Fishing Guide Touches over 100 Steelhead on Deschutes in ONE DAY!

Guide Gil Muhleman of Water Time Outfitters touched over 100 steelhead yesterday September 25th!  No it was not for some amazingly good and super lucky clients.  Gil was helping ODFW staff at the Sherars Falls fish trap.  Steelhead are migrating fast right now in the Maupin area on the Deschutes River.  Good numbers of fish are moving through the system and are heading upstream. 

The fish trap at Sherars falls allows biologist to sample fish and get an idea of run sizes.  The trap only captures a small portion of the run as it is only operated in the evenings and only certain days of the week.  "The trap was full when we got there; we would tag the fish and then let them on through.  After the fish in the trap passed on upriver we would reopen the trap.  With-in 10 seconds the trap would literally be too full again!" says guide Gil Muhleman.  "These fish are in really good shape, they seem to be pushing hard to get upriver.  About 10% of these fish seemed to be B-run fish, well over 10lbs."

Steelhead Boot Camp Success!

Our annual Steelhead Boot Camp was a success this September.  Our group of  anglers from all over the NW did well learning the ropes of steelhead fly fishing.  We covered spey casting, fishing stategies, reading water, fly selection, knot tying, rigging, approaching the run and much more.  All in all we had a great time and learned why we say the "tug is the drug".   If you to learn the "why" of what we do to catch steelhead enroll in the Steelhead Boot Camp with Water Time Outfitters.  We offer both summer and winter steelhead classes.  Find more info at: www.watertimeoutfitters.com

 

 

Thanks to all who participated you guys were great!

 

Instructors for this class were Rob Crandall, Gil Muhleman and Josh Bradley support staff Marty Smith. 

 

 

Second fish of the trip for Steve!

 

First Steelhead in 20 years for this student! 

 

Summer Fun in Oregon

The opportunities for summer fun in Oregon give the traveling angler/family a platefull of many options.  Fishing, hiking, swimming, skiiing, horseback riding, boating, wine tasting, and much more await. What ever the reason for visiting Oregon you need to experience some fishing while you are here.   To pick the best of the low hanging fruit of opportunities we have a few things for you to consider while you vacation your summer away in Oregon.

Mt. Hood is the centerpeice of Oregon seperating the lush green of western Oregon from the tan dry sage and juniper trees of central and eastern Oregon.  The Mt. Hood National Forest is one of the largest public segments of land in Oregon.  The Mt. Hood Wilderness area surrounds Mt. Hood and is full of spectacular views and some great hikes.  Timberline Lodge on the highest road on Mt Hood is a national treasure and a living history of the United States (multiple trail heads leave from this location).  The wood work here is amazing and the specialty coffee and brunches are a fantastic.  Ski camps operate here year round with some of the only summer ski programs in the lower 48. 

Mt. Hood sees it's best weather in July and August.



Timberline Lodge is home to one of the few year round ski areas in the lower 48.

The local wildlife are well fed.

Wildflowers can be found in amazing settings on Mt Hood -July through August.

Hiking in the Salmon River meadows.

The Mt Hood Wilderness area offers many miles of hiking and amazing views. 

If you like to camp, Oregon has many options.  The Mt Hood National Forest to begin with has a wide variety of campsites for tents and rv's.  Popular camping areas are: Timothy Lake, Clear Lake, Trillium Lake (great views of Mt Hood) and the upper Clackamas River. 

Camping at Clear Lake on Mt. Hood.  Summer fun for the family!





Another favorite is camping on the Metolius River.  This is truly one of Oregon's finest locations for summer relaxing and natural beauty.  In the midst of the Cascade mountain range and south of Mt. Hood you will find the Metolius.  A natural spring creek which literally bubbles out of the ground near Sisters, Oregon.  Walk the trail to see the source of the Metolius- it boggles the mind; also, bring some peanuts for the chipmunks here, they are quite entertaining. 

The Metolius River area has many things to offer the traveler who wants a relaxing hideaway.  Cabins for rent here make it easy with riverside views.  For a great retreat check out www.coldspringsresort.com Fishing here can be tough but rewarding.  The Metolius fish are beautiful and wild.  You may find: rainbow trout, brook trout, kokanee, whitefish and bull trout in the Metolius River.  For supplies you will want to stop into the General Store at Camp Sherman.  Here you will find the most well stocked general store you ever saw!  They have some great coffee too. 



The Metolius River is a scenic river you'll want to see when visiting Oregon

Metolius River has a variety of fish species.  See some great info at the Wizzard Falls Fish Hatchery.



Fishing the Metolius can be a tough endeavor, watch for the hatch to happen and match closely.  These fish have PHD's in anglers.  When the fishing here drives you nuts, head to Oregon's top rated Deschutes River.

The Deschutes River's best fishing is the lower 100 miles where it is known as a tail-water river.  Below two dams the river flows and temperatures are well regulated.  This produces excellent hatches and great fishing for trout and steelhead.  Steelhead enter the river in July and are available through November.  Trout fishing is best from May through October. 

 

The Deschutes River wild trout are know as Redband Trout and are strong fighters.

  

Water Time Outfitters offers fishing trips on Oregon's finest waters including the Deschutes River.  We've been guiding for over 20 years and can help you plan your fishing adventure.  Most of our fishing options are with-in a two hour drive of popular destinations in Oregon.  We fish the Deschutes River, White River, the Clackamas River, Oregon Coastal Rivers and more!  Let us help you find the fishing adventure you seek.  www.watertimeoutfitters.com 

Deschutes River Steelhead

August is a hot month on the Deschutes River.  Hot because not only the weather can be very warm but the fishing can be excellent!  Summer run steelhead migrating up the Columbia river swim past Astoria, Portland, Multnomah Falls, Hood River and the Dalles before they see the cool waters of the Deschutes River.   An arduous journey that is for them just the beginning of their long quest in fresh water. 

Fishing has been mostly good as of late and fish are moving to the swung fly on the surface in the mornings and evenings.  The water temperature has dropped another degree but subject to the hot spells that may show up this time of year.  August is consistently a warm month, with hot dry winds blowing in the afternoons. 

Ripe blackberries bring a sweet smell to your nose this time of year on the Deschutes River.



Floating and fishing the lower Deschutes river is truly an amazing experience.  One can see deer, bighorn sheep and other wildlife.  Here the angler has mile after mile of great water to swing a fly in.

Come see the fun of the Deschutes River with Water Time Outfitters.  www.watertimeoutfitters.com

Private Waters Update

Our private water access on White River has been excellent this year.  We have been having a blast in this beautiful little stream finding lots of feisty rainbows.  Our numbers this year are very good with the size of the average fish down from years past.  Things are looking good for the next few year as this class of fish mature.  We also are seeing unbeleivable numbers of fry meaning that the spawn was very successful this spring. 

Often this glacial fed river is running milky during the hot part of August.  So far this year we have had crystal clear water conditions.  This bodes well for the opportunity of some excellent hopper dry fly action. 

Come join the fun in an amazing get away where few anglers have fished.  This private section of river is all land locked and we often see many deer, wild turkeys and other wildlife without seeing another angler. 

You might want to stay at the nearby ranch house with stunning views of the valley just a moment away from the river. 

Plan your fishing adventure with Water Time Outfitters offering fishing adventures on Oregon's finest waters.  We fish the Deschutes River, the Clackamas, NF Nehalem, Wilson, Trask and many more.   www.watertimeoutfitters.com

Deschutes Steelhead Hit Stride

Chrome bright steelhead pour into the Deschutes River this time of year.  Each day over the Dalles Dam an average of 2-5000 fish swim past the dam and into the mouth of the Deschutes River.  These snappy fish are aggressive hard fighters often taking you into the backing. 

Swung flies with a floating line are best in the morning and evening while the shade is on the water.

All wild fish should be quickly released unharmed.  Come join the fun with Water Time Outfitters on the Deschutes River.

www.watertimeoutfitters.com

Deschutes Steelhead and Sockeye!!!!

I stopped by Shears Falls Sunday evening for about a half hour.  In that time I was fortunate to see the first adult Sockeye caught at the fish trap this year!!!  They are getting a little more color to them at this point.  It is illegal to keep a Sockeye on the Deschutes River.  With the Fall Chinook season opening Wednesday I thought I might help you all tell the difference between a Chinook and a Sockeye.  Even when chrome bright, the Sockeye will not have the rectangular spots on their backs.  As they color up like the fish in the picture below you will notice the Sockeye will have a green hugh to their head and usually a reddish color on their sides.  A Chinook will not have a drastic color difference between their body and their head.  I mention this as sockeye are more interested in flies such as traditional Steelhead flies than Fall Chinook are.   Below is a picture of the Sockeye that was released last night to continue its journey to Suttle Lake.

I also saw a fantastic 10lb Steelhead at the trap.  It was processed and released to continue its journey to the Round Butte Hatchery.  The missing maxillary told us where the fish was headed.

There was also a nice 6lb Native Steelhead processed and released.  Unfortunately my picture did not turn out so you all will just have to take my word on this fish...lol  

The fish are coming and I'm really getting pumped to go after them.  I think I'll hit the water on Wednesday and post a report on what I find. 

Tight lines all,
Gil Muhleman