FREE Summer Guide Plus 10% Discount Code - 2025

FREE Summer Guide - Plus 10% Discount Code

Plan Ahead, Fish Smart: Get Your FREE Summer Guide from the Gorge Fly Shop Team
Summer is knocking... and unfortunately, so is fire season. But with a little planning, you can still make the most of every opportunity to hit the water while the conditions are right. Whether you're casting for bass in the high desert, chasing trout in alpine streams, or simply kicking back with a cold drink on the lake-shore, Gorge Fly Shop has your back this season.

That’s why we’ve put together something special just for you:
Our FREE 2025 Summer Guide, packed with seasonal tips, gear picks, fly recommendations, and exclusive deals!

What’s Inside the Summer Guide?
This isn’t some generic pamphlet. We’ve created this guide to give anglers real value and real reasons to keep fishing through the heat, wind, and whatever else summer throws our way. Inside you'll find:


Fly recommendations: Proven patterns for summer hatches across the Pacific Northwest and beyond!

No Gimmicks. Just the Good Stuff. When we say free, we mean it.

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It’s our way of making sure our fishing family stays informed, outfitted, and ready to go whenever opportunity strikes.

Sign Up Now. Hit the Water Prepared.
Don’t wait until it’s too late—or too hot. Get ahead of the summer rush with smart planning, better gear, and expert advice that helps you catch more fish and enjoy the journey.

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Let’s talk fishing! Give us a call at 541-386-6977 or swing by the shop in Hood River.


Tight lines,
The Gorge Fly Shop Team

"The Gorge"

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Fridays Featured Fly

Who doesn’t love a fish that eats a popper? This is RIO’s PTO Popper in olive/tan.  It’s light enough to fish comfortably on smaller rods. The head design pops nicely and leaves a bubble trail.  Bass beware!

Shop PTO Popper Here

GFS - Closeouts

Shop Summer Weather Technical Clothing

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Brand New John Day Boater's Guide 2024 is here!

John's Day Boater's Guide is hot off the press! Covers Kimberly to Tumwater Falls, this guide is updated with all of the new information but still printed on waterproof paper.  

Grab yours today!  John Day Boater's Guide

Shop all things Bass 

 Need a boat?

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Columbia Gorge Fishing Reports - 7/28/2022

Laurence Lake

Laurance Lake Rd. (Forest Road 2840) on Hood River Ranger District opens Friday, July 8, following emergency repairs. Laurance Lake Rd. provides access to Kinnikinnick Campground, Laurance Lake Day Use Area, and several trails on the Hood River Ranger District. While the Eliot Creek washout has been repaired, Laurance Lake Rd. is still extremely rough and narrow. Forest engineers recommend travel by high clearance vehicles only, and highly discourage trailers. Laurance Lake Rd. has been closed for public safety due to a road washout at Eliot Creek. Crews recently completed work, which included installation of two culverts at the creek crossing. Campsites at Kinnikinnick Campground are now open and available for reservation at Recreation.gov. The crossing over Eliot Creek is a flood-prone area, primarily due to melted water and erosion from Eliot Glacier on Mount Hood’s north side. In spring the fast-moving water carries rock, silt, and other debris down the mountain and into streams. Erosion from the snowmelt creates unstable ground and stream washouts, specifically at this section of Eliot Creek.

Trout - Deschutes River:

Lower Deschutes River 

The lower continues to produce good fishing with caddis being the main bug on the trout’s menu. The epic swarming evening caddis hatches are well underway throughout the entirety of the Lower Deschutes. These caddis are typically a size 16 or 18 so having a wide range of different patterns in that size range is a must if you are planning a trip. My favorite pattern would be a tan x-caddis. Fish will be tight up next to grassy banks, under trees and in back eddies when they are looking for these bugs. 

Nymphing both traditional and euro style in the mornings is producing good action too. Rubber legs down to a caddis pupa or mayfly nymph is a good bet. There are stoneflies in the Deschutes year round and even though that hatch is well over, the trout still eat them. 

Swinging small leeches or sculpins on a 3-4 weight trout spey is producing some fish too. This is typically not a numbers game (though it definitely can be) but you will usually hook into some larger fish with this method and its loads of fun.

Don’t forget to purchase a boaters pass if you are floating any part of the Lower Deschutes. They can be purchased at recreation.gov and are required to have when floating.

Middle Deschutes River 

The middle D from Bend down to Bill Chinook has been productive for those venturing down into the beautiful canyon. Quite a few caddis and pmds hatching down there with fish looking up in the later parts of the day. Nymphing two flies is by far the most productive method right now. The middle D is great hopper dropper water too and is more fun than staring at a bobber all day. Foam body hoppers, chubby chernobyls, stimulators, renegades, and yellow humpies are all great attractor dries that can hold up a bead head nymph well.   

Upper Deschutes

The very upper river from Little Lava Lake down to Crane Prairie Res is fishing quite good. This is a fun 7 mile stretch of water full of log jams and undercut banks where good size brook and rainbow trout live. Dry dropper rigs with a hopper or small chubby and a euro style pheasant tail or red lightning bug is getting consistent action. Stripping small buggers and sculpins around the log jams is your best bet at finding brook trout. 

Pmds are still hanging around from Benham Falls upriver to Wikiup Dam. This is a fun section to hunt heads. Fish are still looking for a well presented pmd dry whether its a rusty spinner or a comparadun. They typically hatch pretty large up here, size #16s and even some #14s mainly from what I’ve experienced recently. Stripping big black streamers around the log jams early in the morning is a good way to find some of the larger browns that live up there.

Metolius River 

There have been some really good hatches and dry fly opportunities on the Metolius as of late. There was a strong pmd hatch a few days ago in the late afternoon and the trout were keyed on them good. Caddis and little yellow sally stoneflies are hatching on any given day as well so have a few patterns of each in your box. I also have been seeing a few golden stones crawling around the banks of the Met so it wouldn’t be a bad idea to have a few of these patterns on hand as well. These are a good searching pattern to use in non hatch times with a dropper nymph below. Euro nymphing still remains the most productive way to get into some fish right now. Euro frenchies and pheasant tails are some of my favorite sub surface patterns to use on the Metolius but don’t overlook a standard zebra midge as this is a staple pattern for this stretch of water. 

Bull trout fishing has been fair to good above bridge 99 for resident bull trout. A common misconception is that the fall and winter are the only times there are bull trout in the Met. There is actually a pretty healthy number of local fish that live here year round but the late summer/early fall is when even more bullies migrate up the Metolius from Lake Billy Chinook to spawn and follow the Kokanee upriver. There are already a few lake run fish that are nosing their way into the lower river and those numbers will continue to increase over the course of the next few months]]. Bull trout's main diet once they’re in the river are whitefish so using large white/grey articulated streamers is the best way to “match the hatch”.

Shop Trout Flies

Mount Hood Lakes:

Lake Update

Lake season around Mt. Hood is in full swing. Float tubes are the best tool for the job up there and can be a ton of fun. Slow stripping wooly buggers, damsel nymphs and leeches is a great method. Nymphing with a set of chironomids or a pheasant tail nymph is a good bet too. If fishing this method, giving the indicator a few pops and strips here and there help bring those bugs to life and will trigger more takes.

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Steelhead - 

As of Sunday July 24, over 9,900 unclipped steelhead had been counted at Bonneville Dam. This means the lower Deschutes will reopen on August 15 and be open until at least September 15. Another 12,122 need to cross before August 31 for the river to be open until May 31. Runs so far this year have been strong. We're hopeful it will surpass the numbers to remain open.

https://www.fpc.org/currentdaily/HistFishTwo_7day-ytd_Adults.htm This is a quick resource to check fish counts over the dams in the Columbia.

For the latest on fishing regulations in your angling zone visit https://myodfw.com/recreation-report/fishing-report/

Smallmouth Bass / Carp:

Smallmouth are residing deeper these hot sunny days but good topwater action can be found in early morning and late evening. fish the shady drop offs and for this summer topwater bite bigger is better.  

Carp are actively cruising the shallow flats. Carp fishing will humble you up really quick. Great practice if you have a saltwater trip coming up. These fish require accuracy and stealth to have success. Focus with site fishing them in mid day on shallow flats. 

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Columbia Gorge Fishing Reports - 5/23/2022

Trout - Deschutes River:

Lower Deschutes River 

The stonefly hatch is going strong right now. Warmer weather this past weekend has gotten the salmonflies and golden stones out of the grass and in the air. Fish are crushing big dries right now and will be for another few weeks. The hatch is happening from Maupin all the way up to Warm Springs. Warmer days where the bugs are more active will typically be better fishing on the surface. 

If fishing is slow on the big dries, try tying a small euro style frenchie as a dropper as that fly is a great producer for the Deschutes. It cuts through the heavy swirling Deschutes current and drops down to where the fish are laying really well. 

Chubbies, norm woods specials, orange stimulators and clark stones are all top producing salmonfly patterns. Don’t forget about the little yellow sally stoneflies or the green drakes. These two bugs hatch around this time but are often overlooked by anglers. Look for the green drakes to be more active on cloudy days with possible rain showers. 

Amber choosing a choice stonefly imitation. Photo: Peter Ely

The stoneflies should be hanging around for another 2-3 weeks and then it is caddis season before we know it. Don’t forget to purchase a boaters pass if you are floating any part of the Lower Deschutes. They can be purchased at recreation.gov and are required to have when floating.

Middle Deschutes River 

The middle is fishing great right now with lots of good hatches and happy trout. This section in between Bend and Lake Billy Chinook is perfect dry dropper water. I was out there over the weekend and had success on a small purple chubby with a euro style pheasant tail dropper. Most of my fish came on the dropper, but had a few eat the dry. Lots of salmonflies flying around and fish were looking up every so often. Also had some good eats on the trout spey swinging a small sculpin through the little riffles and pools. Fun little fishery with lots of fish in the 12-14 inch range with the occasional 16-18 inch brown. 

Upper Deschutes

The Upper Deschutes from Little Lava Lake down to Benham falls opened today 5/22. I was able to sneak out there for a few hours to see if I could score an early season brown trout or two. Was fortunate to cross paths with a beautiful brown that ate a sculpin streamer on a tight line swing around some log structure. What a great fish and fight! My buddy I was with landed a dandy rainbow on #18 perdigon nymph. There was a nice pmd hatch around noon today as well and we found a few pods of fish that were looking up and eating. A simple little comparadun did the trick to match the hatch. 

We also jumped up above and fished the 7 mile headwater stretch from Little Lava down to Crane Prairie Reservoir. Fun little fishery close to Bend that is full of Brooke and Rainbow trout. Pmds were coming off up there in the afternoon but we had best success stripping little buggers and sculpins around log jams and in the undercut banks. Hopper dropper rigs work great up there throughout the summer as well.

Metolius River 

Things are starting to take off on my favorite spring creek. The green drakes are starting to make an early appearance with some bugs starting to pop in the afternoons. 2-5pm is usually the window for the drakes on the Met so if you want to hit this hatch, make sure you’re standing in your favorite spot during those hours. 

Quite a few pmds in the mix too recently which are hatching around 11-1pm on any given day. With warmer weather in the forecast we’ll likely start to see some caddis activity as well so be prepared with a whole arsenal of dry flies. Nymph fishing is strong. Euro style is the most productive technique but indicator rigs with split shot and double flies will catch fish too. Stonefly nymphs, skinny nelsons, two bit hookers, rainbow warriors, euro style frenchies and peridigons, and red lightning bugs are all good nymph patterns. 

Bull trout fishing has been good to those that are putting in the time. Early morning is best for streamers. Bulls are like summer steelhead on the Deschutes.. By mid day when the sun is high in the sky, they hunker down more and are not as likely to chase a streamer. Mid day I usually switch up to a nymph set up and try and spot fish so I can sight nymph to them.

Shop Trout Flies

Mount Hood Lakes:

Lawrence Lake Update.

Lawrence Lake opened on Friday April 22. The current situation is with snow and road culvert repair needed the access is gated at the Middle Fork settling pond. This is about 2.5 miles before Lawrence lake. The spring stocking of Lawrence has been postponed until access allows. 

Shop Stillwater Flies

Steelhead - 

For the latest on fishing regulations in your angling zone visit https://myodfw.com/recreation-report/fishing-report/

Smallmouth Bass / Carp:

Smally fishing has been pretty solid recently! Good catches have been reported slow stripping streamers. The RIO meat sweats is a great pattern that can imitate a lot of different things. Olive and tan are my favorite colors for smallies. I use an intermediate sinking line with a weighted bug and slow strip and twitch my fly in. This is a super fun fishery right in our backyards. Smallmouth put up a heck of a fight and are another great fish to challenge yourself to learn. 

Won’t be too long before we’ll be stalking the flats of the Columbia looking for 20lb goldfish cruising the shallow flats. Carp fishing will humble you up really quick. Great practice if you have a saltwater trip coming up. These fish require accuracy and stealth to have success.

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Columbia Gorge Fishing Reports - 5-16-2022

Beautiful day, beautiful scenery, beautiful fish! The Deschutes has a lot to offer during the course of a trip.
Try not to focus just on the fish.

Trout - Deschutes River:

Lower Deschutes River 

The salmonfly hatch is officially on throughout the entirety of the Deschutes. Fish are fully keyed in on top and eating dries. Today’s warm weather should have really gotten the bugs and fish active. Look to fish your big dries right off the bank in places with good depth (3-5 ft), walking speed current, and a rocky bottom. Also, trees. If you find overhanging trees, you’ll find trout. Leave the 5x at home and run a 7.5ft 3x leader straight to your big dry. This is the start of the dry fly season on the Lower and we couldn’t be more excited!

Middle Deschutes River 

Got a good report from a buddy who fished the canyon section around Steelhead Falls recently and he reported good action subsurface on stonefly nymphs. Fish were in pocket water as well as more traditional pools and riffles. Salmonflies are hatching on this section as well and will be for the next 2-3 weeks.

Metolius River 

Good reports from the Met this past week. Green drakes are starting to make appearances in the afternoons, especially on cloudier and more humid days. It is not as consistent as it will be in the coming weeks, but if you’re heading out to the Met, it would be smart to carry some green drake patterns. 

Bull trout fishing is okay. Fish early in the mornings for more streamer success and mid day it is more of a nymph show. Stonefly nymphs, chironomids, and pheasant tail nymphs are good patterns when targeting bulls under an indicator.

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Mount Hood Lakes:

Lawrence Lake Update.

Lawrence Lake opened on Friday April 22. The current situation is with snow and road culvert repair needed the access is gated at the Middle Fork settling pond. This is about 2.5 miles before Lawrence lake. The spring stocking of Lawrence has been postponed until access allows. 

Shop Stillwater Flies

Steelhead - 

For the latest on fishing regulations in your angling zone visit https://myodfw.com/recreation-report/fishing-report/

Smallmouth Bass / Carp:

Smally fishing has been pretty solid recently! Good catches have been reported slow stripping streamers. The RIO meat sweats is a great pattern that can imitate a lot of different things. Olive and tan are my favorite colors for smallies. I use an intermediate sinking line with a weighted bug and slow strip and twitch my fly in. This is a super fun fishery right in our backyards. Smallmouth put up a heck of a fight and are another great fish to challenge yourself to learn. 

Won’t be too long before we’ll be stalking the flats of the Columbia looking for 20lb goldfish cruising the shallow flats. Carp fishing will humble you up really quick. Great practice if you have a saltwater trip coming up. These fish require accuracy and stealth to have success.

Shop Carp Flies

Shop Bass Flies

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Columbia Gorge Fishing Reports - 5/6/2022

Large redside that hammered a sculpin on the swing.

Trout - Deschutes River:

Lower Deschutes River 

The Lower has been fishing strong the past week with good reports coming from the day stretch, as well as downstream around Maupin and Mack’s Canyon. I fished last Sunday around Warm Springs and found great success fishing subsurface on nymphs and streamers. Fish were eating small jig style frenchies really good, as well as a big #6 black rubber legs. I fished these as a tandem rig and would say it was about 50/50 on which fly they ate throughout the day. Did not see any adult salmonflies or golden stones but I have heard reports of them starting to hatch north of Maupin. It will only be a matter of about a week or two before the hatch is on. Just need some consistent warmer weather. 

The trout spey fishing was highly productive as well. I used a little 4 weight trout spey and a small mini articulated sculpin pattern that I tie that was crushing big fish. What a blast that is. I seriously recommend getting into two handed fishing for trout for anyone who is interested in upping their trout fishing game. It’s a fun challenge to figure out and is highly effective on our homewaters of the Deschutes, as well as rivers like the McKenzie, Yakima and Metolius. You won’t catch as many as you would nymphing but I’ll take quality over quantity any day.

Middle Deschutes River 

Got a good report from a buddy who fished the canyon section around Steelhead Falls recently and he reported good action subsurface on stonefly nymphs. Fish were in pocket water as well as more traditional pools and riffles. The stonefly hatch should be getting going on the Middle here in about a week or two same time frame as the Lower typically.

Metolius River 

Met continues to be a great Central Oregon fishing option. This is the time of year when things really start happening on the Met. The cold of winter has passed. The streamside vegetation is starting to spring back to life. The insect hatches are becoming more and more prolific which makes the native rainbows and bull trout happy. Pale morning duns are the main mayfly hatch happening right now. My favorite PMD flies to use would be film critics, hackle stackers and sparkle duns. They typically hatch in a size #16-18. May also brings the first hatches of Green Drakes for the year. They really get going consistently in June, but mid to late May can bring early emergences of these large mayflies. This is an exciting time to be on the banks of the Met. These trout love eating this bug and do so with reckless abandon! 

Bull trout fishing has been fair the past week. Big black streamers are gaining the attention of bulls in the early morning. Mid day I would switch gears and tie on a large black stonefly nymph and try and sight nymph to fish. Hiking the banks and trying to spot holding bull trout and then sneaking up on them with a single stone nymph is an effective strategy.

Shop Trout Flies

Mount Hood Lakes:

Lawrence Lake Update.

Lawrence Lake opened on Friday April 22. The current situation is with snow and road culvert repair needed the access is gated at the Middle Fork settling pond. This is about 2.5 miles before Lawrence lake. The spring stocking of Lawrence has been postponed until access allows. 

Shop Stillwater Flies

Steelhead - 

For the latest on fishing regulations in your angling zone visit https://myodfw.com/recreation-report/fishing-report/

Smallmouth Bass / Carp:

Smally fishing has been pretty solid recently! Good catches have been reported slow stripping streamers. The RIO meat sweats is a great pattern that can imitate a lot of different things. Olive and tan are my favorite colors for smallies. I use an intermediate sinking line with a weighted bug and slow strip and twitch my fly in. This is a super fun fishery right in our backyards. Smallmouth put up a heck of a fight and are another great fish to challenge yourself to learn. 

Won’t be too long before we’ll be stalking the flats of the Columbia looking for 20lb goldfish cruising the shallow flats. Carp fishing will humble you up really quick. Great practice if you have a saltwater trip coming up. These fish require accuracy and stealth to have success.

Shop Carp Flies

Shop Bass Flies

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Columbia Gorge Fishing Reports - 4-30-2022

Korkers River Ops BOA - In Stock

Trout - Deschutes River:

Lower Deschutes River 

The Lower Deschutes has been fishing fair to good since the opener last week. There are thousands of little 8 inch steelhead smolts in the river right now that can be tough to keep off your flies. Fishing faster and deeper water is where you’ll find more redsides than smolts. Fish should be fully keyed on stonefly nymphs right as they begin to migrate towards the shore to hatch in a few weeks. Double or single rubber leg setups will produce a lot of eat over the course of the next few weeks. It is going to take some warm weather in the forecast to get the hatch started so keep an eye on the weather report. Swinging small streamers has been good too if you are tired of staring at an indicator all day. Shouldn’t be too much longer before we start to see the big bugs crawling onto shore! The hatch will start down by the mouth and gradually progress its way upstream toward Maupin and Warm Springs. Foam body Chubby Chernobyl’s in the heavier riffles and Norm Wood Special type hairwing flies in the glassy water under trees is a good approach when it comes to fly selection.

Middle Deschutes River 

Similar report as the Lower right now. The middle D is a good option and fish are keyed on big stonefly nymphs. The hatch will generally start around the same time as the Lower on this section of river. Double nymph rigs or streamer fishing is a good way to get the attention of some nice brown trout.

Metolius River 

The Met is a great option in the spring. Trout fishing is good on euro rigs as well as indicator rigs. One of my favorite two fly setups on this river are a mega prince up top followed by a zebra midge below. I’ve noticed the trout don’t really start eating until mid to late morning so no need to get their at the crack of dawn. Pale morning duns are the main bug hatching in the afternoons right now. Green drakes are just around the corner so get ready for some hot dry fly action. Bull trout are eating stripped and dead drifted streamers good. Stripping flies around log jams and structure will get some big takes. If you can spot them holding in tailouts, try dead drifting a small sculpin under an indicator. It’s a presentation those fish don’t see a lot of and is deadly.

Shop Trout Flies

Mount Hood Lakes:

Lawrence Lake Update.

Lawrence Lake opened on Friday April 22. The current situation is with snow and road culvert repair needed the access is gated at the Middle Fork settling pond. This is about 2.5 miles before Lawrence lake. The spring stocking of Lawrence has been postponed until access allows. 

Shop Stillwater Flies

Steelhead - 

For the latest on fishing regulations in your angling zone visit https://myodfw.com/recreation-report/fishing-report/

Smallmouth Bass / Carp:

Smally fishing was good over the weekend. I talked to a friend who had a banner day on Saturday fishing back sloughs with some depth and rocky structure. He was using an intermediate full sink line with some smallish streamer/baitfish patterns on a slow strip and the bass were all over it. Should remain good throughout the next few months.

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Columbia Gorge Fishing Reports - 3.26.2021

Trout - Deschutes River:

Trout fishing has really been picking up over the last few weeks. Supposed to reach 70 degrees this weekend out in the Maupin area which is a welcomed sight after a long, cold and rainy winter. This warmth should really get the trout and insects active and feeding throughout the day. Nymphing is still going to be your most productive method right now. This is the time of year where Deschutes redsides really start keying in and feeding heavily on the stonefly nymphs that are beginning to get more active as we move into April and the famed salmonfly hatch that begins in early May. 

I’d be running a size 6-8 black or brown rubber legs stonefly nymph with a 16-18 caddis pupae or mayfly nymph behind the big bug. Some of my go to Deschutes droppers that work year round are red lightning bugs, jig style pheasant tail nymph/soft hackle pheasant tail nymph, rainbow warriors, and red or purple psycho prince nymphs. 

 The trout spey bite has been superb. With water temps beginning to warm slightly, fish are getting more aggressive and willing to chase a large meal. 10 feet of T-8, 2x RIO fluoroflex, and a box of sculpin patterns and you’re ready to rock n roll.

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Lake Fishing:

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

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Winter Steelhead - North Oregon Coast + Portland Metro area 

Winter steelhead season is winding down to close. There are some systems that fish well into early April but for the most part, it’s coming to an end. This weekend could fish decent as the rain last week bumped the rivers up and put some color into them. Again, I’d be fishing pretty low in the rivers to hopefully intercept a late chromer, versus fishing up high and targeting spawning fish. Please be aware of redds this time of year and do not consciously fish to fish that are actively on spawning beds. There is a good chance if you spot a few fish sitting deep in a tailout this time of year, that they are trying to do their thing.

Winter Steelhead - Hood River: 

While this has been a slow steelhead year all around, look for a few more fish showing up in the Hood. We generally see the peak numbers of fish around now in this system and it will fish well into April. Both swung flies and nymph techniques are working for folks.

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Smallmouth Bass / Carp:

Warm, calm, sunny days will bring mr.smallie up from the depths to the shallows in search of a meal. With these conditions fish lightweight streamer patterns slowly. On windy days fish a float and fly rig on drops offs and main river points. 

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-Zach Parker

"The Gorge"

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Columbia Gorge Fishing Reports - 3.19.2021

Trout - Deschutes River:

The trout fishing continues to be pretty good. Jig style nymphs on euro rigs have been productive as well as fishing rubber legs under an indicator. Fish are starting to really key on size 6-8 black stonefly nymphs as they are getting more and more active in preparation for their spring emergence. Blue wings and march browns will be the predominant mayfly hatches for the next month or so. Look for the warmest part of the day for these insects to start hatching and focus fishing riffles and back eddies.

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Lake Fishing:

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

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Winter Steelhead - North Oregon Coast + Portland Metro area 

This time of year focus on the larger watersheds and river systems as most everything else is pretty low and clear and not very “fishy” though there are steelhead in most all coastal rivers at this time. Rivers will continue to fish till the end of the month before most of the closures take place on March 31st.

Winter Steelhead - Hood River: 

While this has been a slow steelhead year all around, look for a few more fish showing up in the Hood. We generally see the peak numbers of fish around now in this system and it will fish well into April. Both swung flies and nymph techniques are working for folks.

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Smallmouth Bass / Carp:

Look for smallmouth to show up in shallow areas, midday on sunny days. In calm conditions fish lightweight streamer patterns slowly. On windy days fish a float and fly rig on drops offs and shallow points. For more info check out Predator Hunt - Pre-Spring Bass

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-Zach Parker

"The Gorge"

Gorge Fly Shop Team - 541.386.6977

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Columbia Gorge Fishing Reports 11/19/2020

Photo Credit Jet Boat Fly Guides

Trout

Deschutes River:

Spoke with a buddy who fished below Sherars falls recently and it sounds like the water clarity is much improved but still not what it normally is. Fishable though which is good news. He said a couple foot visibility. 

Trout fishing throughout the Maupin area and down below towards the mouth has remained pretty solid as December slowly creeps up on us. I haven’t had a chance to get down there recently, but am planning on going this weekend hopefully. 

Mainly a nymph and streamer show down there at the moment. Small window for some possible blue wing olive hatches mid day but I wouldn’t always count on fish cooperating with eating on top this late in the season.

Shop Trout Flies

Lake Fishing:

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. With so much moisture and colder weather it will be getting snowy up there soon too so be careful if you decide to get out.

Shop Stillwater Flies

Summer Steelhead

Deschutes River:

The steelhead fishing has been a little tough from what I’ve been hearing. Fish are really spread out and have been somewhat elusive and hard to find. But there are still some good late season fish to be had, so definitely still worth getting out. Worst case, you get a day of spey casting practice in which never hurt anyone! Down below the mouth, I’d think bigger profile flies and dark colors with slightly off color water.

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.

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

Stay safe out there and best of luck! 

-Gorge Fly Shop 

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Columbia Gorge Fishing Reports 11/7/2020

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.

Shop Trout Flies

Lake Fishing:

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.

Shop Stillwater Flies

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.

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

Stay safe out there and best of luck! 

-Gorge Fly Shop 

"The Gorge"

Gorge Fly Shop Team - 541.386.6977

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Columbia Gorge Fishing Reports - 8/7/2020

New Simms G3 Guide Waders Shadow Green

Trout

Deschutes River: 

Trout fishing remains good in the mornings and late evenings. Afternoons can be tough still with hot weather and heavy wind.

Nymphing a double nymph rig with a stonefly nymph and a small beadhead mayfly nymph or caddis pupa is a strong bet to get into some nice trout.

Dry fly opportunities can be had in the last few hours of daylight with fairly consistent caddis hatches.

A buddy of mine had a killer streamer day recently with the micro spey. He was swinging sculpin patterns with 10 feet of T-8 sink tip on a little Winston 3 weight. If you’re interested in trout spey, give the shop a call. We’d love to talk to you about it and get you outfitted with the right setup. It seriously is such a fun way to trout fish and a good change of pace from dry or nymph fishing.

Lake Fishing: 

The lakes around Mt Hood continue to fish well as we move into the dog days of summer. I’ve been seeing some of those giant brooder rainbows that ODFW stocks up there being caught which is cool. Plenty of small planter trout to take home and eat as well as some native cutthroat and brooke trout.
Typical lake methods have been producing.

One tip: when fishing a sinking line and leeches or buggers, slow down your strip but give it a little pop at the end of the strip. Make that leech rise up and fall back down slowly. The trout won’t be able to resist this presentation.

Summer Steelhead Deschutes River: 

The steelhead counts over the Dalles Dam are stronger than we’ve seen in recent years for sure. More and more fish are entering the lower Deschutes River everyday and are shooting upriver pretty fast in search of cooler water.

The majority of the fish are below or in the lower reaches of Mack’s Canyon with of course, a few up near Maupin I’m sure. But I’d be focusing lower in the system for the next few weeks, then as we get closer to September, start fishing around Maupin more.

We have finally been getting a break from the super hot weather which helps the fishing and the water temps. Still keep an eye on them and voluntarily quit fishing and go tie flies or drink a riverside beer if they are approaching 70 degrees.

Hood River: 

I’ve heard of only a couple steelhead caught on the Hood River. Water clarity has been a little better with the cooler weather which makes it more fishable. Still focus your efforts swinging sink tips with intruders and marabou tube flies so these fish can see your fly better.

Nymphing a bead, egg pattern or egg sucking stonefly nymph can be productive in the Hood in the areas that don’t swing the best. These fish like to nose up and hold in pocket water in and around boulders so utilizing a simple nymph rig can be a good method to find some fish.

Smallmouth Bass/Carp: 

Smallmouth fishing has continued to be consistent since the last report. Finding areas with some depth and rocky structure is important.

Carp fishing is good as usual as long as the sun’s high to make spotting fish easier.

"The Gorge"

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Columbia Gorge Fishing Reports - 1/14/2020

NEW: OPST Micro Skagit Rods - In Stock

Trout:

Deschutes:

Once again not a lot that is new to report it has been very consistent this winter.

Remember the Deschutes has some great winter fly fishing. One great thing is there is no need to get up early, the best fishing is between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm. From here on out the crowds will be low, leaving lots of great water for the rest of us.

There have been the usual good Blue Winged Olive hatches on the cloudy cooler days. Keep in mind that the colder and nastier the day the more concentrated the BWO hatch is. So stock up on Blue Winged Olive nymphs, dries and emergers.

My favorite flies are: Dries: Sparkle Flag BWO #18-20, Extended Body BWO #20, Parachute Extended Body BWO #20, Parachute Adams #18-20 Emergers: Sprout BWO #18-20, Challenged PT #18 Nymphs: Bead Head Flashback PT #18-20, Pheasant Tail #18-20, Flashback Pheasant Tail #18-20, WD40 #18-20

Hand Selected Fly Kits

You will also see very productive fishing with a variety of midge patterns. I prefer Zebra Midges Black, Brown, Tan #20

When nymphing I prefer drop all of my smaller flies below a bigger heavier nymph. Here are my favorite larger nymphs: TJ Hooker #8-10, Jigged PT #14-16, Jigger PT Purple #16, Bead Head PT #12-16. Many others work, but those are my favorites.

For those that want to swing some streamers, streamer fishing will slow down a little during the winter, but you can still get them on Streamers. The key is fish your streamers slower than you do the rest of the year and keep moving.
Here are my favorites streamers: Rio Precious Metal, Kiwi Muddler, Sculpzila #8 (White, Olive/White, Natural) and Beaded Wooly Buggers #8 variety of colors.
Trout Flies

MOST SAGE RODS AND REELS GET FREE FLY LINES

Lakes:

We are fairly limited on the lakes that you can fish this time of year due to snow in the high country and the lakes being frozen. The most accessible lakes in the winter are down near the Columbia. Taylor Lake on the Oregon side. Roland Lake and Spear Fish Lake on the Washington side.

The best thing about fishing lakes this time of year is that the best fishing is mid day. No need to get up early.

Best results have been fishing an intermediate or slow sinking line with a variety of #8-10 leach patters in Black or Brown. Suspending a Balance Leach or Chironomids under an indicator with a floating works well to. The biggest thing in the winter is fish your flies very slow.
Stillwater Trout Selection 

Other Great Winter Trout Fisheries: Here are some other great winter trout fisheries across Oregon and Washington to think about. Oregon: Crooked River, Donner Blitzen River, Malhuer River and Owyhee River. Washington: Rocky Ford Creek and Yakima River All of these are great fishing during the winter and can be fun to go explore.

Steelhead:

Finally have a good amount of water at the coast and most rivers on the west side. This should get the winter steelhead moving. There are a few in the Hood, heard of a few in the Sandy, but it should get good once water conditions settle down after this weekends rains.
Steelhead Flies

Smallmouth:  

Water temps have cooled to the point that smallmouth are not very active now and won’t be until spring.
Smallmouth Flies

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Columbia Gorge Fishing Report - 12/28/2019

Trout: 

Deschutes: 

Not much has really changed here, pretty consistent. Remember the Deschutes has some great winter fly fishing. One great thing is there is no need to get up early, the best fishing is between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm. From here on out the crowds will be low, leaving lots of great water for the rest of us.

There have been the usual good Blue Winged Olive hatches on the cloudy cooler days. Keep in mind that the colder and nastier the day the more concentrated the BWO hatch is. So stock up on Blue Winged Olive nymphs, dries and emergers.
Trout Flies

My favorite flies are: 

Dries: Sparkle Flag BWO #18-20, Extended Body BWO #20, Parachute Extended Body BWO #20, Parachute Adams #18-20 Emergers: Sprout BWO #18-20, Challenged PT #18 Nymphs: Bead Head Flashback PT #18-20, Pheasant Tail #18-20, Flashback Pheasant Tail #18-20, WD40 #18-20

You will also see very productive fishing with a variety of midge patterns. I prefer Zebra Midges Black, Brown, Tan #20

When nymphing I prefer drop all of my smaller flies below a bigger heavier nymph. Here are my favorite larger nymphs: TJ Hooker #8-10, Jigged PT #14-16, Jigger PT Purple #16, Bead Head PT #12-16. Many others work, but those are my favorites.

For those that want to swing some streamers, streamer fishing will slow down a little during the winter, but you can still get them on Streamers. The key is fish your streamers slower than you do the rest of the year and keep moving. Here are my favorites streamers: Rio Precious Metal, Kiwi Muddler, Sculpzila #8 (White, Olive/White, Natural) and Beaded Wooly Buggers #8 variety of colors.

Lakes:  

We are fairly limited on the lakes that you can fish this time of year due to snow in the high country and the lakes being frozen. The most accessible lakes in the winter are down near the Columbia. Taylor Lake on the Oregon side. Roland Lake and Spear Fish Lake on the Washington side.

The best thing about fishing lakes this time of year is that the best fishing is mid day. No need to get up early.

Best results have been fishing an intermediate or slow sinking line with a variety of #8-10 leach patters in Black or Brown. Suspending a Balance Leach or Chironomids under an indicator with a float works well to. The biggest thing in the winter is fish your flies very slow.
Stillwater Trout Selection 

Other Great Winter Trout Fisheries: 

Here are some other great winter trout fisheries across Oregon and Washington to think about. Oregon: Crooked River, Donner Blitzen River, Malhuer River and Owyhee River. Washington: Rocky Ford Creek and Yakima River All of these are great fishing during the winter and can be fun to go explore.

Steelhead:  

We had some heavy rain last week that helped to get a few early Winter Steelhead in across Western Oregon. I have heard a few scattered reports of Winter Steelhead being caught from the Hood, Sandy, Clackamas and some North Coast Rivers. It is still early and we could use more rain, but there are just enough fish to venture out and see if you can get lucky.

Anglers are still catching late summers in the Lower Deschutes, this will continue until about Christmas. There are some scattered fish in the Hood River. You can still find some scattered fish in the John Day when it is not frozen. Keep in mind the Klickitat is now closed for the season.
Steelhead Flies

Smallmouth:  

Water temps have cooled to the point that smallmouth are not very active now and won’t be until spring.
Smallmouth Flies

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