Back in October Steve Fleming, owner of Mah-Hah Outfitters, (1-888-624-9424, www.johndayriverfishing.com) invited Bruce and me to join him on a John Day River float trip in December for steelhead. I have always liked fishing the John Day, but float trips on this river can be a little too involved so I have chosen other easier access rivers for my floats. This was a great opportunity to see a portion of the river that I had not floated for more than 10 years with an outfitter who knew how to organize a trip and where the best fishing spots were located.
Considering the weather, I was a little apprehensive about taking this trip. On just the previous Sunday I had driven through blizzard conditions traveling through Satus Pass on my way from Ellensburg, Washington to Portland, Oregon. In addition, western Oregon and Washington had just endured one of the worst floods in 11 years. So why were Bruce and I headed out for an overnight camp/fishing trip on the John Day River?
The rain storm that hammered western Oregon was just moderate snowfall in the eastern part of the state. With warming weather it would melt, but there were a couple days of good water conditions before it would color the John Day River.
Steve Fleming attends to last minute details before launching
At 7:45 a.m. on Wednesday we were at the Cottonwood Bridge put-in, full of coffee and ready to fish. Steve and R.B. Bissonette were there with their boats fully loaded: tents, stoves, food and everything else we would need for our overnight trip. Along with Steve was Scott Staats, an outdoor writer from Prineville, Oregon. The water looked great, the temperature was mild, and the skies were blue, perfect for fishing.
We enjoyed blue skies and clear water all day on Wednesday
Because we were covering so many miles and the days are short at this time of year, we did most of our fishing as we floated. Over the past four or five years Bruce as been perfecting center pin fishing techniques with bobber and jigs. His favorite jigs are made by Fisher Jigs. They are tied up on Owner hooks so they are sure not to bend out the way some less expensive lures might. You probably won’t find Fisher Jigs in most of the big box stores, but you can get them from Gary Waterhouse at Great American Tackle (503-650-2662).
Bruce’s favorite color combination
As we floated, Bruce’s bobber disappeared in the foam line about midway through a slow moving run. He set the hook and a nice bright steelie came to life. This fish was very active and didn’t respond like a cold water December fish. It took to the air several times and raced across river at mach speed. Steve beached the boat so Bruce could play the fish from shore while Steve got into position with the net.
Bruce hooks the first steelhead of the trip.
John Day steelhead are considered summer-run fish and even though we were fishing in December, these fish were in very good condition. The John Day receives no plants of hatchery fish although some hatchery fish from other rivers do stray into the John Day. All wild, non fin clipped fish must be released and it is best to keep them in or over the water for photos.
Release of a John Day wild steelhead
Steve Fleming is renowned for his Dutch oven cooking. So let me just say we ate very well on this trip. At lunch time we pulled ashore and a table was set up with camp chairs. While the meal was being readied Scott hiked a short distance down stream and hooked a steelhead on a spinner. The fight lasted five or ten minutes, but unfortunately the fish came unbuttoned before he was able to get it to the net. From the Dutch oven came a pork loin roast with potatoes, carrots and onions. Nothing gets you warmed up like a delicious hot meal. With full bellies we were ready to float and fish again. As the shadows began to slide down the canyon walls, Bruce hooked and landed a second wild steelhead.
Steelhead number two released
Good campsites are not numerous on this portion of the river, and it would have been easy to go past the spot Steve had picked. The river is bordered by a mix of BLM land and private ranch property. BLM land is fine for float parties to camp on, but no camping is allowed on private land without permission. As it was, the site Steve chose was perfect. We were backed up against a stone cliff with several good sized trees from which we could have hung tarps for rain or snow cover if necessary. There was plenty of room for our tents, kitchen, fire pan and gear, plus there was good fishing water right in front of camp. We fished as Steve got things organized in camp and several steelhead rolled, although we didn’t connect with any.
Dinner was another Dutch oven masterpiece, this time a beef roast. Our tents were equipped with thick Coleman air beds, Coleman bags and a propane heater, should it get chilly. The weather stayed mild, but it also changed some. As we sat enjoying the fire after dinner, misty rain drops fell sporadically.
On Thursday morning we were greeted by clouds, mist and drizzle rolling through the canyon
While breakfast was being prepared, we fished the camp water again and once again Bruce’s center pin and jigs produced. This fish turned out to be much smaller and darker than the two previous fish. It was a hatchery fish missing its adipose fin. Since it was a stray hatchery fish, Bruce killed it for the smoker.
The remainder of the day was fishless, but it had some interesting aspects. The county was scenic as we floated past several working ranches. There were also some deserted ranches along the way. At one spot there were several old car bodies, abandoned farm machinery and an old cabin. While Bruce and I looked over the cars and equipment, Steve gathered a few agates from the gravel bar.
The carcass of a ‘30s vintage automobile.
An old hay baler
You never want to see fishing trips come to an end, but they all must. At 3:30 we reached the take out. The shuttle drivers were there, and soon we were loaded and heading home. A great trip had come to an end. The only thing to do was begin planning for another next year.
