Deschutes Steelhead - The Three Day Trip Last Minute Openings!

If you've ever wanted to see the best waters of the Deschutes River and swing a fly through one incredible steelhead run after the next- this may be your opportunity.  We have had a few last minute openings for October and November.  2015 Open Trip dates are:  Oct 15-17, one spot Oct 25-28 and one spot open Nov 13-15. Below are the details about the trip and how it works.  Let us know asap if you are interested in joining us for a trip of a lifetime.

For over 20 years, WaterTime Outfitter's guides have been offering and multi-day adventures for Deschutes River Steelhead. 

The World famous Deschutes River is second to none in steelhead fly fishing. This river is a gem in the high desert of central Oregon. Flowing north to the Columbia River the Deschutes River is home to one of the most robust summer and fall steelhead runs in the lower 48. Aggressive steelhead caught on swung fly are the hallmark of the Deschutes. This technique is thrilling and rewarding. Our permit covers the lower 100 miles of the Deschutes River for both drift boats and power boats. We fish different sections as these prized fish migrate upriver. Fishable numbers of steelhead are available from July through November. 

Guided Multi-day Camp/Float Trips for Steelhead 

Wake up in the morning with a cup of coffee and step into a prime steelhead run only feet away from camp. The thrill of the take from an aggressive steelhead can be only a cast away. Comfortable camps on the world famous Deschutes River get you into the action and away from the crowds. Our camps are designed to be home away from home with large 14’ x 14’ canvas tents that you can stand and walk around in. Comfortable cots and plush sleeping pads make your adventure a breeze. Our camp staff prepares our lodging in advance and often has hot cookies coming out of the oven as you arrive. Fish ‘til dark if you like a fully prepared meal will be awaiting you. Guided camp/float trips are based on two anglers per boat, with groups of 4 or 6 most common; more can be accommodated. 

What we provide: Our overnight guided drift boat float trips are win an experienced guide and oarsman (click here to see our guides). Expect patient personalize attention and intent focus on optimizing your time on the water. This trip also includes camp staff to float ahead and prepare camp. We provide dry bags for your use. Camp is fully supplied with tents, cots, and comfortable sleeping pads. We carry thousands of flies however we recommend you have a selection of favorites. Overnight trips we supply all your meals starting with BBQ shore lunch day one through lunch the last day, soft drinks, snacks and water. Rod, reel, lines are available when scheduled in advance. 

Three day float trip: $1200
Four day float trip:   $1600

Please call Rob Crandall or Gil Muhleman ASAP to save your spot for these open dates.

Rob 503-704-6449
Gil 541-419-7778

September Steelhead - Oregon's Deschutes River Ups and Downs

The fishing update on the Deschutes River consists of typical steelhead fishing reports from a season that has been plauged by murky waters of White River dumping silt into the lower river - the mecca for steelhead fishing in August and September.  Recent coolings in our weather has helped but more frequent fall rains have continued the off and on clearing of the lower river.  Most days the water clarity is good enough to warrant plying the waters and even in reduced visibility we've been catching a decent tally - when the water clears to a clear vision of your boots in waist deep water watch out and double check your drag.  Our last day the water cleared enough to see boots in thigh deep water we tallied up 9 hookups for the day.

Swinging flies is the most productive way to cover a lot of water on a big river like the D.  The thrill of the take is unmistakable and addictive thing.  With off colored water we have done well with sink tips and Spirit River flies in the Crandall versions of:  The Wedding Dress (blue and Cerise), Devils Candy and The Provider have all yeilded great results.

We've even found a few willing chinook on recent days.  Some of these salmon are huge and large splashy jumps reveal their presence.  Steelhead typically don't mix well with thier smellier cousins and often are found higher in riffle water or deep in tailouts when chinook are around.

Trout fishing seems to be doing well with the cooler water and decent hatches of PMD, some Blue Winged Olives and sometimes blizzards of midges.  We also know fall is here as October caddis have been showing too.  Water flows have been very consistently around 3800 cfs out of Pelton Dam.  The upper river runs clear free from the effects of White river.

Marty Smith working the camp kitchen

It's that time of year when we operate our camps on the lower Deschutes River; launching our jet boats from Mack's Canyon and setting up residence for 10 days at a time on the most famous steelhead waters of the Deschutes.  Camp life is great when you've been fortunate enough to get a camp with great steelhead water and good protection from the wind.  It's also a life saver for a fishing guide to have Super Man of running camp Marty Smith keeping things running smoothly.  However, I can attest; even Marty can't help when a guide leaves his best pile of boot socks at home-yet that's another story (big thanks to client Kevin L for saving the day there!).

For a taste of adventure visit our website: www.watertimeoutfitters.com

September Steelhead Fishing the Deschutes

September has arrived and with it hints of fall.  As I drove over Mt. Hood on hwy 26 recently the thermometer readout said 34 degrees- a welcome cooling from a long hot summer.  This part of the season we are setting camp on the lower Deschutes with the jet boat in the quest for summer steelhead. These fish are incredible and are in the prime of their life; athletes of pure muscle that can swim in bursts up to 35 mph. Each day we have been connecting with these amazing fish and almost every single fish is running out all our fly line and deep into the backing.  Below is a quick glimpse of camp in the morning last week.

Todd Rettman with the morning "go" medicine

The coffee was hot and welcome after just four days in camp I was getting a bit tired already and the morning sleep was hard to pry from my eyes.  The gray of dawn welcomed our two anglers Henry and Elliot. With a quick snack and something to drink they marched to their respective segements of the amazing steelhead run that we were camped on.  Todd and I prepped for the day tidying camp and preparing breakfast and lunch.  Not far into my first cup of coffee-with way too much French Vanilla creamer in it, we distinctly heard- "FISH ON!" from Henry down below camp.  I grabbed the rubberized catch and release net and ran downstream, my favorite type of excercise while on the river.

Henry was fast into a hot fish.  It ran far into this wide section of the Deschutes and jumped three feet in the air, landing with a spectacular twisting splash.  The reel surged and sang as line peeled off the reel.  Todd and I enjoyed the show as Henry wrestled with one of the finest fish out there.  Then I faintly heard it; was that a whistle?

Henry's wild Deschutes Steelie

Elliot at 72 years young was equipted with a whistle on his waders.  Todd sprinted upriver to see what his status was while I enjoyed the show- the battle with Henry and the sprinting steelhead.  Finally, the chrome steelhead sucummed to the constant bend of the long rod and we slid a wild 10lb fish into the net.  Shouts of joy rang through the canyon.  This was Henry's first fishing trip in over a year.

With the fish released and Henry back on his way to his next steelhead encounter I headed upriver to see what was going on.  I made it to camp and saw Todd.  He was wet.  "What's going on?" I asked.   "We did hear a whistle, Elliot has a fish on too!  I did'nt have my waders on yet so I waded in anyway and helped Elliot land his fish" Todd relayed.

Elliot checks off a bucket list item- Deschutes Steelhead on the spey rod!

A double to start the morning; and that is how it goes when wild, amazing, powerful, aggressive steelhead show up on camp water.  Now all I need is a double shot of coffee!

Deschutes Guide Tricks -Working in August Water

Fishing the Deschutes for steelhead has been interesting this year.  With low flows, warmer water and glacial silt coming in from White River the angler who adapts and changes their approach will do much better.  

White River a tributary to the lower Deschutes has been dumping in chocolate milkshake colored water this year.  Some days more than others.  Often it is but a trickle and doesn't effect the big Deschutes river, however some days it can make the entire lower 50 miles look the color of concrete.  We have been hearing of many anglers getting blanked on the lower Deschutes.   We have found that switching our strategy and flies has produced consistent results even in the murky water.

As fishing guides who make a living finding steelhead year round we have found a comfortable switch for us has worked; diving into our winter steelhead strategies has made a difference.  Get the fly down where fish can see it seems to be the ticket lately with water clarity as a mere 20" some days.  T-11 sink tips and big flies have created some lasting memories and slimy hands for many of our guests this season.

Top flies have been the Crandall's Wedding dress in cerise and the Crandall's Devil Candy pattern.  Both these flies have delivered for us quiet well during limited visibility times.  

You can find these patterns at:  Royal Treatment Fly Shop in West Linn, OR or at www.spiritriver.com 

#crandallflies, #flyfishsteelhead

August River Report- Deschutes Steelhead

It's August and it has been typically hot weather lately.  The next few days hold 97 and 99 degrees in the forecast making even the dog look for shade.  It's also prime summer steelhead time on the Lower Deschutes River in central Oregon.  The Deschutes is an important sanctuary for the entire upper Columbia basin migration of salmon and steelhead.  Many of these fish are precious and sometimes endangered wild salmon and steelhead.  The cool waters of the Deschutes river are a respite from the harsh and nearly lethal conditions found in the bath water of the dammed and nearly stagnant Columbia River, where water temps soar over 70 degrees- not a good mix for cold water fish.

This chart from August 17th shows how deadly warm the Columbia river can be and why it is so important for PGE and dam operators on the Deschutes River system to draw cool waters from the base of the dam at Pelton dam on the Deschutes river utilizing the new selective water withdrawl system put in place about 5 years ago.

Here you can see the lower Deschutes at Moody rapids near the mouth of the Deschutes where it meets the Columbia River.  The huge difference in temperature between the Deschutes and the warm Columbia river create a safe haven for upstream migrating fish where they can duck into the cool waters and revive before heading on up the Columbia river later in the fall when water temperatures have cooled and are not so lethal.
Visit www.deschutesriveralliance.org  for more information and see how you can help support proper management of the Deschutes river flows and help protect wild salmon and steelhead of Oregon, Washingtoon and Idaho.

Deschutes River Report August

This month so far has been a series of ups and downs; water clarity has been good, bad and everything inbetween lately.  White River, a tributary to the lower Deschutes River has been dumping in cement like water that makes the best DQ  Blizzard look thin.  This combines with the Deschutes to create off colored water for the lower 50 miles or so.  This clarity has made steelhead fishing difficult at times.  Predicting when it will clear is anybody's best guess.  With out more thundershowers on the glacier or extreme heat the river will usually drop and clear a bit in two days.

Each day is a new test wading into the river this year as severe drought has brought the White River glacier to tears everytime it get very hot or a thundershower blasts through.

There are still lots of steelhead to be found on the lower Deschutes.  Get your fly down with a sink-tip and fish in full sun for best visibility when the water has only 20" of clarity.  Using bigger flies with lots of flash like Crandall's Wedding Dress in Cerise or Blue have worked well for us or the Devil's Candy Pattern (both available at www.spiritriver.com ).  #flyfishthedeschutes   #perfectingperformance @sageflyfish

This year's weather and water conditions have made it a year of adaption.  Try these strategies and good luck on the water!

Rob

www.watertimeoutfitters.com

Big Surprise on the Small Rod

Mike O. lands a salmon on a 5 weight fly rod!

While fishing with Water Time Outfitters guide Gil Muhleman client Mike O. didn't expect to become a legend in one morning.  After working through a run with good success nymph fishing for rainbow trout on Oregon's Deschutes River Mike hooked what was noticeablly bigger than the average trout.  After a lengthy battle he landed a dandy - Chinook Salmon on his #5 weight fly rod!!

Congrats to Mike!

www.watertimeoutfitters.com