Swung Flies for TROUT- Spey Casts Too!

This is a great video illustrating how versatile spey casting applications are.  Here you can see how easy it is to catch dandy trout on the swung fly when you are a beautiful girl...

check it out: 

http://vimeo.com/33438698

Great video, great adaption for spey casting- it's not only for steelhead! 

Swung Fly - Winter Steelhead -Audio Interview

Rob Crandall editor of Flyfishing & Tying Journal magazine and owner of Water Time Outfitters is interviewed on swinging flies for winter steelhead.  Listen to this great info on the swung fly!

http://www.west-fly-fishing.com/feature-article/1201/feature_1091.php

Drift Boat School- Rowing Safety

Do you have a new boat that your itching to get out on the water? 

Learn to manage your new boat with safety and confidence.  Pro guide Rob Crandall has rowed a Clackacraft drift boat for nearly 20 years and can teach you how to safely navigate NW waters with your boat.

Learn the basics of drift boat safety, balance and rowing technique with a special 4 hour course specifically designed for you.  Learn about boat handling, anchoring safely, trailering, launching and loading safety. 

Rob teaches this info packed session on the nearby Clackamas River.  Learn from his years of rowing and fishing experience.  Save yourself frustration and difficulties and learn from the pro. 

Four hour class session is only $175 per person

Call Rob Crandall to schedule your session today: 503-704-6449

www.watertimeoutfitters.com

www.clacka.com

Before Work Special- 1/2 Day Guide Trips

 

Water Time Outfitters offers a special package for those intrepid anglers who aren't scared to show up a bit late for work.  We call it the BEFORE WORK SPECIAL.  This is a special rate on a 1/2 day float trip mid-week on the Clackamas River. 

This 4 hour session is on key peices of good water on the Clackamas river.  Water that we catch fish in on a consistent basis.  Your session is custom fit to your needs.  This can be a spey casting lesson, a casting tune up, a basic class teaching you where to start and how to read water.  It can be an indicator fishing strategy class or just a guided fishing trip, what ever you want it to be. This is for you!

We are offering this special week days only and through the winter season on the Clackamas River.  Dates are limited and first come first serve.  We are offering morning and afternoon sessions. 

What a great way to start your year and stay tuned up on your casting! 

Fee for 4 hour float is $125 for 1 angler or $100 per person for 2 or more.  (Up to 3 anglers per session)
Call Rob Crandall 503-704-6449 to reserve your spot. 

www.watertimeoutfitters.com
 

Oregon Coast Steelhead

With a bit of rain we'll be full on for winter steelhead in Oregon.  From now through March winter steelhead fisheries put out their best in Oregon.  Some of our favoritie rivers on the Oregon Coast are the Trask, Wilson, Kilches, and the Northfork Nehalem.  The variety of rivers available for Oregon coast steelhead give the angler plenty of options.

Check out this video from a day on the Trask River with guide Gil Muhleman:

http://youtu.be/4R59YxRjV9Y

Good luck to your time on the water from Water Time Outfitters- www.watertimeoutfitters.com

Clackamas Low and Cold

It's been almost 2 weeks with out any rain to speak of.  Cold and clear or foggy days with-out rain for extended periods in December seem a bit strange.  The forecast calls for an extended lack of rain for another week or so.  This means we must adapt our approach for steelhead success.

Water is low and clear and fish are hanging close to the bottom.  Fish migration is slow at best in these conditions with water temps around 34 degrees.  Fish your fly deep, smaller and darker patterns tend to work best.  Flourocarbon can be helpful. 

Eagle creek strain hatchery steelhead are showing in the Clackamas now.  Some wild chromers are also being caught.

Look for the action to get better with a warm rain.

Good luck on the water!

Winter Steelhead Workshops Expanded

Want to catch steelhead on the Trask, Wilson, Clackamas, NF Nehalem, Neccanicum River or Eagle Creek?

These workshops are designed to get walk in fly anglers comfortable with a variety of spots and techniques that will put them into fish on the Oregon's best coastal rivers.

Here is how it works. We start at the crack of 9:00 am at a designated location near the water with coffee and donuts. We’ll review maps that will give you at least a dozen productive steelhead runs that you can drive and walk to often these are spots we personally fish. With coffee in hand we’ll discuss the maps in detail.

Then when we’ve reached proper caffeine level we’ll grab a bunch of gear and head out to fish a few spots. At this time we cover: fishing techniques, fishing strategy, fly selection and more. This is also time to talk about lines, rods and rigging. We’ll have plenty of spey rods and nearly 20 fly lines for you to try out and get a feel for different systems. We will have ½ dozen spey rods and switch rods for you to try out and different lines to try on your own rod. If you need some basic spey casting lessons there is usually time for that as well. On the smaller water river classes (NF and Neccanicum) the single hand and switch rods will be the center of attention. 

If we actually catch a fish it will be by accident. The purpose of this workshop is to give you the tools you need to find, read, and properly fish good steelhead water the actual fishing will be secondary.

Around 1pm we’ll break for a hungry man’s lunch and then head on to some more spots with steelhead water you’ll want to drool on!

Classes offered:

Dec 17th - Clackamas and Eagle creek - meeting site Royal Treatment Fly Shop

Jan 6th -NF Nehalem River and Neccanicum R- meets at our river cabin

ALSO:

Jan 8th- NF Nehalem River and Neccanicum R- Meets at river cabin

Jan 28 - Trask, Wilson and Kilches River class - meeting site to be determined

February 19 Trask, Wilson and Kilches River Winter Steelhead Workshop

February 25- Clackamas Steelhead Workshop- meets at Royal Treatment Fly shop

Need flies? Royal Treatment Fly shop has a special package of winter steelhead flies for you:
Click here to see a recommeded selection of flies for the Clackamas River.
Workshop cost is $100 including meals and is limited to 8 anglers. Call 503-704-6449 to reserve your spot.

Can't Wait for Winter Steelies!

This picture pretty much says it all.  Can't wait for winter steelhead to show up.  If you want to learn how to catch these amazing creatures give us a call or check out one of our many classes and seminars coming up this winter.  www.watertimeoutfitters.com 

Oregon Winter Steelhead Lodge

See our website

The NF Nehalem is a gem among NW rivers. It flows out of the wild and rugged Oregon Coast range mountains into the main Nehalem river. The NF gets one of the strongest hatchery steelhead runs on the Oregon coast along with a good dose of big wild steelhead as well. Floating the river is an inspiring experience on it own. Over 26 waterfalls cascade into the NF canyon during our float. We float this section of river in rafts and start at the uppermost target for migrating steelhead - the hatchery.

The NF boast choppy riffles and many small pools ideal for the indicator strategy. Some sections swing a fly very well also. Each day fresh arriving steelhead ride the tides into the lower river. A mix of chrome bright fish to brightly colored fish may be found through the season.

Winter steelhead time is rain time in Oregon and having a nice warm place to dry out at the end of the day before a long drive home is a good part to any angler's fishing dream.  Warming the toes by the fire and enjoying a drink next to the fire really puts a great cap to a day on the water.  That is just what we are offering this year in January on the NF Nehalem river.  Water Time Outfitters has secured riverside lodging right on a key peice of water on the NF Nehalem river. 

Come join us for a winter steelhead fishing adventure and relax at comfortable convenient lodging at the end of the day.  Special packages for our traveling anglers available. Peak time on the NF is around the first week of January.  The run starts mid-December and runs through the first part of February. 

Guided float trips on the NF include:  Experienced guide and oarsman, flies, tippet, leaders as needed, rod/reel/lines as needed, shuttle back to your vehicle at the end of the day, hot lunch, soft drinks and waters.  $425 for 2 anglers.  (2 anglers per boat max.) 

Stay one night at our riverside lodge with guided fishing day-meals include: dinner, breakfast and lunch for only $550 for 2 anglers.  Space is very limited.  Only open dates for lodging are Jan 2,3,4,5,6,& 7th  50% deposit is required to reserve your spot.  Call now to save your date: 503-704-6449. 

Fall Season Pics- Water Time on the Deschutes

Save your spot for 2012 NOW!

www.WaterTimeOutfitters.com

                        Fall Chinook salmon ate the Vaccumn Cleaner fly presented on a floating line!

Fall Season Steelhead 2011

It's been a great season!  Thank you to all our great customers who return each year to our favorite river of the fall season.  It was a pleasure  meeting some of you for the first time as well.  Following is a video that captures some of the great elements of the multi-day float trip on the Deschutes.  Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzwvDa_nG7c

Fall Colors

It's mid October and fall is full swing in the Deschutes canyon.  The leaves are changing colors and the canyon beauty is spectacular.  The days are getting shorter now and the sun is staying lower in the sky, the pure scenic qualities of this special place invite the cameras use more and more often. 

Fishing has been excellent and we've been catching fish every day.  Sitting around the evening campfire reflecting in the glow of steelhead fishing tales is one of lifes special treasures and expecially nice when Marty pulls out a fresh batch of hot chocolate chip cookies out of the oven. 

Our last trip was especially great with our friends from Nevada and Alaska joining us.  We shared some great sightings in the canyon.  Deer, otter, mink, osprey, golden eagles, heron, big horn sheep and of course lots of steelhead were all seen on this trip.  www.watertimeoutfitters.com

October Steelhead

Congratulations to Jeff who landed his "October" steelhead in the first 10 minutes of light.  Jeff has been fishing with Water Time Outfitters this year working on a modest goal: to catch a steelhead on the swung fly each month of the year in Oregon.  So far Jeff is doing great and is 100% for each month.  Good luck in November and December Jeff we look forward to your success!

Fishing is full swing on the Deschutes right now if you have a steelhead goal.  Let us know how we can help. www.watertimeoutfitters.com

New Shooting Head Line- Perfect for Switch Rods

This line is all the "Rage" and it's been a blast to cast.  The new Rage Compact Floating line by Airflow was designed to perform for switch rods as an excellent "in-between" line.  This line is between a Skagit head and a Scandanavian head in regards to it's taper.  I first got a sample at the Fly Tackle Dealer show in New Orleans this August.  It casts and performs smoothly.  I have yet to try a sink tip on it but the 420 grain head has been rocking out the line with my Sage Z-Axis-11' #7 switch rod. 

Winter Steelhead Workshops

Want to catch steelhead on the Trask, Wilson, Clackamas, NF Nehalem, Neccanicum River or Eagle Creek?

These workshops are designed to get walk in fly anglers comfortable with a variety of spots and techniques that will put them into fish on the Oregon's best coastal rivers.

Here is how it works. We start at the crack of 9:00 am at a designated location near the water with coffee and donuts. We’ll review maps that will give you at least a dozen productive steelhead runs that you can drive and walk to often these are spots we personally fish. With coffee in hand we’ll discuss the maps in detail.

Then when we’ve reached proper caffeine level we’ll grab a bunch of gear and head out to fish a few spots. At this time we cover: fishing techniques, fishing strategy, fly selection and more. This is also time to talk about lines, rods and rigging. We’ll have plenty of spey rods and nearly 20 fly lines for you to try out and get a feel for different systems. We will have ½ dozen spey rods and switch rods for you to try out and different lines to try on your own rod. If you need some basic spey casting lessons there is usually time for that as well.

If we actually catch a fish it will be by accident. The purpose of this workshop is to give you the tools you need to find, read, and properly fish good steelhead water the actual fishing will be secondary.

Around 1pm we’ll break for a hungry man’s lunch and then head on to some more spots with steelhead water you’ll want to drool on!

Classes offered:

Dec 17th - Clackamas and Eagle creek - meeting site Royal Treatment Fly Shop

Jan 6th -NF Nehalem River and Neccanicum R- meets at our river cabin

Jan 28 - Trask, Wilson and Kilches River class - meeting site to be determined

Need flies?  Royal Treatment Fly shop has a special package of winter steelhead flies for you:
Click here to see a recommeded selection of flies
Workshop cost is $100 including meals and is limited to 8 anglers. Call 503-704-6449 to reserve your spot.

Steelhead Prime Time!

This is it, Deschutes River Steelhead prime time!  This is the season of the year that really gets the drag screaming on your fly reel and fly anglers blood pumping.  Fishing has been excellent this fall with both trout and steelhead fishing going very well.  Come join the fun: www.watertimeoutfitters.com

We have been catching good numbers of steelhead on the swung fly strategy both with a floating line and sink tips.  Sinking tip lines have been especially effective mid day.  Steelhead are moving aggressively to the standard fare of fly patterns.  Contact Royal Treatment Fly shop for a great selection of hot patterns- 503-850-4397.

Trout fishing has been excellent as well with some cooler days and great caddis action.  This time of year trout are in prime condition.  We've been seeing the backing with our 5 weights lately landing some dandy fat trout. 

Fires on the river this year caused by lightning strikes have changed the look of the river in many places.  See pic below taken near North Junction. 

Steelhead Workshops on the Deschutes River

We've completed our scheduled steelhead fly fishing workshops on the Deschutes River.  Thank you to all who attended.  Best of luck on the water trying out your new information and polished skills.

We will be offering more steelhead workshops in the future and hope you attend.  Visit: www.watertimeoutfitters.com or email: crandalls3@ccwebster.net for current info.

Good fishing! 

Deschutes Chromers

Steelhead fishing is full swing on the Deschutes river and the fishing has been great.  Each day on the water is a fresh new opportunity to find more steelhead and getting a steelhead to take the swung fly is one of the best fly fishing experiences there is!  If you haven't done it you certainly must try. 

Steelhead are spread out in the entire lower river.  Water conditions have been stable with good flows and clarity. 

Thank you to all the particpants of our Deschutes river steelhead workshops this season.  You guys were great!  We plan to offer more sessions next year. 

Wild fires have created a lot of smoke in the canyon earlier in September and the lightning storms of late August really started a lot of fires.  The Razorback Fire was quite destructive upriver from Maupin.  Most of the fires are out now and we are still discovering new areas that have burned. 

Be safe on the water and experience the "swung fly Steelhead"!

Lower Deschutes Steelhead

Right now fishing is great!  The lower Deschutes is running cooler now and good numbers of fish are in the entire lower river.  Fishing has been great on the swung fly and even mid day with sink tips.  If you are not there, you are missing out!

See you on the water.

Deschutes Steelhead Fly Favorite- The Vacuum Cleaner

This is one of Rob Crandall's patterns called the Vacuum Cleaner.  It's first run years ago in the Deschutes River was with one of Rob's clients, Terry. Terry reports that she fished the fly behind an excellent angler while working some prime water around South Junction with guide Al Bagley. After catching multiple fish with a floating line in the sun behind the accomplished angler Terry began to feel guilty. The competitive angler was getting frustrated. When she hooked yet another fish in water he had already fished he yelled to Al, "Get that Vacuum Cleaner off the river!" Thus the Vacuum cleaner fly pattern was born.

Vacuum Cleaner Recipe:

Hook: Tiemco 7999 or 700 size 2 or 4

Thread: black or purple 6/0
Tag: silver flat tinsel large
Hot butt Tag:  Cerise(hot pink) Edge bright wrapped over silver tinsel
Body:  Medium Purple Chenille wrapped with med oval tinsel silver
Collar:  Willies Sparkling fly material purple 2 wraps or bright tinsel dubbing purple
Hackle: Purple saddle hackle
Wing: First layer on Pearlescent Mylar Flashabou strands 6-8, purple crystal flash, purple flashabou and
white wing of Arctic fox Fur

Sockeye on the Deschutes River

Last year nearly 50,000 sockeye smolt were passed down stream from Pelton Dam on the Deschutes river.  This year that number is approaching 100,000 smolt.  What will we see in 2012 for a Sockeye return on our favorite river?

See the entire article on this link:  Sockeye on the Deschutes

Deschutes River Spring Chinook - A New Era

With the relicensing of the hydro project on the Deschutes river new things have been happening.   A new revolutionary tower built in front of Pelton dam is now selecting water from different temperature layers of the lake and improving downstream fish migration. 

Here is an interesting clip from a PGE biologist on the NEW ERA of upstream migration in the Deschutes basin.

http://www.deschutespassage.com/news/?p=79

Big Trout and Hoppers Looming

It's trout time on our private water stretch of river.  Fishing has been good as the water has dropped into more normal summer flows.  This year there are a ton of fish in the 6-12” range.  They are a lot of fun on dry flies and have been taking caddis on the surface fairly well.  With the scenery, wildlife and complete lack of other anglers that makes for a fun trip.  The icing on the cake is there are much bigger fish.  Yesterday a lucky angler from Sacramento landed an enormous rainbow in the 6-7 lb range.  These big trophy fish are tough to get and aren’t easy to find but they are there.  These are the fish that eat sculpin flies fished on sink tips.

We've also been seeing more hoppers.  They are getting bigger and more active near the banks.  A good sign for the weeks to come.  www.watertimeoutfitters.com

Fly Fishing Lakes Class Report

Thank you to those who attended our fly fishing lakes class.  We all caught fish and had a great time.  Fishing was a mixed bag with rainbows eating damsel nymphs, callibaetis nymphs and leeches.  The weather cooperated wonderfully for us and everyone had a good time.  Dave Neels even caught a rainbow on a damsel dry fly! 

Join us next year for our lake fly fishing sessions at Rocky Ridge Ranch.  We look forward to seeing you there!  Find out more about us at: www.watertimeoutfitters.com 

                               Here is Chad with one of his biggest fly rod trout ever!

Private Waters Report

Fishing on our private waters has heated up!  The water levels are finally now into summer flows and at good fishable levels.  Fish are active and hitting caddis on the surface and eating sculpins.  New snags and cover from last years flooding are the perfect habitat for big rainbows and this section has plenty of hidey holes. 

The good news is we've already seen hoppers on the water.  Hopper season is almost here! 

Caddis Fly Hatch on the Deschutes

The Caddis hatch action on the Deschutes is heating up as we are getting warmer weather.  The end of June and first part of July have been excellent fishing as the weather is finally cooperating.  For best success on caddis fish the edges near grassy banks and trees.  See the photo above.  Larry K from Florida found this dandy rainbow sipping caddis just inches from a grassy overhang. 

Larry and wife Brenda doubled up on this combo by nymphing a riffle in early morning.  Before the dry fly action gets going nymph fishing a riffle like this with a green rock worm and a sparkle pupa can yeild good results. 

Summer Steelhead Workshop

Deschutes River Summer Steelhead Workshop                         August 6 or 20th.

This workshop is designed to get walk in fly anglers comfortable with a variety of spots and techniques that will put them into fish on the Deschutes River above and below the town of Maupin.

Here is how it works.  We start at the crack of 9:00 am at the ranch house (located just 2 miles from Sherars Falls) with coffee and donuts.  We’ll review maps that will give you at least 24 productive steelhead runs that you can drive and walk to often these are spots we personally fish.  With coffee in hand we’ll discuss the maps in detail.

Then when we’ve reached proper caffeine level we’ll grab a bunch of gear and head out to fish a few spots.  At this time we cover: fishing techniques, fishing strategy, fly selection and more.  This is also time to talk about lines, rods and rigging.  We’ll have plenty of spey rods and nearly 20 fly lines for you to try out and get a feel for different systems.  We will have ½ dozen spey rods and switch rods for you to try out and different lines to try on your own rod.  If you need some basic spey casting lessons there is usually time for that as well.

If we actually catch a fish it will be by accident.  The purpose of this workshop is to give you the tools you need to find, read, and properly fish good steelhead water the actual fishing will be secondary.

Around 1pm we’ll break for a hungry man’s lunch and then head on to some more spots with steelhead water you’ll want to drool on!

At 4:30 we head back to the ranch house again for 5:30 dinner and re-cap of what we’ve learned and if time allows tie a few of our favorite patterns.

Workshop cost is $99 including meals and is limited to 6 anglers.  Call 541-419-7778 or 503-704-6449 to reserve your spot.

Learn to Fly Fish with Water Time Outfitters

Fly Fishing Lakes Class

Private Waters 

July 10     9-5pm 

Learn what it takes to catch trout in lakes with this one day well rounded, 8 hour, fly fishing school brought to you by Water Time Outfitters.  There couldn’t be a much better place to get started in fly fishing  than on the three private lakes at Rocky Ridge Ranch only  1 hour 45 minute drive from the Portland.  Excellent populations of Rainbow trout thrive in these waters and our group will have all three lakes to ourselves as we cover fly fishing concepts.  Rainbows 16-20 inches are common and some have been caught up to 30 inches!  Get started fly fishing the right way or just advance your skills on some trophy trout waters.   Come join the fun! 

What’s Included:

·         Beginners approach to fly fishing session- knots, terminology, rigging etc…

·         Fly casting lesson- learn the basics of fly casting- overhead, roll cast, roll cast pickup, presentation casts and more

·         Lake fly fishing techniques- dry fly, emerger, streamer and midge techniques

·         Lake entomology lesson- learn what trout eat in lakes

·         Guided fly fishing on a private trophy trout lake

·         V-Boats and kick fins

·         Big BBQ Lunch, soft drinks and water

Bring your lucky fishing hat and your camera you might catch the fish of a lifetime. 

Our guarantee:  We will work hard so you can learn as much as possible in this class on the great sport of fly fishing lakes.  We will do our best to see that everyone catches fish and has an enjoyable day. 

 Fee per person:  $195

                                                               

 Space is limited Reserve your spot today! Call today 503-704-6449.

Trout Like Steelhead

Deschutes Fishing Report, June 12

I don't mean that trout are "friends" with steelhead, what I am talking about are top conditioned, bully of the school, 20" range trout that fight and battle it out like a steelhead.  Hang on to that five weight!  Right now that type of fish is in his element feeding on his favorite gut stretching morsel of the year- Salmon flies and Golden Stones.  With the hatch full swing and soon to be waning in the upper section of the lower 100 miles of the emerald green waters of the Deschutes these big bullies are packing it on and are in full stuff it mode. 

Check out this fish caught June 12th. 

Winter in Summer- Steelhead and High Water

Winter water levels are still persisting on the Clackamas river here in June! It has been a high water year all season and so far our summer steelhead fishery is no exception.  High waters around the state and in the mid-west have created dismal conditions for many fisheries.  Fortunately the Clackamas water clarity has been fishable much more than many other drainages. 

This dandy chrome bright summer steelhead was hooked on a 8 weight Z- Axis switch rod with a 10' sink tip.  Our silent approach with the drift boat allowed Jeff to easily swing the fly into position for a rod wrenching take.  Line sizzled off his Nautalis reel as this fish kicked it into high gear throwing water spray everywhere. 

Water temp today was 53 degrees.  If you want to catch a steelhead on the swing in the Clackamas, this is perhaps one of the very best times to do it.

Good luck on the water!

Deschutes Trout- June 6

Salmon Flies are still the main ticket for trout on the Warm Springs to Trout Creek section.  The big bugs are most prolific from White Horse rapids on upriver.  With cooler weather the bugs have been hunkered down.  The dead drift presentation and Moorish Still Stones have been the good producers along with the Chubby Chernobyl. 

Today's water level was running around 5710 cfs at Madras.  SLOWLY the river is dropping.

Good fishin!

FYI- watch for Rattlers, a fair amount of the buzzworms were out today on the west side above Trout Creek!

Clackamas River Steelhead- Westfly Interview with Rob Crandall

Click on the link below to hear  Scott Richmond's interview of Rob Crandall on the Clackamas River. (MP3 format 8:20 long.)  Scott Richmond is the founder of http://www.westfly.com/ .  Scott gets some good info from Clackamas river guide and editor of Flyfishing & Tying Journal, Rob Crandall.

http://www.west-fly-fishing.com/feature-article/1105/feature_1073.php 

Once you have clicked through to the page there is a gray bar with a play button.  Press the play button to hear the interview (it may take a few seconds to load).

Good luck on the water!

Deschutes Salmonflies May 25

The salmon fly hatch has progressed all the way to Warm Springs on the Deschutes river and trout are taking them off the surface.  Our guides are fishing from Warm Springs to Maupin.  The weather has been rainy and cool keeping the bugs hunkered down on the shoreline foliage.  When the sun comes out and warms things up the bugs get active and are on the water.  The river level has been high, yesterday near Madras the level was at 6240 cfs. 

Yesterday between the rain showers fishing was good along the edges.  We saw salmon flies and golden stones on the water, pmd's hatching, blue wing olives and a few green drakes hatching.  In the morning a mass of hovering midges were on the menu.  Our mid-morning midge pattern worked for a few fish that didn't want anything else. 

We are on for another 3 day trip today.  Stay tuned for more river reports. http://www.watertimeoutfitters.com/

The Goose, Eagle and Uncle Fuzzy's Steelhead

The Goose, the Eagle and Uncle Fuzzy’s Steelhead

A fine morning on the Clackamas River with Uncle Fuzzy started with so much sun that we decided to go west instead of east as we headed out from the boat ramp.  The morning glare and sheen on the water was too much for our NW rain adjusted pupils.  As we say in Oregon, “We don’t tan, we rust .“  Our quest was two-fold; to chase steelhead with the swung fly and test run the brand new jet sled. 

The boat handled nicely and performed well.  Each bend and turn in the river presented a new challenge to the newly crowned captain. Uncle Fuzzy (aka Scott Richmond-founder of Westfly.com) learned quickly as we maneuvered the slots and riffles of the Clackamas.  Learning a new river at 30 miles an hour is a precise game and being in the right slot is imperative.  Intricate river knowledge of each gravel bar and turn make learning the new transportation mode much safer.  Still the process of learning at these speeds is not for the faint of heart.

The morning sun warmed us as we worked our way through the run.  It’s been a long, wet, cold spring here in Oregon and today’s sun was just what the doctor ordered.  We were fishing with spey rods, the “long rods” of European origin.  Double handed 13-1/2’ long sticks that easily launch large flies and sink tips for NW steelhead.  Type 8 sink tips 13’ long and short leaders with tandem tube flies were the recipe we employed for seducing chrome steelies.

The fish we were after are the summers of spring, summer steelhead that arrive in the spring months.  These fish are hatchery origin and of the Skamania strain.  They live in the river for nearly a year and have added fat packed on to survive their long stay in freshwater.    This added fat is like steroids for fish and often only a few short seconds after a hook up to one of these beauties anglers are left standing in jaw dropped amazement of what just happened. 

The second run we fished Uncle Fuzzy found his fish.   “Fish on!” I heard as I worked the run below.  Looking upriver I saw Uncle Fuzzy was fast into a fish and a hot one at that.  His rod thumped aggressively as furious head shaking ripped line off the reel.  Several short runs and then the first jump- an aerial display of steelhead strength.  Four feet in the air the chrome steelhead twisted and turned.  As it hit the water spray went flying.  Then it was over just as quickly as it had started.

Uncle Fuzzy stood there trying to collect himself replaying the moments of his encounter over in his mind when another encounter happened all at once.  A shadow passed across me, it was an immature bald eagle immense at only 30 yards away and diving at the water.  It all happened so fast, I didn’t know what it was after, I assumed a fish.  A large boil thrashed the water just before the eagle hit the water it’s razor sharp talons extended.  The eagle veered off to the trees and disappeared.  My assumption that the big predator was after a fish was wrong as we watched a goose emerge from the scene.  It had apparently dove under water at the last second to avoid the eagle. 

Now the goose apparently dazed a bit flapped its wings and started to fly.  It’s eyes must have been crossed as it flew a bee-line escape right into Uncle Fuzzy’s brand new boat.  Feathers and flopping, honking and thrashing about on the edge of the boat commenced as Uncle Fuzzy and I watched in amazement.  The goose finally bobbled off and flew away the eagle hidden in the trees and Uncle Fuzzy’s boat with a brand new dent.

You might survive a ride in a fast boat with a new captain on the Clackamas River just watch out for the geese!

Deschutes River Evening Hatch

Evening Hatch Guide Trip- Deschutes River PRIME TIME!

Fish the prime time when most other guides are done for the day.  This is as good as it gets on the Deschutes.  The evening hatch is often the most prolific hatch of the day and usually gets trout boiling more than any other time.  Join us for prime time with our local guides who live here on the water. 

This 5 hour guided adventure starts at around 4:30 pm and eeks out every last bit of legal fishing hours as the frenzy of the hatch rises into the darkness of night.  Big trout know the deal, most other anglers are done by now.  If you want to experience the best the Deschutes has to offer join us for an evening hatch float trip.  It's worth staying up for!

Trip includes guided float trip or walk-n-wade.  Flies, equipment if needed and scheduled in advance and soft drinks, water and snacks.

 

$275 for 2 anglers

$375 for 3 anglers

For more info call Gil 541-419-7778 or visit http://www.watertimeoutfitters.com/

Get Started Fly Fishing!

Fly fishing can be a fun and rewarding life long passion.  Get started and don't miss out with this fun and easy class!

This introduction to fly fishing on the Clackamas River is a great course for the beginner, a gift, or fun for the whole family.  Professional guide of nearly 20 years and current editor of Flyfishing & Tying Journal - Rob Crandall shares his love of fly fishing in this starter course.

This one day session held close to Portland, OR at McIver Park on the Clackamas River gets you started.  This class includes: where to start, how to rig, fly casting lesson, knot tying, on water bug study-what do fish eat, fly fishing techniques and on water fishing for trout.  A get started class information packet is included.

This class covers:

• Fly fishing terminology
• Fly fishing knots
• Proper rigging
• Equipment
• Fly selection
• Fly casting
• Entomology
• On Water Fishing instruction

For this 6 hour course rods and reels are provided.  Bring your waders/boots, fishing license, lunch and park entry fee. 

This special class is only being held:  June 17 and July 9

Class Fee:  Only $75.00

Class sizes are limited please reserve your spot in advance. 
                        Call 503-704-6449

Spring Time in Oregon

It's that time of year here in Oregon where there is so much to do.  Trout fishing opportunities are really starting to ramp up and steelhead fishing has some interesting things going on as well.  Living in Oregon sure has its perks and its this time of year that I am reminded how fortunate we are to live in such a great part of the world.

Trout fishing opportunities are vast this time of year.  One of the big ones that comes to mind is the Salmon fly hatch on the Deschutes river.  This is a world class river that has some truly great fly fishing opportunities.  Add to that equation a bug almost 3" long and you've got a great combo.  Salmon flies are like "Big Mac's" for trout.  As the hatch gains momentum expect rainbows to greedily gorge on these big bugs.  Add in the many opportunities of lakes and small streams around the state and you've got some good stuff going on.

One of my favorite fisheries for this time of year is the spring steelhead we get on the Willamette Valley streams.  Better known as summer steelhead these silvery rockets come into our rivers in the spring and stay in the river for nearly a year.  These fish are a Skamania strain fish of hatchery origin.  The Clackamas river has these fish returning every year around this time.  This years run are identified by a clipped adipose fin and a maxilary fin clipping.  Once hooked they are ballistic rockets and some fish are simply unlandable!

I hope you are getting out on the water and experiencing some of the fantastic opportunities we have here in Oregon.

Good fishin!

Rob