Drought Desparaged Columbia Basin- Deschutes River July 2015

The lower Deschutes River continues to see a cooling trend with cooler weather in Central Oregon.   Water released from Pelton Dam near Madras, Oregon is much cooler than during the deadly heatwave we saw in the last several weeks.  Wild salmon and steelhead are now breathing a sigh of releif and are flooding into the lower Deschutes for rest in the cooler waters.  The Columbia river is still at near leathal temperatures creating a strong vacuum-like pull for these fish to enter the lower Deschutes River.

This is good news for the Deschutes River fishery.  With the selective water with-drawl system in place at the dam on the Deschutes near the 100 mile mark PGE (who manages the complex) should take note of how adjusting their mix to the cooler water deep in the reservior has possibly saved untold wild fish in the Deschutes and Columbia basin.

Note the difference in water temperature from the Deschutes compared to the Columbia River.

The Columbia River Water Temps near the mouth of the Deschutes

The Lower Deschutes River water Temp near the Columbia

Deschutes River water Temp near the Dam

www.watertimeoutfitters.com 

Happy Thanksgiving! Deschutes Steelhead Summer and Fall Video

It's Thanksgiving Day 2014 and as I look back at this year there is so much to be thankful for.  Here is a fun video of fly fishing for steelhead in the Deschutes canyon.  When I watch this video I can't help but be thankful for such a great team of guides and such an amazing resource we have.

Happy Thanksgiving!

October / November Deschutes River Reports

Water Time Outfitters has been guiding most every day in the last several months on Oregon's Deschutes river chasing our favorite fish- Steelhead!  Here we swing flies for the aggressive grab from elusive steelies.  As steelhead migrate in from the ocean they spread out over the lower 100 miles of the Deschutes River.  These fish like to hide in certain spots where the water speed and depth are to their liking.  Structure like boulders and riffle breaks in the current give these migrating beauties a place to rest from their journey against the steady flow of the Deschutes River which averaged 6 miles per hour.  River flows for much of October were steadily around 4000 cfs at Madras and bumped up to around 5000 in early November.  Water temperatures have been very mild and steadily in the 50's slowly migrating lower into November.  The consistent flow and tailwaters of the Deschutes make it ideal water to chase steelies Here you rarely have to worry the river will blow out or turn brown when you arrive.  www.watertimeoutfitters.com

The Deschutes River flows through arid canyons of the high desert of central Oregon.  Sage brush and juniper spice the dry air and fill your nose with a medly of the desert country smells.  Columnar basalt cliffs rise high above you as you float the ancient Deschutes River canyon.  Golden eagles often soar on the rising thermals near these cliffs.  Mule deer and otters often great you along the river's narrow but lush riparian zone next to the steady flowing river.

Our favorite trip on the Deschutes is a camp trip.  Here we send Marty Smith with our gear boat ahead to set a comfortable camp.  Anglers and guides spend all day on the water and come into a prepared camp with a warm campfire going.  Marty often has chocolate cookies in the oven as we arrive.

The Deschutes River has a variety of steelhead strains that arrive in the fall.  The Deschutes hatchery steelhead is from the Pelton Dam hatchery located near the 100 mile mark.  These fish are clipped with the distinctive adipose fin and maxillary fin clipped.  Wild - unclipped fish also spawn in the Deschutes basin.  A strong run of wild fish ascend the Deschutes River each fall.  Out of basin steelhead often stray into the cool verdant waters of the Deschutes as well.  These fish are both wild and hatchery origin.  Hatchery strays will have only the adipose fin clipped.

Water Time Outfitter guides have been sharing the Deschutes river with anglers for over 20 years.  Our seasons are generally filled up with returning guests but we always love to meet new friends.  If you'd like to join us for a Deschutes River fishing adventure visit our website: www.watertimeoutfitters.com and give us a call!  Guides Rob Crandall, Gil Muhleman, Marty Smith and Kenny Kiley.  

Deschutes River Fishing - October 2014

It's been a super busy season for Water Time Outfitters on Central Oregon's Deschutes River this fall.  Each day our guides our working the best water to help our clients find the treasured steelhead.  Our strategy is to swing flies with spey rods for the ultimate steelhead fishing experience.  The fall season is a favorite and many of our guest are repeat customers that have been living the steelhead dream with us for over 15-20 years.  Camps are comfortable and warm with the necessary amenities to make camping riverside the best possible experience.  Meals are hearty and served hot in our canvas dining tent.  The overall river experience in this 32 mile stretch of wild canyon is an amazing opportunity not to be missed.  Each day we see wildlife such as:  otter, mink, Golden Eagle, deer, ducks, osprey and big horn sheep. 

Recent conditions: the water has been in good shape but bumped up the night before last (Oct 29th) to 4410 cfs near Madras.  The water temperatures have been around 50 degrees.  The last few days the night time temperatures have been in the 20-30's and the warm part of the day has been 50-60 degrees.  Most of October it has been much warmer and pleasant with most days reaching around 70 degrees or more.  For trout anglers the season on the upper section closes Oct 31.  Below that consider blue winged olives mid-day. 

The swung fly technique is one of the most addicting ways to catch as Steelhead.  A tight line is held against the current as the fly swings across. Cast, swing, step is the montra as we work through the run looking for the aggressive take of the steelie.  "The Tug is the Drug" is our favorite saying.  (See WTO's "Tug is the Drug" Teeshirts on our website: Click Here

                            Water Time Outfitter guide Gil Muhleman and "Victor Two Casts"

Spey rods are the "weapon of choice" for fly fishers on the Deschutes River.  Covering water is the name of the game for the swung fly technique. If you haven't tried a spey rod, they are essentially 2 handed rods that are commonly 12'6" - 13'6" and really make casting easy.

Client Matt S. holds a dandy steelhead he caught using a Vision- Cult 13'3" #7 Spey rod. 

 

For more information on fly fishing the Deschutes River near Maupin, Oregon; visit our website at:

www.watertimeoutfitters.com

Fall Steelhead on the Deschutes River

October on the Deschutes is the fall steelhead fisherman's favorite.  Amazing canyon views meet the eye and the excitement of whitewater gets your attention but the line ripping thrill of hooking steelhead is really what gets the anglers heart pounding!  Water Time Outfitters offers guided multi-day fly fishing trips for steelhead on the Deschutes River's most remote waters.  Here we see deer, mink, otter, geese, ducks, and bighorn sheep.  This wild section of canyon is very different from the busier waters of the lower Deschutes.  Here big rapids like the three mile long Whitehorse Rapid limit the amount of boaters in this 32 mile segment.  Excellent steelhead runs stretch out before you with columnar basalt cliffs high above.  See more about this trip at:  www.watertimeoutfitters.com

Recent Photos from October:

Snow in my chili, Oregon's Deschutes River Steelhead in November

 

High desert in central Oregon is great during the summer and fall but when winter weather hits you had better be ready for the cold.  It is mid-november and Water Time Outfitters has great clients like Jeff, Penni and Eric who are ready to brave the cold and mine for steelhead in the cool waters of the Deschutes River.  Steelhead in the Deschutes river are of a genetic strain that stays in freshwater a long time; their final destination is to spawn in late winter or early spring.  That means long after the prime time crowd has left the river, steelhead by the thousands swim silently in the cold waters of thebig river northbound from the Cascade mountain crested town of Bend. 

 

Our first days lunch was hot chili that warmed us up inside out just as snow flakes began to fall.  Snow fell softly and then moved on as the weather changed quickly.  We wondered how the night might go with precipitation in the air.  Arriving in camp with the glow of lanterns lit in the sturdy canvas tents and the crackle of a warm fire we quickly forgot we were in the wilds of the canyon in winter weather.  Heaters warmed each tent and Marty our camp preparer delivered hot chocolate chip cookies fresh out of the oven.  That night we clinked our glasses in a toast to the weather and the steelhead gods which were so generous our first day. 

Each day we worked our way down the river about 10 miles.  The runs and riffles of favored steelhead water were everywhere.  What we didn't see were other anglers.  The scenery and setting were amazing.  We even saw 2 bull elk along the river.  Golden eagles soared high above distant ridges and mallard ducks were around each soft bend in the river. 

Layering with good thermal base layers like a thin merino wool then a medium thermal with good fleece and a warm hat coupled with waders that didn't leak and all were warm and toasty even when the mercury dipped into the 30's and 40's.  Not bad by B.C. standards but still a big change from a warm and comfortable office. 

By the last day all had experienced the thrill of fighting and landing steelhead on the fly rod.  Wild and hatchery fish were caught.  Some were lost but most were landed.  A few good pics happened along the way as well. The photos along with the text from this trip. 

Even with a few snowflakes the chili was still great!

Deschutes River Steelhead Wrap- November 1

Steelhead fishing was generally good with the occasionally tough day this year on the Deschutes river.  (See photos below).  Overall, we had consistent results and found fish on almost every trip.  We had a few tough days as can be expected on a year with 10 year lows for fish returns.  All in all it was a great season and we had a blast. We caught some incredible fish made some new friends and shared an amazing river with a lot of people. 

Here is a note from one of our recent customers:

Hi Rob,

On behalf of the three of us that fished with you and your stellar team of guides, I want to thank you for what was by far the best guided fishing trip I have ever been on! We talked to a person at one of the fly shops the day before the trip who stated that the steelhead counts were at a 10 year low. I was fully expecting this trip to be the same as every other with other guides where we didn’t catch anything for the 3 days. Don’t get me wrong, it is steelhead fishing so catching one is a bonus, and to have 6 fish between the 3 of us and 10 more hookups was phenomenal!

Not only were all the guides amazing at fishing, the food and accommodations exceeded all expectations.

Please sign us up for the same time next year, 4 fisherman or maybe 6 if I can pull it together.

Lastly, send me a good mailing address for you. I want to send you a gift you may find useful on the river. It is just to say thanks again for the best fishing trip I have ever been on.

Feel free to use this as a testimonial on your site.

Thanks,
Steve E.

Looking forward to another great year ahead.  If you'd like to fish with us find us at: www.watertimeoutfitters.com  Here are some highlight photos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fall Weather and Oregons Deschutes River Colors

Finally the summer weather has given way to fall and cool crisp evenings are common now on the Deschutes River.  The leaves are in full fall dress now (mid-October) and the colors of riverside foliage adds sharp color to the grand scene of the Deschutes canyon.  Steelhead are spread through the entire system and many like the fall leaves are sporting coloration of varying shades.

The water levels have bumped up sharply mid month and wading is a careful exercise in some spots.  Currently the water levels are around 5300 cfs at Madras. 

Water temperatures are slowly decending and are hovering around 53 degrees. 

See more about Oregon's famous Deschutes River at:  www.watertimeoutfitters.com  

A Good Morning on the River

Deschutes steelhead fishing is full swing with fish spread through the system from the mouth to Warm Springs.  Water levels have been low on average for the first part of the month and have finally started to bump up over 4000 cfs at Warm Springs. 

October client Ken lands 4 fish before lunch.  Great morning Ken!  Way to go.

See more about fishing the Deschutes River on this blog or at our website: www.watertimeoutfitters.com