John Day River Smallmouth Clave?
 

Just putting my toe in the water, but would there be any interest in a John
Day River, Oregon smallmouth float trip clave thingee? (I believe we can
rent rafts/pontoon boats for such an event, but I will need to check, IF
there is any interest, this is a calm float thing with very few rapids, so
canoes work well too) A few of us Oregonian types may be pursuaded to act
as Clavemeisters for such an experience.

Here is a taken from a website about the fishery: Beginning in the Blue
Mountains and flowing north to the Columbia, the John Day is the second
longest free-flowing stream in the U.S, and is protected as a "Wild and
Scenic" river under the Oregon Scenic Waterways Act. In 1971, Seventy-five
Smallmouth Bass were introduced to the river. Since then, they have
flourished! The John Day River is arguably the best Smallmouth Bass water in
the country. The season is at its peak from late May to early August; it's
quite common for anglers to hook 75+ fish per rod per day. Fish average from
8"-12", with larger fish in the 18"-20" range.

Chris

Padishar Creel wrote:
Just putting my toe in the water, but would there be any interest in a John
Day River, Oregon smallmouth float trip clave thingee? (I believe we can
rent rafts/pontoon boats for such an event, but I will need to check, IF
there is any interest, this is a calm float thing with very few rapids, so
canoes work well too) A few of us Oregonian types may be pursuaded to act
as Clavemeisters for such an experience.

Here is a taken from a website about the fishery: Beginning in the Blue
Mountains and flowing north to the Columbia, the John Day is the second
longest free-flowing stream in the U.S, and is protected as a "Wild and
Scenic" river under the Oregon Scenic Waterways Act. In 1971, Seventy-five
Smallmouth Bass were introduced to the river. Since then, they have
flourished! The John Day River is arguably the best Smallmouth Bass water in
the country. The season is at its peak from late May to early August; it's
quite common for anglers to hook 75+ fish per rod per day. Fish average from
8"-12", with larger fish in the 18"-20" range.

I might be interested, depending on the dates. I have a pretty full
plate of fishing for this year.

I've read that the smallmouth fishing on the John Day Rover is something
special.

--
Cut "to the chase" for my email address.

Our club has an outing there every year. I have not been with them as yet
because of one damm thing or another. Here's the website.
http://www.geocities.com/flyhacklers/
They just changed the website and the old monthly news letters are not on it
any more. I am sure if you contact them they send you the news letters with
the reports. I'm sure you can get on the mailing list weather you join or
not. IT's a pretty informal group. We have had some very nteresting
speakers, some definately worth a drive across the river. I amm sure they
will put you on to the people who lined up the trip and know every thing
about it. It has always been reported as great fun with lots of fish and a
good time being had by all.
I plan on doing it this year but then again I planned on it last year and
the year before. you know how it is? work the curse of the fishing class.
If I remember correctly last year the water was low and several people
floated it on pontoon boats.

"Padishar Creel" wrote in message
...
Just putting my toe in the water, but would there be any interest in a
John
Day River, Oregon smallmouth float trip clave thingee? (I believe we can
rent rafts/pontoon boats for such an event, but I will need to check, IF
there is any interest, this is a calm float thing with very few rapids, so
canoes work well too) A few of us Oregonian types may be pursuaded to act
as Clavemeisters for such an experience.

Here is a taken from a website about the fishery: Beginning in the Blue
Mountains and flowing north to the Columbia, the John Day is the second
longest free-flowing stream in the U.S, and is protected as a "Wild and
Scenic" river under the Oregon Scenic Waterways Act. In 1971,
Seventy-five
Smallmouth Bass were introduced to the river. Since then, they have
flourished! The John Day River is arguably the best Smallmouth Bass water
in
the country. The season is at its peak from late May to early August; it's
quite common for anglers to hook 75+ fish per rod per day. Fish average
from
8"-12", with larger fish in the 18"-20" range.

Chris

"Padishar Creel" wrote:
Just putting my toe in the water, but would there be any interest in a
John
Day River, Oregon smallmouth float trip clave thingee?

I'm interested Chris. It will be new to me, but I'd like to give it a
try.

Thanks

Chas
remove fly fish to reply
http://home.comcast.net/~chas.wade/w...ome.html-.html
San Juan Pictures at:
http://home.comcast.net/~chasepike/wsb/index.html

"Chas Wade" I'm interested Chris. It will be new to me, but I'd like to
give it a try.
----------
That is one of the things I enjoy about you Chas, you get out there and try
new fisheries. I grew up in this area (Wasco, Oregon from 7 years of age
until the service) and I am pretty familiar with the local conditions.

Chris

"Chas Wade" I'm interested Chris. It will be new to me, but I'd like to
give it a try.
----------
That is one of the things I enjoy about you Chas, you get out there and try
new fisheries. I grew up in this area (Wasco, Oregon from 7 years of age
until the service) and I am pretty familiar with the local conditions.

Chris

Chas Wade wrote in news:gDMCd.75262
$k25.63849@attbi_s53:

"Padishar Creel" wrote:
Just putting my toe in the water, but would there be any interest in a
John
Day River, Oregon smallmouth float trip clave thingee?

I'm interested Chris. It will be new to me, but I'd like to give it a
try.

Thanks

Chas


Yah, could be. When? I've only ever looked (not even fished) at the John
Day at Clarno so I don't have any inside knowledge but given the right
dates I'd be interested and could possibly help with logistics. It's
beautiful out there....

Padishar Creel wrote:
Just putting my toe in the water, but would there be any interest in a John
Day River, Oregon smallmouth float trip clave thingee?

I'd be interested in a short (1-2 day) JD smallmouth clave sometime
before the summer steelhead season reaches full swing (in June, say).

JR

"JR" wrote in message
...
Padishar Creel wrote:
Just putting my toe in the water, but would there be any interest in a
John
Day River, Oregon smallmouth float trip clave thingee?

I'd be interested in a short (1-2 day) JD smallmouth clave sometime
before the summer steelhead season reaches full swing (in June, say).
---------
That would be tough based upon my research. It looks like three days
between takeout points if I read the literature correctly. Surely, you can
get an extra day? I hope!

http://www.or.blm.gov/Prineville/Joh...ation-Boating%
209-23-04.pdf

Chris

"JR" wrote in message
...
Padishar Creel wrote:
Just putting my toe in the water, but would there be any interest in a
John
Day River, Oregon smallmouth float trip clave thingee?

I'd be interested in a short (1-2 day) JD smallmouth clave sometime
before the summer steelhead season reaches full swing (in June, say).
---------
That would be tough based upon my research. It looks like three days
between takeout points if I read the literature correctly. Surely, you can
get an extra day? I hope!

http://www.or.blm.gov/Prineville/Joh...ation-Boating%
209-23-04.pdf

Chris

"JR" wrote in message
...
Padishar Creel wrote:
Just putting my toe in the water, but would there be any interest in a
John
Day River, Oregon smallmouth float trip clave thingee?

I'd be interested in a short (1-2 day) JD smallmouth clave sometime before
the summer steelhead season reaches full swing (in June, say).

JR

I'd be up for a Service Cr. to Clarno trip and can provide a drift boat. My
experince witht he JD indicates that hitting the right water level for fish
or floating
can be problematic....too high and the fishing is 0, to low and it's a
bottom bouncer.
--
Jeff;
Kamchatka http://home.teleport.com/~salmo/K2000/
NFS http://www.nativefishsociety.org

I'd be up for a Service Cr. to Clarno trip and can provide a drift boat.
My
experince witht he JD indicates that hitting the right water level for
fish
or floating can be problematic....too high and the fishing is 0, to low
and it's a
bottom bouncer.
---------
Good Point! That be the nature of the beast, with no damns and free
flowing. (Still not worth damning a river to get consistant flows, IMHO).
Would make it difficult to plan a clave with out of town guests for sure. I
have seen it so low you could walk across certain spots on this river and
never get your knees wet.

Chris

"JR" wrote in message
...
I'd be interested in a short (1-2 day) JD smallmouth clave sometime
before the summer steelhead season reaches full swing (in June, say).
---------------
I guess we could put in at Service Creek fish to Twickenham Bridge. That
would be two days and the fishing/camping is pretty good along this stretch.
How does that sound to everyone interested?

Chris

Padishar Creel wrote:
"JR" wrote

I'd be interested in a short (1-2 day) JD smallmouth clave sometime
before the summer steelhead season reaches full swing (in June, say).
--------
I guess we could put in at Service Creek fish to Twickenham Bridge. That
would be two days and the fishing/camping is pretty good along this stretch.
How does that sound to everyone interested?

Actually, Chris, I've been thinking more about this, and looking through
Sheehan. If we do it in June, I might be able to swing a three-day
trip, maybe Service Creek to Clarno, or Twickenham to Clarno, depending
on how fast we want to float. Do you know how much the raft rental
would be for three days, including shuttle?

JR

"JR" said Actually, Chris, I've been thinking more about this, and looking
through
Sheehan. If we do it in June, I might be able to swing a three-day
trip, maybe Service Creek to Clarno, or Twickenham to Clarno, depending
on how fast we want to float. Do you know how much the raft rental
would be for three days, including shuttle?
--------
I have requested a pricing for raft and shuttle service from here. This
looks like a good hq site for the John Day Clave (if'n we go)

http://www.servicecreekstagestop.com/index.html

Chris

JR here is the email I got back from Service Creek...I will post it for
everyone that may have an interest:

raft rentals are $75.00 per day. shuttle price sc-tw $40.00, sc-clarno
$50.00 and Tw -clarno $65.00 We have not received much snow pack so far, so
the later you schedule,
the water will be lower and will dictate which float you can make and how
long it will take. if the water is too low, there are several shorter floats
above service creek that make good day floats for fishing etc .many folks
stay in the lodge and do different day trips so give us a call at 541
468-3331 and we can discuss your options thanks Iana

I'd be interested I could even rent a drift boat, but have not experience
rowing. Someone would have to do that.



"Padishar Creel" wrote in message
...
Just putting my toe in the water, but would there be any interest in a
John
Day River, Oregon smallmouth float trip clave thingee? (I believe we can
rent rafts/pontoon boats for such an event, but I will need to check, IF
there is any interest, this is a calm float thing with very few rapids, so
canoes work well too) A few of us Oregonian types may be pursuaded to act
as Clavemeisters for such an experience.

Here is a taken from a website about the fishery: Beginning in the Blue
Mountains and flowing north to the Columbia, the John Day is the second
longest free-flowing stream in the U.S, and is protected as a "Wild and
Scenic" river under the Oregon Scenic Waterways Act. In 1971,
Seventy-five
Smallmouth Bass were introduced to the river. Since then, they have
flourished! The John Day River is arguably the best Smallmouth Bass water
in
the country. The season is at its peak from late May to early August; it's
quite common for anglers to hook 75+ fish per rod per day. Fish average
from
8"-12", with larger fish in the 18"-20" range.

Chris

"gary" wrote in message
.net...
I'd be interested I could even rent a drift boat, but have not experience
rowing. Someone would have to do that.
------------
If we get this off the ground I am pretty sure we have plenty of drift boats
available. Our challenge will be whether we will have enough water to float
a driftboat or not. It will be difficult to plan ahead to use driftboats,
but almost certainly we could do this with pontoon boats/canoes.. From what
I have been able to learn it will all depend on the amount of snowpack and
rainfall from now til June.

Chris

I heard on the radio today that Oregon has between 19% and 23% of the normal
snow pack for this time of the year. More bad news is that the freezing
level is going up to 10,000 feet and it will be raining this weekend melting
even more. Since the John is not a tailwater fishery and the levels are at
the mercy of the farmers, snowpack and rainfall, we may be in for some
challenges for out trip in June.

Just keeping you updated

Chris

"Padishar Creel" wrote in
:

I heard on the radio today that Oregon has between 19% and 23% of the
normal snow pack for this time of the year. More bad news is that the
freezing level is going up to 10,000 feet and it will be raining this
weekend melting even more. Since the John is not a tailwater fishery
and the levels are at the mercy of the farmers, snowpack and rainfall,
we may be in for some challenges for out trip in June.

Just keeping you updated

....thanks Chris, I'm keeping my fingers crossed on this trip.

Frank

Padishar Creel wrote:
I heard on the radio today that Oregon has between 19% and 23% of the normal
snow pack for this time of the year. More bad news is that the freezing
level is going up to 10,000 feet and it will be raining this weekend melting
even more. Since the John is not a tailwater fishery and the levels are at
the mercy of the farmers, snowpack and rainfall, we may be in for some
challenges for out trip in June.

We may want to aim for a date as early in June as possible if the snow
situation stays the same. Although late May, early June is the most
crowded time of year (even in normal years, hard boats have a hard time
much later than that), it may be best to err on the side of caution...

JR

If present weather conditions continue (very little snowpack) I'd
plan on late in May or even a bit earlier....

Stan

On Wed, 02 Feb 2005 18:41:17 -0800, JR wrote:

Padishar Creel wrote:
I heard on the radio today that Oregon has between 19% and 23% of the normal
snow pack for this time of the year. More bad news is that the freezing
level is going up to 10,000 feet and it will be raining this weekend melting
even more. Since the John is not a tailwater fishery and the levels are at
the mercy of the farmers, snowpack and rainfall, we may be in for some
challenges for out trip in June.

We may want to aim for a date as early in June as possible if the snow
situation stays the same. Although late May, early June is the most
crowded time of year (even in normal years, hard boats have a hard time
much later than that), it may be best to err on the side of caution...

JR

(Stan) wrote in
:

If present weather conditions continue (very little snowpack) I'd
plan on late in May or even a bit earlier....
We may want to aim for a date as early in June as possible if the snow
situation stays the same. Although late May, early June is the most
crowded time of year (even in normal years, hard boats have a hard
time much later than that), it may be best to err on the side of
caution...

JR

....I have written Arrowhead Adventures asking those folks what their
advice would be given the low snowpack this year. Don't know what the
reply will be, but hey, it can't hurt to get feedback from the experts. I
ran across an interesting place in Fossil, OR called the Service Creek
Stagestop who will pre-position your vehicle where you want it and begin
the float from their establishment. If you want pure luxury on a float of
the John Day, Arrowhead Adventures only charges $995 for a 3 day float,
providing everything except a sleeping bag and your personal items.
(http://www.arrowheadadventures.com/bass2.html) and the outfit at Service
Creek is (http://www.servicecreekstagestop.com/index.html) I am really
pumped on going this year and could make it in either May or preferably,
the 1st week of June if conditions allow for that. (and I get resettled
in my house by then) I have posted a picture of a John Day river smallie
on abpf, this guy would put a serious bend in my kpos! :)

Frank Church

I'm heading up to the PNW Sportsman's Show in Portland this week.
Usually, there is a John Day guide or 2 there. I'm going to pump them
to see what they think about the best time to go this year....


On Tue, 08 Feb 2005 11:24:40 GMT, Frank Church
wrote:

(Stan) wrote in
:

If present weather conditions continue (very little snowpack) I'd
plan on late in May or even a bit earlier....
We may want to aim for a date as early in June as possible if the snow
situation stays the same. Although late May, early June is the most
crowded time of year (even in normal years, hard boats have a hard
time much later than that), it may be best to err on the side of
caution...

JR

...I have written Arrowhead Adventures asking those folks what their
advice would be given the low snowpack this year. Don't know what the
reply will be, but hey, it can't hurt to get feedback from the experts. I
ran across an interesting place in Fossil, OR called the Service Creek
Stagestop who will pre-position your vehicle where you want it and begin
the float from their establishment. If you want pure luxury on a float of
the John Day, Arrowhead Adventures only charges $995 for a 3 day float,
providing everything except a sleeping bag and your personal items.
(http://www.arrowheadadventures.com/bass2.html) and the outfit at Service
Creek is (http://www.servicecreekstagestop.com/index.html) I am really
pumped on going this year and could make it in either May or preferably,
the 1st week of June if conditions allow for that. (and I get resettled
in my house by then) I have posted a picture of a John Day river smallie
on abpf, this guy would put a serious bend in my kpos! :)

Frank Church

As expected the few guides I spoke with at the Sportsman's Show agreed
that May might be the best time to go this year. A lot will depend of
course on how much (if any) last winter/early Spring storms we get out
here......

On Mon, 31 Jan 2005 03:21:10 GMT, "gary" wrote:

I'd be interested I could even rent a drift boat, but have not experience
rowing. Someone would have to do that.



"Padishar Creel" wrote in message
...
Just putting my toe in the water, but would there be any interest in a
John
Day River, Oregon smallmouth float trip clave thingee? (I believe we can
rent rafts/pontoon boats for such an event, but I will need to check, IF
there is any interest, this is a calm float thing with very few rapids, so
canoes work well too) A few of us Oregonian types may be pursuaded to act
as Clavemeisters for such an experience.

Here is a taken from a website about the fishery: Beginning in the Blue
Mountains and flowing north to the Columbia, the John Day is the second
longest free-flowing stream in the U.S, and is protected as a "Wild and
Scenic" river under the Oregon Scenic Waterways Act. In 1971,
Seventy-five
Smallmouth Bass were introduced to the river. Since then, they have
flourished! The John Day River is arguably the best Smallmouth Bass water
in
the country. The season is at its peak from late May to early August; it's
quite common for anglers to hook 75+ fish per rod per day. Fish average
from
8"-12", with larger fish in the 18"-20" range.

Chris

I posted a picture on ABPF of a stream in the upper John Day River watershed
along with this comment: This small stream holds some improbably large trout
and this picture was taken in January 2005. Normally, this stream would
have anywhere from 1 to 4 feet of snow on its banks this time of year. I
believe we are in for a very low water spring/summer here in the Pacific NW!
So perhaps the earlier we can do the John Day River Clave thing the better?

Chris

"Padishar Creel" wrote in
:

I posted a picture on ABPF of a stream in the upper John Day River
watershed along with this comment: This small stream holds some
improbably large trout and this picture was taken in January 2005.
Normally, this stream would have anywhere from 1 to 4 feet of snow on
its banks this time of year. I believe we are in for a very low water
spring/summer here in the Pacific NW! So perhaps the earlier we can do
the John Day River Clave thing the better?

....kinda looks that way now Chris, keepin' my fingers crossed.

Frank Sr.

"Stan" wrote in message
...
I'm heading up to the PNW Sportsman's Show in Portland this week.
Usually, there is a John Day guide or 2 there. I'm going to pump them
to see what they think about the best time to go this year....
----------
Stan, did you find out anything about the best time for the John Day
especially since we may be facing a low water year?

Chris

Is this trip still being planned????


On Tue, 08 Feb 2005 11:24:40 GMT, Frank Church
wrote:

(Stan) wrote in
:

If present weather conditions continue (very little snowpack) I'd
plan on late in May or even a bit earlier....
We may want to aim for a date as early in June as possible if the snow
situation stays the same. Although late May, early June is the most
crowded time of year (even in normal years, hard boats have a hard
time much later than that), it may be best to err on the side of
caution...

JR

...I have written Arrowhead Adventures asking those folks what their
advice would be given the low snowpack this year. Don't know what the
reply will be, but hey, it can't hurt to get feedback from the experts. I
ran across an interesting place in Fossil, OR called the Service Creek
Stagestop who will pre-position your vehicle where you want it and begin
the float from their establishment. If you want pure luxury on a float of
the John Day, Arrowhead Adventures only charges $995 for a 3 day float,
providing everything except a sleeping bag and your personal items.
(http://www.arrowheadadventures.com/bass2.html) and the outfit at Service
Creek is (http://www.servicecreekstagestop.com/index.html) I am really
pumped on going this year and could make it in either May or preferably,
the 1st week of June if conditions allow for that. (and I get resettled
in my house by then) I have posted a picture of a John Day river smallie
on abpf, this guy would put a serious bend in my kpos! :)

Frank Church

(Stan) wrote in :

http://www.servicecreekstagestop.com/index.html

....good question Stan, I was sort of depending on our western hosts for
updates, although if I don't find a house pretty soon I can see where that
would interfere with taking a week or two off to fish out there. Also, if I
can make it happen, if the "clave" doesn't come off for some reason I have
entertained the idea of booking with the outfit I mentioned who will know
the current river conditions.

Frank C.

We of course have had an extremely dry winter out here Frank. However,
we are now finally getting some rain and snow in the mountains. The
word is that May could be the best time for John Day Smallmouth.

I'll keep checking on here, as I'd like to attend this clave if it
comes off.....


On Tue, 22 Mar 2005 12:26:46 GMT, Frank Church
wrote:

(Stan) wrote in :

http://www.servicecreekstagestop.com/index.html

...good question Stan, I was sort of depending on our western hosts for
updates, although if I don't find a house pretty soon I can see where that
would interfere with taking a week or two off to fish out there. Also, if I
can make it happen, if the "clave" doesn't come off for some reason I have
entertained the idea of booking with the outfit I mentioned who will know
the current river conditions.

Frank C.