Gorge Fly Shop Blog: Columbia Gorge Fishing Report 10/16/18

I've been away from local waters lately as I took an annual fall steelheading trip. This year my girlfriend Chelsey and I took off to fish some Columbia River tributaries out East. Our target was the Clearwater, Snake, and Grande Ronde. We'd never been, and despite low returns we decided to go anyways. Fishing was tough, though we found a few. The Clearwater was touting it's fall colors and it was easy to be distracted while swinging a run. I does parallel a busy highway and it felt like I was rolling the dice every time I pulled out of a spot or looked for a new one. Most all the prime water had an angler or two nearby at all times of the day. No big B-Run's, though there was a fish that I hooked and lost that could've been...

Over on the Snake I loved taking out the big stick and dropping long bombs while not even covering 1/5 of the water. Then transitioning over to the Ronde with a switch rod and ability to hit the far bank. Everywhere was beautiful, though pressure was high and fish counts very low. I talked to an old timer who's family had been fishing the area since the 40's and said this was one of the hardest years they've ever experienced. While steelheading sure ain't easy, this is a tougher year for us all. We linked up with some friends and made some new ones along the way too- Campfire whiskey, lunchtime fly tying, and miles and miles of walking each day in beautiful country made this year's Steel Headquarters a blast.

Steelhead: We are working hard out for any type of encounter with Mykiss. Those lucky enough to score prime water still aren't guaranteed anything. The Deschutes has been pumping out a fish here and there, and same with the Klickitat. If you're complaining about only hooking a fish here and there, its possible steelhead fishing isn't for you. I always tend to fish smaller drab flies, however this time of the year I certainly exercise that section of my fly box more. I preach the skater takes and steelhead will crush a hitched muddler with reckless abandon, so be sure to keep those nearby too. Sometimes when the fish have seen all the go-to patterns I like to show them something different, and that's when skittering a waking fly across the surface can be just the ticket to spark their interest.

Just one of those years...

Trout: Fishing is certainly slowing down in the higher elevation streams and lakes. Soon many will be even be closed for the Winter. All along the Deschutes and Klickitat, October Caddis are out and about. Trout love these big juicy bugs and I like fishing them too, in part because they're much easier to see on the water in comparison to other caddis. There are also some smaller size 16 and 18 caddis hatches happenings on the Deschutes and you'll see lots of BWO's on cloudy days below a riffle. However, come the cold season I really enjoy fishing streamers on the Deschutes with a trout spey.

Warmwater: Bass fishing has been slowing down some with the cooler nights and water. I was just over on the John Day looking for early steelhead and found only bass, however they were all pretty sluggish and not' too abundant. Mornings have been pretty cold so I think that is definitely translating to their behavior. Columbia River action is also slow, however the fish still gotta eat so if you're going to focus your efforts there, I'd wait till the sun heats up the river a little.

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.