Deschutes Trout
The above photo pretty much sums up the weather pattern we've been stuck with for a while. Bright days with clear skies.....and cold! "Cold" is a bit relative considering the weather a large swath of the country has been dealing with, but it's been chilly for the Gorge. Good news on the Deschutes is that the river is in great shape. The high water has receded and flows are somewhere in the normal range for this time of year.
With a lengthy string of nights in the 20's or less, the water is definitely on the cold side. Temps are starting out in the 30's and peaking just a little above 40 briefly in the afternoon. There is definitely a bite window, but it's been narrow. Expect to pick off a fish here and there earlier in the day with a notably better period sometime in the 1:00-3:00 pm zone.
Call the fishing program a nymphing show for the time being. Though there may be quite a few b.w.o's on the surface, the fish don't love to rise in the cold water and high sun. There is finally some moisture (and cloud cover!) on the horizon. This will increase the odds of afternoon dry fly fishing and also help out the streamer bite.
Winter Steelhead
Steelhead anglers, it's time for us all to start praying for rain! After a lengthy period of winter storms, it has been very dry. Rivers throughout Northwest Oregon are on the low/clear/cold side. There are fish on the move and a few being caught, but we need rain pretty badly right now. Keep your eyes peeled for the next bump in flow. Most rivers have gone quite a while without a spike and the next one should draw in a good wad of fish. If the early reports are an indication, it's going to get really good again here soon!
"The Gorge"
Gorge Fly Shop Team - 541.386.6977
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