Columbia Gorge Fishing Report - 8/12/19

Trout:

Lost Lake:  Lost lakes Hex hatch has been best the last hour of daylight.  This can be a really fun fishery because most of the day traffic on the water (SUP's and swimmers and recreational boat traffic) tends to slow down as folks are headed home or back to their campsites.  If you are out on the lake this last hour the fish really key on them. High Mountain Lake Fly Selection

Best results otherwise is still going to be fishing an intermediate or slow sinking line with a variety of #8-10 leach patters in Black or Brown. Suspending a Balance Leach under an indicator with a floating line has been lethal to. Dry fly fishing has been good in the mid-morning or in the evening with Parachute Adams #14-16, Tilt Wing Callibaetis #14-16, Black Ants #8-12 also Hexagena patterns in the evenings.  Stillwater Trout Selection

Small Mountain Streams: 

The mountain streams are still fishing well. Trout Lake Creek, Lewis River above Swift Reservoir, and the White River are good bets. Fish in these locations are small, 6” to 8” average, but they are always looking up. These waters offer great dry fly fishing. Take your light rod and have a blast.  The East Fork of the Hood has slowed a bit due to the muddy water conditions after a string of hot weather and warm nights but look for it to clean up and be in better shape due to cooling weather in the days to come.  Regarding fly patterns, they are not too picky so take a few Caddis and you are good to go.  

I'm sorry, but this never gets old.  The reward is worth the work!

Summer Steelhead:

Deschutes River:  It's starting to warm up a little after a pretty cold July.  The river is really low and really clear and most of the trees and grass made it back after the big fire last year.  The Steelhead fishing is pretty consistent and has been the last week.  If you fish enough spots you can find a chance or two a day. I just finished a ten day stint with 7 days of that camped in Henry's Camp at lower Wagon Blast. The folks fishing the east side did better than we did but we found 1-2 chances per session and three chances the final morning.  Floating lines took as many fish as sink tips but we found ourselves fishing tips more than not due to very high winds.  The fish counts remain low over The Dalles dam and I know based on prior years we are at peak right now.  Buckle up for some real Steelhead fishing, one to two chances a day is a good day.  Here’s a couple shots from the last week or two. - Sam Sickles "Steelhead Outfitters"

Gorgeous Steelhead posing before release.

Deschutes River Guided Fishing Trips:

Sam Sickles | Steelhead Outfitters
(541) 400-0855
www.steelheadoutfitters.com

Klickitat River:  Major Thunder/Lightning last Friday night and quite a bit of rain have the Klickitat Blown out.  The Klickitat River remains off colored and could possibly fish by Tuesday or Wednesday of this week with the cooler weather that we have had.  It's a tough call.  My gut tells me that once September rolls around there will be better opportunities to fish quality water.  That being said though, you have to watch the freezing level and daily high and low temps to learn how to fish the Klick effectively and learn its patterns. Klickitat Super Slammer Fly Asst.

Again, I am sharing these golden nuggets when it comes to fishing the Klickitat River and facing the challenges of river conditions throughout the season because it is solid advise.  I wrote three extensive blog post a few years ago describing in detail fishable conditions and non-fishable conditions and effective techniques for the Klickitat River, here is the link to those articles:

• https://gorgeflyshops.blogspot.com/search?q=klickitat+river

Guided fishing for the Klickitat River:

• Travis Wallace - Western Waters Guide Service:
• Phone: 509.850.5125
• Web: https://www.westernwatersguides.com/
• Sam Sickles - Steelhead Outfitters:
• Phone: 541.400.0855
• Web: http://steelheadoutfitters.com/

Smallmouth:

Columbia River:  MUCH THE SAME AS LAST WEEKS REPORT - Top water action continues to get stronger on the Columbia if you can avoid the heavy winds we have had this summer so far.  Often times the wind will settle down towards the later hours of the day and into dark and this can be some crazy top water fishing.  Make sure you boat lights work so you can find your way back to the dock.  Fly selections are same as last weeks with effective fly patters being LARGE poppers, and for streamers take a handful of Clouser Minnows from size 2 up to 2/0.

This may be repetitive but its because it's sound advice: Seriously cast the biggest poppers your able to with your rod and see what happens!  Also, try smacking that popper on the surface intentionally making some purposeful noise and then just let it sit.  Let it sit long enough that you can't stand it.  Occasionally without even moving the popper the fish have seen it hit the water and will explode on it, even if it has been 6 - 10 seconds just sitting there doing nothing.  If you don't have a boat, try the sloughs and back channels from accessible bank spots.  You can still get some action but it just isn't the same as fishing out of the boat. Bronzeback Buster Fly Selection