Lookin for steelhead

[PTownAngler]

So I just bought myself a new setup specifically for Steelhead. I'm gonna start Steelhead fishing. Does anyone know any good spots on the Clack this time of year? I was thinkin Carver Park. Thanks everyone!

 

[troutmasta]

That is a great place to start. I would maybe hit Mciver
Good luck!

 

[ChezJfrey]

That is a great place to start. I would maybe hit Mciver
Good luck!

Agreed. I think nearer the Estacada area is probably better this time of year. Feldheimer, McIver, etc.

October can be a little tough, but some fish are around. I went 1 for 2 steelhead today at McIver.

 

[PTownAngler]

Sweet, thanks for the info! Any advice on times of day to go? I know early morning is best but is it still good to go mid day? Like 12-4?

 

[ChezJfrey]

Sweet, thanks for the info! Any advice on times of day to go? I know early morning is best but is it still good to go mid day? Like 12-4?

Yesterday, first was hooked at 8 AM, second was hooked at 4 PM. We also spotted several other fish throughout the day, but we couldn't get them to bite...doesn't mean they won't though. I'm sure any time of day is fine.

 

[Moe]

Hooked into a summer first cast with roe I cured yesterday. Was on for a hole 10 seconds before it leapt and spat the hook. Oh well.
Btw it was at McIver

 

[bigboy70]

where at in mciver by the boat launch or down under the dam?

 

[Moe]

Close to the dam but not in the big pool right under it

 

[bigboy70]

awesome thanks moe

 

[DrTheopolis]

Anywhere between the boat ramp and the deadline (well marked below the dam) will likely hold some fish. The tailouts are probably a good option this time of year, but certainly don't limit yourself to them.

Probably lots of coho up there right now too (just a guess, I havwn't been lately), but usually up there, they won't be fin clipped... and rarely bite.

 

[bigboy70]

What end do u start at usually ne body know if swinging flies is doing any good

 

[DrTheopolis]

I haven't fished that stretch in several years, since the buddy I used to go there with so frequently bought a driftboat. But we'd generally start at the boat ramp, and work our way up. Lots of fish hold through that entire section, so fish it all (don't spend too much time fishing the deep, slow stuff, but give it a shot). Just above the ramp, you'll see the river splits into about three channels due to boulders -- fish between the boulders (as best you can, depending on technique), and immediately behind them - pulled all kinds of steelies there.

Back "in the day," I/we would fish the opposite bank whenever possible, but that's much, much easier at summertime flow levels. Once the river is up (can't give an exact level, maybe 11.5?), the shelf there is underwater and there's wading, the problem being there's some deep holes in the shelf causing a hazard.

That half-mile or however long it is stretch is usually pretty productive, which probably explains why so many people fish there... making the etiquette all the more important. I would recommend checking out Dog Creek, but that spot is the antithesis of "good etiquette."

 

[bigboy70]

Awesome thanks

 

[bigboy70]

What rig ups are people using this forum and everyone who's help yall are awesome thank thanks thank

 

[NWDiscer]

What rig ups are people using this forum and everyone who's help yall are awesome thank thanks thank

I throw spoons prob 90% with the other 10% being jigs under a bobber.....I also have not caught anything in the Clack but a couple of pike minnows......:blushing:

 

[NWDiscer]

I throw spoons prob 90% with the other 10% being jigs under a bobber.....I also have not caught anything in the Clack but a couple of pike minnows......:blushing:

I am hoping to remedy that before the 1st of the year. :thumb:

 

[bigboy70]

What do yall drift setups look like

 

[DrTheopolis]

I don't drift fish, since that's the technique of barbaric rubes (**ducks the rotting vegetables being thrown**), I'm a devout hardware chucker (I like spinners, but I'll never dis a skilled spooner). Size and color depends on water level, clarity, and temp. Probably hard to go too big and bright right now (unless the size makes it too heavy to properly swing/retrieve). Bobber and jig is always a winner.

 

[bigboy70]

I throw spoons prob 90% with the other 10% being jigs under a bobber.....I also have not caught anything in the Clack but a couple of pike minnows......:blushing:

do you use a fixed float or a sliding float? for the jig?

 

[bigboy70]

ok went to mciver today and it was a bust the misses was rigged up with a 1oz sliding float and eggs she had i think it was a summer steelie on for about 15 seconds and that as within our last hour of fishing i did my drift special and nada so change up tryed the bobber and jig and i could only cast like 20 feet if that and my jig was hauling im pretty sure i set myself up for failure or couldnt get the lure out there to the fish i also went to bonnie lure and there wasn't a single car there drove up to eagle fern and nobody anywhere was creepy but that also told me im in the wrong place not to mention on my 2nd cast with her rod trying to see if leader was too long and was dragging and yup it was because i got snagged and lost hook weight swivel and a bobber stop cause my setup was 1. bobber stop 2.small bead 3. the float 4. another small bead 5another bobber stop 6 2oz banana weight so the float went for a trip to the mouth lol tryed to get it back found out the waders i got work very well for me
talk with a fly guy at upper boat ramp @ mciver and theres a hatch going on of dunns but he said hooked into a few small trout no steelies i didn't cover as much ground as i wanted to gotta get the misses some waders now so we can so that my report on the clack @ mciver and eagle creek sorry its jumble but im way tired next time it will be more orginized

-still steelieless the master baiter