Gorge Fly Shop Blog: Columbia Gorge Fishing Report 7/11/18

Steelhead: Fishing has been pretty slow still for steelhead, but that's okay with me as I tend to think expectations shouldn't be so heavily focused on the necessity of a fish in hand- It's good to appreciate any time out on the water swinging a fly! The Klickitat River has had a bit of turbidity lately and doesn't seem to be cycling much yet. Some of the die hard dry fly / dry line guys I know out there that river have even switched to light tips recently. The Dalles Dam has been seeing more fish passing over it as of lately, which means it is about time to be heading over to the Deschutes, which is arguably one of the better dry line steelhead fisheries out there. Be sure to bring your thermometer if heading over to the D this July as water temps are pretty high already due to top water being released from the Pelton Dam, and steelhead simply just do not revive well in those temps- It's best to be off the water early once temps reach the upper 60's.

Almost that time!

Trout: Over on the Deschutes action has slowed a little as we enter the heat of the summer. Focus on fishing early and late out with caddis fly variations in the riffles and mayflies into the back eddies. Aquatic moths are making a bit of an appearance as well. Jacob here at the shop even saw an adult damsel munching on an aquatic moth for lunch the other day on his boat. Mid-day I would plan on nymphing deep as many fish with seek the cooler water where food is more readily available. I've still been taking my 2wt out on the smaller streams up higher for eager trout, and the lakes have been fishing pretty good near dusk and dawn while a mid-day hammock siesta provides some nice R&R.

Cooling off on a hot afternoon after a morning of trout fishing.

Warmwater: Not a whole lot has changed for targeting warmwater species. The carp fishing has been excellent on calm days (is that a thing around here in summer?), and in the evenings a short lived Hex hatch has even been happening on the Columbia near last light, which Carp seem to enjoy. Clousers or crawfish patterns for the smallmouth and in the evening poppers are working great. Want some easy fishing? Check out the John Day to catch more smallies than you can count.

Chelsey tied onto a John Day River smallie

As always, we are happy to talk fishing anytime. Give us a call if you have any specific questions on local rivers, gear, and tactics, or if you just want some encouragement to get out of the office.