Not much has changed from last week’s report, fishing has stayed
consistent. The only real thing to report is that the White River has
cleared up from the Thursday’s episode of colored water. It had to
be from a freak warm rain, otherwise it has been way to cold for
the glacier to be puking mud. Thanks to the cold there should not
be anymore mud from the glacier.
Trout:
Deschutes Trout:
Fall has really set in and the trout are in full fall mode. Fall is
some of my favorite trout fishing, on the Deschutes especially. Water temps are great,
trout are happy and no need to get out there at the crack of dawn.
From here on out you will see more small mayflies, especially on the cloudy cool days.
So stalk up on Blue Winged Olive nymphs, dries and emergers. My favorite flies are
Dries: Sparkle Flag BWO #18-20, Extended Body BWO #20, Parachute Extended Body
BWO #20, Parachute Adams #18-20
Emergers: Sprout BWO #18-20, Challenged PT #18
Nymphs: Bead Head Flashback PT #18-20, Pheasant Tail #18-20, Flashback Pheasant Tail
#18-20, WD40 #18-20
You will also see very productive fishing with a variety of midge patterns. I prefer Zebra
Midges Black, Brown, Tan #20
When nymphing I prefer drop all of my smaller flies below a bigger heavier nymph.
Here are my favorite larger nymphs: TJ Hooker #8-10, Jigged PT #14-16, Jigger PT Purple
#16, Bead Head PT #12-16. Many others work, but those are my favorites.
Fall is also a great time to break out the Trout Spey and swing some streamers, wet flies
or soft hackles. Trout tend to be very active to a swung fly this time of year. Streamer
takes are VIOLENT!
Here are my favorites streamers: Rio Precious Metal, Kiwi Muddler, Sculpzila #8 (White,
Olive/White, Natural) and Beaded Wooly Buggers #8 variety of colors.
Small Mountain Streams:
Fall is also the best time of the year to fish the small creeks and streams around The
Gorge area. Places like Trout Lake Creek, Lewis River above Swift Reservoir, East Fork of
the Hood, White River to name a few. 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.
Lakes:
Some of the best fishing you will find in our lakes is over the next month. Fish are very
active all day this time of year.
Best results have been 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 through the
evening. Favorite dries are Parachute Adams #14-16, Tilt Wing Callibaetis #14-16, Griffiths
Gnat #18.
Stillwater Trout Selection
Steelhead:
Fishing on the lower Deschutes continues to stay really consistent. There are fish throughout
the system now, but the lower 20 miles of the river is still the most productive. Remember
many of those upper Columbia Steelhead like Clearwater fish will park in the lower river
until as late as Christmas. There has been great dry line fishing when light levels are low or
overcast. Put on the sink tip and go deep once the sun hits the water.
The Klickitat has been in great shape with few people on it. Those who know the river well
are doing great right now. Water temps have cooled so dry line fishing is going to be very
limited to none. Go deep with a sink tip for best results on a swing. Fishing a fly under and
indicator from a boat is also very effective.
Klickitat Super Slammer Kit
John Day River has started producing some fish over the last few weeks. The early rains and
cooler weather is going to really help the JD see some fish much earlier than we have seen in
the past few years.
Smallmouth:
Water temps are cooling now so Smallmouth fishing starts to slow down now. The Columbia
will still be good for another few weeks and would be your best choice.
Trav
"The Gorge"
Gorge Fly Shop Team - 541.386.6977
"Fly Fish the World with Us"
