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Showing posts with label Water Time Outfitters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Water Time Outfitters. Show all posts
Monday, November 16, 2015
Deschutes Steelhead Spey Camp
Experience the thrill when a Steelhead takes your fly in Central Oregon's most impressive canyon!
Deschutes River fly fishing at it's finest. See more at: www.watertimeoutfitters.com
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Monday, November 9, 2015
The Deschutes River Fall Steelhead Experience
It is hard to find the words to describe the experience of the Deschutes River canyon fall steelhead trip. It's in Oregon's high desert, sage and juniper trees line the hills where basalt cliffs tower and canyons veer through the crags. This is home to chuckar, quail, bighorn sheep, mule deer and coyote. A National Wild and Scenic cooridor that hosts a bounty of other wildlife along the river too. Beaver, otter, muskrat, mink, varieties of ducks and geese, great horned owls to name a few. Then there are the big birds; bald eagles and golden eagles which are often seen soaring the basalt cliffs and wind ruffled ridgetops searching for prey. Whitewater welcomes the prepared here and eats the non-experienced for lunch! The remoteness of the canyon is part of the adventure where 32 miles of hard to get to water invites your exploration. www.watertimeoutfitters.com
The Deschutes river is an aqua ribbon through this desert landscape and is home to one of the most robust steelhead runs on the lower 48. Here both wild and hatchery steelhead are seemingly somehow born with-out the abiltiy to resist the swung fly. These fish average between 6-8 pounds but are often found to 10 pounds. Each year we land fish in the mid-teens. One does not simply put the breaks on when fighting a steelhead here. Mix big water with powerful fish and it's a recipe made for good seeing portions of backing line. Hang on and enjoy the battle, don't rush it; let that fish run and then coax him back.
Getting ready for Buckskin Mary Rapids.
Wading is required on the Deschutes as regulations do not allow for fishing out of the boat. The best traction money can buy is well worth it here.
History abounds on the Deschutes.
The Deschutes River railroad has an incredible story starting back in 1908.
On this adventure you can wake up to the smell of coffee and step into a prime steelhead run just feet away from camp. Fish til dark if you like and allow the glow of the lanterns in the large canvas tents to lure you off the water. Or perhaps it's the smell of hot chocolate chip cookies coming out of the oven that welcome you to camp. The sound of a crackling fire and dinner on the grill are part of the memorable adventure that tingles the senses and creates lasting memories.
As the weather gets colder times around the fire get better!
Campfires are allowed in the canyon after Oct 15th.
The cool clear waters of the Deschutes are a mecca for salmon and steelhead migrating up the Columbia river. Many seasons the Deschutes runs 10 degrees cooler than the Columbia river and is a much needed safety zone for salmon and steelhead.
Big Deschutes river rainbow trout like to eat steelhead flies too!
Fishing the swung fly for fall steelhead
Bull trout on the Deschutes River.
Wild turkeys in the Deschutes canyon.
Bighorn Sheep on the hills of the Deschutes Canyon
Home away from home on the river.
Come join us for an adventure that words cannot describe; once you see it you will soon know why many of our customers have been fishing this trip with us for nearly 20 years! Make the most of your water time with Water Time Outfitters. For more info visit us at: www.watertimeoutfitters.com @robcrandall @sageflyfish #perfectingperformance
Friday, September 11, 2015
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!
Friday, January 30, 2015
Portland - Sportsmans Show Feb 4-8
The crew will be there too: Gil Muhleman, Kenny Kiley and Marc Williamson.
For discount coupons for the show click on this link: http://www.thesportshows.com/shows/pacific-northwest/discount-coupon/
Saturday, January 17, 2015
Oregon's Winter Steelhead Season 2015
Dave's Oregon Coast Steelhead
Fishing for winter steelhead has been good this season. Oregon's north coast is home to some of the best rivers in the region for winter steelhead. Rivers like the Wilson, Trask, Kilches, NF Nehalem and Necanicum Rivers have seen good returns of chrome steelhead. Winter steelhead fishing has it's challenges. Water conditions and every changing weather are a big factor. Another variable especially telling for fly anglers is the water temperatures; cold water makes fishing tough. For a wide variety of river scenics and fishing variety Oregon's north coast has a lot to offer.
Fly fishing the north coast focuses on two primary techniques; the swung fly strategy and nymph fishing approach. Both are deadly effective at the proper time and place. Swung flies are extremely effective when water temperatures are warmer. Coastal rivers tend to run warmer than inland rivers because of the marine influence and generally warmer temperatures. This plays into the favor of the swung fly angler. The cast is generally down and across alowing the fly to sweep across the current. Quickly covering a large area of water searching for aggressive steelhead. To get the fly down the swung fly approach requires a sink tip for the winter timeframe. Sink tips are often 10-12' long and have varied sink rates. Sinking tips that drop at 6-8 inches per second are common for this time of year. T-11 and Type 8 sink tips are a favorite among many veteran anglers but lighter and heavier tips may be required depending on the wide swing in fishing conditions. While the take of the fly can vary when a fish grabs the swung fly an electrifying tug is often felt. This is where the expression: "The Tug is the Drug" comes from.
Nymph fishing strategies for steelhead allow for a dead drifted presentation and fishes the water much differently than the swung fly. With the dead drift approach getting the fly deep is the main objective. Indicators are placed on the leader allowing the angler to quickly detect a fish or rock that has stopped the fly. Split shot or weighted flies are utilized to anchor through the fast and heavy flows of winter and get down to where the fish are. These are varied depending on the flow of the river.
This year's return of hatchery steelhead has been excellent. Great returns have been seen on many of our coastal rivers. Most notably the NF Nehalem has seen as many hatchery fish return in by Jan 1 as we had return in the entire season on 2014. Limits of fish each day for our guides have been the standard when good water conditions allowed in late December and early January.
For good bank accessible rivers, the Wilson River flowing into Tillamook and the Necanicum River flowing into the Oregon town of Seaside are favorites. Miles of easy access are found along HWY 6 on the Wilson and on HWY 26 for the Necanicum. The Wilson River has many great sections to float but the upper river has extreme hazards. The Kilches river is a beautiful gem which receives early hatchery steelhead and later run wild fish. This river has several good access points and can easily be floated in the lower river with a pontoon boat, raft or drift boat. The NF Nehalem is a dangerous river for floaters and only expert anglers should consider this float. Three water falls in a basalt cliff canyon are the legendary hallmarks of this river. Limited access is found along the bank near the hatchery where anglers have solid results during medium -high water conditions. The Nestucca River is another river just south of Tillamook that sees excellent returns of both hatchery and wild steelhead from December - March.
For the best view of the river join one of the Water Time Outfitters team of guides for a day float. Our guides are experienced oarsmen and expert anglers with a lifetime of experience on the north coast of Oregon. See more info at: www.watertimeoutfitters.com
Friday, November 28, 2014
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!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Saturday, November 15, 2014
Fly Fishing Lakes Class 2015 - Portland Area Fly Fishing!
Learn what it takes to catch trout in lakes with this one
day well rounded, 8 hour, fly fishing school brought to you by Water Time
Outfitters and Royal Treatment Fly shop.
Get started in fly fishing the right way and learn from our pro’s. Our first segment of the class is held in the
classroom at Royal Treatment Fly shop in West Linn, OR. From there we go get a line wet on a private
lake with healthy populations of Rainbow
trout. Get started fly fishing the right
way or just advance your skills on some trophy trout waters. Come join the fun!
What’s Included:
• Beginners
approach to fly fishing session- knots, terminology, rigging etc…
• Fly
casting lesson- learn the basics of fly casting- overhead, roll cast, roll cast
pickup, presentation casts and more
• Lake fly
fishing techniques- dry fly, emerger, streamer and midge techniques
• Lake
entomology lesson- learn what trout eat in lakes
• Guided
fly fishing on a private lake
• V-Boats
and kick fins
Bring your lucky fishing hat, a lunch and your camera you just
might catch some memories!
Our guarantee: We
will work hard so you can learn as much as possible in this class on the great
sport of fly fishing lakes. We will do
our best to see that everyone catches fish and has an enjoyable day. Space is limited reserve your spot
today! Fee is only $130.00 Call 503-704-6449 to reserve your spot today! Classes in May and June 2015 Email: Lake Fly Class Info
Beginning Fly Fishing Class - Clackamas River - Get Started!
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. Our instructors love to share their passion of
fly fishing with this starter course. Starting in the classroom at Royal
Treatment Fly Shop in West Linn you will be introduced to fly fishing theory,
knot tying, rigging and fish behavior then we’ll head to our local water. There we’ll cover beginning fly casting,
fly fishing techniques and strategies 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
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. Class Fee:
Only $65.00 Class sizes are
limited - please reserve your spot in advance.
This one day session held close to Portland , OR at McIver Park on the Clackamas River gets you started. T
This class covers:
- Fly fishing terminology
- Fly fishing knots
- Proper rigging
- Equipment
- Fly selection
- Fly casting
- Entomology
- On Water Fishing instruction
For this 6 hour course rods and reels are provided. Bring your waders/boots, fishing license, lunch and park entry fee.
This special class is only being held: Jun 27, Jun 30, July 11, Aug 19, Aug 22, Sept 26
Class Fee: Only $65.00
Call 503-704-6449 Email: Clackamas Fly Class
A Toast to Fall - Deschutes Colors
Water Time Outfitters offers guided fishing adventures on the Deschutes River in Central Oregon. We specialize in multi-day drift boat and jet boat camp trips. We've been doing this for over 20 years and many of our customers have been with us that long...find out why! www.watertimeoutfitters.com
Mornings on the River - Favorites from Fall 2014
Some of my favorite times this fall I found myself in awe of the scenery. You would think that for a guy who spends just about every day on the Deschutes river during steelhead season it would get to be mundane. In the Deschutes canyon the scenery is fantastic, add in the fall colors the low angle of the sun in October and November and you have the makings for some epic landscapes. Here are a few pics from this season that I really enjoyed. Rob Crandall www.watertimeoutfitters.com
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Summer Steelhead Seminar July 26th
Summer Steelhead Seminar Video Invite
Royal Treatment Fly shop is located in West Linn, OR. Call the shop for details 503-850-4397
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Saturday, July 19, 2014
Free- Steelhead Fly Fishing Seminar July 26
Come join us for a kick-start-tune-up for SUMMER STEELHEAD fly fishing this coming saturday at the Royal Treatment Fly shop in West Linn, OR. We will be discussing fly fishing strategies, fly patterns, gear and much more!
The fun starts at 10 am and don't be late, there will be homemade cookies there and they go fast!
For more details call Royal Treatment Fly Shop: 503-850-4397 or visit: www.royaltreatmentflyfishing.com
Deschutes River - Summer Dry Fly Action
Deschutes River rainbows are busily slurping caddis flies this time of year. The months of July and August the weather is warm and the dry fly action is good. It's a great time to see the river canyon. Join Water Time Outfitters on our three day adventure down the wild and scenic Deschutes canyon fly fishing for native redband trout.
See more details at: www.watertimeoutfitters.com
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Thursday, July 3, 2014
Ten Tips for Deschutes Caddis Success
During the summer months on the Deschutes River below Pelton dam the main food source for feisty redband rainbow trout are caddis flies. Along the lower 100 miles of the Deschutes river there are a handful of species of caddis that live and thrive in the cool waters of this high desert river. Below the columnar basalt cliffs the emerald waters host a strong population of caddis that hatch each day from May through October. During the season the size, variety and density of these caddis change but a basic understanding of these moth like critters can help give you boat loads of rod bending success.
Caddis flies line the table cloth near the lantern at night on our Deschutes River camp.
The main caddis we focus on during the summer months are the Green Sedge or Rhyacophila, the spotted Sedge or the Hydropsyche and the Saddle-Case Caddis or Glossosoma. These caddis have four distinct life stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Most species live in the river for about one year. A major portion of the life of a caddis is spent as a larvae which looks like a small worm.
There are a number of tricks that can help you be more successful with your time on the water during the summer caddis hatches. Below are some favorites that the Water Time Outfitter guides use to help their clients consistently get into fish on the Deschutes. Hopefully these tips will help you make the most of your water time.
1. Match your fly size correctly to the natural. Find hatched caddis that are along streamside foliage and grab one. Get a good look at that little guy and see that your fly pattern is close in color and size. It is easy to tie on a fly that is too big. For the Deschutes river our most common sizes are size 16 and 18.
2. Focus your effort on dry flies at the right time of day. Not that you can't catch fish on dries all day long during the summer months; you can, but you will find more success at specific parts of the day. Prime times to fish dries are during the mid morning hours from 10am - around 2 pm. Often from 3-6 there is a lull in dry fly action. Then the last 2 hours of the day (depending on the weather) the best dry fly action of the entire day is often had. The last 20-30 minutes before dark can be a frenzy!
3. Fish around structure and shade. Big rainbows are smart and if they live on the Deschutes they have survived the legendary hunter in the sky - the osprey. There are so many osprey on the river now that you can see a different nesting pair about every mile of river. That means rainbows are smart to their enemy from above or they are dinner!
4. Keep your fly floating. If you can't see that dry fly it's very difficult to be effective, especially if you are presenting the fly upstream. When you can't see your fly present close with an across current present and you'll feel the take better (good to do in low light right at dark).
5. Polarized glasses for back eddy fishing. Sipping rainbows working the suds are a fine target mid-day. Often food piles up in the eddies more than any place on the river. Big rainbows are well aware of this food smorgasborg and they are there. We like to say "foam is home", meaning where you see foam pile up on the water you will also see lots of food.
6. Casting accuracy for rising fish. Don't line big rainbows that are rising. False cast to the side and get the right line length then present your fly. Your first false cast over a big fish throws spray off your line. Do this to the side of the fish so spray of water droplets doesnt come down right on a feeding fish. It also helps to keep a shadow from crossing over a spooky fish.
7. Emergers - fish deep pupa emergers when nothing is happening on the surface and before the evening hatch to keep the action going during dry fly lulls. When nothing is happening on the surface it might be because there is so much food in the drift the trout have switched their focus.
8. Use both a dry and an emerger dropper during the hatch will get you more results.
9. Bow and Arrow casting under the trees for the biggest fish. The best way to get to big rainbows under the trees. Try it, you might be surprised.
10. Trim the bottom hackle on your dry flies (like Elk Hair Caddis) so they ride on the surface correctly more of the time and sit a bit lower in the surface film.
To fish with the guides who've been doing it for over 20 years come join Water Time Outfitters and Rob Crandall on the Deschutes River. See more information at: www.watertimeoutfitters.com We offer single and multi-day float trip adventures on the wild and scenic Deschutes River canyon. Trout and steelhead fishing are our favorites - come see why!
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Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Fly Fishing for Shad - Portland, Oregon Fishing!
With the arrival of June fly fishing for shad is off and running on the Willamette River just a few miles from Portland, Oregon. Shad are tough fighters, ranging from 1-6 lbs and good tackle testers for #5 and #6 weight fly rods. Shad runs are known to reach over 4 million fish on the nearby Columbia River. With no counting mechanism on the Willamette river shad little is known on how many actually arrive each year but counts at Bonneville Dam on the Columbia are good indicator of when fish are arriving on the Willamette. As of today that count is over 600,000 fish and rising fast with 94,000+ fish crossing the dam just yesterday! What we know is there are plenty of fish! Water Time Outfitters is the only fly fishing company offering guided trips fly fishing for shad that we know of. Come join the fun and catch some great fish! See more about Water Time Outfitters fishing expeditions around Oregon at: www.watertimeoutfitters.com
Friday, May 23, 2014
Summer Dry Fly Action Video on Oregon's Deschutes River
The caddis hatch on the Deschutes River is one of my favorite times of year to fish trout. The weather is predicatably warm and dry, the hatches consistent and the trout - steadily feeding on the surface. What a great combination! This is the time of year for delicate presentations and small flies. Floating lines and four or five weight fly rods are idea. For a fun fishing trip only 2 hours from the Portland area the combination of whitewater, wildlife, camping comfort and great trout fishing is something every fly angler needs to experience.
Check out our video on fly fishing the Deschutes in July.
Check out our video on fly fishing the Deschutes in July.
Oregon's Deschutes River Caddis Action in July
If you want to find some great dry fly fishing without the crowds on one of Oregon's finest blue ribbon trout streams and with-in 2 hours of the Portland airport- come join us on the Deschutes River! In July caddis flies and mayflies consistently hatch each day providing the fly fishing angler prime opportunity at strong wild trout. Much of our fishing this time of year is visual where we spot the fish and cast to it - watching the fish rise to the fly is a thrill!
Our favorite gear for trout fishing in July are #4 or #5 weight fly rods armed with floating lines. On the end of these lines we use a tapered leader that finishes up on the business end with 5X tippet. To this we add on a variety of caddis dry flies. Morning and evening hatches are the norm and mid-day fishing can be excellent as well.
Whitewater, canyon scenery, wildlife and great fishing await in the Deschutes River canyon. Managed carefully by the BLM this river gem is listed as a Wild & Scenic River a designation only found on few of Oregon's best rivers.
Evening Caddis hatch time!
Relaxing in the summer shade on the Deschutes
Come join us! www.watertimeoutfitters.com
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
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