Presidents Message December 2023

Hope everyone enjoyed a nice Thanksgiving and was able to get out and do some fishing with friends.

Fishing in November was pretty good as you’ll see when the the November fishing reports come out next week. Also, I’m feeling excited as once these rains roll thru and the water drops it will be game on for Winter Steelhead.

It’s time to think about paying your 2024 membership fee. However, if you joined as a new member in 2023 it will be good for 2024 too; we are on the honor system so please let me know. Here is the membership link plus I will be sending membership notices out to everyone. If you participate in the club I will guarantee you’ll get a solid value for the $35 you pay to be a member.

The “big 3” activities our club focuses on are meetings, fly tying and fish a longs.

I’m looking for input on the 2024 Fish A Longs schedule. With the warming trends and low steelhead returns, fishing opportunities are changing. Check out the 2024 fish a longs schedule and let me know if you’d like to see any changes; it’s not set in stone!

Last year we expanded Fish a longs to include camping. It’s not always easy as many campgrounds are booked up very early, especially state parks. But we did have some very successful camping/fishing outings, especially on the Deschutes, Metolius and Oregon Fishing Club.

December is shaping up to be decent fishing month. My crystal ball says the most dependable fishing will be at the Oregon Fishing Club ponds for trout, especially after this warming trend. The key to winter fishing is to be ready to fish when a weather window presents itself.

Several coastal streams like the Necanicum and Wilson get good early runs of steelhead. The Clackamas and Sandy get random shots of early winter steelhead too plus this year there are a good number of native, late running coho. Here’s a link to the PGE fish counts so you can see for yourself.

We don’t have a club Fish-A-Long in December but I’m open to helping folks with their spey casting and winter steelhead presentation basics. If you are interested in this email me and I’ll put you on the list.

For several years now we have been posting monthly fishing reports. Looking back on them is a good way to get ideas for local fly fishing opportunities currently happening or coming up. I’ve tested it out and it works! Type the word December or January in the search box and you’ll get all the past reports for that month.

Now is the perfect time for Christmas shopping plus don’t forget to get your wish list out so you get all the stocking stuffers you want. Please remember our sponsors, they are the lifeblood of the club. Stop by their shops and let them know your appreciate their support. Better yet buy something or book a trip.

Dave Kilhefner

November 2023 Fish A Long Report

This months Fish A Long was well attended and was about what we expected; colder than last month! Most of the spawning salmon had died but fish were still keying on egg patterns. Besides eggs, there was a decent Blue Wing Olive hatch in the afternoon and BWO nymphs accounted for a good amount of fish too.

The White River was blown out but the cold weather had it clearing up pretty fast, so it never got too bad where we were fishing.

Overall fishing was pretty good until a front moved thru on Saturday afternoon. Then the bite shut down and the wind filled the river up with leaves. Chris G came over on Sunday and reported the fishing was slow in the morning but good in the afternoon.

This was a great wrap up for our 2023 Fish A Longs with good food, good campfires and fun times had by all. Thanks to everyone that made this another fun Fish A Long weekend!

Presidents Message November 2023

November fishing transitions from fall to winter. It presents many good opportunities and can be the very best month to catch a steelhead or catch good numbers of trout & whitefish getting ready for winter.

With the holiday season upon us we will have the Fish A Long early on November 11th so it doesn’t conflict Thanksgiving weekend. Once again we will be at Beavertail Campground on the Deschutes River. Several of us usually go a few days early and camp out. We will have a BBQ steak lunch again as we still have steak from last month. Gotta love the Chef store!

Several members have asked about Chum salmon fishing on the coast. We used to always go there in November but the unpredictable fall rains prompted too many cancellations the last 5 years. That said, if you want to catch one of these bruisers in the fly the best option is to head over as close to the November 15th season closure as you can and be ready for crowds. For more info hit one of our local shops or type “Chum Salmon” in the search box to get our past reports and fly patterns.

Our November 21st meeting at High Rocks will be a “flies and lies” format. We did this last year and it was a great time, so bring your fly tying vice to tie some flies & tell fishing stories. Also, I recently acquired 79 dozen flies from a closed fly shop. They are available to members for $1 each. As always, social hour starts at 6pm and the program at 7pm.

For several years now we have been posting monthly fishing reports. Looking back on them is a fun way to get ideas for local fly fishing opportunities currently happening or coming up. Type “November” or “December” in the Clackamas Fly Fishers website search box you’ll get all the past reports for that month. 

Please remember our sponsors, they are the lifeblood of the club. Stop by their shops and let them know you appreciate their support. Better yet buy something or book a trip. 

Good fishing! 

Dave Kilhefner

October 2023 Fish A Long Report

This October Fish A Long is one for the record books! Besides landing hundreds of trout and whitefish, the weather was exceptional with clear skies, temps in the low 80’s and very little wind. We even hooked a couple steelhead & landed one.

To top it all off, we burned lots of firewood and barbecued lots steak. Plus the road had been freshly graded and there were plenty of bighorn sheep putting on a show across the river.

While nymphing tactics worked best, in the evening Rich threw dries and was rewarded with some dry fly action.

The eggstravaganza should hold up for a while as the salmon spawn is in its early stages. I’m already looking forward to returning for the November 11th Fish A Long!

CFF September 2023 Fishing Reports

September is always a good month and this year was no exception. We’ve got some great reports to share; pictures are first with the written reports below.

From Joe Warren & George Krumm: Fishing was pretty good on the Naknek last week. Best fish was 33″! These trout are just like steelhead! Three of our 4 angler group landed trout in excess of 30”. Caught my first arctic char, 28″. I definitely want to go back!

Three of the four anglers in the group landed fish in excess of 30 inches. If you’re interested in going, email George at gkrumm@gci.net.

From Dave Kilhefner: Rich Harvey and I hit the Clackamas above North Fork Reservoir. Fishing was slow but we got a few. The river was lower than ever before and wading was very slippery.

From Lane Hoffman: There are some good reasons to get up early!

From Craig Kerschen: Laurence Lake has fished well all summer. The stocked rainbows are very healthy with 16″ fish fairly common along with small Bull trout and cutthroats. Afternoons will usually have a good Calibaetis hatch. Fishing the west end in float tube on the west end is my favorite approach.

From Dave Kilhefner: managed to combine business with a fishing trip to the St Joe River in the Idaho panhandle for Cutthroat & Whitefish. Fishing was off and on but when it was on, it was on!

From Chris Gardiner: spent 3 nights camping on the Metolious with friends at Lower Bridge campground. Fished between the Hatchery and LB campground. Tons of bug hatches but picky fish for the dry fly action. Picked up all my fish euro nymphing. The big ‘Bow pictured put up a hell of a fight with some screaming reel moments. Fun stuff!

From Matt Baker: I was able to find a few sea run cutthroat on the Wilson with the help of a few past trip reports.  The water was low and fishing somewhat slow but there were a few willing to bite.  Also went up and explored Fish Creek a bit; water was very low but I can confirm there are a few small fish in Fish Creek. 

From Ian Porteous: a mid September personal best coho!

Thanks to everyone for contributing reports this month!

Presidents Message October 2023

Summer is officially over and the cooler days of fall are upon us. These are some of the best times to spend on the water.

Our October 21st meeting is at High Rocks. Social hour starts at 6pm and the program at 7pm.

This months October 21st Fish A Long will be at Beavertail Campground on the Deschutes River. Historically, this has been a very popular Fish A Long. It’s become a tradition that several of us go a few days early and camp out.

For several years now we have been posting monthly fishing reports. Looking back on them is a fun way to get ideas for local fly fishing opportunities currently happening or coming up. Type “October” or “November” in the Clackamas Fly Fishers website search box you’ll get all the past reports for that month. 

Please remember our sponsors, they are the lifeblood of the club. Stop by their shops and let them know you appreciate their support. Better yet buy something or book a trip. 

Good fishing! 

Dave Kilhefner

September 2023 Fish A Long Report

The guy at Camp Sherman Fly Shop summed up the Metolius River perfectly; it’s the prettiest river in Oregon but also the hardest to fish. The water is super clear and the trout are educated and picky! We all got fish, but had to work hard for every one.

Special thanks to Josh Linn for his presentation on fishing the Metolius before our trip. His info was spot on!

Green Drake dries and Euro Nymphing tactics produced the best. Rich even had a big bull trout rise from the depths of a deep pool to grab a rainbow he was fighting. It was a sight!

The water temperature averaged 46 degrees. Thick winter socks under your waders made long wading sessions comfortable.

Five of us camped at the Lower Bridge Campground. On Friday we enjoyed a fun dinner at the Three Creeks Brewery after hitting The Fly Fishers Place for the hot fly patterns.

Overall we had good weather but mornings & evenings were chilly. Fortunately we had plenty of firewood and good times were had by all.

CFF August 2023 Fishing Reports

In spite of another hot, extra dry summer August was a good month to get out on the water. As always, pictures first with the reports below.

From Tim McSweeney: Sorry I’ve been so MIA this summer, been fishing a lot! Excited for the next meeting to catch up and swap summertime fish tales. Spent the last week fishing for bull trout on the Metolius and caught a whole bunch of angry fish.

From Matt Isham: McKenzie was straight up good trout fishing! Chernobyl and dropper or skating a dry fly produced action. 

From Chris Brehm: Got out for a few Tuna trips plus a limit of Salmon at Buoy 10.

From Greg O’Brien: Brother visited and I took him out on the Willamette for bass on the fly.  We got a few; always fun and close to home.  

From Jim Behrend: Went to North Santiam once which was not rewarding, and to the Wilson a week ago. It was low and fishing was not great. Hopefully rain will help.

From Dave Kilhefner: Went out on the ocean out of Depoe Bay with Joe Warren. We had good fishing for Rockfish and Tuna plus landed a couple silver salmon. Double limits of crab was a great bonus too!

Thanks to everyone for contributing your reports!

Presidents Message September 2023

An ocean caught silver taken on a sand lance streamer.

Summer is winding down and my favorite fishing season, fall, is almost here. It’s the best time of year to be on the water and CFF has some great Fish A Longs lined up the next three months.

Our September 19th meeting is at High Rocks. I’m hoping to have Josh Linn do a presentation angled towards fly fishing the Metolius River. Social hour starts at 6pm and the program at 7pm.

The September 23rd Fish A Long will be held on the Metolius River. Several of us are planning to go a few days early and camp out.

For several years now we have been posting monthly fishing reports. Looking back on them is a fun way to get ideas for local fly fishing opportunities currently happening or coming up. Type “September” or “October” in the Clackamas Fly Fishers website search box you’ll get all the past reports for that month. 

Please remember our sponsors, they are the lifeblood of the club. Stop by their shops and let them know you appreciate their support. Better yet buy something or book a trip. 

Good fishing! 

Dave Kilhefner

July 2023 Fish A Long Report

Harriet Lake was freshly stocked and the fishing was on fire! As you’d suspect most of the fish were in the 10-13” range but a few 15 to 18” trout were landed. The hot techniques were trolling small dark leeches on an intermediate line or the lake standby, suspending Chironomids (or small nymphs) under an indicator.

We chose Harriet as the water stays cool thru the summer. This weekend is was 48 in the morning and got up to 52 in the afternoon. Also, the water is extremely clear and will all the trout swimming around it was like fishing in an aquarium. We had a good turnout with 8 club members fishing on Saturday.

Five of us camped out at Shellrock Creek campground, a semi primitive first come campground about ten minutes from Harriet. We were blessed with perfect weather and good times we’re had by all. Thanks to everyone for coming!