WHEN ALL LINES UP...AND YOU COME TIGHT!

Admiring a beautiful summer run steelhead before watching her swim away.

Recently, I was lucky enough to fish with my good friend and guide buddy, Sam Sickles chasing our favorite fish, utilizing our favorite method...swinging for somewhat aggressive winter steelhead that are willing to chase a swung fly.  We've caught our fair share of steelhead using other methods, but swinging flies is definitly our favorite way.

We met early morning for the considerable drive to our launch destination.  We wanted to be on the water just before daylight to take full advantage of the day.  Drive time chats consisted of almost everything steelhead and how the river was in near perfect condition.  He had already had some success in prior days and needless to say, I was pretty stoked for the day.  I've ALWAY'S had a great time fishing with Sam, regardless of whether or not fish are caught.  Never any pressure to perform on his end or mine.  Just two buds out for a day of fishing.

I get a kick out of Sam because in every run I've ever fished with him, before we even step in the water he's bringing the confidence level up by saying..."this is my favorite run on the whole river. we oughtta get one here."  I like that.  I mean, might as well be confident in what you're doing and where your fishing.  Confidence is part of the game, a big part.  What I think is funny about it is that he literally says it in every run, no joke.  When he says that, In my mind I think..."what's my favorite run?" and the responce to myself is the one I am currently fishing in.

My intention for this post is to talk about the "Come Tight" part of it all.  Undoubtably you've heard the saying..."the TUG is the Drug" and even though this saying has been around for a long time, It's still the pinnacle of the process. It's that moment we dream of and can't wait for.  We endure hours, sometimes days waiting for the eat and sometimes we question our own sanity, especially in the winter.  At times, it can take extreme patience between grabs.  Getting caught up in the rhythm of it all, we make a sweet cast, set the fly up for the swing and then start talking to ourselves..."man I should just get crushed right now!"

I've tried to explain it to my wife, my kids, anyone who will listen many times, that catching a steelhead is always nice, but when I step into a juicy run, my adrenalin is already in full swing.  The anticipation.  My heart is pounding, the excitement of the possiblity of hooking and landing a steelhead is so strong in me, that I've told friends that I need to catch a fish to calm down.  In comparison to some fisheries where the adrenaline rush comes after the hook set...with swinging flies for steelhead, the rush starts the second I look at a run and step in.  

I'm sure we can agree, when it comes to hunting steelhead, it can consume you if not careful.  Everything becomes all about steelhead, your thoughts, your conversations and you life style reflect a die hard steelheader.  This applies to fly fisherman and gear fisherman alike.  At this point in my life there are only two fish that I've pursued so far that have kept me awake at night in anticpation, and those are Steelhead and Tarpon.  If you're like me, you go over your equipment like a surgeon, you make list to make sure you don't forget anything and the days leading up to your trip are filled with prepartion for the day.  You are checking the weather forcast, the river level forcast on and on...

This!...this is the reason you endure the elements of time, weather and patience!

Look at that thing!  I mean, stunning! Sam did everything right after the eat!

Let's talk about the "come tight" for a bit.  When I guided, most folks would ask what do I do after they eat the fly?  That was one of the major questions often asked and rightfully so.  It's an important issue, and inquiring minds wanted to know.  Especially those first time customers or those that just didn't do it very often and hadn't become seasoned by experience.  Funny thing about answering the question is that no matter how articulated and consice I was in explaining the answer, almost everyone would absolutely forget everything we talked about when the eat actually happend.  I've seen folks freeze on the eat, dazed and confused to what just happened, to folks that set the hook so hard that if they did stick the fish it most likely would have broken it's neck or died of shock.

There's a fair amount of debate out there on whether or not to carry a loop, to set the hook or not to set the hook.  I personally don't carry a loop and I personally set the hook.  I personally LOVE to set the hook!  When I say "set the hook" it's really not what you think.  My setting the hook is more like a steady long sweep with my rod tip low and towards the bank.  It's not a break neck type of hook set, but again it's a firm side sweep with steady pressure once the fish has turned and taking out line.  I think of it as something like tug of war.  When the fish has turned and taking line, I simply sweep to the bank side and pull on the tight line to help "seat the hook" in the corner of the jaw (see photo below).  This has proven to be very, very effective for me over the years.  That doesn't mean its 100% foolproof and I never miss or lose a fish, because I do.  But I'll tell you that, for me, it's pretty rare that I miss or lose very many fish in a season.

Others swear by carrying a loop, that it improves their odds drastically, and it may.  I just haven't personally experienced that it does.  Folks that carry loops, lose or miss fish too.  If you haven't made a choice try both and see which you prefer.  I truly love using a click & pawl type reel, such as the Hardy Marquis Salmon series reels or the Hardy Widespool Perfects.  This allows the fish to easily turn and take line from the reel before I set the hook. 

Which is why some carry a loop, in that when the fish turns and takes the loop out, you can then come tight on the fish and the odds of successfully landing the fish are increased.  Even when I'm using a non-click & pawl type reel, such as a Tibor Signature Series, Galvan Torque or Sage Spey reel, I'll set the drag loose enough, that when a fish eats and turns with the fly, it can take line without causing a backlash. When he takes enough line out that I can't stand it any longer, I'll set the brakes on him by putting my hand on the reel before coming tight on em.  Hope that all makes sence.

Summer Steelhead with a 'come back" fly, the Kalamath Intruder!

Side Note: In the photo above, this steelhead had originally tried to eat a Jerry French Black and Blue "Dirty Hoh" (photo below on the left) during the swing, he grabbed it 3 times but just wouldn't commit.  Thought I'd try another cast and he wouldn't touch it. So, I tied on the much smaller "Kalamath Intruder" in the same Black and Blue color (because that's what it originally went after) and the very first swing, nearly got the rod ripped from my hands with an explosive, amazing eat!  Look closely and you'll notice that the hook on the Kalamath Intruder is ever so slightly bent out.  Not always will they comeback to a fly, but boy I sure love it when they do!

Going smaller with similar color is never a bad idea for a come back fly!

Parting Shot:

Next time, you're lucky and come tight and bring that fish to hand, take a moment to look at it, really look at it, admire it, look at the beauty of her markings and the journey you both took to have this moment together bankside.  Then let her go, and look forward to the next.

So, where am I going with all this?  I don't really know. Maybe it's self encouragement to help endure the elements until I come tight again.  Maybe it's in hopes of encouraging others to do the same.  Maybe it's me reminising all the hours and sometimes days between fish that I slow down a bit more and discover something new on the river that I hadn't seen before.  Maybe I'm realizing that it's not all about the numbers of fish I catch but the expeirence of each one that I do.  There's something about a fish that makes you loose sleep over it, that brings your heart rate up like a work out, when you finally get that eat, something about them that makes you spend major time, money and effort in pursuing them.

I guess my point might be..."that it ALL matters."  Everything done from start, to the point of releasing the prize matters.  It keeps you connected to the sport and what you love doing.  So, the next time you're lucky enough to come tight, try your best to be calm, cool and collected.  Understand that it's a game.  You win some, you lose some, but it's fun to play.  You'll find what works best for you and you'll become efficient at it and when you do, the "odds will forever be in your favor."

Book a Trip w/Sam:

Sam Sickles | Steelhead Outfitters

Web:  steelheadoutfitters.com

Ph:  541-400-0855

Book with another GFS Guide Friend.

Thank you for spending your time reading this, I hope you enjoyed it.

GFS Team

John G.

"The Gorge"

Gorge Fly Shop Team - 541.386.6977

GorgeFlyShop.com  |  Join our Team |  Contact Us

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Columbia Gorge Fishing Reports - 3-2-2021

Trout - Deschutes River:

Starting to feel like spring out there recently! A warm welcome after what felt like a long yet short winter, if that makes any sense. Trout fishing has been picking up with warmer weather and some fish looking up for BWO’s more consistently. Nymph fishing has been fantastic though! I fished the Deschutes about a week ago, and had some great nymph action throughout the day. Fish ate a size 8 brown rubber legs good as well as a soft hackle pheasant tail nymph in a size 18. Water is still a little bit on the high side, but great clarity and hungry trout. Had a small window where bwo’s were coming off and managed to fool a few decent trout on the surface, but more recently (last day or two) have gotten reports from friends of better and longer dry fly windows. These winter bwo mayflies typically hatch in a size 16-20. 

The salmon fly hatch is right around the corner and March-April the fish really start keying in on the stonefly nymphs, before those nymphs start to crawl onto the shore and hatch in May. If you’d like to book a jet boat salmonfly hatch trip with Sam Sickles, visit his website at steelheadoutfitters.com. Far less pressure accessing from the mouth of the Deschutes, and plenty of great water and nice trout looking up.

Shop Trout Flies

Lake Fishing:

Pretty snowy and cold up at the lakes. Until the spring...

Shop Stillwater Flies

Winter Steelhead - North Oregon Coast + Portland Metro area 

Fishing remains fair to good if you are putting in the time and covering water. Certain systems seem to be producing far better than others this year, whereas last year it seemed like there were fish in all systems more consistently. Rivers on the north coast are on the drop this week and will be fishable through the weekend. There is a rain event predicted for Thursday night, so we will see how much accumulates but my guess is that it might cause a small bump in flows. 

Dead drifting beads is highly effective. I usually run orange and pink 10-12mm trout beads on a size 4 trout bead hook under a large thingamabobber with a few split shots pegged on the leader 8-12 inches above the bead. You can either peg your bead to the leader using a toothpick or trout bead pegs, or you can tie a blood knot an inch above the hook so your beads slides down to the knot and stops. Regardless, you want your bead an inch above the hook. 

Swung fly tactics are producing as well. A piece of advice for this method would be to not get stuck fishing the same setup all day if it is not producing. Switching up fly colors/sizes, changing to a heavier or lighter sink tip, or even changing out shooting heads is important. Take the time to make the necessary changes for the kind of water you’re fishing rather than just trying to make one setup “work” all day.

Winter Steelhead - Hood River: 

There are some fish around for sure on the Hood. Just like the valley rivers and the coast, both beads and swung flies will work. Cover as much water as you can throughout the day and you might have an encounter.

Shop Steelhead 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.

Shop Carp Flies

Shop Bass Flies

-Zach Parker

"The Gorge"

Gorge Fly Shop Team - 541.386.6977

GorgeFlyShop.com  |  Join our Team |  Contact Us

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European Style Nymphing (ESN), Why Do It

Why nymph fish at all?

The truth is the overwhelming majority of trout feeding behavior happens below the water’s surface. In fact most feeding activity happens around twelve inches off the river bottom. The answer is to catch fish when they are not feeding on the surface, i.e., most of the time. Let’s be honest, if you fish western rivers for trout you nymph fish a lot. Now I know nymph fishing isn’t for everyone, this article is for everyone else. Recently the European style of nymphing has gained in popularity and here’s why.

The Old Standard

Before we step into the whole “euro” nymph deal, let’s just back-up a bit and talk about standard nymph rigs. This is the standard western nymph rig; it’s worked for a long time. This system is out of date, and if you are still using it, you are losing too many flies, spending too much time re-rigging, and most importantly, not making good drift and not seeing most strikes. I know this is offensive, I though the same thing…at first.

The first problem with this set up is the strike indicator, often large and cumbersome, designed to float heavy flies and split shots. Here’s the problem; this thing is a mess from the get-go. The bobber is big – it creates drag because water on the surface is faster than water near the bottom (where we want our flies). So, even though we are now fishing heavy rods and heavy lines so we can chuck massive payloads in order to get our flies down on bottom, the strike indicator is pulling our flies off the bottom.

How do we fix this? For starters we cast faster upstream, stack mend the bobber above the flies and and continue mending. The weight sinks fast and creates a hinge point and hopefully the flies follow the flies to the bottom, but mostly we create slack.

There is no doubt our flies get eaten and we catch some fish doing this but it’s inefficient. The flies are rarely in the strike zone and on a tight line, that is why this is the least effective style of nymph fishing. This style of fishing is best suited to boat fishing and it sucks at that as well.

This system has worked for many years and a lot of fish have been caught doing this. this system still has it’s place but it should be modified and replaced with “drop” shot nymphing.

Drop shot nymphing

Simply put, drop shot nymphing is just that. See the diagram below, “standard”. Typically the spilt shot are placed above the flies in a standard nymph rig. In a drop shot rig the weight is dropped below the flies. Often times anglers will high stick drift a drop shot rig with out a bobber type strike indicator.

This is very similar to European nymphing but not quite. This is a very effective style of nymph fishing for trout. The current on the surface even when using a strike indicator is negated by the lead dragging and bouncing off the bottom, creating the angle needed to put the flies in the strike zone.

Frankly speaking, short line high sticking with this method is effective but I like it best for fishing indicators at distance and for extended drifts. Anglers lose very few flies fishing this technique due to the drop shot being on the bottom and the flies above.

Euro Nymphing

European Nymphing is a catch all term for Czech Nymphing, every European country has basically adapted their own style to the Czech style, it’s easier to just call it all “euro nymphing”. Euro nymphing is done with a longer lighter rod and a very long leader, a sighter, and up to three weighted flies and no split shot. For people familiar with “drift fishing” terminal tackle, this technique is similar.

The Euro Rig is extremely simple and effective for catching trout. Typically the fly line is very thin. The leaders are long and thin in diameter. Flies are weighted in accordance to the water the angler is fishing. Fly patterns are simple, very simple, presentation always trumps the pattern. The ideas is that the flies tumble along the bottom on a thigh line where the trout live. Strike detection is via a “sighter”, usually chartreuse and fluorescent orange in color with a blood knot at the junction and the knot tags in tact. Straight 5x for the length of the leader is typical so 10 to 10.5′ 3 weights is the norm. The only weakness to this technique is at distance. The farther away this rig is from the rod tip the more “sag” is created between the leader and the rod tip, thereby dragging the flies. Sag can be defeated with lighter lines and tippets two things which make casting harder and harder.

So lets talk about casting. Traditional nymphing rods lend themselves the best to overhead casting as well as roll casting. Typically 5-7 weight rods, way weight forward nymphing lines and flies in line heavier ones up top make this the go to set up for casting at distance. Drop shot its are built to fish not to cast but the way weight forward fly lines and the heavier rods can still be you friend and if you’re careful you can still cast this rig. Heavy emphasis on mending this without moving the strike indicator it needs to drag the flies. The “Euro Nymph” rig does not cast, it’s not built to cast it’s built to cut the resistance of the upper current speed. Fishing the Euro Rig is best done from 20-30′ max, the closer the better. The flies are extremely heavy and the tippet is extremely thin so tension casting is best. The flies can be cast further by shooting some line, the weight of the flies can carry the cast a long ways but remember with the rod tip up at distance you create sag, reducing your effectiveness dramatically.

Tackle

There are several European Style Nymphing rods available today, typically 10-11′, 2-4 weight rods. A soft tip is required to protect light tippets and to cast light rigs. Fly lines are very thin with very small to no loops at the end. The ends go through the guides while fighting fish and remember we are typically fishing 5x. Very small 3 or 4 turn nail knots are recommended. 20,15,12# Maxima Chameleon, a sighter material too tone, or amnesia if you have it or can find it, tippet rings or micro swivels. The reel needs to be heavy. Holding a rod tip up all day is hard on the shoulder muscles, the easier to keep that rod tip up the better. The flies make this style of fishing so you will need to tie your own or go to a shop than carries them.

Flies

The bottom fly is the “point” fly or the anchor fly. The point fly is normally the heaviest fly. The dropper fly is 16-20″above the point fly (see diagram). I like a variety of sizes of tungsten beachhead flies wrapped with lead for this style of fishing. Like I said before, presentation trumps pattern. Anglers need a variety of weighted flies to fish a variety of water speeds ad depths.

Dirty Euro Nymphing

In some instances, say you’ve lost all you’re heavy flies on the bottom but fishing is good and you wanna keep going. Don’t be afraid to rig your euro nymph rod with a drop shot rig. That’s right, try a drop shot rig on your ESN rod.

I started nymph fishing in 1992, and have been fishing a long time since. Playing with straight leaders, heavier flies, better strike indicators, etc. can’t fix the real problem, fighting two speeds of current and keeping a tight line. Euro nymphing, or modern nymphing techniques are becoming mainstream and for good reason, they minimize current speeds and keep the flies in the bite zone on a tight line making strikes not only easy to detect…you can actually feel them most of the time. If you enjoy catching fish and you enjoy nymphing, it’s time to modernize.

If you would like to learn more we offer on the water modern nymphing instruction as well as guided trips for trout on the lower Deschutes year round.

To book a trip or schedule instruction please contact me;

Sam Sickles | Steelhead Outfitters

samsickles@gmail.com
541-400-0855

Deschutes Trout Season 2021 - Steelhead outfitters

Trout season will be here before you know it. 

• April- Blue Wing Olives/March Browns 
• May- Salmonflies, Golden Stones, Little Sallies 
• June- Little Sallies, Caddis, and a mess of may flies 

Deschutes River Trout (Jetboat) 

We launch at Heritage Landing in a jet boat. Heritage Landing is a straight shot from Portland down I84. You meet me at the boat ramp and we get into the sled. There's no shuttle and no long gravel roads. 

We start fishing in mid April during the pre-stonefly, March Brown timeframe, which offers some of the best fishing of the year. There will be adult stoneflies and salmon flies the first week of May and we'll fish dry flies well into June. We do trout spey and euro nymphing as well as traditional fly fishing. 

Fishing the “lower lower” is a chance to experience dynamic dry fly fishing in solitude unimaginable around Warm Springs. Many days we see no other boaters and lots of hungry trout! 

Get ahold of me soon for open dates! Please text or email me for availability. 

Sam Sickles 

Steelhead Outfitters 

(541) 400-0855 

samsickles@gmail.com

Thanks again to everyone who supported us in 2020, we look forward to seeing you soon! 

"The Gorge"

Gorge Fly Shop Team - 541.386.6977

GorgeFlyShop.com  |  Join our Team |  Contact Us

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Deschutes Guide Report - Sam Sickles

Fishing has been incredible since we got back to work May 21st. The Salmon Flies and Golden Stones are pretty much done but it was fun while it lasted. In certain spots fish will still eat the big bugs but it’s pretty much over. If you need one more fish on the Salmon flies head to Mecca flats, that will be the last place to have bugs.

What is happening is everything else!
By everything I mean Sallies, Caddis, PMD’s, and Green Drakes. The dry fly fishing has been really good in the right spots and the nymph fishing is well… well it’s stupid easy.

I see conditions remaining the same until July. I spent a few hours swinging soft hackles last week. It was a rainy day and many fish were caught but the big ones eluded me. With all the caddis swarming right now soft hackles will work best early and late in the day.

I haven’t swung the big bugs much lately but same deal, early and late. Look for big time feeding activity in the evenings and morning as it gets hotter out.

If nymphing is your game, the big weighted rubber legs are still being inhaled in most spots, dropper fly gets eaten infrequently. Late in the afternoon fish prefer the dropper fly.

Don’t be afraid to fish some large green drake nymphs, they’re around and fish are keyed up for them.

When you are fishing keep an eye on the birds. When the gulls show up and look like they are feeding on bugs; picking them off the water, look for the green drakes. If the green drakes come off switch immediately, the fish will be on them.

If you are floating on the river, pull over immediately. Enjoy the month of June because we’re off to steelhead in July!

Tight lines,

Sam Sickles of Steelhead Outfitters:

• Web - http://steelheadoutfitters.com/
• Ph - 541-400-0855

Deschutes Fishing Report 06/26/19: Guide Edition

Get Hooked

I thought it was over, trout season that is. We had a bout of warm weather mid- June that brought water temps near 70 degrees, that’s the doom and gloom number. Along comes the wind, the clouds, and some freakishly cool weather, kabam! The river temps are 59 degrees in the morning and low 60’s in the afternoon, this is the trout happy place on the lower lower. Unfortunately or fortunately depending on how you look at it, the wind has gone nuclear! Starting almost two weeks ago the normally windy Columbia River Gorge (the CGR) went too windy, too windy for the people who live here, too windy for the people who are visiting.

Low and behold, the trout know something’s amis. If I’ve ever seen better trout fishing on the lower Deschutes, I don’t know when. It’s almost too easy. It’s like they know the end of heavy feeding is near, and it is.

That’s pretty dramatic, I know but here’s the real deal. It’s been windy, real windy. The weather has been cooler so with the wind maybe a little cold. Obviously with the high wind dry fly fishing is next to impossible. The nymph fishing for giant Deschutes resides has been on and is off the charts. Oddly enough the trout are looking for really big flies to eat, we’ve had our best luck on stone fly nymphs and variations. Despite the only live insects around, caddis flies, the fish are turning their nose up at it and everything else small.

The fishing will remain strong until the water temps come back up, my guess, this weekend, maybe early next week. Take a chance and get out there for the last week of really good trout fishing. My friends at Gorge Fly Shop can get you what I been getting them on. I’m going to the John Day for some camping/fishing.

I’ll be back after the 4th……..STEELHEAD SEASON BEGINS!

 

Sam Sickles
(541) 400-0855
www.steelheadoutfitters.com

Deschutes River Trout Opener

DESCHUTES RIVER TROUT OPENER
(April 22)

The lower Deschutes River is arguably one of the best trout streams in the west. Rainbow trout, “redsides” are available year round between the Northern Warm Springs Indian Reservation and the Mouth of the Deschutes. The open section has very robust numbers of fish and angling opportunities are numerous. This time of year anglers should look for Blue Winged Olives, March Browns and Swallas for surface fishing. Nymp fishing opportunities are everywhere. Swinging flies with a “trout spey” is also effective.

On April 22 nd, the Deschutes river opens upstream of the reservation boundary, this is the Deschutes opener. These upriver fish have not seen a fly since last year! The section from Warm Springs boat ramp to Trout Creek is known as “the day stretch”, and is easily the busiest section of the river for trout fishing, and for good reason! Access is good up and down the east bank from Mecca Flats to Trout Creek, there is
a trail that runs the river for this distance. Access on the west bank is the Warm Springs Indian Reservation. The tribes grant access from Dry Creek to the Jefferson County line if you have a Tribal Pass.

Fish On!

The multi day section from Trout Creek to Maupin also opens up and is best done over three or four days. Note anglers floating below Trout Creek should go with a guide or be very experienced boat operators. There are dangerous rapids below and boats are lost each season. The section below trout creek has the best scenery on the river and some of the best trout fishing around. Campgrounds are numerous and well marked. No angling from floating device is the law of the land on the lower Deschutes, angling is done wading the river. The Deschutes is big and has strong current, more so in the spring with runoff, anglers should take care stepping off her banks. The spring is also when the Deschutes Redsides are spawning so take care where you are wading and do not, I repeat do not fish the redds!

Five and six weight rods, floating lines and good reels are recommended for these fish. Anglers should be prepared to nymph fish with an open eye for fish feeding on the surface. Your local fly shop can hook you up with leaders, tippet, flies, strike indicators and other necessary fly fishing gear. Be sure to have some pat’s stones’, crazy legs or the like and variety of bead head flies in the 14 to 16 size.

A couple things to remember:

• ODFW fishing Lisence
• CTWS Tribal Permit (if applicable)
• Deschutes River Boaters Pass (if applicable)
• NO FISHING FROM THE BOAT
• Deschutes River Boaters Guide

Sam Sickles
(541) 400-0855
www.steelheadoutfitters.com

Deschutes Fishing Report 03/14/19: Guide Edition

Deschutes Fishing report

I know it’s not yet spring but it feels like it. The sun is shining, the snow is visually receding from my driveway and my boats, and it’s warm. I took a day, yesterday to go over to the Deschutes and play around with some “Euro” nymphing. The drive was breathtaking with snow everywhere and bright sunny skies. My destination was Maupin, a nice place to do a short day. My first sighting of the Deschutes since December was a bit shocking, it looked high and dirty. As I drove upstream I encountered large boulders all over the road from the snow runoff. There is so much snow melt right now that there are little waterfalls and Nena Creek is raging, that should make for happy steelhead.

I kicked my boat of the trailer, loaded my gear and set off to an all but empty river. I saw three rigs road hunting, and some dudes on a mid-afternoon float…all day. I didn’t have super high expectations based on the weather, color and flow of the river and water temps. My expectations were exceeded. I found willing fish at every stop, some spots many eager fish were found. To my surprise there was a nice little blue wing hatch about 1PM and in the shady spots the fish were feeding on dries and emergers. As the day wore down the bite definitely slowed down but not to zeros.

I chose to spend the day “euro’ nymphing and I hooked a lot of fish. I’m not sure if I’d have done as well with traditional nymphing techniques I’d like to think I would have but who knows. One things for sure euro-nymphing is elective and I foundd this style of fishing fun. If you head out to the Deschutes to go trout fishing bring a lot of pat’s stones with a tungsten bead. Even with all the BWO activity the fish were 3 to 1 on the stone. The other file I had a lot of success on was a little frenchie with a salmon hot spot.


C’mon Spring!!!

Sam Sickles
(541) 400-0855
www.steelheadoutfitters.com

 

Fishing Report 03/05/19: Guide Edition

Ready for Spring?

My reports have been pretty intermittent. Fishing conditions have been tough in the the Gorge and rivers in close proximity to the cascades. We’re in some kind of weird arctic vortex that’s brought subfreezing temperatures in the gorge and daytime high’s in Portland 15-20 degrees below normal. The result of this weather anomaly is very low cold and clear water conditions. There are fish around but for the most part they are locked down in the deepest channels and unwilling to move. Reports from the coast where temperatures are warmer and snow can actually melt are somewhat better but conditions are also tough.

In a normal weather year March is the most consistent winter steelhead fishing. At some point it will warm up, rivers will rise and the fish will be happy. Until then, it’s tough going.

Current river conditions on the Sandy 1000 cfs, Clackamas 1800 at Oregon city. The NOAA forecast shows no increase in the forecast.

I like the end of the week for some good Blue Winged Olive action on the Deschutes mid-day, that’s where you’ll find me.


I can’t wait for spring.


Sam Sickles
(541) 400-0855
www.steelheadoutfitters.com

Gorge Fly Shop is moving!

Fishing Report 02/19/19: Guide Edition

I finally busted out of the ice box known as Hood River on Presidents day. With a familiar crew and somewhat low expectations we headed off to the Sandy to swing some flies. We found the Sandy low(1700cfs) cold and clear, my favorite. The forecast was for 28 degrees until mid morning so we were glad to be met with temperatures above freezing. After a quick check in with one of my favorite guides we headed off. I let my guys know probability of getting a fish was pretty low so DO NOT trout set if you get pulled. Our first stop was a bust. Moving on we started to run into some walk in traffic but I still had hope to get one of my favorite spots. Sure enough our spot was open. My clients immediately start pointing at all the footprints, and there were a lot of them. There were several anglers above us but I decided we were going to fish it anyway. We made a quick fly change and off to work we went. As I’m bouncing between my guys I see Joe’s rod come tight, no response from Joe dead still. A couple seconds go by and his rod starts bucking and I knew we struck pay dirt. We ended up landing a nice wild 5-6 pound buck. Moral of the story, there are two. Don’t worry about some footprints and leave your rod down!

So the report is this; we fished three runs clean and hooked one fish, a solid day. We fished until dark and never got another pull, still pretty slow. The good news! on our float down the river we jumped a nice little pod of mint bright steelhead that scattered in every direction My hope is that we get some more water in the river and the fish staged down low can move up…Ill be waiting.

Side note; I couldn’t help but notice at the the blue winged olives coming off mid day, we even saw some of the big winter stones. Now that the roads are clear it’s time to head over to the Deschutes to fish some dry flies but remember not on a sunny day and not on a windy day.


Tight lines.


Sam Sickles
(541) 400-0855
www.steelheadoutfitters.com

Fishing Report 01/15/19: Guide Edition

Currently fishing for winter steelhead is still pretty slow on local rivers which is pretty normal for this time of year. We’ve had a high pressure system sitting on us bringing big winds form the east, sunny skies and low cold and clear fishing conditions. These are the toughest conditions that exist for winter steelhead fishing. The good news is rain is on the way at the end of the week along with some warmers weather.

Local fish hatcheries are recycling some hatchery steelhead, as well as the North Fork Nehalem. For now, I would concentrate my effort on the North Coast rivers, many of these rivers fish well when our local rivers approach too low conditions. When the rains hit we hope to see some decent numbers of steelhead show in the local rivers like the Clackamas, Sandy and Hood Rivers.

If you do go chase chrome focus on the spot where there is enough water to provide cover, fish heavy tips and pair your flies down a bit.

Trout fishing will be good all winter on the Deschutes and other east side rivers. Standard winter tactics should include swinging sculpins and other streamers on heavy sink tips, nymph fishing, and an always open eye for blue wing olives mid day. The weather system moving in should bring some good opportunities to fish blue winged olive mid day.


Sam Sickles
(541) 400-0855
www.steelheadoutfitters.com

Fishing Report 12/17/18 Guide Report

A nice Sandy River Hatchery Steelhead taken during the drop after a large winter storm.

During the months of December and January In the Pacific Northwest river levels spike then drop quickly, there’s a word for this is; volatile. We are in a cycle of river level volatility (see graphs). Volatility presents some very good opportunities. With each storm rivers jack up, fish enter the systems, the rivers drop then stabilize, we go fishing. Last week we had a large spike in river levels, then the rivers dropped into shape and next to low and clear. Another spike, a much larger spike is coming this week. Expect rivers to hit blow out levels for most the week, depending on the river. By the end of the week maybe the weekend there should be some good opportunities to catch a nice bright winter Steelhead.

Winter Steelhead. Sink tips and big flies are the way for fly swingers for the next several months, I like Skagit heads, especially the Skagit FIST for a wide range of winter conditions.


The Deschutes is still kicking out some late summer steelhead in the Maupin area, expect little competition from other anglers. Current flows are 4900 at the Moody gauge which is very fishable. I’d also recommend bringing your trout gear if your gonna make the trip. Trout fishing on the Deschutes during the winter can be very productive. I like to swing flies on a trout spey, don some nymph fishing, and be ready for a blue wing olive hatch.

The John Day river is running a very slow 260 cfs and reports have been poor.
The Klickitat closed December 1st and will not re-open until June 1 2019.

River Forecast

Sam Sickles
(541) 400-0855
www.steelheadoutfitters.com

Fishing Report 12/13/18 - Guide Report

A late season Deschutes Steelhead

Winter Solstice is December 21 so technically it’s still fall. With a noticeable lack of rainfall for the Fall season 2018 we have had low and clear rivers in western Oregon. The kickoff to winter steelhead season is Thanksgiving Day, we’re gonna get a late start the 2018-2019 Season. The region got a nice bump in river levels this week and fresh winter steelhead will be caught on many rivers over the next few days. Local fishing on the Hood River (800 cfs) itself has been giving up some fish and will definitely improve as bright winter steelhead move into the river after the first of the year. Look for winter steelhead numbers to increase as we move into the New Year, and as the weather settles into it’s normal cycle around February through March fishing will become consistent. Between now and then play the drops as the storms move in and out of the region. Sink tips and big flies are the way for fly swingers for the next several months, I like Skagit heads, especially the Skagit FIST for a wide range of winter conditions.

The Klickitat closed December 1st and will not re-open until June 1 2019.


The Deschutes is still kicking out some late summer steelhead in the Maupin area, expect little competition from other anglers. Current flows are 4900 at the Moody gauge which is very fishable. I’d also recommend bringing your trout gear if your gonna make the trip. Trout fishing on the Deschutes during the winter can be very productive. I like to swing flies on a trout spey, don some nymph fishing, and be ready for a blue wing olive hatch.


The John Day river is running a very slow 260 cfs and reports have been poor.

Sam Sickles
Steelhead Outfitters

Columbia Gorge Fishing Report (6/25/2017)

It's hotter than a well digger's armpit out there!

But there are fish biting all over the Gorge!

Exploring the Gorge never gets old

Trout fishing on the Deschutes has been pretty good and stable.  I have heard of some folks doing really well on yellow sallies and caddis.  Nymphing caddis larvae/pupae or a pheasant tail/hare's ear/prince nymph has been good as usual.  I would also be well stocked with PMD and PED adults/parachutes as that hatch should still be going strong.

Trout fishing on the local lakes has been stellar!  I have some seen some real beauties coming out of Lost and Laurance lake.  Lost lake resort rents boats as well, so if you don't have a watercraft and want to escape the heat, head on up and enjoy the view!  Lakes throughout the Cascades are fishing very well, but make sure you brings some DEET as the biting insects have been bad this year.  Ants, Callibaetis, damsels, dragonflies and buggers are the names of the game!  Check out my Stillwater Gear Roundup for details on getting dialed in!

Steelhead fishing has been quiet.  I have heard of a few fish being hooked on the Klickitat, but it has otherwise been very slow.  There are a few more fish between Bonneville and The Dalles, so hopefully we will see some fish getting happy!  The bulk of the summer steelhead should be showing up in the next couple months so book a trip with Sam at Steelhead Outfitters for a Deschutes jetboat trip or Travis at Western Waters for a float down the Klick before it's too late!

Another solid brick bronzeback

Bass fishing in Columbia has been very good.  I have found fish in both pre and post spawn depending on the part of the river I was on and the water temps.  I have had a couple killer evenings catching nice fish shallow on poppers.  Often the bite will come after the initial cast.  Just leave the popper sit for up to 30 seconds, if you can handle it...

Bass fishing on the John Day should be excellent.  We have had a lot of customers headed out that way, but no reports back yet.  I have to imagine the fish are hungry and plentiful! Bring a selection of small poppers, hoppers, and wiggle minnows and a light rod and have a blast on bronzebacks!

Flows:  The USGS sites give us real-time flows, while the NOAA site shows us predictions based on weather patterns.  Both are invaluable tools.

Hood River:

USGS

NOAA

Klickitat

USGS

NOAA

Clackamas:

USGS

NOAA

Deschutes near Madras:

USGS

Deschutes at the mouth:

USGS

NOAA

Columbia River

Bonneville Dam Water Temps

Columbia @ Hood River (The mouth of the Hood backs up at 75 feet)

As always, we are happy to talk fishing anytime.  Give us a call if you have any specific questions on local rivers, gear, and tactics, or if you just want some encouragement to get out of the office.  541.386.6977

*Add us on Instagram for more fishy content! @gorgeflyshop

Ryan Van Duzor

Gorge Fly Shop | Product Specialist

541.386.6977

Read More from the "Bearded Pescador"

"Fly Fish the World with Us"

G.Loomis Asquith (part 2)

Deschutes meets Asquith Spey

G.Loomis Asquith Rod Review (Part II of II)
You can read part one here.

Asquith Spey Part II:
Summer, 2016 I was lucky enough to demo some brand spanking new G.Loomis Asquith rods for a day. I was impressed so I wrote a positive review and then promptly figured out how to get a couple in my boat for 2017.  My new rods showed up in early January just in time some one-swing fishing for winter steelhead.  I chose a 7130 and 6129, 7 weight 13” and 6 weight 12’9”, respectively.   My initial review of these rods was positive but my exposure was pretty limited.  These rods really needed some time dragging tips in the middle of winter.

G.Loomis Asquith

I decided to fish the 7 weight which is a natural choice for winter or summer fish in Oregon, then wait until spring or summer to fish the 6 weight.  I paired the 7130 with a Hatch 7-plus that balanced the rod perfectly.  I’ve also paired it with a Galvan R-10 which is also a good fit.  As far as fly lines go, I tested a fair amount of lines on this rod and never found anything it didn’t like.   The line that is still on the 7130 is the Airflo Skagit FIST in 510 grains.  The Skagit FIST replaced the intermediate Skagit in the Airflow line up but the general idea is to slow the fly down, fish it deeper, longer.  We had a lot of high fast current this year and I found this the appropriate line for at least one rod in the boat at all times.  I cast as much as 13’ feet of T14 and a weighted bunny leech on this rig and had zero complaints.  If you could only have one line to pair this rod with, a 525 Rio Skagit Max or Airflow Compact Skagit 510, the Rio is a foot shorter which I find more user friendly but both are excellent lines.  I spent some time with the 20’ Skagit Switch from Airflow but really didn’t think it was necessary; this rod casts easy.   I had no problem delivering long heavy sink tips and weighted flies with this rod.  I have never fished a rod so light in hand that could pick up such heavy loads without a roll cast.  As far as distance and line speed go, the only limiting factor is how much running line you can manage.  How does it fish?  It has awesome pick up and delivery. Gloomis got it right when they built this rod, all the weight is in the right places so you almost don’t notice you’re holding it.  We got several nice two salt fish on this rod…it’s not overpowering but it’s not a noodle either.  This is an AAA+ do it all 30-06 rod.

I couldn’t wait on this stick, so the first time the river got to a lower flow level, I broke it out. When I set up the 6129 I also paired it with a Hatch 7-plus.  Initially I was surprised the reel wasn’t too heavy since it was perfect on the 7130, nope, not a bit of difference in balance.   Can I say again these guys at Loomis put these things together perfectly balanced.  I only put one line on this rod and it was the Airflo Skagit Switch 450 grains.  This was a guess and a good one.  With 10’ of T10 sink tips, weighted or un-weighted fly this rod quickly became my new favorite rod to fish.  In good conditions this thing bombs just as far as the big stick.

The Bearded Pescador

The 6129 made its debut on the Sandy River with my pal Ryan going back-to-back on a couple hot ones.  I was a little worried about this rod and its stopping power based the 390 grain scandi we had on it last summer but it was fine.  Like I said this is the one I fish with now unless I have to go GIANT, which is very rare for me.

Coming soon: A side-by-side comparison on the Deschutes in July and out of the jet boat.  G.loomis 6129 vs Winston BIIITH 6126.  We’ll see who gets the best in class pound-for-pound!

Fish P*rn:

G.Loomis Asquith Review (Part 1)

Sam Sickles
Steelhead Outfitters
Deschutes River Guide
www.steelheadoutfitters.com
541.400.0855

 

 

"Fly Fish the World with Us"