Clackamas River
Fly fishing in Oregon · Intermediate · Best seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Target Species
Steelhead, Chinook Salmon, Rainbow Trout
About This Water
Popular Portland-area river with steelhead and salmon. Good summer trout fishing in upper river.
Fishing Recommendations
The Clackamas River is a gem of the Pacific Northwest, offering a true "big water" experience just a stone's throw from the Portland metropolitan area. Flowing from the high Cascades down through rugged basalt canyons and eventually into the Willamette River, it provides a diverse range of habitats for both resident trout and legendary runs of anadromous fish.
🎣 Location Overview
The Clackamas is a river of two personalities. The Upper Clackamas (above North Fork Reservoir) is a federally designated Wild and Scenic River, characterized by classic pocket water, riffles, and dense forest—a haven for trout anglers. The Lower Clackamas (below River Mill Dam) is a powerful, wide river famous for its migrating Steelhead and Salmon.
What makes the "Clack" special is its accessibility combined with its raw, volcanic beauty. The riverbed is dominated by basalt ledges and large cobble, creating complex hydraulics that challenge even seasoned anglers. It is one of the most productive rivers in the region, providing year-round opportunities for the fly fisher.
🐟 Target Species & Behavior
Steelhead (Winter & Summer)
- Winter Steelhead (Late Dec – April): These are the "ghosts of the coast." They are large, powerful, and often chrome-bright. They hold in the classic "tail-outs" and walking-speed water.
- Summer Steelhead (May – Sept): Often the hatchery "Skamania" strain, these fish are aggressive and known for acrobatic leaps. They prefer faster, oxygenated water and are more likely to rise for a swung fly.
Chinook Salmon (Spring & Fall)
- Springers (April – June): Highly prized for their fat content and fighting ability. They hold in deep, cool holes and near structural breaks.
- Fall Chinook (Sept – Oct): Larger, darker fish that move in with the first rains of autumn.
Rainbow & Coastal Cutthroat Trout
- Found primarily in the Upper Clackamas and its tributaries. These fish are opportunistic feeders, targeting aquatic insects (caddis, stones, mayflies) and salmon eggs/fry in the lower reaches.
📅 Best Times to Fish
- Winter (Jan – March): The prime window for Winter Steelhead. Look for "green water" as the river drops and clears after a rain event.
- Spring (April – June): The peak for Spring Chinook and the beginning of the Summer Steelhead run. This is also when the "March Brown" mayfly hatch can trigger excellent trout fishing.
- Summer (July – August): Best for Upper River Trout and swinging flies for Summer Steelhead in the early morning or late evening.
- Fall (September – November): A busy time for Coho Salmon and Fall Chinook. The resident trout fishing remains excellent as fish gorge on salmon eggs.
Prime Window: For Steelhead, the "magic" happens when the river gauge at Estacada reads between 12 and 14 feet and is on a downward trend.
🪰 Recommended Flies & Techniques
Steelhead
- Technique: Two-handed (Spey) casting is the gold standard here. Swinging flies allows you to cover the wide runs of the lower river effectively.
- Flies:
- Winter: Large, weighted Intruders (Pink, Orange, Blue/Black) or Hobo Speys.
- Summer: Green Butt Skunk, Max Canyon, or small Steelhead Caddis.
- Nymphing: If swinging isn't working, dead-drifting Beads (10mm-12mm) or Lifter/Nightmare Nymphs under an indicator is incredibly effective.
Chinook Salmon
- Technique: Heavy sink tips and deep presentations.
- Flies: Comets, Bunyan Bugs, or large Marabou Leeches in chartreuse, cerise, or orange.
Trout
- Technique: Dry-dropper setups in the Upper Clackamas pocket water.
- Flies: Elk Hair Caddis, Stimulators (Orange/Yellow), and Pheasant Tail Nymphs. During salmon spawning, use an egg pattern (bead) to target large trout behind redds.
💡 Pro Tips & Local Knowledge
- The "Clackamas Swing": Because of the basalt ledges, fish often hold in "dips" in the rock rather than behind boulders. If you aren't ticking the bottom occasionally with your fly, you aren't deep enough in the winter.
- Milo McIver State Park: This is the "mecca" of the lower river. It offers excellent bank access and several classic Spey runs (like the "Dog Creek" area).
- Upper River Stealth: The trout in the Upper Clackamas can be spooky in the clear summer water. Use long leaders (9-12ft) and 5x tippet.
- The "Carver to Riverside" Float: This is a classic drift boat run. It holds fish in spots that are inaccessible to bank anglers, particularly in the deep slots along the basalt walls.
- Watch the Temp: In mid-summer, the lower river can get warm. Focus on the mornings, or head above the North Fork Reservoir where the water stays cold and the trout stay active.
⚠️ Important Information
- Regulations: The Clackamas has complex regulations regarding wild vs. hatchery fish. Wild Steelhead must be released. Always check the ODFW Recreation Report before heading out.
- Access: Key access points include Barton Park, Carver Park, Milo McIver State Park, and various pull-outs along Highway 224 for the upper river.
- Wading Safety: The basalt ledges are incredibly slippery. Studded wading boots are a must. A wading staff is highly recommended, as the "ledges" can drop off abruptly from 2 feet to 8 feet deep.
- Permits: An Oregon Angling License and a Columbia River Basin Endorsement are required. If targeting salmon or steelhead, you must have a combined angling tag.
The Clackamas is a rewarding but demanding river. Respect the power of the water, match your gear to the season, and you’ll discover why it’s one of the most storied fly fishing destinations in Oregon. Tight lines!
Bug Hatches & Matching Flies
| Hatch | Type | Peak months | Time of day | Hook sizes | Matching flies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March Brown Rhithrogena morrisoni | mayfly | March, April | Midday | #12-14 | Western March Brown #12-14, Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear #12-14, March Brown Wet #12-14 |
| Blue Winged Olive Baetis | mayfly | March, April, October, November | Afternoon | #16-20 | Sparkle Dun #18-20, RS2 #18-22, Pheasant Tail #16-20 |
| Salmonfly Pteronarcys californica | stonefly | May, June | All Day | #4-8 | Chubby Chernobyl #6-10, Pat's Rubber Leg #4-8, Clark's Stone #6-8 |
| Golden Stone Hesperoperla pacifica | stonefly | June, July | Morning/Evening | #8-12 | Norm Wood Special #8-10, Golden Twenty-Incher #8-12, Rogue River Stone #10-12 |
| Pale Morning Dun Ephemerella excrucians | mayfly | June, July, August | Late Morning/Early Afternoon | #16-18 | PMD Parachute #16-18, Quigley Cripple #16-18, Military May #16-18 |
| Mother's Day Caddis Brachycentrus | caddis | April, May | Afternoon/Evening | #14-16 | Peacock Caddis #14-16, Deep Sparkle Pupa #14-16, Elk Hair Caddis #14-16 |
| October Caddis Dicosmoecus atripes | caddis | September, October | Evening | #8-12 | Orange Stimulator #8-12, Peeping Caddis #8-10, Morrish October Caddis #8-10 |
| Yellow Sally Isoperla | stonefly | June, July | Late Afternoon/Evening | #14-16 | Yellow Sally Foam #14-16, Iron Lotus #16, Little Yellow Sloan #14-16 |