Friday's Featured Fly

"Steelhead like Green Butt's, they can't lie." Solitude's Fall Run is great, darker profile fly with hot-dubbed green and gold butt.

When the evening light is fading, and you want to make one more pass. Bennetts Last Light can be a killer choice. The general dark profile of the fly with the accent of  blue Cyrstal flash in the wing makes this fly hard for Steelhead to resist.

"Steelhead like green butts, they can't lie." Solitude's Fall Run is great, darker profile fly with hot-dubbed green and gold butt. 

If you are lacking natural colors in your stable, Solitude's Bennet's Halo can be a great addition. Similar to the classic steelhead fly, the "Steelhead Coachman" with additional crystal flash makes this a great fly when river clarity is on the clearer side of green. Also, it can be a great plan B or C after your Purple or Green Butt.

 Mini intruders are highly effective for targeting selective steelhead and excel when swinging for trout. Stu's Ostrich Mini Intruder from Aqua Flies, available in Olive/White, is an essential addition to your fly box. Don't overlook these smaller flies; sometimes, that's all you need. But don't just take our word for it—try it yourself!

The Steelhead Mini Muddler in Purple is a fantastic fly that fishes as well on a sink as on a dry line.

This week, we are showing off our new 

GFS Kit - Steelhead Muddler Kit 

Hitch 'em and skate 'em. Fish 'em damp right under the surface. Sink 'em on a tip. However you like to fish them, Muddlers flat-out work for Summer Steelhead

Variations of the Green Butt Skunk are seemingly endless.  And, for good reason....they just work!  We've been really digging RIO's Version here.  Nice slim body on a heavy Alec Jackson Steelhead Iron.  A perfect choice for hot August steelhead, check out our Summer Steelhead Collection!

Aqua Flies McGovney's RL Skater Brown/Orange - This super buggy skater is tied on a light wire wide-gap hook.  Fish it anytime, but look for this one to shine later in the Summer Steelhead season when the October Caddis arrive.

Hartwick's Sword Fighter - If you took all the ideal qualities of dry line flies and put them into one pattern, you'd have the Sword Fighter.  It's got it all!  Slim tie. Chartreuse butt, pink, claret, purple, red and Peacock.  It's all there!

Shop Steelhead > Dry Line Flies

RIO's McGovney's RL Skater (Black/Blue) - Some folks have a hard time fishing a steelhead fly that isn't black and blue.  Can't say that they're in the wrong, either!  This skater is tied on a light wire wide-gap hook and has the added bonus of some wiggly rubber legs.  Fish this little guy in the shade and hang on!

RIO's Hartwick's Duck Turd -  Natural color schemes are essential in every Summer Steelheader's Box.  Whether used as a comeback fly for a plucky biter or a searching fly in clear water, the Duck Turd has all the right characteristics to seal the deal.

Trout is like a medieval apothecary. They love leeches!

Columbia Gorge Fishing Report - September 25, 2025

 

Deschutes Steelhead

Fishing remains strong on the Deschutes.  By this point in the season, there are fish spread throughout the lower river.  Things should be picking up nicely up high.  Down low, the recent blast of heat (now gone) had significantly warmed the Columbia.  This created a perfect situation to drive in tons of strays destined for rivers further east.  The moral of the story is, if you want to get a fall trip in out there, pick your favorite zone and go!  The weather forecast is absolutely beautiful.  It's all lining up for some great times out there.

As for the fishing, wow, has the dry line bite been good!  It always is, but it's been exceptional this time around.  Many anglers that are not intimately familiar with the river assume that getting down deeper is more productive, but that's really not the case until the water temps get much colder.  Common practice is to fish a dry line in the shade and switch over to a sink tip in the high sun.  This is a very effective approach, but there are ways to get them near the surface in high sun.  A big part of that is spot selection.  If you are not a sink tip person, think a lot about sun angles with your floating line.  If you can, pick a spot where the fish will be chasing your fly away from the sun and/or toward a dark background.  It doesn't hurt to go with a bigger/darker hair wing or muddler, either.  They don't quit grabbing flies near the surface in the sunlight, but fishing something that they can see and track easily dramatically ups the odds. 

Deschutes Trout

It's sure starting to feel pretty trouty out there!  Water temps are cooling and all methods are working.  In the bug world, there have been some massive hatches of smaller BWO's as of late along with the caddis.  With cooler nights, look for the best caddis fishing to be in the evening on warmer days.  It seems like the they have been on the fade a little compared to a few weeks ago.  There have also been some sightings of Golden Stones, of all things.  Though I wouldn't expect to see much in the line of a surface bite on these, there must be plenty of active stonefly nymphs out there.  For all of you streamer junkies, this is a great time to get going with your favorite Trout Spey.  This is the perfect time to streamer fish.  

Mount Hood Lakes

Early fall is a wonderful time to sneak in some stillwater fishing.  The weather is lovely and the crowds of summer have faded.  Be ready for the few remaining Callibaetis to be going on warmer days.  Beyond that, chironomids should make some sporadic showings.  Smaller terrestrials will also get fish looking up on a sunny afternoon.  Aside from that, the subsurface fishing should really get cranking.  The high alpine trout become keenly aware of the fact that cold weather is around the corner.  They take the opportunity to pack on some weight before the deep freeze sets in.  Yet another excellent fall fishing opportunity here in the PNW!  

     

R.L. Winston Air 2 - 5pc Fly Rod - New for 2025

 

9/25/2025 - Available at Gorge Fly Shop - IN-STOCK

Introducing the New Winston AIR 2 Pack/Travel Rods

Big performance now comes in a pack-able design. The new Winston AIR 2 five-piece fly rods bring Winston's award-winning AIR 2 material platform into a travel-ready trout rod that’s light, strong, and delivers the legendary Winston feel.

Crafted with nano-particle graphite and resin, these rods offer a smooth loading action, fast line speed, and pinpoint accuracy — all in a compact design that fits in carry-ons, backpacks, or saddle bags. Whether you’re heading deep into the backcountry or traveling across the globe, the AIR 2 redefines what a packable rod can do.

Each of the 3 model features premium components like a figured Box Elder reel seat with nickel silver hardware, hard chrome slick-coated guides, and comes with a 24.5” graphite tube and logo rod sock.

Designed and handcrafted in Twin Bridges, Montana, the AIR 2 Travel is ready to take you — and your fishing — farther. - "Travel the World with Us", plan your next destination and order today at Gorge Fly Shop before they're gone. ORDER NOW - 541-386-6977

Specs

Model	Line Weight	Length	Grip	Sections
490-5	4	9'	Flor Grad Cigar with  Uplocking Box Elder	5
590-5	5	9'	Flor Grad Cigar with  Uplocking Box Elder	5
690-5	6	9'	Flor Grad Cigar with  Uplocking Box Elder	5

 

 

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Gorge Fly Shop Team
Call the Shop today | +1 (541) 386-6977

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Columbia Gorge Fishing Report - September 5, 2025

Deschutes Steelhead

September is here and it's full-on steelhead time.  It's been up, it's been down, it's been...well, normal steelhead fishing!  There was a wave of fish in the lower Deschutes a couple weeks ago that yielded some pretty unbelievable fishing for a while. That faded after a bit and settled in to a pretty standard good bite.  Anglers putting in shade sessions in the morning and evening have been rewarded with approximately 1-3 opportunities per day.  Sometimes more and sometimes less.  Call it standard steelhead fishing.  It's been great!  Particularly the dry line fishing.  The high sun sink tip bite will improve here shortly as the water temps come down.   

Angler etiquette is certainly worth mentioning at this point in the season.  The reality of the Lower Deschutes, especially the lower 10 miles, is that if there are a good number of fish going over the Dalles Dam, it's going to be busy. Hikers, bikers, rafts, drift boats, float tubes, gear and fly...anglers abound down there. With this in mind, everyone needs to be attuned to fishing with and around others.  You hear the term "Low Holing" thrown around a lot, but it's important to know what the definition of low holing actually is.  If you are fishing a distinct pool with a defined start and finish, that's your spot.  If someone jumps in below you within that defined piece, that is low holing.  Plan A is always to fish a run above the first angler, but that's not always possible.  The gray area is if there is another run below the first one that is technically a separate and unique spot.  Some people will be totally fine with you jumping into the second spot below and some will not be!  Good courtesy is to simply talk to the other angler and hash out a mutually agreeable plan if possible.  If that's not possible, party on.  It's not worth getting into a confrontation over.  Along these same lines, it's also important to recognize that you can't expect to have a gigantic stretch of water all to yourself for an extended period of time.  Sometimes people don't show up and you might get a few back-to-back runs, but that's not the norm.  Furthermore, do not under any circumstances be afraid to fish behind people.  Maybe you're casting a little further, swinging at a different speed or using a different fly.  All these factors and some others contribute to you hooking one.

Deschutes Trout

The trout have been noticeably active in spite of the recent heat.  You do not want to be a hapless caddis on the water at first or last light!  The trout have been on them like glue.  Most of the surface activity has disappeared during the high sun, but you'd likely do well nymphing faster water during the day. We're just a few days away from a major cooldown that will make the trout fishing much better through the entire day instead of it being a first and last light deal.  Steelhead steal the show in the early fall, but the trout fishing is not to be ignored.  It can be just excellent!

Mount Hood Lakes

Well, we're coming out of the longest spell of heat we've had the entire summer.  Surface temps on the local lakes have been a bit on the warm side.  A lot of the active trout will be at or below the thermocline until things cool a bit.  This means it's time to go deep.  Heavier sinking lines and extra long leaders with slip strike indicators will be the ticket to get you in the zone.  The impending cooler weather along with the shorter period of daylight should drop water temps here shortly.  There is still plenty of good lake fishing to be had this season.  With schools back in session and most summer vacations wrapped up, the traffic on the lakes should be on the slide.  The remainder of the stillwater season will present some excellent opportunities with relatively low fishing pressure.  Pretty fun!  

          

"The Gorge"

Gorge Fly Shop Team - 541.386.6977

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Fly Fishing the Klickitat River

Discover fly fishing on Washington’s Klickitat River. Learn about steelhead and salmon seasons, river access, boat launches, guides, and the best places to stay and eat near the Columbia River Gorge.

The Klickitat River, known locally as “the Klick”, is a 95-mile, glacier-fed river that offers anglers incredible opportunities for Summer Steelhead, Chinook Salmon, and Rainbow Trout. Even Mountain Whitefish have their place here, though they’re less pursued.

With plenty of bank access, multiple boat launches, and campsites scattered along its course, the Klick is one of the Columbia River Gorge’s most versatile fisheries. Whether you’re hiking in, floating by drift boat, or camping riverside, this river delivers. Along the way, keep an eye out for wildlife—turkey, deer, otters, and even elk in the upper stretches.

Fishing Seasons:

• Steelhead: Typically June through November (check yearly regulations).

• Salmon: Year-round below Lyle Falls; above the falls reopens Aug. 1, 2025.

• Whitefish: Open all year, with winter being the prime season.

Access:

• Road: Hwy 142 parallels 18 miles of the lower Klick, offering excellent bank fishing.

• Boat: Popular floats include Slide to Ice House and Ice House to Town. Longer floats like Stinson to Ice House are also a favorite.

Where to Stay & Eat:

• Stay: Klickitat River Inn, Hood River hotels, or luxe glamping at Under Canvas.

• Eat: Hood River has endless options—favorites include Solstice Wood Fire Pizza, Double Mountain Brewery, and Stoked Coffee Roasters. In Klickitat, don’t miss Huntington’s Bar & Grill, famous for its steaks.

Guides:

• Travis Wallace: (509) 850-5125

• Sam Sickles: (541) 400-0855

For fishing licenses, visit Bridge Mart (Bingen), Lyle Merc, or Canyon Market (Klickitat).

Whether you’re after steelhead, chasing salmon, or just soaking up the Gorge scenery, the Klickitat offers one of the Northwest’s most rewarding river experiences.

Thanks for reading, get out there, be safe on the water and have fun!

GFS Team

John

Want to dive deeper into fishing the Klickitat? Visit SteelheadBum for more.

"The Gorge"

Gorge Fly Shop Team - 541.386.6977

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Columbia Gorge Fishing Report - August 19th, 2025

Deschutes Steelhead

Well, it's been off to a great start!  Numbers have been strong and fishing has been good.  We recently made it through three extremely hot days out in the desert....like over 100 degrees hot.  That has been the one upside of the extreme heat we've had so far this summer.  It's only been sticking around for a few days at a time.  It looks like we are out of the high heat for the time being and there are some cooler nights in the forecast, which helps a ton.  

From a fishing standpoint, the dry line bite has been excellent....especially in the morning.  With a solid number of fish present, this is a great time try and raise one on a skater.  At the very least, a grabby fish will often show itself.  It may not bite, but it will give you a visual cue in the form of a flash, boil or charge.  If you can't get it to commit on the surface, put a wet fly or two past it.  No guarantees in steelhead fishing, but that usually seals the deal!

Deschutes Trout

It's pretty amazing how much trout activity you see when you're trying for a steelhead.  The Redside's bigger cousins are not the only ones that like first and last light.  Wherever you happen to step in on the lower river, you're very likely to see some noses in the morning.  Several anglers have recently commented on the bigger trout grabbing caddis or aquatic moths in the morning.  We've seen some bruisers rising in the last couple weeks! 

Aside from the morning and evening surface program, all the standard sub-surface techniques have been effective, too.  On the nymphing side of things, make sure you have something cased caddis-esque in the mix.  Streamer folks can rejoice, as well.  Deeper/faster runs with some surface bounce have been giving up some great fish with outstanding grabs.  Make sure you're fishing a heavy enough rig to get your fly ~1/2 way down in faster water and you'll be in business.  Olive, black and natural streamers have been working well.      

Mount Hood Lakes

The stillwaters around Hood continue to be productive.  Recent reports have been favorable with a mix of tactics producing fish.  The surface bite continues with Callibaetis, some occasional chironomids and sporadic damsel flies.  Prospecting with generic smaller terrestrials has been really fun lately, too.  Call it something that just looks like a bug....tiny chubby, various ants, beetles, bees...you name it!  If you look closely on any given day with wind, you'll find a rather diverse smattering of terrestrial insects. Cruising trout in stillwaters seem to love random terrestrials, and that style of generic dry fly can get them to rise when other patterns do not. 

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Fall 2025 Launch - New From RIO Products

Our friends at RIO Products have some exciting new gear that just launched!  Here's the rundown of the new products available 8/12/25.  

Elite Scandi Body

RIO's original Scandi Body has a long-standing cult following among Spey enthusiasts.  It was particularly unique in that you could fish it on a shorter rod with a shorter 10' leader or light tip or add a longer tip to fish it on a longer rod.  This still holds true in the new Elite Series Scandi Body, but they made a few distinct changes.  This series comes with the current core and coating tech found in other Elite Series lines.  From a fishing perspective, the head length now varies more with the corresponding grain weight.  The heavier versions are a bit longer to better accommodate commonly used Spey rods in 8-10 weight.  

Elite Scandi MDC Kit

These kits are replacing the Scandi Short Versitip and Scandi Versitip.  Kit includes an Elite Scandi Body shooting head, spool of RIO Slickshooter, four new MDC Sink Tips and a Sink Tip Wallet.  This system allows anglers to cover most depths with small-medium sized flies.  With a short and longer offering, the RIO Elite Scandi MDC Kit has all bases covered for Spey rods of any length imaginable.  

Ambassador Series - Skagit Timberline

The RIO Ambassador Series Gray Struznik Skagit Timberline is an 18-foot shooting head that brings effortless performance to your coastal steelhead program. The compact design makes shorter two-handed rods sing when casting space is limited. Because of its heavily rear-loaded and progressively tapering design, it easily handles the heaviest T-tips, while still delivering a full range of marabous and modern steelhead flies with controlled loop precision.

MDC Versitip

The VersiTip gets an upgrade for 2025.  This Alaska favorite now comes with the tech advantages of the Elite Series core and coating.  Similar to RIO's other line kits, the RIO Elite MDC VersiTip Fly Line comes with the line, four new MDC Sink Tips and a Leader Wallet.  

MDC Sink Tips

After all this "MDC" talk, what the heck does "MDC" mean!?  It stands for Multi-Density Control.  Beyond the full floater tip, all other tips in this series are dual or triple density with the terminal end being the most dense.  The idea here is to facilitate positive turnover and hold your fly at depth.  The MDC Sink Tips are available in 12' 75, 90 and 100 grain and in 18' 130 and 150 grains.  

Classic Sink Tip

By the popular demand of B.C. anglers in particular, RIO launched this new line of 15 footers in the Classic Sink Tips Series.  Available in five different densities at 95, 110 and 125 grains, these tips will be right at home on any big river with gravel bar runs.  

Micro Leader Material

Euro Nymphers rejoice!  There's a new leader material!  RIO's Micro Leader Material is made of a unique nylon polymer that knots easily and firmly and is also incredibly sensitive.  Available in brown, pink and white to allow for endless customization of tight-line leaders.    

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Buyer's Guide to 5 Weights

Why Every Angler Needs a 5 Weight Fly Rod

The 5 weight fly rod is the cornerstone of most trout anglers’ setups. They're good for a reason. It's incredibly versatile, perfect for everything from dry flies on small creeks to nymphing or casting light streamers on big rivers. Beyond trout, it’s equally at home chasing bluegill, crappie, and small bass in warmwater conditions.

When choosing a 5 weight, length and rod action matter. A 9-foot rod is the go-to for all-around performance, offering excellent line control and casting range. Shorter rods under 8'6" excel on tight water with dry flies, while longer options—like 9'6" or 10' models—shine in stillwater or when mending and reach are essential, especially from float tubes or low-seated watercraft. Pair the right action (fast for versatility, slow for finesse) with the right length for your fishing environment, and you’ve got a rod that can truly do it all.

Read the Full Buyer's Guide to 5 Weights in our Buyer's Guide section. 

At Gorge Fly Shop, we carry a wide selection of 5 weights to match your exact needs—because when it comes to fly rods, one perfect fit makes all the difference.

 

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