Gorge Fly Shop Blog: Fish the Swing

Nov 7, 2018

Deschutes Steelhead Camp

As a fly angler there is one destination sooner or later you have to check off your bucket list, the Deschutes River, Oregon. Come to think of it you may have to visit this desert river more than just once to experience not only the aggressive steelhead but also the hardest pulling redside rainbows you may ever encounter.

I joined some friends this year on their annual fall camp. With less than stellar fish counts this year I understood the challenge would be high but with big challenges comes great rewards. The promise of good company was also a great influence. Part of what makes steelhead camp special is in the fact that one is not alone in the quest for the unforgettable catch.

Spotting the big horns

This season on the "D" came with a different landscape. The fires early in the year claimed up countless acres, (or more appropriate square miles), of the desert landscape. While one could choose to dwell over destruction I instead chose to witness the rebirth. While sadly some of the famous man made landmarks have been lost forever, nature is quick at work to regenerate the rivers edge all while advancing into the hills.

I watched big horn rams from great distance grazing the hillsides while wondering what could they be eating with the only answer I could come up with is a sparse delicacy of new growth of which I could not see. I fear for their future but must remind myself the combination of their will to survive and natures will to replenish equals an equation much greater than of my own understanding.

A few years have passed since I last waded this fishery. The river itself hasn't changed much. Still big current and slippery bedrock as always. If you go here do yourself a favor, equip your boots with the best traction possible and a Wading Staff is a good idea. The old saying for this body of water is "It's not if you will dunk, but when will you dunk!" I foolishly relaxed on my boot traction and left the wade stick behind. That decision cost me.

Please keep your hands arms and legs inside the vessel and remain seated

Another part of the adventure to appreciate is the jet boat rides. Myself, having been a licensed boat captain, can fully appreciate the knowledge and skill it takes to navigate all the dangers from the big class rapids to the shallow broad runs. Fun fact for those who've never been here, regulation is; No fishing from boats. Boats are only used for transportation. All fishing must be done on foot. This regulation includes rafts and drift boats as well.

The great part of camp trips is you fish optimal times. Up before dawn to fish first light and through the morning hours, break for lunch and afternoon siesta, and back at it for the evening shade until darkness takes over. Camps are generally set on some of the best runs of the river to take full advantage of first light fishing. Wake up, slip into your waders, grab a snack and chug a cup of coffee, grab your rod and get at it. Simple and effective! You will have made many casts before the first day trippers head up river.

Swinging into the sunrise

If you follow our fishing reports then it's no secret that 2018 has been less than stellar. Fish counts back that up. While the counts keep many away, the ones who do visit are blessed with far less fishing pressure. Several opportunities presented themselves and some very nice fish came to hand. A couple even fell for a skater.

I welcomed the opportunity to sample a lot of great gear on this trip. I could write a whole article on my findings. But if one rod really stuck out to me it would have to be the Burkheimer's. It's as if they were born on this river. There's just a soul about them that plays a direct connection between you and this mysterious underworld.

CF Burkheimer, Vintage build 7127-4

On the morning of my last day in camp I was rewarded with a solid hookup on a nice buck. He fought hard as I navigated the challenges of maneuvering to a landing spot. Jeff and Barrett had arrived to secure the landing. We caught glimpses of this beautiful solid steelhead. In the last moments with just feet to go he gave one last knuckle busting run when something just felt wrong. Line went slack and I let out a heavy sigh! As I reeled in the line Jeff says "Hey, whats that hanging from your fly?"

No one can say exactly how it happened but there hanging from my flies hook was a black and gold hot-n-tot lure. Maybe the lure was snagged on a rock and the fly line got tangled in it or maybe that lure was broke off in the bucks mouth. The only explanation that was for certain is it somehow interfered with the desired end result.

"Hey, whats that hanging from your fly? You've got to be kidding me!"

This event was certainly unexpected. I mean what are the odds. While I would never wish this happening to anyone it is just another example of how the Deschutes River can challenge your every ability.

I've faced many incredible experiences over many years on this demanding river. This river will teach you to appreciate being a little lucky. Success here should never be taken lightly. I believe it is for these reasons that captivate a lifelong pursuit of desire to be at one with Oregon's famous, desert river The Deschutes.

Click Fish the Swing for more information

Greg Darling

Gorge Fly Shop
Read more Greg's Post...

"My Passion For Fishing Is A Lifelong Pursuit Of Discovery"

May 7, 2015

Kimsquit Bay Lodge on the Dean River, BC

It takes teamwork to land these fish - Adam Tavender

I first was lucky enough to make it to the Dean River on the central coast of British Columbia for my first trip in '09. The Dean is the most revered river in the world among steelhead and salmon fly fisherman. If you are reading this, you likely already know that. So for me as a broke fishing guide, the opportunity to see this magical place and wade in the Dean's sacred green waters for a week was a feeling that is impossible to describe. To say that I was riding a high on the float plane ride-in would be a gross understatement. As soon as I touched down on the bay and saw the place, I knew this would have to be an annual trip for me that I wouldn't want to ever skip.

Grantham falls is adjacent to the lodge while the Hickman's tug
Wy'East is moored in the bay out front

What makes the lower Dean River so special is tough to understand until you've been there. The place has a powerful energy. A large fjord called the Dean Channel delivers saltwater far inland to the heart of the impressive and dramatic BC Coast Range mountains. This places the mouth of the river directly in the middle of the large glaciated mountains. Views from the river include 8500ft peaks rising nearly vertical from sea level. Water falls cascading over a thousand feet, glaciers and untouched wilderness. While soaking up the views, your nose is filled with that refreshing coastal ocean air. I've even had a pod of Orcas swim past me just off of the rivers mouth while standing alone knee deep in the rivers lowest run called Sub Tidal.

Fishing was tough by Dean standards that first week, but I had a blast and caught some of the nicest steelhead I had ever seen including battling the largest steelhead of my life for 30 minutes before defeat.

Release!

Anytime you can encounter a steelhead or Chinook is a special thing and these steelhead and Chinook are about as special as they come. These deeply wild fish have been locally adapted to navigate the fierce Dean canyon. Called the falls by many, it is essentially a half mile long Class 5+ rapid less than two miles from the slat water. Weak and smaller fish are unable to ascend the canyon. The fish in the lower river are supercharged to power through the canyon. They have robust shoulders, oversized paddle tails, mirrored sides and totally translucent fins. From June- September there are no fish more fresh from the salt or higher quality anywhere.

Kathryn battles Chrome!

My love for this place, along with the willing nature and trust of my wife Kathryn, led us to take out a big loan last year in the Spring of 2014 and make the biggest leap of faith of my life. We bought the small fly fishing lodge situated above the saltwater near the mouth of the Dean River. We bought the lodge from the Blackwell family and have since renamed the lodge Kimsquit Bay Lodge. We continue to put our personal touch on the operation and build upon the high standards of comfort and customer service that the Blackwell family created and maintained for 20 years.

Remote Seclusion!

For Kathryn and I, the lodge was a way to join forces and work and live together year-round. Before the lodge Kathryn worked a full time job in Hood River and I bounced back and forth seasonally guiding long days on different rivers spread out across Oregon. We had two houses and only saw each other on the weekends during the Winter and Spring seasons. and hardly at all during the busy Fall Deschutes camp season. Now we can earn a living together. We spend our Summers running the lodge on the Dean and the rest of the year guiding steelhead in Oregon on the Deschutes, Clackamas and north coast rivers. We haven't looked back since and this has been an amazing adventure and learning experience for us. We still feel incredibly lucky to live the lives we live and experience the things that the lodge and guiding lifestyle provides. We hope you can come visit us at Kimsquit Bay Lodge and experience it with us!

-Jeff Hickman

FISH THE SWING

(971) 275-2269

www.fishtheswing.com

www.kimsquitbay.com

Photos by Jeremy Koreski