I sure don't count myself as an expert on the John Day. I have fished it several times but always up higher than the stretch you are going to fish. Also somewhat later in the year than you are fishing. So I'm not too sure how valuable my comments are to your situation.
One reason that I asked about the guide is that you were using one, my first advise would be to give him a call a few days before you leave and ask him what flies were hot...that's assuming that the guide was a fly fisherman. On the John Day, that's not a safe assumption.
Generally, I found that I tied too heavy and big.
I like woolly buggers (black, purple, olive) for small mouth and the ones I tied were much too heavy. I would tie some 8's, 10's and 12's with only a little weight. That would be in addition the larger, heavier flies. If the river is high, it can have broad shoulders and if it is low, it can fish like a creek. So you need to be prepared for whatever the river gods hand you.
IMO you don't need to dredge the bottom for small mouth. I found that they prefer something higher in the water column.
I know a guy who guides on the John Day. If I get a chance to see him in the next couple of weeks, I'll ask him about fly patterns.
Have fun and be sure and let us know how you did.
Jim Jones
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
