Re: going down the John Day River

[Gary Meyers]

Steve, I did the same float last year at the end of June with my son. 
We were self-guided bass rookies.  We did it in four days and rowed 
more miles each day than we would have liked due to low water and slow 
going. Your timetable seems longer and would be about perfect. Your 
gear boat/pontoon fishing boats plan is a good one.

You should catch a ton of bass. We caught them on the surface at all 
times of day on floating line. Poppers and dragon flies and mouse 
patterns in sizes 2,4, 6 were killer. Stick them in water you would 
avoid casting into if you were trout fishing. Look for slack current, 
slow-moving, whirlpooly foam and in the lily pads and up against the 
big cliffs. I wouldn't worry too much about about hook styles and 
sizes. You'll figure it out. It's not technical fishing. They're not 
real selective.  A six weight is fine. A five would be too.

It was extremely hot and sunny while we were there. Bring as much ice 
and water as you can possibly carry in your gear boat. There's good BLM 
camp sites all along the river. Good luck, it's a fun trip.

Oh yeah, watch out for rattlesnakes. They're abundant.

Gary Meyers
Kirkland


On May 11, 2004, at 7:04 AM, Steve Egge wrote:

Oops good point ...

We're Floating from Service Creek to Clarno and we are doing it solo.
We have enough river experience for the trip - the one person who 
doesn't
fish, has floated it many times and will help with camp - and carry the
outhouse in his raft.  The rest of us will be in 1 man pontoons or Able
Travel Craft's.  Sleeping at the river on Sat nite at Service Creek and
planning to come out on Friday, thinking the last day is pretty much a 
row
out day.

We talked to a guide down at the Puyallup sportsman's show and were
convinced to move the trip back from Memorial Day to later in the year,
fearing a cold spring ... the end of June was the only other time we 
could
all mesh our schedules.  I am sure we would catch more fish with a 
guide but
we are going without one. The thought just occurred to me as I'm typing
this to have one accompany us on the first day ... Hmmmm ....

Thanks for any help you can give ... Steve

-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Jim Jones
Sent: Tuesday, May 11, 2004 1:22 AM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: going down the John Day River
Steve, before I would make any comment or
suggestions, I would need to know what part of the
river you are going to float.  Also are you using
a guide?
Jim Jones

Steve Egge wrote:
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