COLUMBIA GORGE FISHING REPORT 5.29.2020

Lost Lake, a favorite of many, is NOW OPEN AS OF TODAY, May 29th!

COLUMBIA GORGE FISHING REPORT | 5.29.2020

FLASH NOTICE:  LOST LAKE CAMPGROUND IS OPEN AS OF FRIDAY, MAY 29TH!

This includes lodging, campground and day use. They encourage you to social distance and to be thoughtful of others while visiting and using the facilities.  If you have any questions call them at (541) 386-6366.

Most day-use sites on the forest will reopen Friday, May 29.  This includes most every trail head, OHV area, picnic area, trail, boat ramp, and other developed recreation day-use site on the forest.

Most campgrounds will remain CLOSED for at least a little while and reopen slowly as forest staff work with concessionaires to prepare them for reopening.  Campsites will be temporarily entirely by reservation only once they open.

A COUPLE OF EXCEPTIONS: Bagby Hot Springs will remain CLOSED for a while longer.  Campsites at Timothy Lake will OPEN 5/29/20 are reservable at www.Recreation.gov.

Sam Sickles of Steelhead Outfitters has been taking advantage of the great fishing as proof is here in his hands!

TROUT

DESCHUTES RIVER:  If you haven't heard by now that the Salmonfly hatch is happening and has been happening, well, I feel sorry for you.  It has been really really good fishing for those who have been venturing out to play.  We have had lots of folks (no more than 2 people at a time in the shop, shopping at a time, being respectful for the health and happiness of all) come into the shop in the last couple of weeks who have enjoyed great success.  Especially this past week.  I have had to restock the fly bins on a number of occasions.  It's this time of year that I truly wish I had invented/created the Chubby Chernobyl, and any other Salmonfly imitation for that matter, but the Chubby Chernobyl is KING for sure.

Unfortunately look for the Salmonfly hatch to start to dwindle.  It is typically an early May to first part of June hatch, although in recent years it seems that hatch has been a bit shorter.  I have not yet talked to anyone who has witnessed the Green Drake hatch yet, and with cooler temperatures coming this weekend it could happen.  Make sure you have a few Drake dries on hand in case it does come tot fruition.  The hatch typically happens in the early afternoon, you will notice the seagulls becoming more active swooping in over the water to feed on them as well as seeing them.  It is a very short hatch lasting only a few hours during the day so be prepared because the fish will key on them.

If the Salmonfly hatch starts to die down, look for Mayflies, Blue Winged Olive (Baetis), Pale Evening Duns, Mayfly Pale Morning Duns, Green Drakes, Crane Flies, Caddis, Midges and such.

• Here is a link to our Trout Selection of flies:  CLICK HERE!

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.

• Here is a link to our trout nymph flies:  CLICK HERE!

LAKES

With Lost Lake now open, look for ease of access and good fishing.  There has not been a lot of traffic fishing the lakes lately.  Expect it to be somewhat crowded with folks as well, especially since folks have been somewhat restricted in traveling and getting out with the Covid issues we have been dealing with.  Look for flying ants, hexagenia's and damsels for your dry fly fishing.  If you don't see enough surface action to get you excited try fishing a sinking line and strip in leach patterns such as the Hale Bop Leach or Wooley bugger and Bead head Wooley Buggers.  I like to start the morning off, if I don't see a lot of surface activity fishing 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.

STEELHEAD/SPRING CHINOOK:

Hood River continues to produced some nice spring Chinook lately and although the river has come up a bit, it has still been fishable.  There are still a few late winter steelhead coming over the dam as well and the opportunity to get one on the Hood is still there.  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

Klickitat River:  Opens June 1st, so there will be another option for fishing for trout and steelhead!  The Klickitat has in the past on occasion had some nice early summer steelhead fishing and if you are lucky enough to hook one - HANG ON!  As far as I am concerned an early Klickitat Summer run steelhead are as ornery as they get and often will hand you your lunch in a hand basket...THEY ARE HOT!  Look for high water flows but in fishable water conditions focus on areas close to the bank with soft pockets and you have a greater chance of success.

SMALLMOUTH BASS:  

Smallmouth  Bass fishing has just gotten better and better, although I have not yet personally got out to experience the mayhem, I have solid intel that it's on from more than once source.  That said, I cannot wait to get out and catch some Bronzebacks!  Pound for Pound they are as aggressive and scrappy as most any fish!  I have seen some pretty nice photos of some dandy smallmouth lately.  Surface action is happening and will only get better.  When they start keying on the surface, you seriously cannot throw a fly big enough or strip it in fast enough.

If you can't get them on the top, use sinking lines and Crayfish patterns and getting down is the key right now.  Clouser Minnows or Bead Head Wooley Buggers and what not. Try fly and float along steep ledges and if there is a bit of wind and you want to get under the overhanging branches, cast to the edge of the trees and let the wind/waves carry your float under the branches while the fly is jigged up and down by the motion of the waves. 

• Click here for an effective Smallmouth fly selection: CLICK HERE!

"Just because they are called Smallmouth...doesn't mean they don't eat!" - Ryan V. Bass Ninja

That's it for now, have a great weekend, enjoy the fact that you can get out the house and be safe and healthy.  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.