Clackamas River Fall Steelhead Report: Spey Fishing the Lower River

Fall steelhead fishing on Oregon’s lower Clackamas River gave our Northwest Fly Fishing Outfitters crew a productive day of swinging spey rods: three steelhead landed and at least three more hooked. Floating from Upper McIver to Barton in low, clear water, we found fish in roughly 3–5 feet of water. The biggest difference wasn’t the fly pattern. It was controlling the depth and speed of the swing.

This report looks back at our recent October staff outing. The flows, clarity, and fishing results below describe that trip, not live conditions on the Clackamas.  We have fished the Clackamas hard this year, and it's been one of our most productive years ever.

A Shop Day on Our Backyard River

We kicked off a new shop tradition with this float: a monthly staff day on the water. The plan is to get as many of our crew together as possible, fish, share what we learn, and bring those reports back to you.

For our lower Clackamas outing, David, Ethan, Gabe, Matt, and Colby launched at the Upper McIver boat ramp and floated to Barton. It was a good, long day of covering water, made longer by the unseasonably low flows.

We wore new Simms G3 waders, the best on the market today. A few members of their team joined us to take photos, shoot video, and make a cast or two.

Lower Clackamas River Conditions During Our Float

The river was low and very clear when we fished. Morning air temperatures were well down into the 30s, making for a cold start before we settled into the day.

All the steelhead we encountered were in approximately 3–5 feet of water. That observation gave us a useful reference for the day’s presentations, rather than a fixed depth to expect on every fall trip.

Rain after our outing may have changed both flow and visibility. Before heading out, check current river conditions rather than assuming the same low, clear water we found.

What Worked: Spey Rods, Sink Tips, and a Controlled Swing

Half-and-Half MOW Tips Produced Most of the Action

We fished spey rods with several sink-tip setups, with half-and-half MOW tips producing most of the action. For the water we encountered, those tips helped us make the presentations the fish responded to.

That does not make one tip the answer for every run. If flows rise or the water changes, reassess your setup. A full-sinking tip may be worth considering where more depth is needed, but choose it for the water in front of you rather than simply repeating our low-water setup.

Swing Speed and Fly Depth Mattered More Than Pattern

The steelhead seemed less particular about the fly pattern than how it moved through the run. Controlling swing speed and fly depth mattered most on this outing.

Our practical takeaway: before reaching for another fly, pay attention to how your current fly is fishing. On this day, presentation gave us a more useful adjustment than continually changing patterns.

Skating Flies Did Not Produce on This Trip

We also tried skaters, but did not find success with them. Our encounters came while fishing subsurface presentations. That is a report of what happened that day, not a reason to rule out surface flies on a different outing.

Lower Clackamas Access: Floating and Walk-and-Wade Options

We used drift boats primarily to spread the group out and give everyone enough water to fish. The Upper McIver-to-Barton float let us cover a long stretch of the lower river.

For anglers planning a walk-and-wade day, areas to investigate include Barton, McIver, Carver, and Bonnie Lure. Check current public access, park information, and river conditions before committing to a spot. Access to a river does not mean every nearby run is safe to wade or suitable for swinging a fly.

On a cold fall morning, the walk to your first run can help take the chill off. Give the same attention to safe footing, changing water levels, and your route back out.

Our Results: Three Steelhead Landed and More Hooked

By the end of the float, our crew had landed three steelhead and hooked at least three others. It was an encouraging day on our backyard river, but those results belong to that outing and are not a prediction for your next trip.

Just as memorable was how our crew fished together. These days create room to coach each other, compare notes, and celebrate someone else’s success. In a sport that can feel competitive and secretive, watching our people genuinely cheer each other on says a lot about the shop.

Planning a Fall Clackamas River Fishing Trip

Use this report as a firsthand account of techniques and conditions, then adjust your plan to the latest flows, weather, and access information. Fall rain can change the water you find and the presentation you need.

Before targeting steelhead, coho, or trout, check the current Oregon fishing regulations and any in-season updates for the exact Clackamas River section, date, and species you plan to fish. Do not use this trip report as confirmation of an open season, permitted method, or retention rule.

Clackamas River Fall Steelhead Questions

What worked for steelhead on this lower Clackamas trip?

Spey rods with subsurface presentations produced our encounters. Half-and-half MOW tips accounted for most of the action, and controlling swing speed and fly depth mattered more than the particular fly pattern.

How deep were the steelhead holding?

All the fish we encountered were in roughly 3–5 feet of water during our low, clear-water float from Upper McIver to Barton. Different flows may call for a different approach.

Did skating flies work?

We tried skaters without success on this outing. The productive fishing came below the surface.

Do you need a drift boat to explore the lower Clackamas?

We used drift boats to cover water and accommodate the group, but there are also walk-and-wade options to investigate around Barton, McIver, Carver, and Bonnie Lure. Confirm current access and choose water appropriate to your experience and the day’s conditions.

Our Takeaway: Focus on the Swing

Our first monthly staff outing delivered fish, shared lessons, and the kind of time together that makes us a better crew. For fall steelhead on the lower Clackamas, the lesson we brought home was straightforward: get the fly fishing at the right depth and speed before worrying too much about the next pattern in the box.

 

Trip Gear Guide

When you get the NWFFO crew out, we don't travel light.  We probably had more sticks than this in the boats, but these were our fan favorites for the day.  If you are looking to get a new steelhead setup, NWFFO has a large inventory of rods, reels, lines, and tips to get you into the game.

Book Clackamas Steelhead Guide