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

All in a Days Work- February Steelhead on Oregon's North Coast

Guided fly fishing trips can be a blast- being the guide doing the work can also be a blast!  Great days with fun loving clients and good fishing always produces a vibe that is invogorating to a fly fishing guide.  This years winter steelhead run on Oregon's North coast has been excellent with good numbers of steelhead returning to their natal waters to spawn.

A recent trip with John and Dennis was just such a trip.  Great weather, great company and excellent fishing conditions with cooperating steelhead.  What more could a fishing guide ask for!

Dennis with the first fish of the day a mere 20 minutes after we started.  A wild fish that fought like crazy! The statement is so true-the "Tug is the Drug!"

The second fish Dennis landed...

John doing his best to keep up with a hot chrome fish that eventually won this battle!

Dennis is all smiles!

John finds one for the BBQ-a hatchery steelhead to take home.

Good water conditions and fresh arriving steelies - a great combination!

Come fish with the experienced guides of the Water Time Outfitters Team.  We have been fishing and

guiding Oregon's North coast for over 20 years.  See more at: 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

October / November Deschutes River Reports

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

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

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

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

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

Deschutes River - 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

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!

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.

Deschutes River Fishing - October 2014

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

www.watertimeoutfitters.com

Winter Steelhead Boot Camp - Learn to Catch Steelhead

Brought to you by Water Time Outfitters is the "Boot Camp" of Winter Steelhead Fly Fishing. Get started fly fishing for winter steelhead with the right tools and instruction for success. Great for beginners or advanced anglers who want to fine-tune their skills; or the summer steelhead angler who wants to learn what winter fishing is all about. This course covers spey casting, specific approaches to fishing techniques, rigging, reading water, fly selection and much more!

This action packed special provides all your meals, lodging, equipment as needed, instruction and guided fishing. We'll have over 20 fly lines for you to fine tune your set-up or use ours. Waders and boots are available as well.

Our on river lodging gives us the prefect launching point for an itinerary packed with learning. Conveniently located right on the river we have the option of fishing five different rivers.

This action packed adventure is provided by Water Time Outfitter's full time guides Rob Crandall and Gil Muhleman, our years of instruction and guiding experience will be a breath of fresh air for those confused or intimidated by the complexities of fly fishing. We'll be eating, sleeping and breathing steelhead fly fishing giving you plenty of time to unravel the confusion and mystery of fly gear and techniques. Learn what the expression means when you hear "The Tug is the Drug" of steelhead fly fishing.

This boot camp timing is set for the peak of the winter run steelhead on the Oregon coast. Both wild and hatchery steelhead are available at this time of year. Learn what it takes to catch and land steelhead on the fly rod with this excellent class format.

Winter Steelhead Boot Camp 2013  cost is only $925

March 8,9,10

Space is very limited - reserve your spot now: 503-704-6449
www.watertimeoutfitters.com

Fall Weather and Oregons Deschutes River Colors

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

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

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

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