Trout
Deschutes River:
Due to recent rains on Mt Hood, the White River has once again blown out causing the Deschutes below the White to be muddy and unfishable. Above the White River, around Maupin and up to Warm Springs, the trout fishing remains strong as we move into November.
Blue winged olives are the most predominant insect that will hatch and bring trout to the surface in the coldest months of the year out there. Look mid to late day for a short window where blue wings will be hatching and trout feeding on them in the back eddies. Deep nymph rigs will always continue to work. Big rubber legs, October caddis pupa, san juan worms (especially effective in more off color water), and small beadhead mayfly nymphs work great. Euro nymphing is super effective too and will allow you to achieve the most natural drift resulting in more hook ups.
Concentrate on the slow and deep water, as well as back eddies now, through the rest of the winter months. Streamer fishing on trout spey gear can be effective in the cold months too with various sculpin patterns. In the colder months with colder water, look to achieve a slower swing, similar to that of the swing you strive for when targeting winter steelhead. Giving your rod tip the occasional twitch can get the fish to react better to your fly as well. Once your swing is over, don’t be afraid to strip your fly in, lots of hookups happen here. This is where an integrated line like OPST commando smooth comes in handy as there is no bump in line connections when stripping the line through your rod’s guides.
Lakes are slowing down. Pretty cold up there in the mornings causing the fish to not be as active. If you do fish, same techniques as always but definitely slow down your presentation as fish are going to get more lethargic.
Summer Steelhead
Deschutes River:
Steelhead fishing below the White will not be good for the foreseeable future until the White clears, which is unpredictable as to when that will be. Supposed to be pretty rainy all weekend, which is what caused it to blow out this time. Around Maupin up to Warm Springs remains fair to good. Sink tips and big flies are getting it done for the people fishing it regularly. About 3 more solid weeks of fishing on the Lower before it starts getting too late in the season, with cold temps, and much fewer fish entering the river. The ones that have been in the river will be getting darker by then and preparing to spawn in January/Feb.
Hood River:
There are probably quite a few old springers in the lower few miles but not super high on people’s list to be targeting at this time as they have been in the river for quite some time now. There are definitely summer steelhead spread throughout much of the Hood which can still be caught on the swing and nymphing. Recent rains can get the fish freshened up and more willing to bite. If you’re swinging, using an egg sucking black leech is a tough fly to beat. Other good patterns are dark colored intruders or hobo spey type flies.
Smallmouth Bass/Carp
Smallmouth fishing has remained pretty tough recently. Fish are still fairly spread out making them tough to find. Sinking lines with streamers and crayfish patterns are getting it done down there. People gear fishing have a better advantage of getting their presentation down in their face quicker.
Stay safe out there and best of luck!
-Gorge Fly Shop
"The Gorge"
Gorge Fly Shop Team - 541.386.6977
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