Water Time Outfitters Seminar and Show Schedule 2016

We love to share our fishing knowledge- come meet us at these shows or seminars!

Rob Crandall
Jan 9                     Royal Treatment Fly Shop 10am
Feb 10-14             Portland Sportsmans Show come by our booth along the fly casting pond!  I will be                              doing 2 presentations each day- stop by and say hello.
Feb 20                  Royal Treatment Fly Shop 10 am - the Mysteries of Steelhead Water
Mar 12                  Fly Fishing Expo (Albany)
April 9                  Royal Treatment Fly Shop 10 am- How to be an Unsuccesful STHD Angler



Marc Williamson

Jan. 14 Santiam Fly Fishers (Salem)

Jan. 21 Sunriver Fly Fishers

Feb. 10-14 Portland Sportsman Show

Feb. 27 Into to Fly Fishing

March 9 Tualatin fly Club

March 10-12 Fly Fishing Expo (Albany)

Sandy River Fishing Report - January

The Sandy River has continued to produce good numbers of winter steelhead for anglers who have toughed out the rough weather December and early January has dished out.  The hatchery at Cedar Cr (a tributary of the Sandy) has already seen a decent return and has begun to recycle fish back down river to the Lewis and Clark boat ramp.  Recycled fish can be identified by a single hole pounch found inthe right side gill plate of the fish.  In addition good numbers of wild steelhead make a showing in Janaury.  Fishing is best from the hatchery down to Lewis and Clark with much of the pressure centered around Oxbow park.

A typical rule of thumb for the Sandy River is when snow levels are below 4,000 feet fishing conditions get good.

If you decide to hit the Sandy try the Crandall's Provider in Black and Blue- the wild fish of the Sandy seem to especially like this fly. Find this fly at: www.spiritriver.com or at Royal Treatment Fly shop 503-850-4397

Oregon's North Coast Fishing Report

Fishing should improve at water levels recede from this current weather front that is hammering the Oregon Coast rivers right now.  Forecast call for a sharp rise in the next few days but dropping trend next week.  That should spell good fishing for most north coast rivers.  Most top names are producing well this year: Wilson, Nestucca, Kilches, Alsea and NF Alsea, NF Nehalem, Necanicum and Siletz rivers are booting out their fair share of chrome this winter.

Some of the first to drop and clear will be the Kilches and Necanicum rivers.  Try bright colored patterns that are visible in green waters.  One of our favorite fly patterns is the GUIDES CHOICE. 

Watch for water levels to drop this week and be ready to hit it!

Good luck on the water!

Clackamas River Fishing Report- January 2016

Winter steelhead have been landed in good numbers already this year on the Clackamas.  Fishing has been stronger so far this year than many years past in January.  Most fish are being caught from the mouth of Eagle creek to the mouth of the Clackamas.

Watch water levels on the Clack for best fishing.  Remember that winter storms will muddy the river especially below Deep cr (below Barton) and Clear cr. (near Carver).  Ideal levels on the Clackamas are below 14' - we prefer anything under 13' for best wading.  In the week ahead look for muddy water and high flows.  As the water drops fishing will improve and fish should be spread through the system.

Good river access is available in the lower Clackamas at a number of locations.  Many of the state and county parks on the Clackamas have great access and boat ramps.

To learn about the entire Clackamas River steelhead run check out our upcoming Winter Steelhead Workshops available throughtout the winter.  Winter Steelhead Workshop Info

The Guides Choice- A Fly Pattern for Winter

One of my favorite patterns for the green waters of winter is the "Crandall's Guides Choice".  This pattern is commercially produced for me by Spirit River.  It has combines color and movement to get results during winter flows.  First, I tie this pattern with a small lead eye, I like white because it gives a spot of color that stands out.  When water clarity is low colors that really show up are key.  Some of my favorites for low visibility (low clarity) is fire orange and cerise.  These make a powerful combination and represent squid colors steelhead are used to eating out in the ocean for the last several years.  The movement of the extended rabbit fur tail is excellent combined with the flowing/swimming motion from the specially designed wing of ostrich herl.  

Try this pattern or one like it on the green waters of winter where you fish!  I think you'll like it.  Find this pattern at:  www.spiritriver.com  or Royal Treatment Fly Shop in West Linn, OR 503-850-4397

Please note: when tying this fly rotate the hook opposite of the photo above.  Spirit river has now corrected this problem but hook point riding up is best.  It reduces nasty snags and is better on the fish you hook.  Thanks!  Rob Crandall

Winter Steelhead Action Plan

Winter steelhead fishing is in full swing now in NW rivers.  We have so many options here in this amazing part of the world.  Big rivers and small are part of the landscape and sometimes your choices are tough, where do I go when?  Here are a few ideas to help you sort out the where to go when.

1.  January is dominated by hatchery steelhead runs in most of Oregon and Washington.  That doesn't mean that wild steelhead aren't around - they are but big numbers of hatchery chromers are swimming in many of the Oregon rivers now.  Tops spots:  Wilson, Nestucca, Siletz, Alsea and NF Alsea, Kilches, Neccanicum are some of the very best targets for early season winter fish.

2.  Water levels and conditions dictate when and where to hit these rivers.  This time of year flows are high low and inbetween and that impacts our fishing success.  Some rivers simply are going to be too muddy- ie...SF Nehalem much of the winter!  Watch river levels and clarity to make your best choices on where to go when.  Fish lower in the river system when long periods of low, clear and cold water exist.  When water is higher ie warmer fish higher in the river system.  Keep in mind higher up the river often puts you above tributaries that turn lower sections muddy.

3.  River clarity gauge- these rivers drop and clear fast:  Kilches and Neccanicum rivers.  Hit these first after major rain events.  Fishing best water conditions puts the odds in your favor.  After several days with out rain next look at: Trask, Wilson and then the Nestucca.  After long periods of no rain and when many small rivers arebtoo low and clear look to the larger rivers like the Clackamas, Wilson and Nehalem rivers to still offer good opportunity at success.

4.  Match your fly pattern choices to the water conditions.  If the water is green with a tinge of brown use cerise/orange in large profile that shows up.   As rivers drop and clear switch to black/cerise and Black/blue is great in clear water.  Scale down fly sizes as the water gets crystal clear and low.  We like having a selection of colors as well as weighted and unweighted patterns.

Best of luck on the water!

Rob Crandall www.watertimeoutfitters.com

Winter Steelhead Tune-Up Class

Winter Steelhead Tune-Up Class March 5th, 2016

Dial in your approach for winter steelhead on the banks of the Clackamas River with pro guide Rob Crandall.  Rob reveals the tips, tricks and tactics from over 20 years of guiding.  Things you need to be more successful with the swung fly this winter.  This four hour session is a jump in and go class getting to the nuts and bolts of swung fly success.  Water lev

el depending you will be transported to good fishing water via jet boat, optimizing the amount of water we can cover and assess.  Assistant guide Todd Rettmann will be on hand to help.  Details of the approach and personalized coaching from Rob and Todd help you increase your odds of success.

We recommend you join us on the FREE seminar before the class (Feb 20^th) at Royal Treatment Fly shop in West Linn, OR. 

Class Location:    This on-water class will be held on the Clackamas River 

Class Timing:     Morning Session is 8:00am-12pm   

                             Afternoon session 12:30-4:30 pm 

Class Fee:   $75 Per person.  Choose either Morning session or Afternoon Session.  Prepayment is required.

Payment Options:      Email us for payment details: rob@watertimeoutfitters.com or call 503-704-6449

Recommended Equipment:  #7 or 8 spey rod, Skagit fly line, sink tips (10’ T-11), waders, boots, fishing license, raingear.

Rods/reel/line combos are available on request.  Preferred flies are Crandall’s Steelhead Nitemare, Crandall’s Provider, Pick Your Pocket black/blue, Crandall’s Guides Choice.  

Water Time Outfitters, Inc. is an Oregon based guided fishing operation that focuses on Oregon's best fly fishing waters for Steelhead and Trout fishing.  See more about us at: www.watertimeoutfitters.com  #thetugisthedrug  #stlhdr #watertime