Clackamas River

GAGE LOCATION

DAY/YEAR
GRAPHS

CURRENT
STAGE/FLOW

WHAT TIME

Fish Creek at Three Linx

7 30 year

- / -

N/A

Clackamas above Three Linx

7 30 year

1.16 / 901

2 am

Clackamas at Estacada

7 30 year

/

N/A

Clackamas at Oregon City

7 30 year

23.79 / 1420

5 am

CITY

Portland

NOAA

Accuweather

TWC

Summer steelhead come in two surges on this river, one early in the season and one later. July is an in-between time. At the beginning of the month, look for some fish in the McIver to Barton area. Late in July, the second surge should arrive. When that event happens, fishing should improve downstream from Barton.

At this time, the Clackamas still has plenty of water, but as we get into July and the river becomes low and clear, smaller flies should work best. Purple and blue flies are good choices, such as the Purple Peril, Streetwalker, Freight Train, etc. Your best bet for traditional tactics is when the light is low --right at dawn or dusk. You can also attach your fly with a riffle hitch and skate it across the surface. During the day, indicator tactics with a Rubber Legs or Kaufmanns Stonefly might pick up a fish.

For more on July tactics and flies, see the Rivers in General report.