. I can't believe we haven't caught anything. Are the fish just not in yet or what? I know people are having relative success down at dodge, so are the fish just stacked up below where I'm fishing? Any info appreciated, I'm getting frustrated.

Dragfreedrift · 12-30-2002, 01:10 PM

I believe most of the returning fish to the Sandy are going to be of broodstock origin this year. This may explain why there is not much going on up there yet. Perhaps they will return a bit later.

Anyone?

HC

oregondak · 12-30-2002, 03:55 PM

I'm pretty new to this, but aren't they supposed to be in pretty thick by now?

fisheromen · 12-30-2002, 03:58 PM

We only fish from Dodge up. I went up Christmas eve, off private land at the end of Marsh road, and hooked 2 landed one on a hot pink corkie. Chuckdog hooked one as well.

Went a couple days later and didn't have any luck as the river blew out.

Chuckdog went one other time and caught one fish up in that area on a corkie as well. Riverdog has picked up a fish 2 of 3 times he has gone up there as well.

I think there are definitely fish up there, you just gotta be sure of where to fish for them.

All in all our little fishing group, along with a couple of newbies who have come along, are 4 landed for 10 hooked (or turned) in 11 angler trips (one guy going one time) for December above Dodge. Kinda bites compared to last year! All landed fish were winter hatchery fish.

oregondak · 12-30-2002, 04:05 PM

I'm up here on marsh rd. as well! My girlfriend's parents just bought a house out here. I've walked up and down the river as far as I can from their property, and it all looks like decent water. I guess I'm just going to have to keep waiting for my 1st steelhead, although I was hoping to catch one on my Christmas break. Feel sorry for me yet? :depressed:

RiverDog · 12-30-2002, 06:44 PM

Hey Dak,

FisherOMen has it right. In the Marsh Rd. Area I landed 2 out of 4 trips up there in the past 2 weeks now... and both on bobber and jig rigs. This was my first time trying bobber and jig so I was pleasantly surprised with my relative success. Keep at it, you should find some next time the river looks fishable.

ANDYCOHO · 12-30-2002, 07:13 PM

You are not alone on your Sandy Skunk. I have been hitting the water hard this month high and low and still haven't pulled a fish from the Sandy yet, I have had to go to the coast to get my steelhead fix, even though I live 5 minutes from the river and my parents own property on the river!!

But don't give up there still is a lot of Big Creek fish returning this year before all the brood stockers show.

See you on the water,
Andy

oregondak · 12-30-2002, 08:55 PM

Thanks for the optimism guys, I need it. It's frustrating at times, but that's what fishing is all about.
Riverdog- What size/color/manufacturer jigs have you been using if you don't mind me asking.

fisheromen · 12-31-2002, 06:21 AM

Hey Oregondak, tell me where you fish it and maybe I can give you some clues where to concentrate. How far from the end of the road are you? Is the river right off the back of the property or do you have to cross a little water and a gravel bar to get to it? Rip rap back there or no? We've caught fish in every hole along that road except one so maybe I could narrow down the productive water for you if you are interested.

Flatfish · 12-31-2002, 07:07 AM

You will not catch a fish with a dry hook. Put in your time. They are in there.

Mark and the dog.

RiverDog · 12-31-2002, 08:01 AM

Dak,

Uncle Walt's (I think they're called?) Maribou, 1/8 oz (depends on water tho) and hot pink, pink/white.

RiverDog · 12-31-2002, 01:29 PM

Dak,

I've fished the area with both ChuckDog and Fisheromen, and area 3 is where we do most of the damage. Both ChuckDog and Fisheromen have had better success in this area than me, but the tailout is where it seems to be best. Fisheromen can give you better details on exactly how he does it, but I know he usually is drifting corkies or eggs. Fisheromen pulled a nice 32.5 inch winter fish out of the tailout on the 24th and ChuckDog had one on there too. My success recently has been downriver from there (have to cross) with the bobber and jig rig up.

The most recent flow recording below the Bull Run river is at 5740cfs and 11.75ft(10:00am) and still on the rise. Is it totally muddy looking?

oregondak · 12-31-2002, 02:59 PM

I've seen muddier, but it's pretty brown, high, and moving fast. Where do you cross at?

Navigator · 12-31-2002, 04:43 PM

I fished the lower river in Troutdale both Saturday and Sunday - half days both times. I did not see a fish hooked and there was quite a bit of pressure - plunkers, drifters, spinners, flyers, jiggers and I don't know what they were trying to doers (that be me ...). My point, I saw the water get pounded and nobody hooked anything - and it was quite clear some even knew what they were doing.

My conclusion is that we are still waiting for the big push of fish to come - though a few pulses have made there way through. [img]graemlins/program.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/program.gif[/img]

Fishoman or riverdog - did your fish have both an adipose and right maxillary clip? If so, they are Big Creek stock (expected to be about 1/4 of the hatchery return this year). Anyway, glad you are getting them.

Oregondak - Keep at it. Hit the same water (sounds like you should go for door #3 more) and learn the technique. Try a pink rubber worm now and then. Post your success!

[ 12-31-2002, 05:45 PM: Message edited by: Navigator ]

RiverDog · 12-31-2002, 05:46 PM

Dak,

I cross right at the tailout to go downstream, when water level allows.

Navigator,

Both Fisheromen my fish were adipose clipped only.

oregondak · 12-31-2002, 11:25 PM

Thanks Riverdog, that's what I've been using too. Fisheromen- the house is the very last one after the road turns to gravel and becomes a private drive. The water is right off the back and side of the property (it's a large lot and spectacular home). There's basically 3 different areas I've tried. 1.) Small deep hole w/ eddy (looks like a better 'nook hole than steelhead). 2.) Sandy beach area w/ deep chute. The river bottom is sand and there are large rapids above and small below. 3.) Long winding stretch w/ entirely rocky bottom. Mostly flat water and some small riffles and decent current. All three areas have a cliff on one side of the river or the other. I've concentrated most of my time at locations 2 & 3, and really expected to catch one somewhere in 3. I've heard the steelies dislike the sand, but the tailout of area 2 gets a little rocky. Are these not productive areas? Am I wasting my time? BTW: the sandy is in horrible shape right now, as I'm sure everyone assumed.

oregondak · 01-01-2003, 07:57 PM

Well, I'll be back at it tommorow morning. Thanks for all the responses guys, you rock! I'll let everyone know how I did.