Winter Fishing Tips
Winter fishing is generally from November to March and usually involves: snow, numb fingers, frozen guides, finicky fish, quiet rivers and shitty grins. Bring hot coffee or tea!! With less hours of sunlight on the water, the window of time to hook up is minimized. Adhering to bankers' hours isn't a bad idea as 10:00-3:00 will be the most productive time period to rip lips in the winter season. Use wading belt!! With less insects hatching, nymphing and streaming are your most productive presentations.
Dress warmly!! A great idea is packing an extra bag of clothing; it can make the world of difference if you are wet and cold. Wading staffs are a smart idea. Get out there and catch some winter fish...
Fishing Reports
Fall River
Fly fishing only! Closed to fishing downstream of the falls! Target the big ones between the hatchery and the headwaters. Use 9ft leaders, and 6x or 7x flourocarbon tippets. 3-5wt rods are a good choice.
Wise flies are BWO's, midges, eggs, soft hackle pheasant tails, cased caddis, minnow buggers, slump busters.
Deschutes River
The Deschutes is closed to fishing upstream of Benham Falls!
The section between Benham Falls and Bend holds a lot of feisty rainbows and big browns.
Productive patterns are christmas princes, anato mays, san juan worms, sculpzillas, slump busters, BWO's.
The lower Deschutes is the place to be if you are chasing chrome. The steelhead are well spread out in the river and with the winter weather here, the crowds will be thinning. Try girdle bugs, rock worms, muddler minnows, fleshy eggs, egg sucking leeches, street walkers, freight trains.
Crooked River
The road construction is finished at Bowman Dam.
The Crooked is running at 155 cfs below the reservoir. The farther downstream the water moves from the dam, the more fluctuations in temp. so target the runs and pocket water closer to the reservoir.
Try scuds, sow bugs, eggs, zebras, surveyors, BWO's.
Tight lines!
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
August 16th, 2011
Fall River
This seductive spring creek is fishing awesome. Use PMD's, BWO's, yellow sallies & x-caddis for dry imitations. Mr. Peacocks, flame eggs, and micro mays for nymphs. Rust pine squirrels and slump busters for streamers.
Crooked River
Flowing at a consistent 310 cfs has the Crooked continuing to be a productive tailwater. Look for caddis and mayfly hatches throughout the day and in the evening, especially if there's some cloud cover. For nymphs use: anato may, tungsten surveyor, frenchies and amber princes. Trailing an emerger behind a nymph is a great way to go on this river.
Upper Deschutes River
Despite the summer "pressure" on the upper D., it's still fishing well. Streamers are still landing the big ones although nymphing the banks and log structure is productive as well.
East Lake
East is fishing excellent! It's hard to beat casting callibaetis dry patterns to rising fish all day, so get up there and enjoy the bite. Wind drifting roxy rainbows & AP emergers are hooking up all day as well. Stripping streamers in the shallows during low light can pay off big.
Crane Prarie Reservoir
With the reservoir being 66% full, more fish are cruising the channels & many lunkers are being hooked up. Use our blood rufus & leech rufus patterns. Use callibaetis sparkle emergers and hatch matcher dries, olive pine squirrel minnows & Thin Mints.
Diamond Lake
Fishing okay, but should pick up in the next couple of weeks...
This seductive spring creek is fishing awesome. Use PMD's, BWO's, yellow sallies & x-caddis for dry imitations. Mr. Peacocks, flame eggs, and micro mays for nymphs. Rust pine squirrels and slump busters for streamers.
Crooked River
Flowing at a consistent 310 cfs has the Crooked continuing to be a productive tailwater. Look for caddis and mayfly hatches throughout the day and in the evening, especially if there's some cloud cover. For nymphs use: anato may, tungsten surveyor, frenchies and amber princes. Trailing an emerger behind a nymph is a great way to go on this river.
Upper Deschutes River
Despite the summer "pressure" on the upper D., it's still fishing well. Streamers are still landing the big ones although nymphing the banks and log structure is productive as well.
East Lake
East is fishing excellent! It's hard to beat casting callibaetis dry patterns to rising fish all day, so get up there and enjoy the bite. Wind drifting roxy rainbows & AP emergers are hooking up all day as well. Stripping streamers in the shallows during low light can pay off big.
Crane Prarie Reservoir
With the reservoir being 66% full, more fish are cruising the channels & many lunkers are being hooked up. Use our blood rufus & leech rufus patterns. Use callibaetis sparkle emergers and hatch matcher dries, olive pine squirrel minnows & Thin Mints.
Diamond Lake
Fishing okay, but should pick up in the next couple of weeks...
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
July 26th, 2011
Crooked River:
The flows have been a consistent 315 cfs. and the fishing has been awesome. Plenty of beautiful mid-sized trout and a few large ones are being caught & released. Nymphing is still the most productive way to fish the Crooked, although caddis and mayfly emergers are slaying 'em. The hatches have been a bit sporadic with the blues skies overhead, but look for PMD's and caddis in the shady areas and early/late.
Fall River:
This charming spring creek continues to be super! Lots of large trout are scattered throughout; target them under the logs and in the deep pools.
Upper Deschutes:
Although there's a multitude of young brookies in the Upper D. that will bite the end of your line, there are some real big ones being hooked under the banks, and hiding under logs. A few cranebows are lurking in the river and have been caught on white pine squirrel streamers, and rust slump busters. The mo's are out, so bring your deet.
Hosmer Lake:
Fishing is good for Atlantic salmon and brook trout. Use Q's film critic, roxy rainbows and Bob's sparkle emergers for callibaetis. Stripping our white and yellow rufus streamers is very productive.
Crane Prairie
Reports are still slow for late July, but with the consistent warm weather and sunny days we've had lately, more fish should be cruising (and hooked) in the channels. Blood and leech rufus continue to be our favorite flies to fish on Crane. Stripping S.Twin specials and minnow buggers are a smart choice. Chironomids are working as well.
East Lake:
Fishing great! Wind drift or slow retrieve callibaetis emergers & cast dries when the hatch is on. Stripping Thin Mints and pine squirrels in the mornings and evenings can be good.
The flows have been a consistent 315 cfs. and the fishing has been awesome. Plenty of beautiful mid-sized trout and a few large ones are being caught & released. Nymphing is still the most productive way to fish the Crooked, although caddis and mayfly emergers are slaying 'em. The hatches have been a bit sporadic with the blues skies overhead, but look for PMD's and caddis in the shady areas and early/late.
Fall River:
This charming spring creek continues to be super! Lots of large trout are scattered throughout; target them under the logs and in the deep pools.
Upper Deschutes:
Although there's a multitude of young brookies in the Upper D. that will bite the end of your line, there are some real big ones being hooked under the banks, and hiding under logs. A few cranebows are lurking in the river and have been caught on white pine squirrel streamers, and rust slump busters. The mo's are out, so bring your deet.
Hosmer Lake:
Fishing is good for Atlantic salmon and brook trout. Use Q's film critic, roxy rainbows and Bob's sparkle emergers for callibaetis. Stripping our white and yellow rufus streamers is very productive.
Crane Prairie
Reports are still slow for late July, but with the consistent warm weather and sunny days we've had lately, more fish should be cruising (and hooked) in the channels. Blood and leech rufus continue to be our favorite flies to fish on Crane. Stripping S.Twin specials and minnow buggers are a smart choice. Chironomids are working as well.
East Lake:
Fishing great! Wind drift or slow retrieve callibaetis emergers & cast dries when the hatch is on. Stripping Thin Mints and pine squirrels in the mornings and evenings can be good.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
July 14th
Upper Deschutes
The fishing is stellar!! PMD emergers, olive pine squirrels, Mr. Peacocks and para adams have all been productive this week chasing trout on the Upper D.. Target larger trout under the banks & in the channels.
Fall River
Plenty of brutes are hanging, toss a Lady Di out over log structure and get ready to set the hook. PMD's and caddis hatches are predominant. Slump busters and minnow buggers are killer streamers to strip. The fishing continues to be awesome on the Fall.
Crooked River
Still flowing @ 305 cfs, and the fishing has been hot! The fish are spread out, although the largest trout have been landed near Big Bend. Hatches have been sporadic, but emerging caddis and mayfly patterns are hooking up all day long. Anato mays and tungsten surveyors have been productive nymph patterns.
Crane Prarie
With a the cooler weather, the fish are still spread out in the res. and not congregating as much in the channels. Blood rufus and brown rufus patterns are still our favorite fly to fish, but S.Twins and damsel buggers are great 2nd choices. Chironomids are working as well...
East Lake
Callibaetis dries have been slaying trout when it's on, but when they're not happening try Roxy rainbows and/or Loweburgs. Royal wulff's are great to use when ants are blown into the water.
Diamond Lake
Fishing is great...use rufus patterns, S.Twin specials, Roxy rainbows, and callibaetis.
The fishing is stellar!! PMD emergers, olive pine squirrels, Mr. Peacocks and para adams have all been productive this week chasing trout on the Upper D.. Target larger trout under the banks & in the channels.
Fall River
Plenty of brutes are hanging, toss a Lady Di out over log structure and get ready to set the hook. PMD's and caddis hatches are predominant. Slump busters and minnow buggers are killer streamers to strip. The fishing continues to be awesome on the Fall.
Crooked River
Still flowing @ 305 cfs, and the fishing has been hot! The fish are spread out, although the largest trout have been landed near Big Bend. Hatches have been sporadic, but emerging caddis and mayfly patterns are hooking up all day long. Anato mays and tungsten surveyors have been productive nymph patterns.
Crane Prarie
With a the cooler weather, the fish are still spread out in the res. and not congregating as much in the channels. Blood rufus and brown rufus patterns are still our favorite fly to fish, but S.Twins and damsel buggers are great 2nd choices. Chironomids are working as well...
East Lake
Callibaetis dries have been slaying trout when it's on, but when they're not happening try Roxy rainbows and/or Loweburgs. Royal wulff's are great to use when ants are blown into the water.
Diamond Lake
Fishing is great...use rufus patterns, S.Twin specials, Roxy rainbows, and callibaetis.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
June 30th, 2011
Crooked River:
The temps. have been perfect out on the Crooked, the flow has been a steady 305 cfs this week, and the fishing continues to improve. Cobble Rock and Palisades areas have been productive. Light hatches of caddis and mayflies are present. Try anato mays, caddis emergers, exploding baetis and black beauties.
Upper Deschutes:
Fishing has been good on the Upper D. and continues to improve as we get into summer. Try amber princes, possie buggers, rust pine squirrels, copper john's, PMD's & x-caddis.
Fall River:
The fishing has been productive on the meandering Fall. Mosquitoes are getting heavy, so bring your bug dope. Try Lady Di's, PMD's, royal caddis for dries; Mr. Peacocks, anato mays, tungsten teasers for subsurface, & minnow buggers, slump busters, and olive pine squirrels for streamers.
East Lake:
This is a great time to fish East; try Roxy rainbows, black humpys, buttonators, and S.Twin specials. Target the big ones in the mornings and evenings...
Crane Prarie:
With the warmer weather, more fish are being found in the channels. Our leech and blood rufus patterns are must haves in your box. S.Twins are working early and late the day & callibaetis emergers have been productive as well. Get out there.
Davis Lake:
Target bass and trout in the top water in the mornings and evenings, and focus on the channels and weeds during the day. Use wiggle bugs, sex dungeons, bunny leeches and clousers.
Diamond Lake:
Fishing good.
The temps. have been perfect out on the Crooked, the flow has been a steady 305 cfs this week, and the fishing continues to improve. Cobble Rock and Palisades areas have been productive. Light hatches of caddis and mayflies are present. Try anato mays, caddis emergers, exploding baetis and black beauties.
Upper Deschutes:
Fishing has been good on the Upper D. and continues to improve as we get into summer. Try amber princes, possie buggers, rust pine squirrels, copper john's, PMD's & x-caddis.
Fall River:
The fishing has been productive on the meandering Fall. Mosquitoes are getting heavy, so bring your bug dope. Try Lady Di's, PMD's, royal caddis for dries; Mr. Peacocks, anato mays, tungsten teasers for subsurface, & minnow buggers, slump busters, and olive pine squirrels for streamers.
East Lake:
This is a great time to fish East; try Roxy rainbows, black humpys, buttonators, and S.Twin specials. Target the big ones in the mornings and evenings...
Crane Prarie:
With the warmer weather, more fish are being found in the channels. Our leech and blood rufus patterns are must haves in your box. S.Twins are working early and late the day & callibaetis emergers have been productive as well. Get out there.
Davis Lake:
Target bass and trout in the top water in the mornings and evenings, and focus on the channels and weeds during the day. Use wiggle bugs, sex dungeons, bunny leeches and clousers.
Diamond Lake:
Fishing good.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
June 21st, 2011
Crooked River: Finally the flows are back down to an average level (250-300cfs) and the river is fishable again(hopefully to stay)!! While most fish are hooked subsurface on nymphs (sow bugs, scuds, and migdes); caddis and PMD dries can be very productive when they're hatching.
Fall River: This beautiful spring creek is fishing well. There hasn't been too much pressure on the Fall as of late, but you need to still need to quietly and patiently stalk the trout here. Keep moving until you find the fish & rest the holes frequently. Look for PMD' s and some green drakes to hatch in the afternoon.
Upper Deschutes: There's plenty of fast moving water throughout the Upper D. and much of the structure has been remodeled. Lots of small brookies and rainbows to be hooked, some big ones, but they're spread out and many are still in the lakes. Try minnow bugger streamers, Xmas prince nymphs, Mr. Peacocks, possie buggers, PMD's.
Crane Prarie: Fishing is picking up at Crane and plenty of 5-7lb. bows are being landed. Leech and damsel imitations have been working well and our rufus patterns have been our hot fly. With the weather getting warmer, the channels will become more productive. Be patient and pay your dues...
Lava Lakes: Reports have been stellar on both lava lakes. Try callibaetis emergers, black humpy's and damsel buggers.
Hosmer: Fishing for atlantic salmon & big brookies has been awesome! Try white rufus, callibaetis and damsel patterns.
East: Fishing reports have been good up at East. Plenty of fish being hooked on leech patterns and callibaetis. Stripping chub patterns is productive as well.
Fall River: This beautiful spring creek is fishing well. There hasn't been too much pressure on the Fall as of late, but you need to still need to quietly and patiently stalk the trout here. Keep moving until you find the fish & rest the holes frequently. Look for PMD' s and some green drakes to hatch in the afternoon.
Upper Deschutes: There's plenty of fast moving water throughout the Upper D. and much of the structure has been remodeled. Lots of small brookies and rainbows to be hooked, some big ones, but they're spread out and many are still in the lakes. Try minnow bugger streamers, Xmas prince nymphs, Mr. Peacocks, possie buggers, PMD's.
Crane Prarie: Fishing is picking up at Crane and plenty of 5-7lb. bows are being landed. Leech and damsel imitations have been working well and our rufus patterns have been our hot fly. With the weather getting warmer, the channels will become more productive. Be patient and pay your dues...
Lava Lakes: Reports have been stellar on both lava lakes. Try callibaetis emergers, black humpy's and damsel buggers.
Hosmer: Fishing for atlantic salmon & big brookies has been awesome! Try white rufus, callibaetis and damsel patterns.
East: Fishing reports have been good up at East. Plenty of fish being hooked on leech patterns and callibaetis. Stripping chub patterns is productive as well.
Friday, June 3, 2011
June 3rd, 2011
Rivers
Fall River:The enchanting Fall is now completely open to fly anglers willing and able to spend the time and stealth needed to learn her secrets. Downstream of the falls, there are some large trout that haven't seen many flies or people in the last 8 months. Above the falls, the hatchery or campgrounds are good choices to see (and hopefully land) some big ones. Make your presentations count, work the structure and enjoy this lovely spring creek.
Upper Deschutes:
This early in the season is a perfect time to fish the Upper D. and trick some of the most beautiful brookies in the world into biting your fly. Nymphs and streamers will be the most productive until the weather gets better....soon come. Come check out some of our newest patterns that will be ripping lips on the Upper D. this season such as: our newly dressed Mr. Peacock, the Ice CDC Posse Bugger, Egan's Iron Lotus...
Crooked River:
The Crooked has dropped from 1350cfs to 1000cfs this week and continues to flow at that level...which is too high for this usually, very productive central Oregon tailwater. With the all of the other choices to wet a fly at...the prudent decision would be to wait until the flows continue to drop and then stabilize. Hopefully, soon....
Lakes
Crane Prarie Res:
The fishing is picking up on Crane as the weather improves and more fish move back into the lake, but it's still early in the season. Chironomids can be productive, as well as damselflies. Our rufus patterns are deadly, come into the shop and pick up some new patterns for your next outing.
South Twin Lake:
Plenty of fish are being caught at this scenic, family friendly lake. A good choice when the wind is blowing at other still waters.
East Lake/Paulina Lake:
The road is open and both lakes are fishing. Still plenty of snow and ice though, the parking can be tricky.
Davis Lake:
Early and late are the best times to fish for bass and trout. Still early in the season, but as the weather improves...so will the fishing. Our new Wiggle Bugs will be a must this season at Davis
Hosmer Lake:
The road is still closed with snow.
Diamond Lake:
Anglers are fishing the north end of Diamond, but the southern part of this amazing fishery is still a mess. Check back for more info in the near future...
Thursday, April 21, 2011
April 21st, 2011
Crooked River:
The flows continue to be very high and the river is blown out. CFS is now 1550. If you find yourself out on the Crooked, try: scuds, sow bugs, & mayflies. However, if you want to catch some fish, go fish the Fall R. or Deschutes R..
Fall River:
Closed below the falls
Still the best bet for consistent fly angling is the Fall. The BWO's begin hatching around 1:00ish and using BWO emergers have been slaying them. Other patterns that have been productive are: Lady Di's, flame eggs, black zebra midges & green copper johns. The largest fish are tricked by streamers, so tie on a pine squirrel, minnow bugger, or white rufus and swing near or under structure to lure the big ones out.
Deschutes River:
Closed above Benham Falls
The water flow between Benham Falls and Bend is still flowing high (1225 cfs), but the fishing has been good, with BWO's hatching in the early afternoon. The river's flow below Bend has been dropping and is currently at 111cfs. Steelhead falls and Foley waters have been fishing awesome and will continue to improve. Use BWO's, stone flies, Christmas princes, FB hare's ear, & frenchies. Salmon flies will be hatching soon....get ready!
Lakes:
Crane Prarie is open at the lodge only. No reports as of yet.
Davis is still inaccessible.
If you want to catch some big trout before our local Cascade Lakes open, look into on of our private lakes guide trips at Little Willow or Grizzly lakes.
The flows continue to be very high and the river is blown out. CFS is now 1550. If you find yourself out on the Crooked, try: scuds, sow bugs, & mayflies. However, if you want to catch some fish, go fish the Fall R. or Deschutes R..
Fall River:
Closed below the falls
Still the best bet for consistent fly angling is the Fall. The BWO's begin hatching around 1:00ish and using BWO emergers have been slaying them. Other patterns that have been productive are: Lady Di's, flame eggs, black zebra midges & green copper johns. The largest fish are tricked by streamers, so tie on a pine squirrel, minnow bugger, or white rufus and swing near or under structure to lure the big ones out.
Deschutes River:
Closed above Benham Falls
The water flow between Benham Falls and Bend is still flowing high (1225 cfs), but the fishing has been good, with BWO's hatching in the early afternoon. The river's flow below Bend has been dropping and is currently at 111cfs. Steelhead falls and Foley waters have been fishing awesome and will continue to improve. Use BWO's, stone flies, Christmas princes, FB hare's ear, & frenchies. Salmon flies will be hatching soon....get ready!
Lakes:
Crane Prarie is open at the lodge only. No reports as of yet.
Davis is still inaccessible.
If you want to catch some big trout before our local Cascade Lakes open, look into on of our private lakes guide trips at Little Willow or Grizzly lakes.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
March 3rd, 2011
Fall River-
Fly fishing only. Fishing is closed downstream of the falls.
The gorgeous Fall has been fishing well as of late, although can be "hit or miss" this time of year. Being a spring creek, the Fall doesn't get the fluctuations of water flow that most other local rivers experience. Try BWO dries & emergers, Lady Di's, egg patterns, white rufus streamers, and olive pine squirrel minnows.
Crooked River-
The flow is below average for this time of year, but has been flowing consistently at 275 cfs. This is a perfect time to get out to the Crooked and "rip some lips". Try tungsten sow bugs, frenchies, zebra midges, mayfly emergers, BWO's.
Deschutes River-
Closed to fishing upstream of Benham Falls.
The flow has been sporadic and with the snowmelt runoff, the H20 is a bit "dirty". Try BWO's, Griffith's gnats, Anato mays, princes, and the occasional San Juan worm. Slump busters and minnow buggers are always a smart streamer choice.
Stop wishing & go fishing!!
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