Can anybody help me catch a salmon out of the Willamette or Clackamas?

After spending 100+ hours (literally, but not all in kayak) last year in vain trying to catch a salmon/steelhead, I've decided that I need to go with someone in-the-know and learn.  Learn what I'm doing wrong, learn what to do correctly.  I live right off the Willamette and Clackamas, so I'd really like to catch something this year.  If anyone is going anytime soon and doesn't mind me tagging along I'd greatly appreciate it.  It's hard to face the family and tell them I've yet to catch anything when they know just how much time I've wasted.

Thanks!

First of all, explain time management to your family.  This is not a collection of wasted hours!  I'm staring out the window at dudes on the Willy right now, and I'm dying to get out there and just soak in some fall sunshine.......

I think we should setup a kayak fishing for salmon clinic on the Willy some day, I'd like to join in as well. 

I think we should setup a kayak fishing for salmon clinic on the Willy some day, I'd like to join in as well. 

Someday soon, or mid october.  I'd be down for an afternoon beer session focused on rigging etc, and then early AM the following morning putting in on boats, or at least a really early morning.  Reports are that Coho are already stacking up at the mouth of the Clackamas and around Meldrum bar, and that the people landing them legally are using blue fox style spinners.

As far as not having any luck - I've been fishing for steelhead and salmon for the past three years from the bank with absolutely no success - hardware, bait, corkies and yarn, jigs, etc.  So far the only joy was a Sockeye out of the Columbia while shad fishing summer '08, and a Coho out of Nehalem bay last week.  I've probably logged 60+ hours in waders on the Clackamas and the Sandy since February.

Okay, you convinced me.  How about Next Tuesday morning, putting in at the launch at Clackamette Park.  Target time for being rigged and on the water will be 600am, with first light/civil twilight is 6:37, and Sunrise is 7:07

Moon will be 81% waxing gibbous.  Weather report, if it holds, will put clouds in the air on Monday turning to light showers on Tuesday.  Which means a barometric pressure fluctuation.

All of that put together, IIRC, is the time, place and general weather conditions that lend themselves to catching fish.  As far as hardware goes, I'll bring my spinning set up with a mix of #4 blue fox style spinners, maybe some Stee-Lee spoons, and my trolling rig with an X-9 or X-11 Kwikfish.

I'm actually planning a scouting trip tomorrow early AM, but with the high pressure wave in place over us, I have a feeling the fish will just be hanging out.

I think we should setup a kayak fishing for salmon clinic on the Willy some day, I'd like to join in as well. 

Okay, you convinced me.  How about Next Tuesday morning, putting in at the launch at Clackamette Park.  Target time for being rigged and on the water will be 600am, with first light/civil twilight is 6:37, and Sunrise is 7:07

I'm about 2 miles down the road from meldrum bar =)... Sounds like I just might be catching a bug *cough* *cough*, salmon bug that is  heh

I grew up on the Willamette, in fact you can see my folks house from the mouth of the clack.  I have fished it  forever.. I had a boat tied up behind the house and fished springers starting when I was in 6th grade (only rule was I had to wear my life jacket ).  Coho are notoriously hard to catch in this area.  They just don't bite much, a few are caught, but for the number of "rod hours" people put in very few are taken in the willy, (a bunch get ripped and flossed in the lower clack).   Springers are another story and are worth putting the time in for.  I wouldn't worry about really getting serious about salmon until Springers show up next year and save your time and gas money for heading west to catch fall chinook at the coast. I will be hitting Tillamook regularly from this weekend on

BUT.. now would not be a bad time to catch some nice Smallmouth in the Willy.

I was so ready to join you guys, but Tuesdays are my Fridays. Someone film everything, and i'll go fish on wednesday

Coho are notoriously hard to catch in this area.  They just don't bite much, a few are caught, but for the number of "rod hours" people put in very few are taken in the willy, (a bunch get ripped and flossed in the lower clack).   Springers are another story and are worth putting the time in for.  I wouldn't worry about really getting serious about salmon until Springers show up next year and save your time and gas money for heading west to catch fall chinook at the coast. I will be hitting Tillamook regularly from this weekend on

You know I think i just might buy that. haha Ya i've seen the flossing routine and snagging game at the bowling alley - they always seem to need to unhook the fish down by the bridge in the shadows...  Thanks for the advice as always PP.  What depth of water are you fishing at in Tilamook Bay?

For Tillamook it depends on what part of the bay you are fishing.  It can range from 5ft to 30ish depending on location and tide. I would saw average is between 8 and 15 feet.

I fished the Willy yesterday and had good success with the Smallmouth.  If you are interested in catching a bass or two now, and the next couple weeks or so, would not be a bad time to try.

Are we still interested in this tomorrow am?

Sorry Madoc, i got consumed in some big projects in work and completely spaced.  My apologies