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

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

Angler Wear Just in Time for Christmas!

We know you are addicted just like we are-that's why we make these crazy t-shirts!  If you are a hard-core angler we know you'll love these shirts.  Our company is made up of serious full time fishing guides who love the sport.  We think these shirts are almost as good as line peeling off the reel and we hope you do too.  Go ahead, get your limit!

Chinook Wear:

Are you the angler that can't think of anything else come springer season, upriver brights or fall chinook.  If so, then this shirt is for you!

Made with Quality Gildan 100% pre-shrunk comfy cotton in full cut men's sizes.  Available in Medium, Large, XL, and XXL sizes.

Available in these colors:  Black, Sport Grey, Orange

Only $19.99 +shipping/handling

See our entire line of T-shirts or to Order Now click here

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

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 

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

Big Bugs Taste Great! Deschutes River Salmon Flies

It's that time of year again or actually it's super early but things are getting started wether you are ready or not- the annual migration of the biggest bug of the Deschutes River is starting.  Big black stoneflies and goldens are crawling out and hatching while I write this on Oregon's most famous river.  This is a monumental hatch and bugs up to three inches are the fare.  This pulls some of the biggest cagey trout from the depths to dine on the surface while bug wiggling by like cheeseburgers on a conveyor belt are served.  Needless to say it's prime time!

This year's hatch is arriving early, with snow pack at miniscule levels and a warm spring is contributing.  Water temps have warmed up enough to trigger the feast and trout are starting to look upward.  This hatch often gets going with a lot of bugs a-flutter before the wild Deschutes Redband trout will key on them.  We are still some time away from that but don't wait until your traditional time to get out there.  Things may be done by then.  Warm weather can help accelerate the hatch just like cool rainy weather seems to slow it down.

Just late last week (May 1) there were salmon flies flying around Maupin and some reported up to Whitehorse.  None at Warmsprings yet but we can expect that with-in a week or so.

For now all eyes are on the Deschutes and the big bug smorgasborg about to happen!

For more fishing informations and to connect with our top guides visit: www.watertimeoutfittters.com

Winter Steelhead Technique Tune-Up

Dial in your game for winter steelhead on the banks of the Clackamas River not far from Portland, Oregon with pro guide Rob Crandall.  Rob reveals the tips, tricks and tactics you need to be more successful with the swung fly this winter.  This three hour session is a jump in and go class getting to the nuts and bolts of swung fly success with personalized attention on your technique.  Only $40.  Spots fill fast, save yours today!  Call Rob 503-704-6449 or email:  Winter Steelhead Tune-Up Class 

On water class session is held after our FREE seminar at Royal Treatment Fly Shop in West Linn, OR.  Free seminar starts at 10am - 11:30 on water session will be from 1-4pm.

Next Available Class Dates:

Mar 21

A note from a recent class participant:'

Rob,

Just wanted to say I really appreciated your help yesterday. I went back out this morning and fished deeper, with a slower swing, and without my hand gripping the line mid-swing.  On probably my 10th cast I felt a bump, pull, and then lost about 10 feet of line to the first run of a fish.  My first real hook-up with a steelhead on the swing!

Thanks so much!

James

See more about Rob Crandall's guided fishing at: www.watertimeoutfitters.com  

A Chromer for Bob

Our good friend and client Bob M. from the Portland area loves to chase steelhead.  At a bit over 70 years young he is still up for a good battle with a chrome steelie.  This beauty of a hatchery fish found on one of our favorite Oregon coast rivers went home with Bob for a BBQ.  Way to go Bob!

See more about Water Time Outfitters at: www.watertimeoutfitters.com 

Big Water Event Ahead

This graph shows the forecasted water levels for the Clackamas River for Dec 19-24.  Rarely do we get a graph like this where there is so much pink at the top of the screen.  More commonly on big rain storms we would see the river rising near or to the Action phase at 18'.  Here it shows the river rising to Major Flood stage at nearly 25'.  Normal flows for this time of year are around 12'6"-14'.  Looks like this one is going to be a dandy.  Watch for new channels to form and the river to shift.  We may have some new holes to fish by Christmas!

www.watertimeoutfitters.com 

Early Morning Chrome

Mornings on the river are full of anticipation.  Sometimes those first casts are rewarded with an aggressive fish.  It had barely gotten light when client Eric H. connected with this chrome rocket. www.watertimeoutfitters.com

Winter Steelhead Season - December 2014

It is now early December and winter steelhead action is starting on the Oregon coast.  Fish returning this time of the season are often referred to as the early returning winter run fish.  These are typically the hatchery component of the winter steelhead run.  Most common rivers to find early returning winter steelhead in Oregon are the Nestucca, the Wilson, NF Nehalem, the Alsea, Necannicum and the Kilches rivers.  

Winter steelhead time of year the water is cold and requires the fly angler to get their fly down to the fish.  Sink tips or indicator riggings are most productive.  Common sink tips are T-11 and T-14 and at 10' long.  These tips are delivered with a shooting head fly line system called a Skagit line.  At the end of the sinking tip a short leader helps ensure the fly stays where is should- deep.  

Favorite patterns for winter steelhead are often larger than summer favorites.  Flies that have movement and swim with a life-like motion often get the best results.  A few of our favorites below are available at fly shops in the NW and at www.spiritriver.com 

Crandall's Guide Choice is a great fly when there is a lot of green coloration in the water. 

Crandall's Steelhead Nitemare is a producer under most water conditions.   

Crandall's Provider is a great fly for clear to medium clear water conditions.

For more information on winter steelhead in Oregon visit: www.watertimeoutfitters.com or check out our class/seminar schedule to get hands on help with steelhead success! 

Winter & Spring Steelhead Workshops - 2015 Schedule

Want to learn how to catch winter steelhead on Oregon Rivers?  Water Time Outfitters offers a special workshop just for you!  These workshops are designed to get walk in fly anglers comfortable with a variety of spots and techniques that will put them into fish on the Oregon's best rivers.

Here is how it works. We start at the crack of 9:00 am at a designated location near the water with coffee and donuts. We’ll review maps that will give you at least a dozen productive steelhead runs that you can drive and walk to often these are spots we personally fish. With coffee in hand we’ll discuss the maps in detail.

Then when we’ve reached proper caffeine level we’ll grab a bunch of gear and head out to the water.   We will tour the river from the bank bound angler point of view showing you the sweet spots with public access.  On the water we will cover: fishing techniques, fishing strategy, fly selection and more. This is also time to talk about lines, rods and rigging. We’ll have plenty of spey rods and nearly 20 fly lines for you to try out and get a feel for different systems. We will have plenty of spey rods and switch rods for you to try out and different lines to try on your own rod. If you need some basic spey casting lessons there is usually a little time for that as well.

If we actually catch a fish it will be by accident. The purpose of this workshop is to give you the tools you need to find, read, and properly fish good steelhead water the actual fishing will be secondary.

Around 1pm we’ll break for a hungry man’s lunch and then head on to some more spots with steelhead water you’ll want to drool on!

Steelhead Workshop Classes offered in 2015:

January 10th - Wilson, Trask, Kilches rivers- meets in Tillamook instructor- Gil Muhleman

January 24th  -Clackamas & Eagle Creek meets at Royal Treatment Fly shop -instructor Rob Crandall

April 4th - Clackamas River meets at Royal Treatment Fly shop- instructor Rob Crandall

Workshop cost is $100 including lunch and is limited to 8 anglers. Booking is through Royal Treatment Fly shop in West Linn, OR.  Spots fill fast.

Click Here to: Sign up NOW with Royal Treatment Fly Shop

Call Rob Crandall for more info 503-704-6449 or to reserve your spot.  Email:  Winter Steelhead Signup Info

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

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 

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.

Beginners Guide to Flyfishing - Portland Area class

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.  

This one day session starts in the classroom at Royal Treatment Fly Shop in West Linn, Oregon.  After our introduction to fly fishing, knot tying, rigging and fish behavior we’ll head to our local water.     There we’ll cover beginning fly casting, fly fishing techniques and strategies for trout along the banks of the Clackamas River.  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
• 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. This special class is being held:  June 21st, 2014.

Class Fee:  Only $65.00

Class sizes are limited - please reserve your spot in advance.

 Call Royal Treatment Fly Shop 503-850-4397

See more information at: www.watertimeoutfitters.com or www.watertimeoutfitter.blogspot.com

Lake Fly Fishing Class- May 2013

Want to get started fly fishing lakes or just learn to fly fish?  This is a great class to get going and learn in a fun and informative atmosphere.  This is a two part class that gives you the tools you need to get a good start on fly fishing lakes.

Part 1 is held at a fly shop classroom covering the basics.  Knot tying, rigging, fly selection, lake discussion and gear are covered here.  2 hour session.

Part 2 is held on a private ranch near Tyghe Valley, OR. (approximately 1:45 minutes from Portland). These fertile lakes host an excellent population of rainbow trout.  Food sources are prolific and range from midges, callibaetis, damsel and leeches. Trout are often caught up to 16-18" with some up to 10lbs in these lakes.  Here we cover fly casting starting with square one or building on your current skills.  We cover fishing techniques and strategies, provide a hot lunch and spend the day on the water.

Bring your lucky fishing hat a camera and makes some fly fishing memories in our fly fishing lakes class.

Call to save your spot today:  503-704-6449  See more fishing opportunities at: www.watertimeoutfitters.com

Salmon Fly Workshop - Deschutes River

Water Time Outfitters offers the perfect package for fly anglers plying the Deschutes River salmon fly hatch.  Have you ever been there and experienced frustration- struggling for success while trout readily ate the natural insect?  Or, have you seen so many bugs on the water and yet not one rise?  We explore these problems and offer solutions in this one day class.  We'll meet at 9AM armed with coffee and donuts and go through a detailed discussionof the salmonfly hatch, how it works, and what patterns produce.  Then we'll spend time n the water revealing tricks of the trade for best success.  We provide a full lunch, an entomology session and and afternoon fishing session in this action packed day.

This class is taught by Water Time Outfitters guide- Gil Muhleman.

This special class offering is only May 18, prepayment is required to reserve your spot.  Fee is only $100.  Please email or call Rob Crandall to save your spot:  503-704-6449 crandalls3@ccwebster.net

See other fishing opportunities we provide at:  www.watertimeoutfitters.com

Clackamas River Steelhead & Salmon to See Big Changes

Casadero Dam on the Clackamas River- Summer 2012

The Clackamas River is fish bearing stream about to see big changes. It is near the city of Portland, Oregon and flows through communities like, Oregon City, Gladstone, Estacada, Barton and Carver among others. Spring and fall Chinook salmon, coho, winter-spring and summer Steelhead run in it's waters. Flowing off the cool slopes of the Mt. Hood the Clackamas River is a complex system with a number of power generation projects interupting it's flow. PGE operates with-in the Clackamas basin and is up for relicensing it's current project. For relicensing PGE has been tasked with some major changes to the way business is done.

Warm water temperatures are death to salmon & steelhead juveniles as well as resident trout. The Clackamas river has been exceeding the maximum temperature requirements during summer months. PGE's solutions to lowering the water temperatures are big moves that in theory will improve the health of the river system.

North Fork Dam on the Clackamas River



First, adding spawning size gravel to the system below River Mill Dam is supposed to help the water run faster and cooler. Thousands of yards of gravel are expected to be added to the river. More water will be below the riverbed surface and under and around rocks gaurding it from the sun. This also mitigates for lack of spawning size gravel moving through the river system from upriver tributarys. The dams stop this movement of important sized gravel and over the years this is having a cumulative effect. Less spawning gravel for wild fish.

Fish Trap below Casadero Dam on the Clackamas River- Spring Chinook in the water



Second, Faraday lake on the Clackamas river system is a diverted portion of the river split apart at Casadero Dam. This water historically sat in the lake and then is run through power generation exiting back into the main river channel. This is also beleived to be a culprit of warmer water temperatures in the lower river during the summer months. The current plan calls for eliminating the lake and channelizing the water to the power generation facility.

Third, new fish trap facilities are planned to be state of the art and reduce fish handling. A new facility is being built near North Fork reservior. This new facility is promised to be much better than the old facility below Casadero Dam.

Fourth, new juvenile collection traps will be placed at the top of Rivermill and North Fork dams. Funneling fish into the newly updated bypass tube that takes downstream migrating fish from above NF all the way to below Rivermill dam.

Suffice it to say there are a lot of things going on with the Clackamas river system this year (2012). We'll see how these new changes impact our wild and hatchery steelhead runs.