Coastal Fork Willamette/Mt. Pisgah

[NKlamerus]

Decided to go a different route and do a float trip this weekend.

I launched from mt Pisgah about 10am, one of the hardest launches I've done in awhile, really put the wheels to the test.

Took the coastal Fork downstream into the main Willamette and then further to day island park

The creek is definitely low and weedy, found some awesome fish though. Really impressed with the largemouth in there.

Caught something on every bait I threw other than a top water.

The nude beach at day island park is very much still active, couple dozen people out there at least.

Saw 30+ carp cruising around and some very large schools of pikeminnow as well.

 

[NKlamerus]

I am definitely a novice when it comes to moving water, there was 2 sections of breaks to cross, the river is lower than it looks in these photos, but I'm assuming you aim for the chutes.

I nearly lost it at the second set, couldn't see up and over the rapids at all and didn't realize there was a chute until the last second, I was turned 90° to the current, broadside at the rapids about 5 yards before going over. I was able to turn and take it at the bow, one wave in but not bad.

 

[allforthefish]

nice! will you be back out this year? i live super close to day island and will be looking to float this year as much as i can. you do any salmon or steelhead in the area?

 

[NKlamerus]

nice! will you be back out this year? i live super close to day island and will be looking to float this year as much as i can. you do any salmon or steelhead in the area?

I definitely plan on doing it again but the rivers have been so bad that I'm not willing to float it yet. No salmon or steelhead other than the occasional miss-fish that decided to eat a bass lure

 

[FairweatherFisher]

Interesting! I’ve not floated that section of the Willamette before. I’m impressed that you did it in a sit on top kayak!

When you say “chutes” what exactly are you meaning? Just the deepest channel through the rapids, or are there actual man made structures under the water?