Deschutes Trout
The Deschutes went up a fair bit with all the rain in the last couple weeks. It was the first time I'd heard the term, "Atmospheric River" so far this winter. After all the rain, the river is back down to a great level. One X-Factor to keep an eye on before you go is the flow of the White River. It's been abnormally warm on Mt. Hood and most of the precipitation has been rain. The ski crowd has not been very happy so far this season. Unless we get a major deluge in the desert, the Deschutes above the confluence of the White should stay in good shape.
On the fishing front, it's mostly a B.W.O. game in the hatch department, so be prepared for that. Otherwise, it's a nymph and streamer program with both of these techniques being very viable. Overall, the temps have been pretty warm for the middle of December. This usually makes for very happy trout! Gaudy Euro-style nymphs with a hot spot or hot bead will work well. Don't be afraid to go big, either. Various stonefly nymphs, big Hare's Ears and the venerable T.J. Hooker in brown will all turn some heads. Sometimes a little bigger offering is the ticket in cooler winter water.
Deschutes Steelhead
Could you still find a summer fish on the Deschutes? Yes. Are the water temps still in the zone? Also, yes! That said, the recent rains mark the unofficial kick off to the winter steelhead season. The latest ~ 2-week event was a real doozy causing flooding from the coast through parts of the Portland area. This was the first major flow spike of the winter and most certainly the catalyst to bring in a decent number of winter fish throughout Northwest Oregon. Most of the famous winter rivers are just coming into shape now. The next handful of days should present some great opportunities to swing flies in pretty mellow weather. The best thing a steelheader can do at this time of year is just go. Don't wait for the first few reports.....make your own!
"The Gorge"
Gorge Fly Shop Team - 541.386.6977
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