Month: October 2023

October 2023 Fish A Long Report

/ davekilhefner / Leave a comment

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

/ davekilhefner / Leave a comment

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

/ davekilhefner / Leave a comment

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