July Steelhead on the Way to the Deschutes

Numbers of steelhead both hatchery and wild are starting to climb on the Columbia River as they head for the Deschutes River.  Water temperatures at the Dalles Dam on the Columbia are around 65 degrees.  Water temperatures on the Deschutes near Madras are closer to 57 degrees.  This cool water will warm as it gets closer to the mouth where it meets the Columbia river.



THE DALLES DAM YTD

Chinook Adult: 178969 Chinook Jack: 15567 Steelhead: 21615 Wild Steelhead: 10124 Shad: 0 Sockeye: 408541 Lamprey: 1256

Updated: 7/20/2012 7:00:46 AM STEELHEAD WILD 5) STEELHEAD SHAD SOCKEYE LAMPREY CHUM PINK SOURCE 07/13/12 906 172 0 0 906 172 0 0 0 0 766 407 n/a 3104 57 0 0 USACE 07/14/12 1234 201 0 0 1234 201 0 0 0 0 1372 727 n/a 3173 55 0 0 USACE 07/15/12 970 202 0 0 970 202 0 0 0 0 1487 768 n/a 1856 112 0 0 USACE 07/16/12 895 164 0 0 895 164 0 0 0 0 1756 920 n/a 1192 51 0 0 USACE 07/17/12 661 178 0 0 661 178 0 0 0 0 1321 563 n/a 741 82 0 0 USACE 07/18/12 875 166 0 0 875 166 0 0 0 0 1832 971 n/a 617 58 0 0 USACE 07/19/12 866 215 0 0 866 215 0 0 0 0 2102 1069 n/a 422 97 0 0 USACE YTD 178969 15567 117087 7175 61882 8392 0 0 0 0 21615 10124

Clackamas River Steelhead Report -July

The Clackamas River is now dropping into summer levels. Summer steelhead are spread through the system and are available to the early rising angler.  Best timing for fishing is to be up at the crack of dawn.  Swung flies on a floating line are the standard now.  Standard patterns such as green butt skunks, purple perils and leech patterns will produce. 

Floating the river is difficult in low water conditions in the upper reaches of the river.  Gravel bars will be evident in most sections of the river.  Careful boat management is required at these levels. 

Water temps are up in the high 50's with temps this week being around 59 degrees.

Water temps are going up while the rive level is going down.  Expect this trend to continue.

Deschutes River Steelhead - Best on the Planet?

The lower Deschutes River is perhaps one of the very best steelhead fisheries available to fly fishers in the entire western United States.  Columbia River which cuts a line between Washington and Oregon is the river highway for summer steelies going to eastern Washington, Oregon and Idaho.  Most years over 1/2 million steelhead migrate this passage.  During the warm summer months the Columbia River gets intolerably hot while the Deschutes River often stays relatively cool by comparison.  This creates a cool water magnet that steelhead cannot resist and often a major portion of the entire run will branch off into the comfort zone of the Deschutes waters.  Many of these fish travel the 100 miles up to Pelton Dam before turning back down river and on up the Columbia to their final destination.  This strain of summer steelhead is much different than it's winter run cousin.  These fish begin entering freshwater in July, August and September and won't spawn until the following February, March or April.  A long stint in freshwater for sure but puts into perspective how a short 100 mile jaunt up the Deschutes for them is no big deal.  The combination of cooler water, mega amounts of fish, the natural tendency of these fish to attack flies on the surface is the perfect combination for creating one of the best steelhead fisheries around.

The lower Deschutes has many access locations.  Favorite access sites are the mouth of the River at Heritage Landing or the Deschutes River State Park or the Maupin area.  For the traveling angler with a family there is a lot to do in both locations.  White water rafting is a big deal in Maupin with one day floats that have frothy whitewater spray for miles- a sure fire fun way to cool off on a hot August day.  Near the mouth of the Deschutes there is a great campground- called the Deschutes River State Park.  Full hookups here go for $20 per night.  Hiking, biking and swiming  fun are all around.  Of course fishing for steelhead can also be supplemented with some local smallmouth bass fishing on the Columbia River and the many small ponds along HWY 84. 

The old railroad bed build in 1909 is a great way to see the lower Deschutes River.  From the mouth of the river this grade is perfect for a mountain bike and a great way to access to lower 8 miles of the river. 

The mouth of the Deschutes is a popular trolling zone, just below the bridges where the Deschutes meets the Columbia River, steelhead and salmon alike will stack up.

This area is a historic zone where Lewis and Clark, native Indians and the Oregon Trail come through at the mouth of the Deschutes River. 

An interesting side trip a little over an hour from the mouth of the Deschutes river and about the same from the town of Maupin, OR is the interesting little town of Shaniko.  A listed "Ghost Town" Shaniko has a lot to see and represents a lot of history in the area.

If your wife likes to knit like mine does the Imperial Stock Ranch not far from Shaniko and a scenic drive from Maupin will give her plenty of great material for her next project.  A working ranch since the 1800's this ranch has some amazing history. 

Scenery on the drive to Imperial Stock Ranch.  The land between the Deschutes River and John Day river are full of scenic views of the Cascade range, rolling hills of wheat and plentiful deer. 

See more info on the Deschutes River including Trout and steelhead fishing- click this link for one of our other articles: http://watertimeoutfitter.blogspot.com/2012/04/deschutes-river-trout-fishing-oregon.html

If you come to the state of Oregon, be sure to visit one of the best steelhead fisheries on the planet.  The Deschutes River has steelhead fly fishing from July through November.  Water Time Outfitters offers guided fly fishing trips on the lower 100 miles of the Deschutes River.  Limited BLM permits allow guiding on the river.  Our permit allows us to offer guided float trips, jet boat trips and walk in fishing trips.  Come join us for a Deschutes River fishing adventure! See more at: www.watertimeoutfitters.com 

Oregon Ranch Water- Private Access Rainbows

Water Time Outfitters section of private access river has been fishing very good lately.  Water levels have dropped and are much lower than last year at this time.  The fish are healthy and strong and we have been having some great fishing.  We float this section with a raft and cast for rainbow trout from the boat.  We mostly fish streamer patterns or nymph fish with some good dry fly opportunities on any given day.  Trout have been averaging 12-14" with fish to 20" fairly common.   The possibility of a truly huge rainbow is there as well.  (We have landed them to 25"). 

A small river with the feel of Montana with no one there makes this a great adventure you need to try.  Find more info at: www.watertimeoutfitters.com

Deschutes River Report

Fishing has been good on the Deschutes.  This year seems to have some larger than average fish in the mix.  Floating Warm Springs to Trout Creek is still yeilding fish on the surface taking golden stonefly patterns.

Other hatches going at this time are: pmd's, caddis, midges, and occasional green drake. 

www.watertimeoutfitters.com

Untouchable Steelhead- Clackamas River Chrome

It's June on the Clackamas river, the ducks and geese have their fluffy young next to them, the river foliage is in vibrant colors and the summer Steelhead are in.  The Clackamas River near Portland, Oregon is stocked with Skamania strain summer steelhead.  These fish return each year to the waters of the Clackamas full of vigor and power.  These summer steelhead are different than winter steelhead. Winter fish come in sexually mature and ready to spawn.  Summer fish won't spawn until next year in February/March.  This means they spend a lot of time in fresh water.  Their genetic map however prepares them for this long stint in the green waters of the Clackamas; they are full of fat upon arrival.  It is this fat that nourishes their body for the long stay in the river.  What this also means is that these fish are the literal rocket ships of the river. 

Extremely tough fighters these chrome bright fish are often jumping 5-6 times before they yeild.  Line sizzling runs are common and many times these fish move so fast that you swear you have lost the fish as a running steelhead comes right at you, the line going slack only to retighten as it passes you and cartwheels across the water.

The early arrivals of this stock show up as early as March but the majority of these fish come in during June and July.  Right now these fish are perfectly chrome with clear fins and great sport on a fly rod.

Our favorite strategy is to swing flies with spey rods casting Skandi or Skagit fly lines.  As the water temperatures warm we use floating lines.  Our favorite flies are patterns that have a lot of movement in black, pink, red etc...

Come join the fun, just out of Portland for amazing hard fighting summer steelhead.

Water Time Outfitter's guides have been fishing the waters of the Clackamas river for over 20 years.  See more at: www.watertimeoutfitters.com or call Rob Crandall 503-704-6449

Deschutes River Summer Steelhead Workshop

                      

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 between Maupin and Max Canyon.

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!

Available Class Dates:  July 28

                                      August 18

                                      Sept 22

Workshop cost is $100 including lunch and is limited to 6 anglers. Call 503-704-6449 or email wto@ccgmail.com to reserve your spot.