Winter Steelhead Wrap Up - Crooked & Deschutes River Reports

Winter Steelhead:

We are getting towards the end of the winter steelhead season in Oregon. Many of the coast streams close April 1, though there are a few that remain open and can provide some decent fishing through April. The Upper Rogue is another option for the late winter steelhead! Fish do not get into the upper reach of this river until late March and April. Fishing has been good with a mix bag of hatchery and wild steelhead and some good sized fish (especially for the Rogue) have been caught of late! Fishing should hold out for another couple of weeks.

We have some availability still so If you want one last shot at some winter chrome give us a call!! 541-647-2584 For more info on winter steelhead in Oregon read on...


Crooked River: 218 CFS

They recently increased the flows on the Crooked. The fishing is good though, for that was a couple days ago and the fish have settled in. Good hatches of BWO's are happening out there. A little more flow will give those fish some more feeding opportunities and room to grow!

Just check the flows before you head out there and give it a day or two for the fish to adjust if the water level has changed. I don't think there will be much of a release this year and don't expect the water to go much higher this spring. Fishing should be good as a result.

The Crooked River is open year round and we offer full and half day guide trips and classes on the Crooked all year long! Read on for more info on Crooked River Guide Trips!



Deschutes River: 4900 CFS

The Deschutes bordering the reservation is still closed until April 25th this year. The section of river north of the reservation is open year round and offers decent spring trout fishing opportunities.
Hatches of March Browns and BWO's come off, sometimes in good numbers,  providing good dry fly fishing. Nymphing can also be productive with Stonefly nymphs, and small bead heads.

The Salmonfly hatch is right around the corner! The Deschutes River has one of the best Salmonfly hatches in the West. Typically May is prime time to catch this hatch. I am predicting the hatch to come off earlier this season though if we do not get much more precipitation.

Salmonflies and Golden Stoneflies will be the main course. These giant bugs (Up to 2 inches!) provide a protein packed meal for trout who can't help but gorge themselves on this protein feast!

The Salmonfly hatch is the busiest time of year on the river for guides so if you haven't booked your trip yet don't wait too long for you could be out of luck finding a guide. Read on for more info on Deschutes River Guide Trips !

Watch Out for Spawning Rainbow Trout and Spawning Beds or Reds this Time of Year!

Rainbow trout and steelhead spawn in the Spring. Please Stay off of gravel beds and watch out for Reds. Reds are the nests for the eggs and can be identified by gravel that is cleared or cleaned, and an undulating bottom substrate. If you see fish that are paired up in the shallows and on gravel chances are that is a Red, and they are spawning. Give them a wide berth, and by no means try and catch them. We want to let them do there thing so we can continue to have healthy self sustaining wild fisheries!

Crooked River and Oregon Winter Steelhead Reports

2/24/15

Crooked River: 
72.3 CFS

The Crooked River is down to a water level that is more typical for this time of year. Fishing is slow to average right now. The numbers of rainbows seem to be down a bit since the high water in December. Hopefully they are just layed low because of the cold water, but I am starting to suspect that a few might have been lost to high water and gas bubble disease, only time will tell.

There are still some fish to be caught though. The warmer days are going to fish better. We are seeing some Blue Wing Olives out there, and anglers are picking up fish on Scud and Sow Bug patterns (Ray Charles) Small midges and flash back pheasant tails.

2/5/15

Crooked River:
194 CFS

The fishing is average to good on the Crooked right now. So far the winter has been pretty mild, and there have been some decent days for fishing! We are available for Crooked River Guide Trips all winter long. If you are in Bend for a ski vacation and conditions are not good, consider a guided fly fishing trip out of Bend to the Crooked River for something fun to do!

Recently they bumped the river up over a 100 CFS, flows have been at good levels as of late, but so far have been high and unstable for most of the winter. When flows are stable for a few days, and ideally below 200 CFS,  fishing has been good. The Crooked is mainly a midge fishery in the winter where small dry flies and nymphs are the norm. Fish can be found rising on midges, but because of their slow metabolism in winter, and the minimal protein punch, you will not find fish working to aggressively to dries. Nymphing is usually easier and productive as well.  Zebra Midges, Flash Back Pheasant tails, and other small nymphs will work, as will egg patterns.

There will be some hatches of BWO's as we edge closer to spring. I don't expect the high water to be that much more of an issue if this dry weather continues. Last year we fished through the usual high water period (April-May) catching fish all along. One good high water technique is to swing Woolly Buggers in the pools and slower water, small and brown seems to do the trick!

Oregon Winter Steelhead:

Pushin' 20#

The Winter Steelhead season is just getting into the swing of things. There are fish to be caught in all the coastal systems, Portland Metro streams, and down south in Umpqua and Rogue Rivers. I have been hearing about some reports about historic early returns on the Rogue. The removal of two dams in the system over the last five years might be having a good affect on this river. Typically, we fish and guide the upper Rogue for winter Steelhead in March-early April. From the sounds of things there might be some good fishing in this section a little earlier.

The best fishing is yet to come though,  February and March are when the bulk of the runs show up and when we have consistently the best fishing. For the coast streams typically we are looking to catch the rivers on the drop. Flows between 5-6' are ideal. There is nothing better than drifting a steelhead green coastal river in search of crome bright steelhead fresh in from the Ocean. These winter fish can get big with steelhead to 15 pounds a real possibility, and if you get lucky maybe you can break that elusive 20 pound mark!

We still have availability for  Guided Winter Steelhead Trips  on the Oregon Coast and Upper Rogue!
Ideally we encourage you to book a couple days so we can fully show you around some of our winter haunts! Call for more details!

Gift Certificates Are Available for that Angler on Your Christmas List!

Even Santa Would like a Free Guide Trip for Christmas!!

Gift Certificates are Now Available for Guided Fly Fishing Trips and Fly Fishing Lessons with River Borne Outfitters
for 2015!!
Call or email us for more information. Gift certificates can be all inclusive i.e. a full day guide trip or for a set dollar amount which can be applied to any trip or lesson we offer!

Please visit our website for pricing and trip option at www.riverborneoutfitters.com


If you have any questions or would like to buy a gift certificate over the phone
Please call 541-647-2584 or email us at info@riverborneoutfitters.com

Crooked and Deschutes River Fly Fishing Reports

11/14/14

Crooked River: 
76 CFS

The Crooked River flows were reduced at the end of irrigation season (mid October), and are at the winter level. They will most likely drop even lower by the end of the season.  The current flows are low, but fishing has been good. Hatches of BWO's have been occurring all fall and will into the winter providing good mid day dry fly action. Nymphing pre hatch can provide some bites as well. Look for a good egg bite this month as well, as the whitefish are on the spawn.

The weather is the real factor this time of year. The Crooked is our best local winter fishery but you got to plan your trips and your fishing during the milder days.

Days with highs in the 40's or higher are fishable. Last couple of winters have been pretty mild, we were guiding  Crooked River half day guide trips during Christmas break last year!

If your in town to ski or for the holidays and the weather is mild give us a call! You may be able to wet a line on one of Oregon's best trout rivers instead!

Deschutes River:
4700 CFS

Trout:

Trout fishing closed along with the reservation side of the river at the end of October. Trout fishing remains open on the Deschutes, north of the reservation. Trout fishing can be good late fall, and in the winter, weather permitting. Look for hatches of BWO's and midges.

Steelhead:

This year the Deschutes Steelhead fishing has been better than the last few years. The hatchery returns are right around or slightly less than the 10 year average. But the wild returns have been better than the average! We have seen some really nice fish caught this year.

The weather until just this week was very mild. Water temps are still decent, but things are looking to cool off here with the recent cold snap and could very well shut it down. Camp trips are pretty much done, but  Deschutes River Guided Day Trips.  are still an option if the weather warms back up a bit.

Mild day temps in the 40's and 50's can still happen, if they do its game on again!

River Borne Outfitters offers day and overnight floats for Steelhead on the Deschutes from now into November! Read more for info on Deschutes River Steelhead Guide Trips!

Deschutes and Crooked River Fly Fishing Reports

9/4/14

Crooked River: 
220 CFS

The Crooked is fishing fair to good right now. There is a lot of algae in the river right now. Nymphing is productive, but you have to clean your flies every half dozens casts because of it. The PMD hatch was a bit of bust this summer. They are coming off, but not in large numbers. There is bit of dry fly fishing in the afternoon on PMD's and some Caddis, but for the most part it is sub par compared to last season where we saw some really good hatches come off and some great dry fly fishing.

That being said we are still catching good numbers of fish during our Crooked River half and full day guide trips.  Average size fish is up this season, with good numbers of fish up to 16+ inches.

As we move into fall we should start seeing some good dry fly action again with hatches of BWO's and Mahogeny Dun Mayflies.

Deschutes River:
4040 CFS

Trout:

The trout fishing is fair to good on the Deschutes right now if you know where to look for them. Trout fishing on the Deschutes in late August, early September can be tough though. These are the dog days of summer. 

During July trout move up onto the riffles and feed on caddis, as the caddis hatch waynes the bigger fish move down into deeper pools and tailouts. Similar to same type of water we find late fall steelhead in. The trout lay in this deeper water to escape the warming water temps and to conserve energy. Target this kind of water with nymphs and you will find some nice trout.

As we progress into fall, and the weather cools, the trout fishing will get better. We offer combo trips for trout and steelhead this time of year. Targeting multiple species by nymphing with a little larger tackle, etc. Read on for more info on Deschutes River Guided Day Trips.

Steelhead:

Deschutes Steelhead fishing is good up to Maupin. Typically fish are podded up this time of year so move around and cover lots of water to find fish. The morning bite is best, fishing mid day with tips and leaches, and evening dry line sessions can also provides results.

Within a couple weeks fish will be spread through the whole river. Upper river anglers with find pods of fish showing up , happening upon a pod a fish makes for one of those epic days you dream about!

River Borne Outfitters offers day and overnight floats for Steelhead on the Deschutes from now into November! Read more for info on Deschutes River Steelhead Guide Trips!

Deschutes and Crooked River Fly Fishing Reports

7/29/14

Crooked River:
222 CFS

We are in summer mode on the Crooked right now. Fishing is consistently good. The PMD hatch is a bit light, but is showing in the afternoon. Dry fly fishing opportunities are in the morning before the sun hits the water, and later on when the shade comes on.

We are seeing what seems to be less fish than last year, but bigger size fish. Each trip we are finding fish to 14-15" and have caught a good number in the 17-18" range. This is a definite improvement in quality over years past, when the average size trout was around 10 to 12 inches!

There is a midge bite early, if you want some technical dry fly fishing find some shaded water, and tie on a size 20-22 midge dry fly and have at it. Fish are selective and spooky when keyed in on the midges. The bite switches to the bigger mayflies midday and the fishing gets a bit easier on top.

Read on for more info on Crooked River Fly Fishing Trips

Deschutes River:
4130 CFS

Trout -

The trout fishing is fair on the Deschutes right now. The recent rains and resulting spike in the water level slowed fishing during our last camp trip. The return of warmer weather should make for some better fishing. Expect caddis, aquatic moths, and PMDs as far as hatches go.

Long leaders and stealth will help insure success when working feeding fish. Tan and green Elk Hair Caddis and X-Caddis are go to patterns for dry fly fishing.

Read on for info on Deschutes River Guided Fly Fishing Trips

Steelhead -

Steelhead fishing on the lower, lower river (Below Macks Canyon) has been good. Our first shot of fish came about a week early this year. We actually had a verified steelhead hookup just upstream of Maupin on our last camp trip.
This is not unusual to have the first shot of fish run up the river. They tend to be hatchery fish
B-lining for the dam.

But for the most part, the fishable numbers are still down low. Day trips in with jetboats or 2-3 day floats from Macks to the mouth is the only way to get after them at this point. There is a couple miles of walk in access at the mouth too, but expect crowds so go early...

Fishable numbers of steelhead will be throughout the river by September, we are available for a limited few camp trips from Macks to the Mouth from now until then. From September into November we offer day and overnight camp trips on the upper section of river (above Maupin) 

Read on for more information on Deschutes Steelhead Guide Trips.

If you are looking to experience the Deschutes River give us a call 541-647-2584 and book a Deschutes River Guided Fly Fishing Trip for the day, or two, or three!
 

Deschutes and Crooked River Fly Fishing Reports

6/19/14

Crooked River: 224 CFS

The Crooked River is fishing decent, though it is a bit of a transition time on the river.
Caddis are prevalent now, with some good dry fly fishing most days. Nymphing is producing as well.
Look for PMD's starting to show in good numbers soon. We have seen a few out there already, once this hatch gets rolling you can expect it like clock work in the afternoon for the rest of the summer.

ODFW is doing it's annual fish count survey from Big Bend to Cobble Rock. As they electrocute, and count everything that swims in the river fishing in this section of the river will be off during that time 6/16-6/20, and usually for a few day afterwords as well.

The river opened to bait fishing Memorial Weekend and as a result there is a new, different pressure on the river, with some harvesting going on. It is hard to believe ODFW allows bait fishing on one of the best wild trout fisheries in the state, but they do:( The fishery seems to maintain in the face of the pressure, but it sure is sad to seem worm containers, and dead fish on the banks from bait fisherman up sizing there catch. They are only allowed two fish a day, so if they reach there limit they are done. Though we have not witnessed first hand, we have seen fish on the banks left in exchange for something bigger caught later... If you see anyone doing this, or exceeding their two fish limit, get a discription of them and their vehicle if possible, and call the poacher hotline at 1-800-452-7888.

Deschutes River: 4200 CFS

The Salmonfly hatch is all but a distant memory now. Fishing is good though, with the fish and fishing transitioning to the Caddis Hatch. Fish have move up onto the riffles to feed and dry and dry dropper action has produced in the areas. Back eddies can also be good places to target fish on the surface this time of year as they lazily sip dead, spent bugs that are collect in the eddies. This is some of the more technical fishing you will find on the Deschutes, with stealth, longer leaders, and good presentations making the difference between success and failure.

We still have availability for day and overnight camp trips on the Deschutes this season. July is one of my favorite months to be on the river.

Fishing is still good and the angling pressure is a bit lighter after the Salmonfly craziness. Warm temps equal wet wading, and caddis fly swarms and some great dry fly fishing!
Camping is exquisite with warm summer evenings and long days and river to always cool off in.

If you are looking to experience the Deschutes River give us a call 541-647-2584 and book a Deschutes River Guided Fly Fishing Trip for the day, or two, or three!