Northwest Sportsman – August 2019

96 Northwest Sportsman AUGUST 2019 | nwsportsmanmag.com

FISHINGFISHING

a fresh catch of the day. I could see

a decent rapid ahead but figured I

had a good three minutes to drift a

crawfish imitation along the reeds

that had produced so well for us in

camp. Something heavy picked up

my Zman crayfish pattern on the

first hop. After repeated pressure to

get the fish to the surface to identify I

had to loosen the drag, stick the butt

of the rod in the scupper of the kayak

and run the whitewater with fish

in tow. All good in the end, at least,

as I’d radioed my buddy to be on

the lookout and he was waiting just

below to take a pic as I finally horsed

a golden, armor-plated brute to hand.

Until I had a visual I’d been

hoping it was a channel cat. There is

a healthy population of them in the

John Day, or so I am told as we have

yet to hook one. Channel cats are

more of a midwater-column fish than

their bottom-feeding brethren and

so will, in theory at least, be caught

incidentally while bass fishing. On

several trips to the JD we have put

out a line overnight, which offers the

best chance of a catch. The closest we

came to success, though, was when

we baited a big 2/0 Siwash and tossed

it in a big eddy. We had a 5-ounce

weight on the end and a spool of

100-pound-test line.

When we checked it in the

morning we found the line busted,

cut or snapped right where it entered

Besides smallies, the John Day is best known for its wild summer-run steelhead that

return in fall, but there are also channel catfish and even carp to battle. (STEVE THOMSEN)

The river is one of the most scenic in the West, curving beneath brightly

colored hillsides and towering basalt bluffs that speak to a geological past

as interesting as its recent history. Almost all of its lower half is designated

wild and scenic, with access at Thirtymile Creek secured through the

purchase of the Rattray Ranch and its transfer to the BLM. (STEVE THOMSEN)

the water. It was either a state-record

fish (make that national), or more

likely a rodent of some kind smelling

bait on the line and gnawing it in two.

We caught our share of bass in

June, but if we have to do it again

(which we surely will), we’d look for

less heat, fewer fishermen, and along

with that package, lower water.

A fall float, in other words.

FOR MY MONEY, that is the best time to

float the JD. Commercial outfitters

consider some of the best fishing on

this river to be had in early autumn.

As water temps begin to drop fish

become more active, and the river

has more definition. Pools, eddies,

riffles and tailouts are clearly defined.

The water is a crystalline emerald

green that sings to the soul.

There are also birds to hunt –

dove in September and October and

chukar and quail from October into

winter. And there is a world-class

run of wild steelies, as well. The