Clackamas Steelhead- April/May

The Clackamas river flows 84 miles through incredible scenic views in Oregon's Clackamas County.  A mecca for steelhead and trout fishing close to the large city of Portland, OR the Clack supports winter, spring and summer steelhead.  Coho, spring and fall chinook also swing the waters of the Clack.  Here we love to chase steelhead in the choppy riffles and runs perfect for the spey rod approach.

April and May mark transitions and ends for the Clackamas steelhead run timing.  Here we often see the over lap of the late winter/spring hatchery and wild fish as well as the early return of summer steelhead.  Fin clippings of the hatchery steelhead are the tell tale sign of what strain of fish they are.  Broodstock or the winter/spring hatchery fish have an adipose fin clipped only.  The summer steelhead will have an adipose and a maxillary fin missing.

This time of year the arriving steelhead are often chrome bright and fresh from the ocean.  Water temperatures are rising this time of year and these fish can be very active- responding well to the swung fly.  It is common for these fish to be into the backing line in a heartbeat- many of them leaping high into the air.  Truly this is a great time of year to find steelhead!  Some of these fish we have dubbed "Rockets with fins" and some are simply "unlandable"!

Spring is a great time of year on Oregon's Clackamas river.  What the river may lack for run sizes it sure makes up for with amazing battles when one does hook up!

Visit www.watertimeoutfitters.com to connect with a great Clackamas River guide.

February 2016 Fishing Report

It's mid February and winter steelhead season is full on!  Our nw rivers are getting a lot of rain this year and that has translated into good fishing conditions on many nw waters.  Right now we have a mix of both hatchery and wild steelhead on many top Oregon rivers like the Wilson, Nestucca, Clackamas and Sandy Rivers.  Smaller waters with decent runs of wild steelhead are showing fish on the Kilches, Trask, Salmonberry, Nehalem among others.

Top producing strategies are sinking tips with spey rods and big flies.  Getting your fly down is key this time of year.  Look for big patterns that have profile and movement for best results.  10' T-11 sink tip is an important tool for the winter fly rodder.  Combine this with a skagit fly line and you are in business.

Water levels have been high but that doesn't mean un-fishable.  Look for softer edges out of the fast water flow.  Sometimes lighter tips and unweighted flies swung into the willows are the recipe for success.

The Clackamas River has produced good results with Barton to Carver being a top section.  On the Sandy the bite was hot lower in the last month but recent surges of high water have fish spread throughout the system.  Coastal waters have seen fish spread through the system for most rivers.  Look for best results lower in the river with low water and anglers tend to do better higher up with high flows.

Expect continued quality fish to arrive in the next 6 weeks.  Prime time is on- don't miss it!

Winter Steelhead Tune-Up Class

Winter Steelhead Tune-Up Class March 5th, 2016

Dial in your approach for winter steelhead on the banks of the Clackamas River with pro guide Rob Crandall.  Rob reveals the tips, tricks and tactics from over 20 years of guiding.  Things you need to be more successful with the swung fly this winter.  This four hour session is a jump in and go class getting to the nuts and bolts of swung fly success.  Water lev

el depending you will be transported to good fishing water via jet boat, optimizing the amount of water we can cover and assess.  Assistant guide Todd Rettmann will be on hand to help.  Details of the approach and personalized coaching from Rob and Todd help you increase your odds of success.

We recommend you join us on the FREE seminar before the class (Feb 20^th) at Royal Treatment Fly shop in West Linn, OR. 

Class Location:    This on-water class will be held on the Clackamas River 

Class Timing:     Morning Session is 8:00am-12pm   

                             Afternoon session 12:30-4:30 pm 

Class Fee:   $75 Per person.  Choose either Morning session or Afternoon Session.  Prepayment is required.

Payment Options:      Email us for payment details: rob@watertimeoutfitters.com or call 503-704-6449

Recommended Equipment:  #7 or 8 spey rod, Skagit fly line, sink tips (10’ T-11), waders, boots, fishing license, raingear.

Rods/reel/line combos are available on request.  Preferred flies are Crandall’s Steelhead Nitemare, Crandall’s Provider, Pick Your Pocket black/blue, Crandall’s Guides Choice.  

Water Time Outfitters, Inc. is an Oregon based guided fishing operation that focuses on Oregon's best fly fishing waters for Steelhead and Trout fishing.  See more about us at: www.watertimeoutfitters.com  #thetugisthedrug  #stlhdr #watertime