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

Oregon Lake Tour - Fly Fishing Oregon's Finest Waters

I just recently finished an exploratory mission on some amazing parts of the scenic and beautiful state of Oregon chasing trout with the fly rod.  On this mission we covered a lot of miles.  We saw amazing scenery and epic fishing.  Spring time weather like the fishing was a grab bag from cold to hot and everything in between.

From Oregon City we drove to Diamond Lake.  Where we saw massive  quanities of chronomids hatching.
Bugs were everywhere and it was a good thing they were not of the biting variety.  Our luck was poor as the temperature our first night dipped to a cool 27 degrees and the wind picked up putting a strong chop on the surface.  Our efforts mocked by a nearby bald eagle and a mallard that ate more chronomids off the surface than any trout I have ever seen we headed out to calmer waters and lower elevation.

Diamond Lake 

Our next stop was Klamath Lake near K-Falls and almost to the southern state border. Here we chatted with Rocky Point Resort's manager who had reported some good fishing on streamer patterns for large trout. Here the rainbows average in the pounds and inches are far to paltry a measure for these beheamoths.  Most action was to be found in the Rocky Point areas and around Crystal Creek entrance on streamer patterns of white and silver with some gold bits mixed in.  Intermediate lines were the call to action here and timing was important.  The wind picked up in the afternoons but the water temps also rose peaking the bite in the warmer hours of the day.  Here one or two grabs in a day are the norm with the real possibility of a 10lb or larger rainbow grabbing your fly.

Klamath Lake at Rocky Point Resort

With 20-30 mile an hour winds in the forecast we changed our plan and headed off to the Crooked River for the next leg of our journey.  Arriving mid-week we had the pick of campsites in the well appointed campgrounds along the Wild and Scenic Crooked River cooridor below Bowman dam.

 Time at the campfire was a highlight of the trip

Our timing at the Crooked coincided with some recent rains/thunderstorms and some added releases from the dam.  Flow as at 270 cfs as we embarked and included the lovely addition of green algae floating in globs down the river.  This became such a nusciance that the continual cleaning of our flies turned our hands green.  (The good news is that this seemed to be greatly reduced by mid-day.)  Our first attempts at the magic combination were a bit timidly received-a few fish here and there.  We finally dialed in on a red San Juan worm and a midge larve pattern like a Zebra Midge.  These worked well on fat 6-14" rainbows and a few whitefish.  The bite seemed to really pick up around 10:30 with the main event of the day being a great Blue Winged olive hatch that was going full bore by 12pm.  This was soon interupted by the introduction of a small tan caddis that was a bit spunky on the surface and elicited some great splashy rises from rainbows up to about 14".  This was the funnest fishing of the day and after rising our share and then some we headed out on our next journey. 

The Crooked River BWO hatch was good to us mid-day.

This segment of the trip took a couple hours to bring us to Rock Cr. Res.  Here we set up camp and were prepared to relax by the fire but were interupted by rising fish everywhere on the lake near our camp.  This kicked the energy level back to high gear and soon the float tube was inflated and the 5 weight was swinging! After a slow start we found the fly they wanted a slim damsel pattern that was getting hit on nearly every cast.  Most of these fish were stocker trout about 8".  Reports of trophy trout 6-8lbs were rumored as we checked in with the camp host but during our short time here we did not find any of these.

Rock Creek Res. in early May on a low water year. 

The next morning and final day of our journey we drove the short 20 minute drive to Rocky Ridge Ranch for the final rod bending test of our Oregon Lake Tour.  Here we were rewarded with a dandy rainbow on the first cast for Darrin and then an onslaught of rod bending battles until we finally gave up took some advil and left and a mere 1pm.

One of the dandies we landed at Rocky Ridge Ranch

All in all we had a blast, celebrated some wild and amazing places in Oregon and I can't wait to go back!

Time for a new map!

See more about our professional fishing adventures at: 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

Courage and the Sweet Release

The quest for steelhead is just that, a daunting journey that involves cold, nasty weather and a lot of casts, swings and steps through steelhead water looking for the elusive connection with a ghostly creature that is often soo-hard to find.  Steelhead are survivors and they are tough; as juveniles the slow ones are the food source for Osprey, otters, herons and other critters.  The desire to connect with the amazing power of steelhead is a strong draw for many anglers; anglers like Todd.

Todd has been fishing with me for several years, always in a chipper mood and asking lots of questions.  He has worked through the fits and starts of spey casting as many anglers have; as I did when I started.  Now quite proficient tossing the fly he can work through a run and not constantly be thinking "about the cast"...

This morning was special, dark clouds threatened as we launched in the pre-dawn gloom of what was about to be a wet day.  Anticipation was high as we anchored the boat at our first stop.  We carefully went through Todds gear selecting the right sink tip and one of the ever productive "Crandall's Steelhead Nitemare" flies.  I tied it on with a Lefty's loop knot and got Todd lined up.  Todd flipped in a sinktips worth of line - all of 10', swung the fly about two seconds and SLAM!  Line screamed off the reel and Todd was fast into a great fish. On the first run it was nearly into the backing in what seemed like a heartbeat.  The #7 weight spey rod was bent in a wild arc and Todd's grin stretched from ear to ear.

Soon a wild steelhead about 10lbs was at hand.  Careful to keep the wild beauty in the water we removed the hook and sent it on it's way.  A valiant battle fought, a wild creature-being wild; what an addicting fish!

The clouds were dark and nasty and dumped more rain but our spirits couldn't be dampened.  I guess that is one thing that I truly respected about Todd and about the nature of steelhead- just don't give up.  Even when life is gloomy and tough he was out there fishing- you see Todd has cancer and he had to be off the river in time today to get radiation treatment later that day.

How blessed I am to be able to experience such great fish on a great river with an amazing person like Todd.

Wishing you smooth water and easy wading,
Rob

Better to have Loved and Lost...

Neil fished the run with precision, as he approached the large boulder, chrome struck and vaulted skyward almost immediately.  A big chrome hen was tearing up the surface and we were staring mouth agape as it cartwheeled across the pool; up, down, across and back in a star pattern each jump throwing spray like a broken firehose...and then she was gone.  The hook had simply come out and the dazzling chromer had won the game.

Neil stood there shaking with a huge grin on his face.  What a blast that was! We checked our knots and leader and after a short break and celebritory sip Neil worked into the pool again.  This time farther down the run near the end he had a grab and then a huge head shake.  Deep in the pool a monster steelhead shook back and forth trying to throw the hook.  Neil's rod doubled and he held on.  It seemed he was instantly outmatched with the 7 weight switch rod he held.  This was no average fish or even a mid-teen steelhead.  This fish was a bruiser and he held no quarter for us.  Down river he went raging into the next set of rapids.  We gave chase best we could, bouncing over boulders with gasps mixed with hope and despair as the line followed the fish weaving through boulders and underwater structure that could easily fray the line at any moment.

Into the next pool we worked through the jumbled rock and the line held fast.  We were both frazzled by the battle and the fish hadn't even begun to tire.  Back and forth from one side of the river to the other the big fish surged.  We were on for a ride and this guy headed back to the ocean.  The reel screamed more, the handle a blur.  Down to the lip of the rapids.  Beyond was whitewater mayhem and little chance of a happy ending.  Neils lip curled in determination.  He tipped the arced graphite in his hands carefully changing angles on the big fish with a smooth sweep.  The fish moved up.  Gaining line a smile blinked across Neils face and then was gone as another surge of line peeled off the reel.  Back and forth it went on in long minutes.  Closer and closer the fish inched upward.  I stared in unbeleif as he glided just ten feet away where I held the net. My moment of action was getting closer.  Trying to stage in the perfect location so I could slide the rubberized fine mesh under the belly of the beast at the first opportunity.  Again he cruised towards me, not close enough and then back to the fast water.  Three times he came with-in ten feet my view of the wild steelhead before me was mesmerizing.  At 40" plus, the girth and length of this buck easily used the heavy current to wage his war on the graphite rod on the other end.  Then, a sudden surge to the middle and a heavy roll on the surface and he was gone.  The 12lb line had parted.  Neil exhasted grinned wide understanding just how rare this encounter with one of the heavy-weights of the steelhead world was.  We broke into laughter and a round of high-fives. Amazed at what we had just witnessed knowing how true the old saying- "better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all!" 

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  

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