COLUMBIA GORGE FISHING REPORT 5.15.2020

COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE FISHING REPORT | 5.15.2020

TROUT

DESCHUTES RIVER:
Word on the river banks is that the Stonefly hatch is on, and in full swing!  We have had a number of folks come into the shop to stock up on their favorite Stonefly Dries and nymphs and they said it has been good.  Continue to see this trend as the hatch peaks.  One customer said that it was super crowded, like he'd never seen before, while a few others said it wasn't bad at all.  Another customer said he was doing just as well with Pale Evening Duns as he was with the Stoneflies.  Hint: when fishing these big flies, don't worry about making a delicate presentation, these bugs make a disturbance when the hit the water and it's like a dinner bell going off for Mr. Bow Bow and fish the foam lines!

Also, in the near future if the Stonefly/Salmonfly hatch slows down, or we get some wet days' with temps in the upper 50's look for the trout to key on the Green Drakes, they cannot resist them!  You will want to make sure to have a few Green Drakes patterns in your fly box, because when they hatch the fish will target and key on them and the hatch is short.  This is a super fun hatch to fish if you're lucky enough to be on the river when it happens.

• Click here for a great selection of Salmonfly Dry Flies: Salmonfly Dry Fly Selection

As always, it’s always a good idea to take some nymphs with you.  There are times that the fish just aren’t eating off the surface.  Try fishing a dry fly/dropper set up.   Try smaller nymphs, like a tungsten jigged nymph or a bead head nymph rather than the bigger stonefly nymphs.

• Click here for a selection of trout nymph flies: https://www.gorgeflyshop.com/store/pc/Nymphs-c1269.htm

NOTICE:  BELATED UPDATE CONTINUED (For those who may not already know)!

Oregon reopened hunting, fishing May 5

Non-Oregon residents will be allowed to hunt and fish in Oregon starting May 5, according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.  The department is lifting restrictions as the state loosens restrictions on all recreation in Oregon.  Oregon and Washington are to open salmon and steelhead fishing on the Columbia River next week.

“We want to thank non-residents for their understanding of the temporary closure,” ODFW Director Curt Melcher said. “We are also announcing a special refund policy for non-residents who purchased fishing license documents between April 6-15, which is about the time when Washington announced their extended closure of all hunting and fishing.” - Curt Melcher ODFW Director

Recreational crabbing and clamming are still closed until further notice as most beaches are still closed and those who don’t live on the coast are advised not to travel there.  Many non-residents who purchased hunting and fishing licenses before Oregon closed those to non-residents are eligible for a refund, which is available through the department’s website at https://dfw.state.or.us/

Lyndsey Duddles on her day off doin work on a local lake and gettin it done! 
Good job Miss Lyndsey being a trooper and all!

LAKES:
NOTE #1: Lost Lake Resort is currently closed. This includes lodge rooms, cabins, yurts, day use, boat launches included, camping and the general store. The campground and day use is currently closed per the state of Oregon governors executive order. Per the governors executive order all forms of transportation must park outside the entry gate.

Per Hood River County ordinance 20-0001 all lodging is to remain closed until further notice. For the most updated information please email info@lostlakeresort.org

Lost Lake is open for fishing, however you would have to park outside the gate and hike in. Their phone number for any questions you may have is: 541-386-6366.

NOTE #2:  Laurance lake boat ramp is open for use, however you still cannot park in the day use or campsite areas.  The lake has been stocked and is open to foot traffic.

Much the same as last weeks report.  If you walk in to Laurance Lake there could be some flying Ants out, so make sure you have a few of those in your fly box.  Also fish a sinking line and strip in leach patterns such as the Hale Bop Leach or Wooley bugger and Bead head Wooley Buggers.  Fish Chironomids or a Balanced Leach under a strike indicator.  A hint when fishing this technique is to find the depth that the fish are at and then through out the day shallow up because the Chironomid Nymphs swim up and fall back down a bit and as the day goes on  they work their way to the surface.  It is somewhat critical to find the fish, then when they stop biting shallow up about a foot or so and just follow their progress up to the surface as the day goes on.

Lyndsey's FAVORITE reel, here Nautilus X series XM in Violet.  She's Purdy!!!

STEELHEAD/SPRING CHINOOK:
The Hood River has produced some nice spring Chinook lately and we've had some reports that winter steelhead has slowed down.  Spring Chinook fishing should just get better as more fish appear.  Sounds like Captain Obvious right there but it always helps to have more fish in the system to improve your odds.  Most of the Chinook have been caught down river near the mouth at this are being caught by gear fisherman but there are some being caught my guys swinging flies as well.  If you're going to be swinging a fly for them try flies such as listed below:

• Click here for a great selection of Chinook flies:  Chinook flies
• Click here for an effective Steelhead Fly selection:  Steelhead Flies

SMALLMOUTH BASS:  
Smallmouth  Bass fishing has heated up and they have been snappin and growlin.  I have seen some photos of some dandy Bronzebacks being caught.  Again, It will just get better as the warmer/longer days of summer draw closer.  At the moment using sinking lines and Crayfish patterns and getting down is the key right now.  Once they're in their Pre-Spawn mode look to get them closer to the banks and structure with a floating lines and poppers or using an intermediate, light sinking line stripping in Clouser Minnows or Bead Head Wooley Buggers and what not.  When they start keying on the surface, you seriously cannot throw a fly big enough or strip it in fast enough.  They go quite nuts over it, like catnip to a cat, if you're pickin up what I'm puttin down!?  My good friend Ryan and a former Gorge Fly Shop employee, who is a Bronzeback NINJA! - yeah that's right I used all caps right there, because HE IS THE MAN, once said to me, that "Just because they are called Smallmouth...doesn't mean they don't eat!"  Words of wisdom right there!

Click here for an effective Smallmouth fly selection:  Smallmouth Flies

Fishing a full sinking line and a Crayfish pattern paid off in a very nice way!

That's it for now, have a great weekend and be safe and healthy out there.  Enjoy every minute you've been given and make the most of them.  We'll see you out on the water!

The Gorge Fly Shop Team

John G.

PARTING SHOT (JUST FOR FUN):

On a side note: Austin Duddles helping Lyndsey out, tightening her straps.
After all it was mother's day.  Way to score bonus points Austin!