Clackamette Park

[Kage]

Headin out to Clackamette Park tomorrow, I didn't catch any keepers today but saw a family land a steelie from what I could tell. Using #4 panther martin spinners (rivers have taken all my blue fox) and spent 6 hrs casting all over that spot but only caught a fish too small to keep. Anyone heading down there I'll be the guy with the Lakers hat. Just started using my new rod/reel setup today so it was exciting with just that alone. Okuma Celilo with a Shimano Sienna 4000 and got setup with some braided line. Not familiar with using braided line at all but I asked for some line for steelies and that's what they set me up with. I like the fact that it floats on the water and I have more flexibility in casting a lot harder. Anyone have any advice on using this braided line or my setup that I should be aware of? I have read on the forum that it will damage my line guides and bail, I'm not too concerned with that at the moment though. In any case, hopefully tomorrow is a better day and I bring home some keepers!

 

[nativefish]

I personally like monofilament for throwing spinners because it will sink and get down in the water instead of float ontop, and its clear so it isn't too visable underwater. The later probably matters less in the winter but can be important in the summer.

 

[alm21]

For fishing spinners on braid, tie on some mono leader to your braid using a uni to uni knot. At least 4ft but I've been going 6-8ft. 10lb mono is a good place to start. It's one way to skin a cat.

 

[Kage]

I didn't catch any steelies, I did catch 2 carp....I think. Yah I tied on a 15# mono leader but it was between 2 to 3 feet. I only really use 2 knots so far, the basic knot on the back of fishing hook packages and a perfection loop. I need to learn a few more I'm sure but at this point my setup for my line is pretty basic so I haven't bothered learning new knots yet. I'm noticing that my line doesn't drop down nearly as deep as with mono line so for now I'll adjust and in the summer switch over to mono. does the uni to uni knot give the spinners a more natural presentation when movin through the water?

 

[nativefish]

Its not going to do that for your, just reduce the visability of your line towards the lure, if you are using like a black colored braid you should be fine with that by itself right now. try using lighter blue foxes and just cast and let it float in the current or bounce off the bottom, your gonna loose a few to learn how to do this. Ooooor get a heavy ass spinner, go over to the bowling alley hole, first riffle above clackamette park and toss that thing in there. Will feel really heavy on the retrieve cause the current is working against you but that same current keeps your blade spinning with no need to retrieve on your part, esentially drift fishing with a spinner. Get a book lol, watch what other people are doing and copy them etc....

 

[fish4life]

One thing I have done if using white colored braid is to take a permanete marker and color the first 20 feet so it is not as visible to the fish.

 

[Kage]

Thanks a bunch for the feedback guys, I need to learn the waters better that's for sure. My braided line is dark green, don't know if that'll be a problem for me later on or not. As far as how I was fishing yesterday and today, I would cast upstream and let the current take my lure til about 11 o'clock then I'd do a slow retrieve, 1 sec for every full rotation on my reel. Got the feel of the lure as it went through the water so I at least knew what was the lure and what was a bite. I'd love to go fishing with someone who could show me around. I think for now I'll be fishing at Clackamette Park til I get it down and branch off to another spot afterwards

 

[FishNinja]

I would recommend moving a little further upstream. Clackamette really isn't all that great for Steelhead. Sure a few come out of there (mostly by plunkers) but there is far more productive water you could be fishing.

 

[Kage]

Oh really? I had figured that since the mouth is right there that I'd have a better chance at getting steelies right when they're comin in. Where do u recommend better fishing would be, for spinners that is.

 

[ChezJfrey]

Oh really? I had figured that since the mouth is right there that I'd have a better chance at getting steelies right when they're comin in. Where do u recommend better fishing would be, for spinners that is.

I'm with FishNinja...there may be a time where plunkers do well down there, but that would be when the fish are first entering the Clackamas system and for the most part, I think the fish fly through the lower part of the Clack, rather than hold down there. I would also think with this being February, that most Winters are further up by now.

 

[FishNinja]

Oh really? I had figured that since the mouth is right there that I'd have a better chance at getting steelies right when they're comin in. Where do u recommend better fishing would be, for spinners that is.

The way the water is the fish just haul butt right past there most of the time. Just hit the parks all the way up to McIver. Fish like structure so fish the seams in the water and the boulders and stuff. Fish the tailouts of rapids, the churning water obstructs clarity thus providing perfect cover.

 

[Kage]

Thanx again i've yet to go to McIver Park at this point, I've gone up to Carver Park when I was totally clueless. i'm a bit unclear on a lot of the terminology for freshwater fishing. i'm basically a deep sea fisherman from southern california tryin to learn freshwater fishing here in oregon now. I DID buy Spinner Fishing for Steelhead, Salmon and Trout though, I'm hoping to soak up every bit of info from that book. I will also hope to learn how to read water and pick up the terminology along the way

 

[FishNinja]

That book will teach you a ton!!!! Great book!

 

[Tai]

Thanx again i've yet to go to McIver Park at this point, I've gone up to Carver Park when I was totally clueless. i'm a bit unclear on a lot of the terminology for freshwater fishing. i'm basically a deep sea fisherman from southern california tryin to learn freshwater fishing here in oregon now. I DID buy Spinner Fishing for Steelhead, Salmon and Trout though, I'm hoping to soak up every bit of info from that book. I will also hope to learn how to read water and pick up the terminology along the way

I agree, thats an excellent book, I just picked it up recently and have been reading through it like crazy.

Also there are several other parks between clackamette and Mciver, such as high rock, riverside, Barton, and Bonnie lure. All decent locations with their little treasure holes. You just have to find them or someone kind enough to point you there. LoL, Im still looking for a few myself. Good Luck!

 

[Kage]

I'll try hittin the other parks, I tried to find High Rock but the road was blocked and I just got lost so I went back to Clackamette. My book just shipped today so I hope to get it soon, it's shippin from here in Oregon too. Yah I think I need someone to take me along and show me the ropes haha

 

[hunt-fish-trap]

I sent ya a pm.

 

[subbiefun]

any body having any luck bank fishing the clack or eagle creek?

 

[Tai]

any body having any luck bank fishing the clack or eagle creek?

Fishing the clack yes, I have yet to find them on the Eagle Creek.

 

[subbiefun]

Fishing the clack yes, I have yet to find them on the Eagle Creek.

nice you just using basic setups? u bank fishing or drift boat?

 

[Tai]

nice you just using basic setups? u bank fishing or drift boat?

bank fishing, to poor to afford a boat. I've been using a bobber-jig setup. I saw someone pull a decent 5 lbs out with a corky-shrimp, another person with a nice lunker on eggs. Just gotta find them I suppose