Fishing Reports

 Pretty crazy last week or so with the fires on the river.  For full report check out the blog.  Closures have been lifted and the bulk of the fires are out or contained.

Steelheading down low ( Sheras down mostly), has been slow to typical work for your chances steelheading.  Which is not all bad, but not just wide open red hot.  Step into the right run and find a few, but a lot of casts, and covering water to hit those runs.  Water temps are pretty good.  I had 60 above Maupin and 62-64 around Macks.  Numbers on the Columbia have taken a big dip and we are right at to a little below the ten year average.  From here on out are when the bulk of the fish are supposed to show up to the party.   Evrybody is ready to get the party started and turned up a notch, at least I know I am.

Trout fishing seems to have picked up a little this last week.  Still dog days of summer and working for them, but a little more forgiving and willing to co-operate.  Caddis numbers are a far cry from July.  Dry fly fishing and finding fish up has been a little tougher.  All you have to do is look at the lanterns in the morning. Now there are mostly fried midges with a side of caddis topped with aquatic moths.  July the lanterns and EVERYTHING near by are FULL of Blackened Cajun Caddis a la' Coleman.  Most consistent nymphing rig has been a bigger stone type pattern with a little midge or small (18-20#) mayfly pattern.  Trout fisherman have plenty of empty river and room to roam and enjoy.

 Fires!  Lots of them and changing fast.  I'd call the BLM for updates (541-395-2778)

I guess the fire at LockIt and the one by the Hatchery are contained or out.  But the Juniper Flat fire ran down Eagle Creek and Nena (last night?) and Johnson Flats and around Caretaker burnt and is still burning?  Bummer, I believe the Johnson Homestead cabin (Dr. Dixx) is burnt.  That is sad to say the least.  We came out the day before and I guess I got one last look at unknowingly. We put in at Trout Creek on the 19th and took out on the 21st. When we left it was smokey, but we floated by the cabin and fished across from the Caretakers and all was well.

Not sure about closures and things are changing fast( for better and maybe worse), I'd make a call or too before making plans until things simmer down.  The fires and the canyon burn fast and burn out fast.




Aheaded out the door to go to Pine tree I got the call about the fires and then called the BLM.  We mission aborted going Pinetree down ( Gramma/Mom and little guy).  Instead we headed TC to Harpham ( 19th to the 21st).  Took off yesterday, and apparantly I saw Dr Dixx’s cabin for the last time.  Talked to BLM and I guess LockIt fire is out. The one from Juniper flats ran down Eagle and Neena Creek last night ( since we floated by yesterday afternoon and all was honky dory). Said it burned around Caretakers and Johnson Flat’s (Dr. Dixx) and took out the cabin ( SUCKS) and the outhouse. Sounds like they shut down WS and TC and we where lucky we got out.  Sounds like it is worth checking with BLM at 541-395-2778 (visitor center) for updates.  

Sorry the buddy in Maupin was pretty laid back about the Lockit and fire by the Hatchery the night before I left and he made it sound like it was going to contained and out.  Those desert fires go fast and I didn’t want to sound like chicken little and after I sent it I got the Paul Harvey.

Mike

 Trout Report:  Trout fishing as of late has been a little tougher.  Caddis numbers are not what they where a week or so ago. Finding fish up on dries ( back eddies, trees etc) is taking a little work and the fish you are finding require A game.  Nymphing has been so-so, and day to day.  Basically dog days of summer. Angling pressure has been light and it is nice to spend the day on the river, just have to work for them a little.  Don't be afraid to think out of the box and keep mixing up patterns ( nymph big stuff, little midges, etc).  Mornings and evenings have been the best.  A plus side is we have hooked and landed some real beauties, so what we lacked in quantity made up for in quality.

Steelhead!!  More water is being pulled from the bottom ( heard 30%?), and temps have dropped a little.  Fishing has been decent.  A fair amount of pressure for the time of year. Fished Pine Tree to Mouth recently and found fish.  Not red hot, but still good numbers hooked all things considered.  Typical steelheading, and that is about as good as one can expect and when you hit the "magic pod" and epic day count your lucky stars and enjoy.  Next couple weeks should really get going. Now is the time to make plans for you steelhead season!!!  Fish are around and we are ready to go!

Keep tabs on numbers of fish coming over the dam. Enter the dam you want to see ( Bonneville, the Dalles, John Day etc) and then steelhead on species  and submit.  Looks like things have mellowed, we need to see the graph start to climb again,...this is the start of when our fish are supposed to show up.  

 With the new water management plan at the dam they where supposed to start pulling more cold water from the bottom the first of August. Good news to everyone watching the steelhead counts on the Columbia. But, from what I heard it was going to go from 15% from the bottom to 30%.  Not much of a change, and it shows with water temps out of the dam at 57 instead of 59ish.  A little is better than nothing.  Reports from down low sound encouraging. We'll see, a recon is planned for a couple days from now.  Still looks like a great year in the making.  This will be a year to be steelheading the Deschutes (aren't they all).  Dates are filling fast.

Trout fishing has slowed a little bit.  A week ago there where great numbers of caddis and some fantastic dry fly action to be had. Juicey banks and trees had fish lined up and sipping.  Caddis numbers have dwindle and looking for fish working on top has proven a lot harder.  The ones you do find are far from push overs.  The nymphing has been fair to good though.  Cover lots of water.  August can make you work a little, and thinking out of the box and trying a little bit of everything will pay off. The beauty with August is there are normally more rafters than anglers and you can have a great day as far as solitude, great weather, and time on a fantastic river.  Get out enjoy it and keep your fingers crossed that those steelhead will start pouring in! Fishing along the road above Mack's was starting to get a little busy on Sunday, FYI.

 Trout fishing remains pretty steady.  Last weekend and beginning of the the week saw warm days and lots of caddis.  Pressure has been light, mostly rafters. It has been really nice.  Besides caddis there are a lot of aquatic moths, some PMDs, midges in the morning, and crane flies.  Caddis is far and away the most prevalent and the focus.  Start checking back eddies, it is getting to be that time of summer.  We have another month or so of trout fishing, not too late to get yourself a Deschutes fix.

On to Steelhead!  The numbers over Bonneville and the Dalles look beyond promising.  Above last years.  One can only hope it continues.  Temps are warm down below and fishing has been spotty.  Fish are around, but finding fish willing to move to a fly is work.  If temps decrease or when if they start pulling from the bottom of the reservoir (check blog article) if could get real good real fast.

August and September could be fantastic down low again this year.  After last year do not delay reserving dates if you are AT ALL interested in a Deschutes Steelhead trip.  We have limited availability already for October and November.  

Fingers crossed and starting the Steelhead rally dance to insure a great run.

 Traffic has been M-E-L-L-O-W and fishing has been pretty darn good.  When we have had the warmer temps and little wind, the dry fly fishing headhunting has been good.  When it has been cooler or windy, dry fly fishing has been slow.  Nymphing will fill in the gaps from there.  Evenings have been good, and worth sticking around for.

Numbers of steelhead in the Columbia are causing a stir, looks like we could have another banner return this year.  Right now, water temps down low are on the warm side and fishing is a bite tough. It is early so stay tuned.  If you missed last years epic return, you might have a second chance.  I wouldn't miss this one.