Join Us for the Day or Camp for the Weekend

Day Trip: Saturday, May 30 | Riverside Campground (Meet @ 8:00am @ Site #9)

Camping: May 29–31, 2026 | Riverside Campground 

Join Fishmasters Ben Nolte and Kelsey Nolte for an exploratory fly-fishing outing on the beautiful upper Clackamas River. You can make it a full weekend tent-camping trip from Friday, May 29 through Sunday, May 31, or simply join us for the Saturday day trip on May 30.

Either way, come ready to fish, learn, explore, and enjoy time together on the water.

Two Ways to Join the Outing

Option 1: Saturday Day Trip

Come for the day on Saturday, May 30. We’ll meet in the morning at Riverside Campground (Site #9), set up rods, enjoy donuts, go over safety and fishing plans, then head out for a day of exploring the river. Bring $20 to park in the campground, or you can park outside campground and walk in.

Option 2: Weekend Camping

Turn the outing into a full weekend adventure by reserving a tent campsite at Riverside Campground for May 29–31.

Good news: Riverside Campground sites are now reservable online through Recreation.gov. Previously, these sites were first-come, first-served, so this is a great opportunity to lock in your spot early.

Reserve your Riverside Campground tent site here:
https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232840

Important: Riverside Campground is tent camping only. There are no RV sites at Riverside.

Ben and Kelsey, your Fishmasters, plan to camp at Site #9, which will likely serve as the main gathering place for donuts, lunch, orientation, and group check-ins.

If Riverside’s 16 tent sites are full, contact Ben. He has reserved a limited number of extra sites just in case someone truly wants to camp but misses the reservation window. Please try to reserve your own site first.

Saturday Tentative Itinerary

Main gathering location: Riverside Campground, likely Campsite #9 (Extra parking also in sites 10 & 11)

Google Map location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/xk1MD2ovMgt1KD4F8?g_st=ic

Meeting locations and times are subject to change. Please RSVP so Ben can contact you if plans are updated.

Fishing Plan

This is a new outing with an exploratory spirit. Come ready to experiment, try something new, and enjoy the adventure.

Recommended setup:

• 3 wt, 4 wt or 5wt fly rod

• Floating line

• Light trout gear suitable for small-water exploration

• Wade and bank fishing: This particular area is a 'Wade Fishing' section.

• Favorite dry flies (i.e. Elk Hair Caddis, Dan's Caddis, Parachute Adams, PMD (Jake's Hatch Back), Purple Chubby, Stimulator)  

• Favorite droppers (i.e. emergers and nymphs such as Perdigon Purple, Sparkle Pupa, Rainbow Warrior, Pheasant Tail, Hare's Ear, Green Root Worm, and Duracell Dropper, Flashback Emerger) 

Ben found success on this stretch of the Clackamas by simply pulling over where the water looked “fishy,” wetting a line, and immediately hooking a small trout on a dry fly that Al Wood had given him to try.

That is the spirit of this outing: explore, learn, and see what the river teaches us.

RV Camping Option Nearby

Riverside Campground is tent camping only.

If you have an RV and still want to camp somewhat nearby, consider reserving a site at Promontory Campground near North Fork Reservoir, then driving about 30 minutes upriver to meet the group Saturday morning.

Promontory Park RV camping information:
https://portlandgeneral.com/about/parks-campgrounds/promontory-park

Hiking Option

For those who want to stretch their legs, there is a roughly 4-mile trail along the river immediately north of the campground. This could be a great option for non-fishing guests, families, or anyone who wants to enjoy the area between fishing sessions.

The trail is easily accessible from Riverside Campground. Here is the USDA link (not updated yet) to Trail #723: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/mthood/recreation/trails/riverside-trail-723

What to Bring

• Fly rod (3 wt, 4wt or 5wt), reel, floating line

• Dry flies & droppers

• Leaders/tippet

• Waders or wet-wading gear appropriate for conditions

• Wading stick

• Polarized sunglasses

• Hat and sun protection

• Rain jacket or layers

• Water bottle

• Lunch for Saturday

• Camping gear, if staying overnight

• Camp chair

• Headlamp or flashlight

• Personal first aid items

• Valid Oregon fishing license and required tags/endorsements

• $20 for parking in Riverside campsites 9, 10, or 11 (morning parking $10/afternoon parking $10). [Or park outside of campground and walk in.] Note: Ben already reserved parking for these sites. Pay him directly.

RSVP Required

If you plan to attend, please fill out registration button above (top of this page), or email Ben@BigAmazonFish.net with the following information:

1. Your name

2. Names of anyone coming with you

3. Your cell phone number

4. Emergency contact name

5. Emergency contact phone number

6. Are you joining the Saturday day trip or camping for the weekend?

7. If camping, what campsite did you reserve?

RSVPs help us plan, communicate any changes, and keep everyone accounted for during the outing.

Safety

For emergencies, aside from calling 911 when in cell coverage, please take note of the following information:

Nearest Regional Hospitals:

• Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center in Oregon City (1500 Division Street, Oregon City, OR 97045). Open every day all day w/ Emergency Room. Phone: 503.656.1631.
• Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center in Gresham (24800 SE Stark Street, Gresham, OR 97030). Open every day all day w/ Emergency Room. Phone: 503.674.1122.
• Kaiser Permanente Sunnyside Medical Center in Clackamas (10180 SE Sunnyside Rd, Clackamas, OR 97015). Open every day all day w/ Emergency Room. Phone: 503.813.2000.

Nearest Clinics in Estacada (Limited Hours):

• Orchid Health Wade Creek in Estacada (535 NE 6th Ave, Estacada, OR 97023). Open Friday from 1pm-5pm. Closed on Saturday/Sunday. Phone: 503.630.8550.
• Adventist Health in Estacada (200 OR-224, Estacada, OR 97023). Open Friday from 7am-5pm. Closed on Saturday/Sunday. Phone: 503.630.5511.
• Estacada Direct Primary Care (107 NW 5th Avenue, Estacada, OR 97023. Open Friday from 7am-4pm. Closed on Saturday/Sunday. Phone: 503.852.5668.

Final Word from Ben

Last year, I fished this area by simply pulling over along the river because the water looked fishy. Sure enough, it was. I tied on a dry fly that Al Wood had given me, cast into likely water, and immediately hooked a small trout.

That moment reminded me why we do this: the joy of discovery, the beauty of moving water, the generosity of friends, and the adventure of trying something new.

Email ben@bigamazonfish.net if you have any questions.

See you on the water!

Cheers,
Ben Nolte
Fishmaster, Clackamas River Outing