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!  

Oregon Coast Steelhead- March

Rain is slamming the coast today… looks like we are going to be blown out tomorrow.  Perhaps later in the week will be good.  Lots of big chrome wild fish coming in.  We are getting them on our favorite N. Coast rivers when water levels cooperate.  High winds lately have put three new trees on one of our favorite floats in the last few days making navigation tricky.  Always interesting this time of year!  Good luck on the water and be safe!

February 2016 Fishing Report

It's mid February and winter steelhead season is full on!  Our nw rivers are getting a lot of rain this year and that has translated into good fishing conditions on many nw waters.  Right now we have a mix of both hatchery and wild steelhead on many top Oregon rivers like the Wilson, Nestucca, Clackamas and Sandy Rivers.  Smaller waters with decent runs of wild steelhead are showing fish on the Kilches, Trask, Salmonberry, Nehalem among others.

Top producing strategies are sinking tips with spey rods and big flies.  Getting your fly down is key this time of year.  Look for big patterns that have profile and movement for best results.  10' T-11 sink tip is an important tool for the winter fly rodder.  Combine this with a skagit fly line and you are in business.

Water levels have been high but that doesn't mean un-fishable.  Look for softer edges out of the fast water flow.  Sometimes lighter tips and unweighted flies swung into the willows are the recipe for success.

The Clackamas River has produced good results with Barton to Carver being a top section.  On the Sandy the bite was hot lower in the last month but recent surges of high water have fish spread throughout the system.  Coastal waters have seen fish spread through the system for most rivers.  Look for best results lower in the river with low water and anglers tend to do better higher up with high flows.

Expect continued quality fish to arrive in the next 6 weeks.  Prime time is on- don't miss it!

Wet and Wild - Strategies for Oregon's Winter Chrome

Fishing in Oregon during the winter months is not for the faint of heart.  Wind, rain and elements conspire to make it tough and wading some nw rivers is just not for the timid- the payoff however is big chrome wild steelhead that make your heart pound and leave you breathless.

Amazing settings are the hallmark of steelhead lairs and the rivers of Oregon hold nothing back in raw rainforest beauty and awe inspiring vistas.  The veiw from the banks of the nw waters are filled with alders and fir trees, moss covered branches and dripping ferns.  Elk, blacktail deer and various ducks, hawks and bald eagles grace these waters.  Add in the most amazing of sportfish and Oregon's treasures beckon to be added to even the longest bucket list.

Here strategy is key and nothing is more addicting than the inspiring yank on the line with the swung fly approach.  Sure there are many ways to fool these fish but the most difficult and most alluring is the swung fly strategy.  Here the angler plies the water with a fly often 3" long that moves, wiggles and draws the attention of the ghostly chrome predators imitating shrimp, prawns, squid or just something that pisses them off.

The water is cold so sinking the fly during the cold winter months is of utmost importance.  Effective anglers use sinking tip lines made with tungsten to sink the fly.  Lengths of sinking lines loop onto floating fly lines making them easy to cast.  Common length tips are 10-12' long and are rated by sinking speed.  These sink tips are referred to as T-8, T-11, T-14 etc indicating they are tungsten and 8,11, or 14 grains (weight) per foot.

We use a variety of tricks to get these flies deep in the ever changing flows of winter with the cast, swing -step down approach the trademark of the approach.  Changing things up to get the fly deeper as the conditions warrent is the key to success and the intuition of a good guide and coach who can help you massage the fly to depths likely to elicite a strike.  As the water is cold - often 36-40 degrees getting the fly half the depth of the water is essential.

Rob Crandall owner of Water Time Outfitters, Inc. has teamed up with FlyfishTv and is producing a new DVD which will help anglers reach new levels of success during this tricky time of year.  The upcoming DVD - Deep Swing Secrets will be available sometime this fall.

Oregon has a multitude of amazing waters to seach with the swung fly for the elusive and amazing steelhead.  Top producing rivers are:  North Umpqua, Nehalem, Trask, Wilson, Sandy and Clackamas Rivers.  There are many many more rivers that could be added to this list.

To learn the tricks of success and have personalized coaching on your fishing strategy try the WINTER STEELHEAD TUNEUP coming up March 5.

See more about steelhead fly fishing opportunities visit: www.watertimeoutfitters.com

Water Time Outfitters Seminar and Show Schedule 2016

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

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



Marc Williamson

Jan. 14 Santiam Fly Fishers (Salem)

Jan. 21 Sunriver Fly Fishers

Feb. 10-14 Portland Sportsman Show

Feb. 27 Into to Fly Fishing

March 9 Tualatin fly Club

March 10-12 Fly Fishing Expo (Albany)

Sandy River Fishing Report - January

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

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

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

Oregon's North Coast Fishing Report

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

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

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

Good luck on the water!

Clackamas River Fishing Report- January 2016

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

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

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

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

Drift Boat Rowers Workshop

Do you have a new boat that you are itching to get out on the water?  

Learn to manage your new boat with safety and confidence.  Water Time Outfitters guides and Pro guide Rob Crandall has rowed drift boat for a lifetime and can teach you techniques you need to safely navigate NW waters with your boat.

Learn the basics of drift boat safety, balance and rowing technique with a special 4 hour course specifically designed just for you.  Learn about boat handling, anchoring safely, trailering, launching, loading safety and much more. 

This info packed session is held on the close to Portland, Clackamas River. Learn from our years of rowing and fishing experience.  Save yourself frustration and difficulties and learn from the pros. 

Four hour class session is only $175 for one or two people. 

Call Rob Crandall to schedule your session today: 503-704-6449

Beginning Fly Fishing Classes - 2016 Schedule

Get started in the great sport of fly fishing with fun and quality instruction.  Water Time Outfitters offers a great line-up of classes that help you get going.  We start with the fundamentals and fun you need to start the right way.  Our classes are designed to give you the tools you need to succeed.

Introduction to Fly Fishing $30:  This starter course is the primer to fly fishing and gets you going with the basics.  This 2-1/2 hour class room session helps lay the ground work for a successful launch into the great sport of fly fishing.  This class covers:  rods, reels, lines, what flies to use, tippet, apparel, fish and the water, anatomy of trout water, what fish eat, angling tactics, where to find fish knots, fly casting and much, much more!

Feb 27
Mar 26
Apr 9
May 7

Beginning Fly Fishing Clackamas River $65:   Get started with this 6 hours instruction with fly casting, knots all the basics of the Introduction class and fishing on the Clackamas River.  This class is close to Portland and a great way to get started.

Jun 4

Fly Fishing Lakes Class $135:
This class is one of the best ways to get started fishing period!  We cover the same items in the Intro class above then we move to the water with a get started fly casting lesson we show you fly fishing techniques on a private stocked lake.  Then the real fun begins with fishing time on the lake.  Here you put the lessons into practice as we coach you to success!

April 23
May 28
June 11
July 16

Fly Fishing the Deschutes River Class $165:
This class meets on the Deschutes river - a blue ribbon trout river that is one of the best wild trout fishing in the country. Here we cover the basics of getting started plus on water entomology and hatch matching teaching you what flies to use.  Next we cover fishing strategies on the water and then coach you towards your own success!

June 18
July 23

We work hard so you can learn as much as possible in our classes helping you build a solid foundation in the great sport of fly fishing!

See more about our company at:  www.watertimeoutfitters.com

Water Time Outfitters Inc is an Oregon based company offering classes, schools and workshops helping anglers get started in the great sport of fly fishing.  We also specialize in guided fishing trips on Oregon's best waters.

Angler Fish Wear- More for Christmas!

The Lifecycle of the Fisherman T-shirt

We know that you are as addicted to fishing as we are, that's why we make these shirts.  Express your fishing passion with Water Time Outfitters - Angler Wear.  Our company is made up of full time fishing guides who love to fish.  We think these shirts are almost as cool as a fish peeling line off a screaming reel!  We hope you do to.

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:  Ash Blue

Only $19.99 +shipping/handling

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

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

Water Time Outfitters 2016 Guiding Calendar

Come join us on an amazing adventure- Water Time Outfitters guides the best waters of Oregon helping anglers make the most of their precious time on the water.  Below is our season at a glance. Please contact us and find out how we can customize a tailormade trip for you.  See more at: www.watertimeoutfitters.com  or call Rob at: 503-704-6449.

Winter Steelhead caught on the spey rod.  Winter fishing from Jan-April.

Winter Steelhead- Jan, Feb, March, April: 
This is an incredible time of year in Oregon- so many of our rivers get both hatchery and wild steelhead in them.  With so many rivers less than 2 hours away from Portland (and some only minutes away) we have a lot of choices.  Those choices allow us to focus on the best fisheries with the best water conditions.  Don't kid yourself, this time of year is not for the faint of heart; rain is a standard and so are long underwear.  With proper clothing this time of year is a breeze!

For winter steelhead we guide these waters:  Clackamas, Sandy, Wilson, Trask, Nestucca, Nehalem and other secret spots.  Our focus on winter fishing starts Jan 1 and is often good through March.  On the Clackamas river near Portland the season lasts through April most years.

Spring trout fishing on the Deschutes River in central Oregon. 

Spring Trout Fishing- May, June
Trout Fishing on the world famous Deschutes river in central Oregon kicks off in May with the biggest bug hatch of the season- salmon flies!  These bugs are up to 3" long and are like a "big Mac" floating down the river for trout.  Aggressive surface action and busy nymph fishing are common this time of year.  We focus on multi-day float/camp trips this time of year to get you into the best waters and away from the busy areas of this world famous hatch.

Fly fishing for shad is a blast!

Shad Fishing Fun!  June
June is the month for rod bending fun- fly fishing for shad on Oregon's Willamette river.  Shad are great fighting fish and average 2-4 pounds ranging in size from 1-6 lbs making perfect sport for #5 weight fly rods.  This trip is more about catching than the "fishing" often averaging dozens of hookups per 4 hour session - fly fishing for shad is perfect for the beginner or the seasoned angler who just wants to have fun!  Trips leave from the dock in Oregon City, just minutes from Portland, OR.  We specialize in 4 hour sessions.

August steelhead in the lower 22 miles of the Deschutes are terrific fighters!

Deschutes -Spey Water Steelhead Camp -Jet Boat Season -August, September

Prime time guided fishing dates for the most pissed off aggressive steelhead of the season.  If you want a chance to see your backing, this is the time. Aggressive steelhead caught on swung fly are the hallmark of the Deschutes. This technique is thrilling and rewarding. Most of the season steelhead can be caught on floating lines. Steelhead migrating the Columbia basin drop into the Deschutes river in sometimes enourmous numbers as water temps in the Columbia soar the cool waters of the D are a magnate for salmon and steelhead alike!   Here we set up comfortable riverside camps- with our 14’x14’ canvas tents, hammocks where we can, shade canopy, shower and full kitchen.  Marty is generally keeping camp dialed in and doing our cooking.  We generally run up to 3-4 anglers in the jet boat per day.  

Fall steelhead camp on the Deschutes River.  

Wild Fall run steelhead on the Deschutes River- October.

Deschutes Steelhead Camp - October, November

This is one of our most cherished times of the year when the weather is amazing, the fishing incredible and the canyon beauty /wildlife is spectacular.  Time around the campfire is full of stories and reminecing with prime steelhead water only feet away.  This time of year we offer 3 and 4 day float trips in the wild and remote section of the Deschutes canyon with comfortable camps, great meals and some of the best spey water on the river.  Groups of 6 or 8 anglers are easily accomodated.

Chum salmon are tough fighters, fishing near Tillamook, OR.

Oregon Salmon - November

If there ever was a more feirce battle of dogged determination and deep throbbing- rod wrenching fun it is from the standoff between the fly angler and an angry fall salmon.  Fall chinook or the notorious Chum salmon both are known for their tackle testing brute power and are a blast to go after with the fly rod. Most fishing is done with a #8 or #9 weight rod but a #10 weight is not too heavy.  Flies are often bright and flashy and expect to be using deep sinking sink tips or other tricks to get the fly deep where bright chinook and chum salmon like to hang out.  Day trips out of Tillamook, OR.  

Come join us for Oregon fly fishing at it's finest!  Our experienced team of guides have been fishing Oregon our entire lives and we love to share cherished time on the water.  See more about our guides and our fishing trips on our website:  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 

Winter Steelhead Workshop -2016 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 fly lines for you to try out and get a feel for different systems. 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 2016:

January 30th  -Clackamas & Eagle Creek meets at Royal Treatment Fly shop -instructor Rob Crandall

Feb 27th - -Clackamas & Eagle Creek meets at Royal Treatment Fly shop -instructor Rob Crandall

March 19 - Clackamas River meets at Royal Treatment Fly shop- instructor Rob Crandall

Workshop cost is $100 including lunch and is limited to 8 anglers.  Spots fill fast and pre-payment is required to reserve your spot.

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

Deschutes Steelhead - The Three Day Trip Last Minute Openings!

If you've ever wanted to see the best waters of the Deschutes River and swing a fly through one incredible steelhead run after the next- this may be your opportunity.  We have had a few last minute openings for October and November.  2015 Open Trip dates are:  Oct 15-17, one spot Oct 25-28 and one spot open Nov 13-15. Below are the details about the trip and how it works.  Let us know asap if you are interested in joining us for a trip of a lifetime.

For over 20 years, WaterTime Outfitter's guides have been offering and multi-day adventures for Deschutes River Steelhead. 

The World famous Deschutes River is second to none in steelhead fly fishing. This river is a gem in the high desert of central Oregon. Flowing north to the Columbia River the Deschutes River is home to one of the most robust summer and fall steelhead runs in the lower 48. Aggressive steelhead caught on swung fly are the hallmark of the Deschutes. This technique is thrilling and rewarding. Our permit covers the lower 100 miles of the Deschutes River for both drift boats and power boats. We fish different sections as these prized fish migrate upriver. Fishable numbers of steelhead are available from July through November. 

Guided Multi-day Camp/Float Trips for Steelhead 

Wake up in the morning with a cup of coffee and step into a prime steelhead run only feet away from camp. The thrill of the take from an aggressive steelhead can be only a cast away. Comfortable camps on the world famous Deschutes River get you into the action and away from the crowds. Our camps are designed to be home away from home with large 14’ x 14’ canvas tents that you can stand and walk around in. Comfortable cots and plush sleeping pads make your adventure a breeze. Our camp staff prepares our lodging in advance and often has hot cookies coming out of the oven as you arrive. Fish ‘til dark if you like a fully prepared meal will be awaiting you. Guided camp/float trips are based on two anglers per boat, with groups of 4 or 6 most common; more can be accommodated. 

What we provide: Our overnight guided drift boat float trips are win an experienced guide and oarsman (click here to see our guides). Expect patient personalize attention and intent focus on optimizing your time on the water. This trip also includes camp staff to float ahead and prepare camp. We provide dry bags for your use. Camp is fully supplied with tents, cots, and comfortable sleeping pads. We carry thousands of flies however we recommend you have a selection of favorites. Overnight trips we supply all your meals starting with BBQ shore lunch day one through lunch the last day, soft drinks, snacks and water. Rod, reel, lines are available when scheduled in advance. 

Three day float trip: $1200
Four day float trip:   $1600

Please call Rob Crandall or Gil Muhleman ASAP to save your spot for these open dates.

Rob 503-704-6449
Gil 541-419-7778

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