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Deschutes River - Lower - September 3rd, 2009
RECORDED:90 °FISHING: Great Steelhead: In the middle part of August my partner Mike and I slipped away for a run down the lower river during one of the “no jets” windows. We got lucky and hit the head of the run spot on. It was the kind of trip you usually only dream about. Most of the fish were traveling in pods. We would fish several runs; nothing, nothing, nothing. Then we would find a pod and take 5 or 6 fish one right after the other.
As is common in the early part of the run a large number of fish were natives; almost 80%. We had several ultra hot fish kick our fannies. One nice native chose to fight me by running up into the shallow riffle above where she was hooked. There was hardly enough water up there to cover her back. She went tearing around throwing wakes and kicking up spray. It was one of the most spectacular fights I’ve ever seen.
The reason for our good luck was simple. Right during the time that we were on the river there were some record days for fish counts at the lower Columbia River Dams. Bonneville set a single day record with over 30,000 fish passing. We were floating downstream right into this surge of Steelhead.
The arrival of this big squirt of fish means that current fish counts over the dams are just about double the ten year average. Bonneville which normally would have seen an average of about 247,000 steelhead through the end of August is currently showing over 480,000 fish that have passed upstream.
Weather these records will hold up remains to be seen – the current run started early it could end early too. Only time will tell what the final counts will be. In the mean time these spectacular numbers have created some excellent fishing opportunities. Steelheading is good now and likely to stay that way through Sept and well into Oct.
At this point fish are well distributed through the lower river up to Sherars Falls. Last week we saw a significant spike in the number of fish going above the Falls. This suggests that fishing in the Maupin area will be improving through Labor Day Weekend. By mid Sept we could have fish all the way to Warm Springs in fishable numbers.
Trout: The dog days of August on into early September is traditionally a slower time for trout fishing on the Deschutes. Water temperatures are higher; fish have been harassed over the course of the season. They get fussy.
To encourage these stubborn trout I often use a midge trailer behind my caddis dry fly. I also focus my efforts during the best part of the day. I try to get out when the evening shadows are lengthening and I stay out until the stars come out. I often see the best and most productive fishing in the last half hour of the day.
By mid September trout fishing should improve dramatically. Water temperatures will drop and some new hatches will begin to appear. Trout will start feeding up for the winter. We usually nymph fish during this time in the hope that we will be able to attract a Steelhead as well as some nice healthy trout.
Major hatches during Sept and Oct include the October Caddis as well as a number of larger gray mayflies. The orange bodied October Caddis Pupa becomes the go to fly. Fishing it as the primary weighted nymph trailed by either a Flash Back Pheasant Tail or a small green beadhead midge pupa is a very effective way to go. It’s a little like fishing lotto – you never know if the next cast is going to bring a white fish, a healthy rainbow or a high flying, skyward jumping Steelhead.
RECORDED:85 °FISHING: Great Trout: Sept and Oct is one of my favorite times on the Metolius. After Labor Day weekend the crowds dissipate. Some folks go hunting, other head to the Deschutes to chase steelhead. Only a handful of die hards are left to pester the trout on the old Metolius.
There is good fishing throughout the system. The upper river (above Gorge Campground) will be dominated by smaller insects. There are good mayfly hatches in the afternoon, small grays, small yellow olives. Spinner falls occur in the morning. One friend swears by the Rusty Spinner at that time of day. My favorite fly is a little bit of a sleeper. Mixed among the mayflies will be the Little Brown Stonefly. This insect is so small (size #16) it is often mistaken for a caddis. Don’t let the size fool you. The Tiny Brown Stone is definitely a preferred food item. It has major attractive power in a mixed hatch.
If you are fishing further downstream, in the Canyon, near the Hatchery or at Bridge 99 and below. In the morning look for Willow Flies. This is a large and very unusual stonefly. Closely related to Golden Stones these bugs are tanish on the belly with blue black on the sides and wings. The egg mass (if present) will be neon purple. It is my theory that these bugs may run out on the water at night to oviposit their eggs. Fish are really keyed on them early in the day.
In the afternoon look for Fall Green Drakes. These insects are slightly smaller than spring Drakes. Happily the effect on the fish is not diminished at all.
Also don’t over look the Tiny Brown Stones mentioned earlier. These bugs are present in both the upper and lower river. Sometimes they can be locally important.
Bull Trout: Fishing in the early part of Sept will likely be slow. Most of the fish are still up in the tributaries spawning. When they come out in mid Sept. fasten your seat belts – they will be hungry and feeding ravenously to regain strength. The Bull Trout post spawn period offers some of the best fishing of the year. It coincides with the arrival of Koknaee; these little landlocked Sockeye Salmon make a wonderful food source for the hungry Bulls. During Sept and Oct in the lower river, you will often find Bull Trout lurking near Kokanee spawning areas. A traditional white “flesh fly” will be a powerful attractor. This combination creates some outstanding sight fishing for larger fish.
RECORDED:75 °FISHING: Excellent
Salmonfly hatch is in full glory right now. We have had some windy and rainy days that have led to a little excitment on the water. One day it got so blustery we were actually seeing trees fall and float down in the river. That same day the wind was knocking bugs out of the bushes and throwing them down on the water. Fishing was as good as it gets -- one of our old time regular clients, a Deschutes fisherman for over 40 years said, "I've never seen it better."
Unfortunately lots of dead and dying bugs on the water indicates the hatch may be starting to wind down in the lower end of the multi day stretch, toward Maupin. Happily you can expect the hatch to continue strong in the Warm Springs area until at least the 20th of June.
A quick tip: If the hatch is not working for you and you are not getting fish right away on the big dry flies be persistant. This hatch is notoriously steaky. You may go several stops without a fish -- then suddenly for no apparent reason it will all break loose. Every year we see lots of people nymphing, saying the fish are full when we continuing to pick them up on dry flies.
Once the Salmon bugs are gone look for the hatches to trasition to caddis and small mayflies -- late evening fishing will really pick up.
RECORDED:60 °FISHING: Great
It is beautiful in Camp Sherman right now. Recent rains have everything green, green, green -- wildflowers are blooming -- it's one of my favorite times of year.
Green Drakes are hatching every afternoon like clock work. The hatch seem to be getting stronger every day. As alway with the Drakes, an over cast day is better than full sunshine. Under these ideal low light conditions the hatches will start sooner and last longer.
Expect the Drake hatch to continue into the first week of July. Also towards the end of June look for the Golden Stones to start hatching. This second hatch will be stronger in the upper river (above Canyon Creek). Drakes will be stronger in the lower river (below Canyon Creek).
