Clackamas River
The Clackamas River offers great year round fishing opportunities just minutes outside of Portland, Oregon. Clackamas Watershed. Oregon’s Clackamas River flows approximately 85 miles from its headwaters on Ollalie Butte, just south of Mt. Hood, west into the Willamette River near Oregon City.
Winter Steelhead begin to enter the river as early as November as the fall rains begin to swell the rivers. On through January we chase early arriving wild steelhead. These fish are fresh, bright, and aggressive. Toward the end of January into February we start to see a mix of both wild and hatchery fish. February through April we fish the river heavily as this will be the time when the most fish are around.
During peak season we utilize the Jet Boat when water levels allow, giving us a strong advantage allowing us to fish more spots quickly during the shorter days of winter. There is no better way to traverse a winter steelhead river than a jet sled!
If the water gets low in winter there is no worries, we leave the Jet Boat parked at home and take out the framed white water raft which allows us to stealthily float into all the prime steelhead runs. The raft is a very comfy, relaxing way to travel the river.
Once spring gives way into summer we switch from the heavy gear of winter to lighter tackle to chase incoming summer steelhead. The Jet boat gets a break for the season and we load into the raft, often beginning before the sun has rose. In the faint early light we get the best of the fishing, finding fish getting cozy as they enter into the heads and tail outs.
Once summer begins to give way to Fall, the crowds of folks enjoying the river recreation start to disappear. Leaving us in some of the most serene peaceful fishing all year long in the month of September. The colors on the river are spectacular! Fall brings the first of the rains cooling the rivers giving us some happy comfy fish to play with. As well as the beginnings of the Coho salmon run. Through the end of September on through October the float trips become dual purposed chasing both late summer steelhead and Coho.
Coho fishing can be some of the most exciting fly fishing the Clackamas has to offer, with larger numbers of fish around and fights that go absolutely ballistic. It can also be some of the more frustrating fishing as these fish are also notorious for having lock jaw. But when it is on, its on! Either way it is one of the best ways to enjoy a Fall day near the Portland metro area. You can’t beat the Fall colors on the Clackamas.
