Running the Clackamas or Sandy River in a Hobie

I have a goal this winter to fly fish the Clack and Sandy river in a Hobie. I have an Outback, Revo and PA 14. I am planning my first trip this weekend (unless the weather or conditions are terrible) with either Carver to Riverside on the Clack or Oxbow to Dabney on the Sandy. My plan is to have a friend follow me in his drift boat in case of any serious problems. I plan on being extra safe with a dry suit, flag on the boat and extra clothes. I am familiar with the lower section of the Clack, running the river in my sled or in a drift boat. I have also drifted Oxbow to Lewis and Clark on the Sandy. My question is which boat is best? Does anyone have experience doing this and if so, what suggestions do you have? PM me if you want.

Hello michole,

I wish I could add tips to your journey. I have fished sections of both rivers from the banks extensively, and have floated oxbow to Lewis on drift boats. I'm only responding because I was kicking around floating dabney to Lewis this weekend to break in my brand new hobie outback, and first kayak ever. As you know that is an easy float and i shouldn't have to remove the drive at all.

If you are floating the sandy I would love to have someone experienced join me as this would be my first time out with it. (Weather and river flow/condition permitting). I could time it to launch when you would be coming by. I do not wish to intrude on anyone's journey or peace and quiet on the river. I just like the idea of safety in numbers.

Judging the last time as saw the sandy I would not be comfortable at my current skill level doing an oxbow run.

Either way good luck and let us know what you decide and a detailed post trip report for knowledge in the future!

MrEgg


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I have a goal this winter to fly fish the Clack and Sandy river in a Hobie. I have an Outback, Revo and PA 14. I am planning my first trip this weekend (unless the weather or conditions are terrible) with either Carver to Riverside on the Clack or Oxbow to Dabney on the Sandy. My plan is to have a friend follow me in his drift boat in case of any serious problems. I plan on being extra safe with a dry suit, flag on the boat and extra clothes. I am familiar with the lower section of the Clack, running the river in my sled or in a drift boat. I have also drifted Oxbow to Lewis and Clark on the Sandy. My question is which boat is best? Does anyone have experience doing this and if so, what suggestions do you have? PM me if you want.

I have done all of them (Carver to Riverside and Oxbow to Lewis and Clark) with my Outback and there was nothing scary about any of those drifts.  I prefer the Sandy. There was one stretch on the Clack down near the Golf Course that was exciting.  Now, after thinking about it I want to do it again.  Be ready to bend some mirage drive fins .

Mr Craig,

For future reference on oxbow to Lewis how many times do you pull drive and stow rudder? There are quite a few places where we have rubbed bottom on the drift boat, an as a new hobie owner I question the paddle abilities.

MrEgg


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Thanks Craig! Yes, I expect the Clack to have a few more "exciting" areas than the Sandy in the kayak. I am nervous and excited, much like the first time I captained those waters with my drift boat and then the sled (both gone now and replaced with Hobies - I have ADBD - attention deficit boat disorder).  Do you recommend staying with the turbo fins or the standard fins? And, I really want to figure out an anchor system similar to that on a drift boat.

I am strickly responding to the Sandy River side of this post. As I haven't floated the Clackamas.

If I remember right the Sandy was close to flood stage a few weeks back. If so, there might be a few surprises on the float down. 

At this time of year I would be working the lower section and focus on the steelhead run.  There are some stretches between Dabney and Lewis that would be awesome fly drifts.

Wobbler

I'm also planning on floating those rivers here in a couple weeks after some rain.  Post up after your float if you don't mind, I'd love to hear how it goes and how the river's looking.

Have you seen Spot's drift anchor set up?  It is pretty slick...it wouldn't work with the twist and stow rudder, but it could provide a good starting point and ideas.

Thanks Craig! Yes, I expect the Clack to have a few more "exciting" areas than the Sandy in the kayak. I am nervous and excited, much like the first time I captained those waters with my drift boat and then the sled (both gone now and replaced with Hobies - I have ADBD - attention deficit boat disorder).  Do you recommend staying with the turbo fins or the standard fins? And, I really want to figure out an anchor system similar to that on a drift boat.

 
MICHOLE and Mregg:

I have always just left the turbo fins on.  The fins themselves are a little beat up and worn in a few spots (2 1/2 years of hard use), but I like the ability to turn around and go back upstream to hit the same hole again.  Very few times have I pulled my drive on the Sandy, I just make sure the fins are tight to the hull when going through the shallows.  There are a couple spots on the Clackamas where I pull my drive and rudder because it is a little more "exciting" and I like to be able to brace my feet against the foot thingies on the sides. 

Sandy River rapids with drive still in...good times...


There have been a few times I have come to a sudden stop sideways in the shallow spots on the Sandy. It adds to the excitement.  Nothing gets you going like seeing all that water piling up against the side of your yak.  Then you realize you can just stand up because you are in 2 inches of water.  I just hop off, point the Outback downstream and jump back on.  The Outback does paddle OK when going downstream.

Craig...you should submit that to GoPros Photo of the Day! You might win some sweet stuff for it. Also,  I used to live in Troutdale...I don't know why I never fished the Sandy. I feel like I might need to take a trip up to get in on some of that action.

Craig...you should submit that to GoPros Photo of the Day! You might win some sweet stuff for it. Also,  I used to live in Troutdale...I don't know why I never fished the Sandy. I feel like I might need to take a trip up to get in on some of that action.

I would like to get in on some of the action too.   I just get to watch people catch fish when steelhead fishing.    

The funny thing about my mirage drive is I have done more damage to the fins and have bent the mast the worst while duck hunting Sauvie Island.  Nothing wakes you up quicker than going from a nice steady 3-3.5 mph to 0 mph instantly when your fin hits an underwater tree.  Wobbler and I had to find a fork in a tree to straighten mine last winter so i could get back home.

Craig...you should submit that to GoPros Photo of the Day! You might win some sweet stuff for it. Also,  I used to live in Troutdale...I don't know why I never fished the Sandy. I feel like I might need to take a trip up to get in on some of that action.

I would like to get in on some of the action too.   I just get to watch people catch fish when steelhead fishing.    

The funny thing about my mirage drive is I have done more damage to the fins and have bent the mast the worst while duck hunting Sauvie Island.  Nothing wakes you up quicker than going from a nice steady 3-3.5 mph to 0 mph instantly when your fin hits an underwater tree.  Wobbler and I had to find a fork in a tree to straighten mine last winter so i could get back home.

Ahh! Good times

Wobbler

My trip today from Carver to Riverside on the Clack was good but no fish. I was a little hesitant as I watched the river rise 1000cfs in 12 hours but it settled at 2800 and the color was great.  I will post a video on my blog and YouTube Channel, www.kayakflyangler.com in a couple days. It would have been great to have an anchor in some places so I need to work that out. The only issue was that my pedal broke about 100 yards into the drift. A little rope took care of the problem and it worked throughout the trip. When I got home I discovered that the threaded end broke on the post where the pedal goes. I have only had the Outback two seasons so I am not sure why it broke. Anyone have this issue?

Thanks for the update. Water looked decent on lower sandy today when I drove by. I think it's up into 10-12ft range though.


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Thanks for posting back, will look for video.