November weather is always a crapshoot…but this year we got lucky! After a couple short squalls on Thursday we had nearly perfect fall weather the rest of the weekend.
The turnout was very good. Fishing wasn’t hot but everyone got fish. One reason for the slower bite was the big bright Beaver Moon each night (pics below). Also, the water was up a little and slightly more colored than last month; flowing at 4,355 cfs (last month it was 4,100 cfs).
Egg patterns were the best producer, but we also had action on nymphs, emergers and even dries.
Trout made up most of our catch but when you could find a pod of whitefish, they were cooperative! On Saturday we shared the water with Gills and Gals Pdx organized thru Northwest Fly Fishing Outfitters. It was a fun day and before leaving Shannon gave us her leftover gourmet sandwiches which were delicious!
There were not as many sheep running around as last month but we saw a few. It’s always fun the scan the cliffs looking for them.
Thanks to everyone who made the trip over the mountain, it was another fun Fish A Long!
October is always a great month and we have reports ranging from Louisiana to Alaska and even Egypt! Pictures are first with the reports below. Enjoy!
From Laura McGuill: Thanks!! Tough conditions for sight fishing… managed to get that slot red in. High winds, overcast clouds, and fair amount of surface chop, hard to spot them!!
From Greg O’Brien: Ever since Elke and Alysia gave a presentation at a club meeting a while back I’ve wanted to steelhead fish their waters. I finally made it happen and was rewarded.
From Lane Hoffman: My friend Lars & I hit the Ham’s Fork of the Green River WY. Hiked down to the river realizing we both left our cell phones in the Jeep! Guaranteed that we would catch a big fish! I landed one pushing 24 inches, maybe the best looking Rainbow I’ve ever caught….then Lars landed one a little bigger than mine. Lost a couple of other’s to the weeds. Beautiful Wyoming weather & scenery! God’s country!
From Rich Harvey: Water really low in Trask and Wilson but landed some nice resident & sea run cutts.
From Kevin Rogers: Had a crazy good day up by Cascade Locks and put over 40 in the boat.
From Dave Kilhefner: Rich Harvey & I hit Turner Lake in mid October. We tried several different things but stripping streamers was the ticket for some good sized trout & bass.
From Patrick Leonard: fished the Klickitat in early October with Hopper/Dropper (egg dropper) and caught a bunch of smaller trout. Hit the Cowlitz for searuns using a Hopper/Dropper and had a blast…and of coarse fished the N Santiam for rainbows which is always fun.
From Rich Harvey: Dave Hopkins got a nice little silver while tossing flies for sea run Cutts on the Wilson.
From George Krumm: here’s a few shots from my annual October trip to the Naknek swinging big flies with two-handed rods.
From Chris Brehm: did some traveling overseas but did get a chance to fish the Nile River below Aswan Dam one day. Got my personal best Nile Perch. A Camel Hair Scarab Beetle Emerger tossed with a 15wt rod was the ticket!
The transition from fall to winter is happened fast this year; one week I’m using sunscreen, the next I’m bundled up and raking leaves!
Our November 18th meeting at High Rocks will feature Garrett Lesko giving a tying demonstration. As always, social hour starts at 6pm and the program at 7pm.
With shorter days and holiday season upon us we will have the Fish A Long early on November 8th so it doesn’t conflict with anyone’s Thanksgiving plans. Once again we will be at Beavertail Campground on the Deschutes River. Several of us usually go a few days early and camp out. It can be chilly so bring warm clothes and some extra firewood.
With the last Fish A Long of 2025 rapidly approaching, its time to start thinking about next years Fish A Longs. I’m looking for input. Here’s a rundown of our past trips to give you some ideas:
January: this is a “weather permitting” month. When the weather cooperates, we’ve had a combination Spey Casting/sit in a warm cabin and talk fishing event at my place on the Sandy River.
February: If the January weather is bad, we’ve moved Spey Casting to February. We’ve also had good times at an OFC Lake if we get some warm weather and also camped out at the Crooked River.
March: in years past we used to always head to the Crooked River in March but water conditions have not been favorable the last several years. That said, I’m always ready to go back! Other good options are the Deschutes at Harpam Flats or an OFC Lake.
April: The last few years Schmedeke Lake has been the place to go in April.
May: There are lots of good options with Harriett Lake, the Rainier Lakes, Timothy Lake and the ever popular Crooked River being top contenders.
June: this is the time for our every popular Central Oregon Lakes location. We also had a really good time at Bonneville Dam for Shad.
July: on Mt Hood, Clear Lake and Harriett Lake fish well. The Upper Clackamas River is also good.
September: the Metolius River has been our go-to. Another good option are coastal cutthroat’s on the Wilson or Trask rivers. The last few years the water has been to low and warm.
October & November: this is prime time for the Deschutes at Beavertail.
Several members have asked about Chum salmon fishing on the coast. We used to always go there in November but the unpredictable fall rains or droughts prompted too many cancellations the last 7 years; you’ll notice the report link is from 2017. 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.
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.
