Deschutes River Salmon Fly Hatch Report- May 2014

Fly Fishing Deschutes River Redband Rainbow Trout

Salmon fly action is full swing on the Deschutes here at the May 20th marker.  Both golden stones and black stones from Maupin,OR to Warm Springs area farther north the big bugs are out in good numbers.  Our recent trips are starting to show waning numbers of the big bugs in the Maupin area.  Other Deschutes River hatches are making a showing at the same time and we are seeing trout feed on caddis, PMD's, PMD spinner fall, and PED's.

An adult stonefly next to the nymphal casing.  Stoneflies crawl out of the river on emergence.

Water levels are very nice for fishing this time of year and are relatively low.  Oregon's snow pack in this region is billed to be about normal. Water clarity is good and the weather has been fairly nice with some great days in the mid-80's.  We have not seen the super hot 90+ degree weather that really gets the egg laying action of the salmon flies in crazy mode.  Just a nice spattering of egg laying on the warmer days.  In addition the killer to the dry fly action - cool wet days have mostly missed this season so far.

Golden Stones in the grass along the Deschutes River

Fishing during the salmon fly hatch is best near structure.  We rig our rods with either 7-1/2 or 9'- 4X tapered leaders and use patterns like: Clarks Stone Fly, Norm Woods Special, Sofa Pillow etc... but our favorite is the Chubby Chernobyl.  This pattern moves and simulates the lifelike appearance of the natural fly very well. These big bugs are clumsy crashing fliers and offer an excellent protien pack for trout.  

Water Time Outfitter guides like Rob Crandall and Gil Muhleman have been working the waters of the Deschutes River for over 20 years.  We float the best waters of the canyon and know the river inside and out.  Our favorite way to cover the salmon fly hatch is with the multi-day float trip. This gets you away from the crowded waters of this popular hatch and into the best dry fly action of the river.  Serious whitewater on the Deschutes river keeps out the novice boaters and allows experienced oarsmen rested water where big trout thrive.  Come join us on a river adventure!  See more at: www.watertimeoutfitters.com

Getting ready for dinner on the river

Long time Water Time Outfitters client enjoys the evening on the river

Camp boss Marty Smith prepares breakfast in the glow of the canyon sun.

See the very best of the river canyon when you float with Water Time Outfitter guides

See more info at: www.watertimeoutfitters.com 

Deschutes River Report May 3, 2014

Beginning Fly Fishing Class on the Deschutes

Water Time Outfitters starts the spring season of trout fishing on Oregon's Deschutes River.  Hatches in the spring can be sparse until things warm up.  Water temperatures are hovering around 52 degrees which usually is the temp when stonefly nymphs start to crawl towards shore in their annual emergence.  The great "Salmon Fly Hatch" as it is known is when stoneflies both- black stones and golden stones crawl from their bouldery homes and transition into the "double-winged- flying- helicopter- like" bugs of spring which trout absolutely love to eat.

There are other insects hatching in the spring as well as the salmon flies.  On any given day you may see: Pale Morning Duns, Blue Winged Olives and a smattering of Caddis.  Each day is somewhat different based on the weather.  When no fish are rising anglers do best with a selection of nymphs.

Favorite nymphs for spring are: pheasant tail nymphs sz 14 and 16, Green rock worms sz 14,16; stonefly nymphs in black or golden- sizes 6, 8, 10.  Prince nymphs can be productive as well.  These patterns are best fished with a dead drift technique imitating the natural nymph dislodged from their riverbed home tumbling helplessly along in the current.

One of our first sightings of adult salmon flies in 2014

Adult salmon fly patterns are big flies.  As you can see in the photo above these bugs are often up to 3" long. They are also somewhat clumsy fliers and often crash into the water making a juicy meal for trout.  Favorite fly patterns are:  Sofa Pillow, Chubby Chernobyll, Clark's Stone and Norm Woods Special in sizes 4,6 and 8.

Currently the Deschutes River is running clear and is in good shape near the town of Maupin, OR.  Water levels are around 4300 cfs at the Madras gauge.  For more information on fishing the Deschutes River visit: www.watertimeoutfitters.com 

Clackamas Steelhead Late April

We've got a taste of summer weather this week for our spey anglers swinging flies on the Clackamas river. Temperatures in the 80's have us breaking out of the t-shirts, ditching the long underwear/winter clothing mindset and reaching for the sunscrean.   Meanwhile summer steelhead are showing up on the Clackamas River near Portland, Oregon.  Water flows have been good if not on a bit on the high side.  This weeks flows have been on the drop with water levels at 13'8" on monday and dropping to 13'3" by wednesday.

On the Clackamas we use a jet boat to move from spot to spot where we wade through great steelhead wader using the cast, swing, step approach.  Water temps are rising but still the best success has been with sinking tip lines.  Common sink tips at T-8, T-11 and T-14.  Skagit fly lines and big flies combine with these sink tips to produce an easy to cast presentation that steelhead love.

Grabs are often very aggressive and explosive takes followed by line blistering runs are common for the hatchery based summer steelhead on the Clackamas.  Some of these fish fight so hard and are so fast they are litterally unlandable!  For more information on fishing the Clackamas River on the fly contact guide Rob Crandall or visit our website at: www.watertimeoutfitters.com

Clackamas River Summer Steelhead

Spring Chinook caught on the swung fly

Clackamas River Report

Winter hatchery broodstock numbers are winding down with a mix of wild fish still spread through the system.  River levels have been at a spring low of 12'5" recently.  Water temperatures have been rising and are consistently 44-48 degrees.  Insect activity is picking up and hatches of new insects appear most days with a salmonfly or two in the recent mix.  Smolt are outmigrating in big numbers.  Osprey have showed up and are working them over hard.  Barbless hooks are best for this time of year!  

Summer steelhead are a bit slow in arriving this year.  Hopefully strong numbers show up soon.  Reports of a few Chinook entering the Clackamas have been rumored.  

Algae is starting to grow on the rocks so bring your spikes for wading!

For more info on fishing the Clackamas River visit:  www.watertimeoutfitters.com 

Beginners Guide to Flyfishing - Portland Area class

Start your fly fishing right with good fundamentals and fun!  This introduction to fly fishing is a great course for the beginner, a gift, or fun for the whole family.  

This one day session starts in the classroom at Royal Treatment Fly Shop in West Linn, Oregon.  After our introduction to fly fishing, knot tying, rigging and fish behavior we’ll head to our local water.     There we’ll cover beginning fly casting, fly fishing techniques and strategies for trout along the banks of the Clackamas River.  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 instruction

Don’t let the mystery of fly fishing keep you from enjoying a great sport.  Let us help you untangle the myths of fly fishing and get started right.  

For this 6 hour course rods and reels are provided.  Bring your waders/boots, fishing license, and lunch. This special class is being held:  June 21st, 2014.

Class Fee:  Only $65.00

Class sizes are limited - please reserve your spot in advance.

 Call Royal Treatment Fly Shop 503-850-4397

See more information at: www.watertimeoutfitters.com or www.watertimeoutfitter.blogspot.com

Clackamas River Fishing Report

Fishing has been good on the Clackamas river chasing the chromers of early spring!  The weather has been mostly agreeable with some ups and downs on the water levels this month but we haven't seen a blowout of muddy water the entire month.  Chrome bright fish are arriving daily.  Some days there are more fish around than others and each day a good amount of hunting is often required to find silver.  The fish we see in the month of April in the Clackamas are often a mix of steelhead stocks.  Wild fish chrome bright are still arriving as well as some of the hatchery broodstock based on these wild fish.  The other stock of fish trickling in this year are the summer steelhead.  These robust fighters are often unlandable as they are incredibly acrobatic and balistic fighters!

Fishing the Clackamas River we use a swung fly strategy with spey rods.  Spey casting is a fun and enjoyable way to cover a lot of water fast.  Water temps have been mostly in the 40 degrees range and we typically employ fast sinking tips on the end of Skagit head fly lines.

We use a jet boat on the Clackamas river to cover a range of the best runs quickly.  See more about fishing the Clackamas River with www.watertimeoutfitters.com

Here are a few photos of lucky anglers who landed steelhead on the swung fly this April on the Clackamas River.

Tanner Crandall our "7 year old guide in training..."

Beginning Fly Fishing Class - Deschutes River Oregon

Start your fly fishing right with good fundamentals and fun!  This introduction to fly fishing on the famous Deschutes River is a great course for the beginner, a gift, or fun for the whole family.  This special class is taught by pro guide and magazine editor Rob Crandall. 

This two part class first covers the basics in the classroom at Royal Treatment Fly shop. The second session is on the Deschutes River near Maupin.  The Deschutes is Oregon’s premier blue ribbon trout river.  Here we cover how to rig, fly casting lesson, 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, and On Water Fishing instruction.  For this 8 hour course rods and reels are provided if needed or bring your own.  Bring your waders, boots, fishing license, polarized glasses, lucky fishing hat and lunch.

May 1, classroom session 6-8pm

May 3 on the Deschutes River

Sign up now only a few spots left!  Call Rob Crandall at 503-704-6449

See more about us at: www.watertimeoutfitters.com 

or  www.royaltreatmentflyfishing.com