Deschutes River Salmon Fly Action

Tradition has it in Oregon that when the Dogwood trees start to bloom the spring Chinook are running; another tradition that holds true in Oregon is when the Redwing Blackbirds show up on the Deschutes River the Salmon Flies are hatching!  That call of nature is heard by more than just birds and fish.  Fishermen flock from all parts of the globe to see this "freak of nature-four winged-food bananza" happen on the banks of our favorite river.

Salmon flies and the golden stones are insects that live underwater in the stones of the river some for up to three years in what looks to be an armored outfit.  Only clean oxygenated rivers with all the right components have hatches like the lower Deschutes River.  When the water temps hit 52.5 degrees, these armoured meat packages crawl out of the water into nearby vegetation and shed their skin as it were like the proverbial worm to the butterfly.  These critters not anywhere near the graceful beauty of a butterfly are clumsy fliers and often crash with a smack into the water making a veritable food buffet for hungry trout.

The intensity of this unique hatch which is found in only some of the most legendary rivers of the west can be amazing.  Afternoon flights of thousands of these four winged fliers can pepper the sky.  Driving near the river during one of these afternoons can be disasterous; leaving bloody smears of the three inch blobs coating a vehicle.  The good news is these clumsy critters do not bite.

The fish however do, they seem to love them and viciously attack a floating food morsel of both salmon flies or golden stones.  The goldens seem to be the prefered meal - perhaps they are sweeter?
All this combines to provide anglers on the Deschutes- who have the good fortune of timing their trip right - some unbeleivable dry fly fishing!

Favorite fly patterns for the hatch:
Chubby Chernobyl - Golden
Chubby Chernobyl - Salmon Fly
Chubby Chernobyl - Norm Woods
Sofa Pillow
Clark Stone
Norm Woods Special

Favorite Leaders for this hatch:
7-1/2' 3X tapered leader

Other hatches that show at the same time:
Caddis
Blue Winged Olives
PMD- pale morning dun
Green Drakes (inconsistently)

Fishing the Deschutes can be challenging as regulations do not allow one to fish out of a boat.  Good bank fishing access can be found around the town of Maupin or Warm Springs/Mecca Flats.

To really experience the best of the hatch, in the most remote parts of the canyon join the crew of the guides from Water Time Outfitters.  The WTO team has many decades of experience fishing the banks of the D.  Groups of 2- 10 anglers can easily be accomodated.  See more at:  www.watertimeoutfitters.com

Salmon Flies Starting to Stir- Deschutes, Oregon

Tanner Crandall with a dandy he hooked on a Chubby Norman- May 2, 2016

The expression on his face was priceless; the bend of the rod told the story.  This was no average Deschutes redside, this was a dandy.  The explosion on the surface surely surprised him- this being one of the first times my 9 year old son Tanner experienced salmon fly action on the Deschutes.  Sure, he's caught fish even some while he was too young to remember but this one I'm sure he will remember.  Camping, exploring Indian paintings and fishing on the Deschutes are sure to blaze strong memories of a lifetime no matter what the age. 

Well, it's that time of year when the big bugs of spring start to migrate from their stoney homes to the reeds and trees on the banks of the Deschutes River.  These big bugs are a highlight of the year as they represent the bounty of spring and kick off to the warm sunny season in this high desert canyon of central Oregon.  Virtual "Big Mac's" for trout these clumsy bugs fall into the river and are met with aggressive smashing strikes from hungry trout making for some of the best dry fly action of the season.

Favorite flies are big dry flies like sz 4,6 and 8 Stimulators, Chubby Chernobyl's, Sofa Pillows and such.  Using a short tapered leader tapered to 3X or 4X will help present these big flies close to the bank and under structure.  Water temperatures and flows are looking good and the hatch should be spread through the entire river and just getting better in the next 2 weeks.

Join us for trout fishing fun on the banks of Oregon's wild and scenic Deschutes River.  Water Time Outfitters guides have been working the Deschutes for over 20 years and love to share our favorite waters.  See more about our services at: www.watertimeoutfitters.com

Below is a photo journey of a recent father-son trip on the lower Deschutes.

Getting coaching from dad.

Exploring historic Native American pictographs

Golden Stone!

Fish to hand

Getting down the basics

Dry fly trout to hand

Big fish!  

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 

From Slow to Amazing - Deschutes Steelhead Experience at Its Best

Fishing had been slow all morning, that said two anglers had several opportunities but did not connect and the other two had 2 fish to hand.  Our final spot loomed ahead as we floated into our lunch run.  Gil had his two anglers spread out and my two joined them.  We were in a favorite spot, one that had delivered before.  A tough few days behind us and we were ready for a hot spot and holding hope that our last one would be it.  That is how it is being a steelhead fly fishing guide; you hope and hope.  Always expecting the best and keep coaching the best casts from your anglers; again hoping when the opportunity does happen-because it will- that they don't yank that fly out of the fish's mouth on the first light tap.

Victor was the first to yell out "FISH ON!" Gil and I immediately stopped our lunch prep- Gil grabbing a net and I grabbing the Nikon D7000.  We ran upriver to see Victor fast into a hot fish that wasn't budging.  This is always fun for me with the camera as I get the opportunity to see Gil at work and get those perspectives that I can't get when I am holding the net.  About ten photos into the battle I heard it from down below-"FISH ON!"  Matt who was just beyond view below bellowed.  I knew we had a few minutes before he would need the net so we focused on Victor's fish thinking it was soon coming to hand.  Not so.  It fought tirelessly and Matt belowed again.  I rushed down to Matt this time grabbing my rubberized net and wading in with Matt.  He had a huge smile on his face as the warm sun glinted off his doubled over spey rod.  Matt's fish was smaller than the one upriver with Gil and we landed them almost simultaneously.  It was then that we looked up to see another outfitter floating by.  Gil told him it had been like this all the way down river- he called b.s.. We did hook a total of 5 fish that lunch time and didn't burn lunch!

Cast, swing, step is an easy formula.  There is really not that much to it- but there is.  Minute details add up to more success or less.  Here is the simple formula we use for success:

• Keep moving- steelhead are not hard to convince to bite- they are hard to find.  You have the job of finding them-this run, the next or the one after that.  Keep Moving! Make an effort to consistently move down river for each cast 5-6 feet.  
• Swing for success- your swing is what catches fish.  Don't get caught up casting over and over...get the right cast and focus on your swing.  Visualize how the fly is moving.  How fast or slow is it bouncing in chop or dropping in slow water.  Manage your line for an even swing speed and catch more fish.
• Don't fish a bad cast.  Multiple casts in one spot are a waste of time.  Unless you see a fish roll or have a steelhead tag your fly and it doesn't stick only make one cast in each spot.
• Don't yank the fly away from the fish.  So often trout anglers get twitchy and upon feeling the first tug of a steelhead take they yank hard.  This simply pulls the fly away from the fish and it rarely ends well.  Steelhead takes are a variety from flat out ON with line peeling off to slow soft tugs that feel like a wet sock just floated onto your line.  Patience at this critical juncture is imperative.  Take a muscle relaxer and respond slowly!

For an amazing river experience connect with a crew who has been working the river for over 20 years.  Visit:  www.watertimeoutfitters.com 

Fishing Tips for Fall

Fall is prime time for steelhead fishing and there is unfortuneatly only so much of it, these five tips can help you make the most of those precious fall moments.

Tip #1:  Fish all day.  The doggedly persistent angler finds best results this time of year by staying at it. Fishing all day is productive now as the sun angle is lower in the sky than during summer months.  Prime time of fish movement will still be morning and evening but don't sleep away the day; good action can be found in full sun this time of year.

Tip #2: Change up flies, often one pattern will produce when others don't.  By now steelhead of fall have been in our rivers for at least a month or possible 2 or 3 months.  These fish have seen a lot of offerings and may respond better to some flies than others.  Try using darker flies and smaller flies as the season progresses.  One great pattern that consistently produces in the fall is the Crandall's Devils Candy by Spirit River- www.spiritriver.com

Tip #3:  Move through the run.  Keep moving to find steelhead.  These fish are often really not that hard to convince them to grab your fly but they are hard to find.  Summer steelhead are moving in from the ocean and often covering hundreds of miles to where they will spawn.  Are they in the peice of water you are on now?  Keep moving and find that aggressive fish.  It will let you know it is there!

Tip #4:  Don't be a jerk-that is, don't pull the fly away from the fish.  Later into the fall fish typically tap the fly and grab less aggressively as the season progresses and water gets colder.  Often the take consists of not just one "grab" but a series of soft tugs getting progressively harder.  Resist the temptation to "set the hook" aka -pull the fly away from the fish and you'll have more hookups!  Simply keep swinging the fly until you feel the heaviness of the fish solidly on the line and then put a bend in the rod tightening up on the fish.

Tip #5: Surface flies are the way to go until they are not...getting the swung fly bite on a swung surface fly is absolutely the best, however, when water temps start to dip in late fall consider getting your fly deeper.  Short sinktips like the MOW tips 5/5 and 7.5/2.5 tips are deadly also a 10' T-11 sink tip will get your fly where more reluctant fish can't resist.

Try these tips to up your success during the prime time of fall.  For more instruction and on water experiences visit: www.watertimeoutfitters.com

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

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

July Trout Fishing on the Deschutes- Oregon's Best Trout Water

Trout fishing the Deschutes River in July has been up and down but recently the up's have been way up! Water temperatures released out of the "selective water withdrawl" system at Pelton dam on the Deschutes river are now selecting to cooler waters and that is great news for trout and the bugs they feast on.  Caddis action has reached a new ferver with a spade of cooler flows and the trout are feisty and fat.

A double on strong Deschutes Rainbows!

Water Time Outfitters guides favorite stretch for rainbows on the Deschutes is the most remote part of the canyon floating from Trout Creek down.  These waters have great riffles, legendary back eddies and big rapids.  We've been guiding this section for over 20 years and love to share our favorite strategies for working productive riffles, sudsy back eddies and stalking big bows under the shade of our favorite trees.

Camp time on the river is about making memories!

Caddis patterns this time of year are generally size 16 or 18 and the most common color is tan.  A smattering of mayflies are found this time of year with the magany dun the most common.

The Deschutes River flows north towards the Columbia River.  It is near the towns of Madras, Maupin and the Dalles, OR.  It's not a bad drive from Portland (about 2 hours), Salem and Eugene.

For more information about fishing the Deschutes River in July visit our website or give us a call!  www.watertimeoutfitters.com

Deschutes River Salmon Fly Report May 2015

We've been guiding most every day on the world famous Deschutes River salmon fly hatch.  Fishing has been good as river levels are at very low flows for this time of year.  The hatch that creates such a buzz is the salmon fly hatch- "big mac" meals for feisty rainbows on the lower 100 miles of the Deschutes River.  These big bugs are up to 3" long and provide a super size meal for post spawn-wild redband rainbows of this legendary tailwater river.

The primary focal points for trout fishing the Deschutes are from Warm Springs area to Maupin.  This includes good access points like Mecca Flats, Trout Creek and South Junction.  Easily accessed areas above and below the centrally located town of Maupin also provide room to roam on one of Oregon's biggest trout rivers.  For our guided adventures we focus on the most inaccessible section of this most loved river in Oregon.  We float 32 mile stretch from Trout Creek to just above Maupin.  This float brings the angler on a three day adventure through the wild and scenic canyon and away from the easy accessible and often crowded roadside locals.  Be ready for whitewater however because this solitude does not come easy; you must pass muster with the class 3+ Whitehorse rapid which stretches it's wild ride over 2 miles.  Already this year 2 boats have been bested by this rapid and sunk beneath the dangerous waves.  There are many points of entry to the Deschutes salmon fly action- as the hatch begins to wane, as it is now, focus on the upper segments like Trout Creek, Mecca Flats and Warm Springs.

                        Mark Angel works to retreive a boat that sunk in Whitehorse Rapids last week.

This year with record low snow pack and very mild spring temperatures the waters of the lower Deschutes have warmed quickly and the hatch is as early as I have ever seen it on the lower D.  Some reports of salmon flies showing as early as May 1 were reported this year.  When water temps hit 52.5 degrees is often when the big bug migration occurs.  These big meals in armored shells crawl up shoreline vegetation and hatch.  After hatching they linger on shoreline vegetation for up to 10 days while they mate and lay eggs on the water.  Usually the egg laying or ovipositing is done during the warmest part of the day.  A good hot sunny day really gets the action going.

    Both Salmon flies and golden stones provide an important key in the food chain along the Deschutes R.

Our recent weather has kept the action from getting really hot but it has also spread out the duration of the hatch with soggy bugs in shoreside vegetation waiting for the heat of the day.  The hatch is spread from Maupin to Warm Springs and is waning lower in this section.  Already there are fewer bugs than last week and expect the amount of black stones to dissapate soon with remaining bugs usually being the golden stones. I'd expect about one more week of dry fly action as the hatch sputters out.

      Favorite patterns on the Deschutes salmon fly hatch are Chubby Chernobyls, Chubby Norman, Norm           Woods Special and Stimulator patterns.

For other hatches going on now are a varied mix of morsels.   Caddis, green drakes, pmd's and some days blue winged olives along with yellow sallies are showing.

For more information on fishing the Deschutes river or to connect with an excellent guide contact us at: www.watertimeoutfitters.com