going down the John Day River

[Steve Egge]

Going to float the John Day River in Oregon the end of June with 8 other rookie small mouth bass fisherman (that is to say we all fish trout). However we all are psyched.  Had a get together fly tying pizza and beer party to get things started and it was great.   … If there are any veterans on this list of this trip .. I’d be interested in feedback or pointers.  We are Going in small Pontoon boats with one gear boat.   Here is what I THINK I know.   Going to use a 6 weight rod … floating line … will have a sink tip (or at least a braided sink Loop I can throw on to get things down if needed)   Flies: Gurglers (Tapply’s pattern), Poppers, weighted sculpin imitations, Yuk Bugs, bunny flies. And  Weird fly inventions at the vice that you just want to try.   Hopefully we will hit the flow and water temperature right …   I’ve heard to fish the surface stuff in the am and pm and deep during day … any truth to that? Any thoughts on size of flies … most sinkers on 3xlong #4’s and poppers on  medium stinger hooks (how come a gamagatsu 2 is like a tiemco 6 in stingers?)   Any words of wisdom on rods, strategy, flies, clothing, beer and how to keep it cool would be much appreciated.   Thanks in advance…   Steve Egge