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Rick J
07-08-2008, 07:50 AM
So here is the report of our trip - left Tue and drove to Palo Cedro and stayed with my friend Brett - managed to get out on the lower Sac that evening - friend of Brett who has a gorgeous house on the river (built by Brett) guided us in his small jet boat - been awhile since I fished the river and at dark the river was a frenzy of feeding fish on caddis

Brett with a nice fish
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a395/RickJ/Washington2008007.jpg

Bruce got there late evening and we got up next morning and headed north - Portland traffic sucked!!!! Got to the camp ground (Camp Kalama on the Kalama River) around 4 - set up camp and drove up river to look - here is first look
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a395/RickJ/Washington2008011.jpg

River is absolutely gorgeous and was the only game in town as other rivers were raging. Scott met us at 5 AM and we did 2 floats - first on the lower river that ended at the camp gound in tide water and the second a longer float higher up that took out where we put in on first float - fished hard and saw quite a few fish both rolling and as we drifted over runs - but no grabs. This is truly a classic fly-fishing river with beautiful runs. Some really great skating water with dries.

check out this tailout!
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a395/RickJ/Washington2008068.jpg
Scott reviewing Bruce's casting
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a395/RickJ/Washington2008033.jpg

There were some really crummy looking shacks all along the river like this one
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a395/RickJ/Washington2008041.jpg
We got lots of rain over the three days!

Next day we did the same float in one shot - put in high (the put in was wild - a slide over the guard rail down maybe 80 feet to the river.

Mid-dad in a small slot as I was day dreaming, I got hammered - the fish tore off down river then turned around and shot up river past me - I had slack everywhere and Scott was screaming at me - somehow managed to get the fish
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a395/RickJ/Rick1.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a395/RickJ/Rick3.jpg

We fished hard the rest of the day but no other grabs. Next morning we decided rather than heading south right away to the N Umpqua, we would fish on our own higher up-river. We were above the 2 hatcheries and no one else around - drove into a guy's place that welcomed fishermen and talked to the owner and he told us about some nice runs. This sequence was right below his house

Bruce casting:
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a395/RickJ/Washington2008079.jpg

The drift:
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a395/RickJ/Washington2008078.jpg

Fish on!!!!!
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a395/RickJ/Washington2008086.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a395/RickJ/Washington2008087.jpg

Fish to hand:
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a395/RickJ/Washington2008088.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a395/RickJ/Washington2008092.jpg

Left around 4 PM and drove to the Umpqua - got there around 10:30 and pulled out the cots - next morning fished 3 runs but no one home -still was gorgeous. On my way home at the HWY20 offramp from 5 at
Williams I lost my clutch and had to spend the night in Williams and take truck into shop early Monday AM but got it fixed and got home and unpacked.

My next trip in a few weeks is to Silver Creek where I break out the 2 wt and the 7 x
Scott V
07-08-2008, 08:05 AM
Nice report, and to me Oregon is one of the most beautiful places to fish and/or live.
Adam Grace
07-08-2008, 02:18 PM
Very nice report Rick!

That was a beautiful and large stealhead that you caught. I love the shot of it's head with the hook in the mouth.

I'm sorry to hear about your vehicle but at least you guys caught some nice fish.
matt johnson
07-08-2008, 06:20 PM
Thanks for sharing a great trip report and photos Rick.

I used to kick around those Southwest Washington rivers, the Washougal, East Fork Lewis, and Kalama back in the late 80's. Thet are neat little rivers.

I was in 8th-9th grade then and my Mom would drive me up and down the river and sit reading a book while I fished.

Mark Nobel, owner of the Greased Line Fly Shoppe in Vancouver, used to try to steer me in the right direction. He was always suggesting a Muddler and was very encouraging. He is a great guy

I never did hook a steelhead on a fly, but I watched other people catch lots of them on gear.

Those fish drove me crazy. I still think a sea run rainbow on a fly is just about the coolest thing ever.

By the way, that thick buck you landed would have TOTALLY made my trip! Matt.
Don Powell
07-08-2008, 06:45 PM
Great report Rick!

You guys did well, Scott (and Mike) know what they are doing up there!

You chose your water well and were rewarded! Wise choice to hit the North Umpqua on the way back. I did the same thing last year when I fished the Cowlitz and Lewis with Scott.

I am happy for you, I would have planned a similar itinerary, were it not for the passing of my 92 year old father on June 25th, and all the attendant duties of an only son and surviving relative. Even in my grieving, I am uplifted by your successful trip!

Thanks!!!

Don
Rick J
07-09-2008, 06:34 AM
it was a great trip and you are right Matt - that fish made my trip!!! Both fish we hooked were hatchery but I understand they are from wild stock. They both really ripped us - very strong fish!

Don - sorry to hear about your dad - sounds like he had a long life but it is still tough to deal with.

Looking forward to next spring and another shot at the coastal fish around Tillamook with Scott. Likely won't make a summer trip next year as I am headed south for baby tarpon with Bill in July.

I think Scott may be considering heading back to Alaska in the summers as it provides more income. His wife Stef is a first rate chef that cooked in the lodge up there when they used to go every summer - sounds like it is tough on them staying home and fishing the local rivers. But if he is still doing the SW Washington rivers in two years I am there!
Bill Kiene semi-retired
07-09-2008, 07:57 AM
Great fishing Rick.......you guys deserved it.

What a gorgeous fish..........wow........unreal.

You and Bruce are my heroes.

Scott O'Donnell and Mike McCune do a good job guiding in OR and WA.

http://www.speywater.com/
Hairstacker
07-09-2008, 08:37 AM
Wow, fantastic report Rick! Beautiful fish, nice way to wake up from a daydream, eh? :D
shawn kempkes
07-09-2008, 04:21 PM
Portland traffic sucked!!!!

I will take portlands traffic anyday over the gridlock in Santa Rosa. :lol:
TaylerW
07-09-2008, 06:57 PM
to fish yes, but to live...HELL NO!!!!!
it rains so much that when you can actually go fishing, the rivers are usually blown to peices..
and not to mention all of the environmentalists (green people). I have gotten pushed, yelled at and hit while walking along side of the nestucca because of the greenies....not fun, maybe once in a while if ya feel sporty....
shawn kempkes
07-10-2008, 08:36 AM
to fish yes, but to live...HELL NO!!!!!
it rains so much that when you can actually go fishing, the rivers are usually blown to peices..
and not to mention all of the environmentalists (green people). I have gotten pushed, yelled at and hit while walking along side of the nestucca because of the greenies....not fun, maybe once in a while if ya feel sporty....


You are just trying to keep us californians from moving up to oregon. :lol:
TaylerW
07-10-2008, 08:50 AM
im moving back in the fall. i just really dont like oregon....