Fishing Reports 6/13

DESCHUTES RIVER- Although the big bugs are gone, the fish are still hungry and the fishing has been great! With the end of the Stoneflies we see the first of the big caddis and PMD hatches, and the fish quickly take notice and turn their attention to the plentiful smaller bugs. Their have been lots of caddis out the last few days, and a few fish rising for them midday, but the evenings provide the best dry fly fishing. Carry #14-18 brown, olive, and tan caddis patterns like the X-Caddis, Elk-Hair Caddis, Double-Duck, and Partridge Spent Caddis. We have been seeing some big hatches of PMD/PEDs as well, and even a few Green Drakes.

Nymphing remains productive throughout the day, with most fish being taken on caddis pupa, soft hackles, Hare’s Ears, Pheasant Tails, and PMD Nymphs. The crowds we saw during the Salmonfly hatch have all gone home, and other than rafters and the odd fisherman, we have had the river mostly to ourselves the last few days. The caddis on the Deschutes make for some amazing fishing, and with warmer weather in the forecast it should only pick up from here!


CROOKED RIVER- The Crooked has been decent, although not great the last week or so. The Mother’s Day caddis are done for the most part, and we haven’t seen much in the way of hatches or dry fly opportunities. That being said, nymphing has still been productive on small (#18-20) mayfly and midge patterns. Small flashback PTs, Hare's Ears, Micro-Mayflies, Zebra Midges, Mayhem Midges and Two-Bit Hookers have all been great. Concentrate on on deeper riffles and buckets, as the water is low and clear and fish will congregate in these areas. 

Salmonfly update

SALMONFLY UPDATE!

The stoneflies are out in full force in the Warm Springs area, and fish are finally starting to focus on them! Although they have been out for about a week now, and we have been getting a few fish on adults here and there, yesterday was the first day I saw fish really looking for them. They have moved up into the “salmonfly water” – along the banks, under trees, etc. Some of the females already have their egg sack, and are making egg laying flights. We expect the dry fly fishing to remain strong for the next few weeks. Chubby Chernobyls, Norm Woods, and Sofa Pillows have all been working well. Also look for hatches of PMD/PED’s, Caddis and Green Drakes (especially on cloudy days. The caddis fishing in the evenings can be great! Nymphing has also been good, with fish being taken on Stonefly nymphs, Caddis Pupa, soft hackles, Hare’s Ears, Split Case PMD’s, Copper Johns, etc.

Our guides still have some availability mid-week, which are usually less crowded than the weekends and provide great fishing! Give us a call at 541-647-2584 or click here to book your trip today! 

Stop by and see us at Deschutes River Fly Shop and Camp for all your fishing and camping needs!

Deschutes River Fishing Report

5/6/18

Fishing has been great on the Deschutes these last few weeks. We aren’t seeing any salmonfly adults yet, but with warm weather in the forecast it won’t be long. We are guessing within a week we will be seeing the hatch as high as Warm Springs. Keep in mind that it usually takes a few days of the adult stoneflies being around for the fish to really key into the dry flies. In the meantime, the nymphing has been great, with fish being taken on stonefly nymphs, Hare’s Ears, Pheasant Tails, Copper Johns, and soft hackles. We have also been seeing some early Mother’s Day Caddis, and fish rising to them in the evenings. On rainy, overcast days we have been seeing hatches of BWO’s and March Browns, although the March Browns are on their way out. Look for hatches of PMD’s to pick up in the next few weeks. Stop by Deschutes River Fly Shop for the latest intel, bugs and beer.

Our guides have been having great days on the water lately, and still have some opening left in May, click here for more info or call 541-647-2584 to book your trip today!

Crooked River Report – 3/27/18

Our guides have had some great trips out on Crooked the last few weeks! Although the water has

been low and clear (~50 CFS) and it has been somewhat crowded, the fishing has remained strong. Although nymphing has been productive throughout the day, there has also been decent dry fly fishing in the afternoons, with good hatches of BWO’s, midges, and a few March Browns

WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND CHECKING FLOWS OUT OF BOWMAN DAM BEFORE HEADING OUT! This is the time of year that flows will dramatically increase coming out of the dam, and it is unproductive, not to mention unsafe to be on the river when this is happening.

When nymphing, using 5x or 6x tippet, preferably fluorocarbon, will be to your advantage. A small mayfly imitation  followed by a small midge larvae or pupae  is your best bet. If you are catching all our fish on midges, or seeing a midge hatch happening, doubling up on midges will be more productive. Scuds and sow bugs are also on the menu here, as well as small cased caddis larvae. With the low water, you will want to concentrate your nymphing efforts on deep slots, drop-offs, and riffles into pools. Stripping small olive or black buggers/leeches in some of the deeper, slower pools can also be effective.

Dry fly fishing will be best on warm, overcast days. Hatches generally start around 11-12, depending on weather. We say a great midge hatch yesterday starting around 12:30 that had lots of fish feeding on or just under the surface. BWO’s will continue to hatch through the end of April, with a few late March Browns still in the mix. When you see fish softly sipping in the slack water, they are most likely eating midge emergers. A dry-dropper setup can be a great approach for these situations, with a small midge pupa as the dropper. Griffiths Gnats also work great later in the hatch. As we get into mid and late April, keep an eye out for some early Mother’s Day Caddis (Brachycentrus). They are about size 16, brownish-olive caddis, and when they get going the fish take notice!

Nymphs:

•         Mayflies: #16-20 Pheasant Tail, Hares Ear, Copper John, Micro May, WD-40, Two-Bit Hooker, RS-2
•         Midges: #18-22 Zebra midge, Winkers Midge, Mayhem Midge, Disco Midge, Brassie, etc
•          #16-18 olive or orange scuds
•          #16-18 Ray Charles
•          #14-18 Prince Nymph
•         San Juan Worm

Dry Flies:

•         #18-20 Parachute BWO
•         #18-20 Sparkle Dun BWO
•      #18/20 Hackle-Stacker BWO
•          #18/20 BWO cripples
•         #14-20 Parachute Adams/ Purple Haze
•          #18-22Winkers Midge
•          #16-20 Griffiths Gnat
•          #18-22 Smoke jumper

One final note: the Crooked also has a spring hatch of Skwala Stoneflies. Although they do not hatch in great numbers, they are big and the fish take notice. We were able to pick up one of our largest fish yesterday on a brown Jimmy Legs nymph, and I’m sure you could fool a fish or two with a small olive stimulator.

A half-day guided trip is a great way to learn this river with one of our knowledgeable guides, and we still have some opening this spring! Give us a call at 541-647-2584 or click here to book your trip today!

Rent Our Nightly Cabin Rental at the Deschutes River Camp!

NIGHTLY CABIN RENTAL AVAILABLE AT OUR DESCHUTES RIVER FLY SHOP AND CAMP!!

Located a mile South of the Warm Springs put in on the Lower Deschutes River and just a few more miles from Mecca Flats. This is the perfect base camp for floating and fishing this section of the Deschutes River.

The 2 bedroom cabin can accommodate up to four people with it's two twin beds, one double bed and a fold out couch.

The fully furnished kitchenette allows you to save on eating out,there is a covered porch with a grill, and refrigerator to keep your beer cold!

Direct TV and DVD for entertainment after your day on the river.

The fly shop and a store are insight, guide trips meet there in the AM. Come stay the night prior to your trip so you are already ready to go in the AM!

Book Now

Now Booking! Oregon Winter Steelhead & 2018 Deschutes River Trips!!

Our 2017 is about in the books. It was a great season! Our busiest yet. We are now looking forward to the 2018 season, which starts with Oregon winter steelhead...

Oregon Winter Steelhead

We offer light tackle and fly fishing trips for steelhead January - March, focusing on the mid Oregon coast streams of the Siletz, Nestucca, and Alsea Rivers.  Ideally you are trying to catch these rivers on the drop and starting to clear once a winter storm cycle passes. Hitting ideal water conditions can be tricky at times. Though we have the ability to move around and fish different systems depending on conditions with some clearing sooner and others staying in shape longer. At times you have to be a bit flexible when booking trips for winter steelhead. It is best to give your self a few days and fishing to get it done!

When you catch these rivers in shape there can some incredible steelhead fishing to be had!
For more info on Oregon coast winter steelhead  Read On... 

Now Booking For the 2018 Season on the Deschutes and Crooked Rivers in Central Oregon!!

It not too early to start planning and booking your fishing trips for next spring, summer or fall. We offer day and overnight drift boat floats on the Lower Deschutes from May through October for both trout and steelhead!

Our flagship trips are our 3-4 day overnight camp trips in the Wild and Scenic Section of the Lower Deschutes! 

These trips are available starting in May for trout season which starts off with a bang with the famous Deschutes River Salmonfly hatch! Hands down the most popular time on the river. But it is a must do most serious anglers.

Overnight steelhead trips are available starting in September. These trips take you down in to some the most un pressured steelhead runs on the river!

Day trips are available on the Deschutes from May in November for both trout and steelhead as well.
For more information on Deschutes River Guided Fishing trips Read On...

NOW BOOKING DESCHUTES RIVER SALMONFLY TRIPS!!

Now is the time to book you Deschutes River Salmonfly trip!

The hatch typically comes off in May, this year mid May into June will be full on for the big bugs up top!

The Salmonfly hatch traditionally offers up some of the best dry fly fishing of the season! If you like throwing big dry flies for hungry trout this is the hatch for you!

This is the most busy time on the river so the best way to experience the hatch is to book a multiple day, camp trip into 30 miles of boat in only access. More water, less pressure...

Though we do have good success on the day float as well. Check out a few photos of previous years fishing. And give us a call if you have any questions or would like to book a trip!