Clackamas Steel 3/11

I was hesitant about entering the AOTY as I am a very superstitious angler and was worried it might mess with my "JuJu", I never wager on fishing, predict future success etc..messes with your fishing karma big time.  But, With the decent forecast predicted for today and several good reports from the Clack from trusted sources I thought "what the hell" and signed up last night in preparation for my first attempt at steelhead from my yak on the Clack (I have fished the clack for years out of a PB and know the river like the back of my hand and have done the steelhead yak thing on coastal rivers several times)

Had my "Old Man" drop me off at the Carver ramp and told him I would call him to pick me up when I reached the Riverside take out.  I planed to fish the stretch really slow and cover all the water carefully. I knew where fish would be hanging, from past PB trips, and my plan was to anchor in these areas and Bobber and Jig for them.  I got the first (smaller 11lb 2oz) fish in the second spot I tried, not far below the put in,  and the second fish (14lb 4oz) only 1/2 hour before I reached the take out.  Sorry no "on river" pics as I left the dry bag with camera, CELL PHONE and my lunch in the cab of my truck.  When I got to the ramp I realized I had no way to call my dad to come pick me up, but a nice guy in a sled let me borrow his ( only had to sit there 45min until the sled showed up)
I had a great moment when he asked how I did and I showed him the fish, particularly since the three guys in his boat had caught nothing all morning.    Bananna yellow Fish n Dive outfishes 21 ft Northriver

That a boy Ron, it looks like signing up was the ticket for some extra ju ju.  Nice fish!

Nice job Ron.  You'll have to show me that drift some day.   The Clack is so much closer than the coastal rivers I've been fishing.

Nice work. I want to do a steelhead drift sooooo bad!! Must have a fun fight!!

Wow, Looks like you had a great day on the river.  It sure is fun when you outfish the big boats

Scott

Good job!!! How was the paddle? Any excessively bumpy spots? Wanna do it again? I got a trailer and I'm not afraid to use it!

Brian.. Anytime, maybe a group get together...

The clack is a larger river and less forgiving than smaller coastal streams, only a couple spots got my heart beating but if you didn't take the right line it could end badly  Will get better when the water levels drop latter in the spring   

The fishing will only get better as more and more feisty summer steelhead show up.  I think the yaks could really get useful when the water level drops latter in the spring and the river gets to low for the sleds, and the chinooks show up

The fishing will only get better as more and more feisty summer steelhead show up.  I think the yaks could really get useful when the water level drops latter in the spring and the river gets to low for the sleds, and the chinooks show up

Now that sounds like real fun.....

Nice job on the chrome

PIGZ! Way to get 'em PP.

Z

Nice.  I'm close to this river too and would like to learn how to fish it.  Let us know when the time is right and I'll be there with the backup trailer in tow for shuttle # 2.

DC

        

You Da Man!

       

You Da Man!

What he said ...

-Allen

Attaboy! Those are good looking fish.

Brian.. Anytime, maybe a group get together...

The clack is a larger river and less forgiving than smaller coastal streams, only a couple spots got my heart beating but if you didn't take the right line it could end badly  Will get better when the water levels drop latter in the spring   

The fishing will only get better as more and more feisty summer steelhead show up.  I think the yaks could really get useful when the water level drops latter in the spring and the river gets to low for the sleds, and the chinooks show up

We talked about doing a group get together for steelhead before, but we didn't have critical mass (i.e. few of us had tried it yet).   Sounds like later in the spring in the low water for summer run steelies and a chance at a spring chinook would be the way to go.  Care to pick a date?

Brian

It would be best to pick a date within about a week or so of the actual outing, that is if you want to have a decent shot at fish.  Things like river levels, clarity, are there fish around? can't be pinned down weeks in advance.  I also have some reservations about folks first experience "drift yaking"  on  a larger river like the clack.  Smaller coastal streams may be more forgiving of mistakes.  I would hate to see someone hurt of worse. There Lower clack is a powerful river that can be very unforgiving.  There are spots where if you huli you could be in the water for some time before you reunited with your yak (regardless of help from others).  Safest bet would be when the water really drops in May.