Any Molalla River Drifters???

[ajfishfinder]

I recently moved out here to the country and would like to float the Molalla River. Only problem is I don't know diddly squat about it. Put ins, take outs, any nasty boating obsticales, good holes or drifts???? Anyone want to take a pasenger someday, or I can take my boat if you will teach me the safe route downriver. Even if the fishing is lousy, I would just like to learn the river now that I am 5 minutes from it. I am free most weekends and can escape a day of 2 mid week if the catching is good. Any takers???

[Uglygreen]

Heard rumors of logjams in the past. Never done it myself. Would appriciate a report if you go.

UG

[reeldick]

Some of the past post have mentioned few steelies there and only natives since the state quit stocking fish.

[Otolith]

Only native steelhead, and some hatchery springers in the lower river.

Talk to Neutron - he knows the river and even has a pretty good honey hole.

[Hooker]

Sent you a PM

[DriftR]

I have fished that river many times over the years. Can tell you this, it is a tackle grabber for sure. Take lots of gear with you, You'll need it. I quit fishing that river years ago since I moved from the Portland area. Used to catch steelhead in there but was a brute on your tackle box. Never did float it in a drift boat, maybe that would have been better than banking it.

[moman]

AJ, you should search for previous posts, I and others have tackled the topic in the past. S

[NEUTRON]

do a search here, been talked about a few times.
Watch the counts over willamette falls, unclipped fish so handle them with care. Yearly changes are common so scout ahead for trees and such. If ya see a beat old tupperware boat in Feb/march with yellow dog and kids in tow, it ain't me .

[Private-Aye-Fish]

I fish it pretty regular not as often as I should considering how close it is. I live 10 minutes from the river. I can tell you that as of yesterday it was a tad too murky to fish. A friend and I planned to drift it tomorrow but the water isn't cooperating so I will finish putting new carpeting on the boat trailer's new modified bunks. It is a bit early in the year I'd call it the front end of the run although there are fish in it year round.

All fish are considered Native now.

Lot's of drifts. My favorite is from the old Molalla Forest logging bridge down to Canby park. There is a decent hole right above the bridge and I caught a 12 lb Steely :grin: right under the bridge last March.

Several good holes on way down. Just a matter of reading the water. They are pretty apparent as you float past.

Most access is private and all it takes is a smile :smile: and a knock on a farmers door with the promise to close the gates behind you to gain free access.

Happy Catching. :grin:

Phil