Fishing Report 12/13/18 - Guide Report

A late season Deschutes Steelhead

Winter Solstice is December 21 so technically it’s still fall. With a noticeable lack of rainfall for the Fall season 2018 we have had low and clear rivers in western Oregon. The kickoff to winter steelhead season is Thanksgiving Day, we’re gonna get a late start the 2018-2019 Season. The region got a nice bump in river levels this week and fresh winter steelhead will be caught on many rivers over the next few days. Local fishing on the Hood River (800 cfs) itself has been giving up some fish and will definitely improve as bright winter steelhead move into the river after the first of the year. Look for winter steelhead numbers to increase as we move into the New Year, and as the weather settles into it’s normal cycle around February through March fishing will become consistent. Between now and then play the drops as the storms move in and out of the region. Sink tips and big flies are the way for fly swingers for the next several months, I like Skagit heads, especially the Skagit FIST for a wide range of winter conditions.

The Klickitat closed December 1st and will not re-open until June 1 2019.


The Deschutes is still kicking out some late summer steelhead in the Maupin area, expect little competition from other anglers. Current flows are 4900 at the Moody gauge which is very fishable. I’d also recommend bringing your trout gear if your gonna make the trip. Trout fishing on the Deschutes during the winter can be very productive. I like to swing flies on a trout spey, don some nymph fishing, and be ready for a blue wing olive hatch.


The John Day river is running a very slow 260 cfs and reports have been poor.

Sam Sickles
Steelhead Outfitters