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”.

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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 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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"

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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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Greg's "Fish Forward" Fishing Report - 4.1.2019

Why spend time with what "has been"!?

"Don't read a fishing report, be a fishing report." I don't know who first quoted this statement but I live by it. I find I have a better attitude and a better day fishing if I ignore "has been" fishing reports.

This "report" is looking forward. "Fish Forward" I'm not going to tell you that you should have been there yesterday but instead tell you what you should be looking forward to.

Deschutes

You can wait for the vaunted stonefly hatch if you wish but the reality is trout fishing is going to be great from now through the stonefly hatch. Remember even before those giant bugs are found in the river grass they are active on the stream bottoms and trout are getting fat on them. Whether you tight line Euro or indicator fish, tie on a big nymph and go for it.
Meanwhile, always keep a visual out for the day time hatches. Blue Wing Olives on cloudy days, probe around with a chubby and I've never failed to get a reaction on a yellow sally. Don't forget you can always swing a streamer.
You really can't go wrong in April/May on the Deschutes as well as any of the major trout rivers in our area. Oh, and another tidbit, there is a good chance you could pick up a last minute trout trip. Give us a call.

Bass

Most anglers don't start fishing early enough for bass. Most think it's a summer time gig. Sure, cool mornings and hot summer evenings can be great topwater bass fishing but my experience is my best fish always come early season.
Switch your tactics to warm, mid-day fishing and search the shallows whether it be backwaters of the Columbia or frog waters of the John Day. You can try to coax one on top but you'll have better success fishing shallow suspending flies such as Hud's Bushwacker. If that doesn't draw a reaction switch to near bottom stuff like Sculpin "The One" in Black or Natural. Also a Clouser Minnow in Sexy Shad color is always a good search pattern. When you get a reaction take note of water type and fly depth. These are important clues to what structure bass are currently relating to.
While you are on the hunt for bass be sure to watch the shallows closely for bonus feeding carp.

Steelhead

Tough game this time of year but still worth the pursuit. Watch for fresh water and the rising and falling of your local rivers. My experience this time of year is when steelhead move, they move fast. Windows of maximum opportunity are small. Instead of focusing on what is the best river to go fish, focus instead on the rivers you can access within hours notice with river level falling after a peak spike. Moving fish will be the most active fish. Get a fly in front of one and game on!
While two months down the road yet, don't forget Kickitat River opens on June 1st. I know of many anglers that have scored on this opportunity.

Look Ahead

I know there are many other opportunities in the Gorge area. I'm just scratching the surface with a few Ideas. The point of this report is to get you looking ahead before you realize you're already behind. Check you gear over and make it ready. Put the Weather and Stream Flows in your favorites tab and start watching daily conditions. Your success depends on YOU!...Not a fishing report!

I'll see you on the water...But you probably won't see me!

Greg Darling 

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

"Passion For Fishing Is A Lifelong Pursuit Of Discovery"

Columbia Gorge Fishing Report 9/30/18

 

ODFW and WDFW released some important closure information the other week regarding the Columbia River for steelhead and salmon. Fishing for either and retention is prohibited effective September 13th until further notice. This effects the main stem Columbia River from Buoy 10 to the OR/WA border upstream of McNary Dam. Night angling upstream to OR/WA border is also closed.

However, this shouldn't effect much of the fly anglers as we typically target the tributaries more for Salmon/Steelhead, it should hopefully make the fishing a little better.

Steelhead: While numbers are indeed low, the fishing hasn't been too bad. In fact, a couple friends have hooked and landed some fairly large summer fish recently and I've hooked/lost a couple nice ones lately as well. The Klickitat still has some fairly low flows over there and with the clear water it begs for much smaller/less obtrusive flies. The salmon push out the steelhead from their typical lies so they are generally found in the shallower water. Water temps have also dropped slightly over there too. I've been seeing a bit of October Caddis flying around and have stuck to the muddler program, either fished as a skater on a light wire hook for surface disruption or on a heavier iron swung in the surface film.

New sword: Burkheimer 6139-4 with an Airflo Delta Spey II 6/7 - A match made in heaven!

The Deschutes is fishing from sun up to sun down. A common misconception is that when the sun is up folks think you must fish down deep with tips. While there is some elemental aspects the sun plays, you certainly can fish floating lines all day on that river providing you're swinging your fly away from the sun rather than into it. Sometimes its more satisfactory to fish your methods of choice until they prevail, as apposed to waiting for prevailing conditions. But, I'm not here to judge as long as you're having fun and treating the fishery with respect. Steelhead are throughout the entire lower Deschutes this time of year, which offers the ability for anglers to spread out some and find a little more solitude.

Trout: I just got back from an annual trip to Montana that I take every year with my Dad. It's always a blast and for some reason we always seem to catch some funky weather. This year it was a bit of wind, mixed with some rain and even hail. Dry fly fishing was just so-so, but the streamer action was a blast. I missed a couple pigs but found plenty of fish in the 18-22" range.

 This guy sure had a neat looking head. I love streamer eating browns!

Our longtime guide/friend, Michael Guerin is always a blast to fish with. He is a wealth of knowledge with a couple fisheries science degrees. After growing up steelhead/salmon fishing in Washington, he's been a premier Florida Key's guide for Permit, Tarpon, Bonefish for the last 30 years. He's guided SE Alaska's Spring Steelhead based off a "mothership" boat and utilizing jetboats to access rivers, and has tackled the Montana trout program for a decade and a half. Have fish a question? He most likely has an answer. On top of that he's also got one of the priestliest boats on the water that only took him a few hundred labor hours to build- a fiberglass/wood stitch low-sider that's perfect for Montana's Missouri River. It's always a pleasure to get on the water with him and hear his stories. Last Christmas he sent me a Russell Chatham book, Dark Waters, which is a great read for those who like essays, stories, and articles that are more based on exploits with friends regarding hunting, fishing, food, and life changes. It diverges a bit from traditional fishing lore, and Chatham is clearly a fan of Rodrick Haig-Brown as his literature reflects it. I highly recommend it to any readers out there.  

Montana is a trout factory. Regardless of the fishing, the trips there never disappoint. 

I don't have a good first hand report for the local trout(ings). But, the Caddis hatches are still going strong on the Deschutes and we're definitely seeing some October Caddis in the mix too. The higher creeks and lakes are slowing down some as the water cools off, but it doesn't mean the fishing has to stop just yet. Lost Lake Resort does close down this October 1st, but you should still be able to access the lake for a little while longer.

Warmwater: Fishing for smallies and carp has also slowed down on the big Columbia some as it too is experiencing some colder water. No longer are we seeing the consistent top water bite for the bass and it's primarily moved back to baitfish patterns that're fished deeper. Over on the John Day water has risen slightly, but the bass fishing should still be good.

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.

Local Fishing Information

Bookmark our new link to Weather, Stream Conditions and Fishing Licenses

Cody Booth
Gorge Fly Shop | Product Specialist
541.386.6977  

Columbia Gorge Fishing Report 9/12/18

Conditions begged for a sink tip, but the heart begged to skate one up...

(Burkheimer 7117-4, Hardy Perfect 3 7/8", S/A Scandi Lite Integrated 420gr.)

Steelhead: Oh steelheading... Love it or hate it it has never been easy. Some of us have experienced some great days, and even great years. This summer season I've had some great days, and I don't always base whether or not I'll go fishing by looking at the counts. But the counts do is give us an overall picture, and hopefully a little insight to what's going on. We're looking a little worse than last year's low-return down lower on the Columbia, but upstream it looks as though some fish are migrating. Last year we had some great fishing on the Deschutes with the lower numbers while upstream I heard it was a little more challenging (for some). This season its slightly opposite- starting off good along the lower Deschutes, but as fish finally got some cooler water in the Columbia many seemed to boogie further on up the system. This is hopefully good news for Idaho where folks are worried about losing their famous large B-run native fish altogether largely due to dams, hatcheries, and gillnet fisheries.

We're pretty far off of the 10-year average where we had some great ocean conditions and returns. 

Below is the Year To Date counts for a handful of dams along the Columbia and Snake. 

Locally, fishing has been okay but hasn't been super stellar. Jet boat trips and camps are starting to pick up along the lower Deschutes, and honestly is probably the best way to really target that river and get put on prime water. While it's mostly one-salt A-run fish being caught, there have been some occasional B-run fish picked up in the mix. The Klickitat has also churned out a few fish, though its getting busier over there as salmon are nosing into the Klick and that river tends to be a little more on the conventional gear/bobber side of things anyways. However, that doesn't mean they still wont hit a swung fly. The Klickitat is pretty low right now and its made it a little more challenging for drift boats, but you can access more spots in these levels too. It looks like we've got a little bit of rain in the forecast so we'll have to see how much it affects out local waters.

Trout: Once again, Chelsey and I went back to a little trout stream over on the Washington side and chased some lil' guys (and gals) around. We keep exploring different sections and keep finding interesting pieces of water. Thanks to Google Earth I've found lots of places or access to water I've always been curious about. A double edge sword though as others utilize the same platforms, and my best suggestion would be to sometimes keep things to yourself. I'm happy to point you in the right direction, but I implore you to explore. I've had campgrounds/water that were seemingly unknown until one day we stumble upon piles of trash left behind, and then often the places are never the same. Pack in, pack out. Other than that you just might find a sweet new little spot that quickly becomes a favorite hangout.

Chelsey casting to some feeding trout. 

The Deschutes is seeing some of the first October Caddis hatches, along with some Mahogany Duns and caddis in the size 16-18 range. A long time shop customer came in just recently to re-stock on some sculpin patterns and quickly reminded me that I don't need to just fish streamers in winter when the steelhead bite is slow. If you wanna target some of the bigger resident trout that the Deschutes has to offer, I would highly suggest a 3 or 4wt trout spey and an assortment of sculpin snacks. Fish em a little differently than a swung fly for steelhead in that you want to add speed and strip rather than slow it down. This brings out the aggressive fish and they will smash those streamer patterns! Nevertheless, there is always nymphing to produce when the dry fly or streamer fishing gets slow.

Warmwater: I gotta admit I don't do a whole lot of warm water fishing. I thrive in cold weather, and enjoy romping around higher elevations. It's just in my blood. That said, I do enjoy fishing the John Day for bass during low summer flows so I can find the good holding water come steelhead season (I know, a one-track mind sometimes). The Columbia is at my doorstep (almost), and I should get out there more often. Especially after seeing pictures and hearing stories from friends who do fish it often. I've got some buddies who target fishing near the sand bars as they hang out with family and end up doing pretty good- even finding some big ones. While those who target rock structure generally find a larger percentage of bigger fish. This doesn't mean overlook the beaches and flats as you'll find plenty of carp and smallmouth there too. We just got a re-stock of some key bass and carp flies so come on in if you need any!

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.

Local Fishing Information

Bookmark our new link to Weather, Stream Conditions and Fishing Licenses

Cody Booth
Gorge Fly Shop | Product Specialist
541.386.6977  

Columbia Gorge Fishing Report 9/5/18

 Chelsey snake-rolling to the far bank with a full floating line.

Steelhead: Days are getting shorter and nights are cooler. Steelhead activity should be up and September is possibly my favorite month of the year for pursuing my favorite fish. Nevertheless, I've been keeping my fingers crossed that there are many thousands of fish kegged up below Bonneville just waiting to cross. Initially fisheries scientists predicted a larger return than last year, and initially we were seeing better numbers. However, during the high temps of our summer fish passage slowed down as a result of the warm water, and though temps have dropped some we figured the counts would soon jump back up... Counts did jump back up but not nearly at the rate we've been hoping for, yet (optimistically).

I keep in semi-regular contact with John McMillan, Science Director of Trout Unlimited's United Steelhead Initiative, and I love shooting him convoluted and complex questions. His unique responses are always informative. If you have a social media Instagram account I would highly suggest following @rainforest_steel for all sorts of fun facts. A favorite quote of his- "We can all create our own opinions, but we can't create our own facts." Having always been a little more science oriented at heart I appreciate his unbiased theories interlaced with humor.

We're digging the new Sage Spey Reel! Classic aesthetics with modern tech.

Despite these lower returns, I'm still out there swinging away. I don't really fish sink tips for summer-run fish and was excited to go fish the Klick again as clarity permitted. Though Sunday after work, Chelsey and I went out for a short float and were treated with less than a foot of visibility. I haven't been over to the Deschutes lately, but have heard catch rates slowed over there too and there's a lot of nets out at the mouth... Nevertheless, I'll keep riffle-hitching a dry and staying optimistic. 

A favorite for this time of year- Fl. orange & olive mixed dub, turkey wing, and natural spun deer.

Trout: Targeting trout at a time of low steelhead returns can certainly be a moral booster. Chelsey and I explored a new watershed and found countless trout eager to eat (almost) anything we tied on. I fished a Trude pattern, ant pattern, caddis, parachute adams, BWO's, and even a mini muddler. I started to see some BWO hatches and once I tied one on, I started raising fish on every cast. I highly encourage you to go explore up around Mt. Hood's forest or even over in the Gifford Pinchot. Fishing the new RIO Creek line on my 2wt is amazing and has made my favorite trout setup even more fun!

If tiny creeks aren't your thing, we don't have a lot of mid-sized rivers available so we generally jump on over to the Deschutes for more hearty fish. Do not bring your little 2wt here! Deschutes fish are some of the hardest fighting trout I've come across. They all have big broad shoulders, and a 16" fish here consistently fights harder than a 20" trout from my home state of Colorado- especially when they utilize the mighty current of the Deschutes. Even though there are plenty of fish per mile, the trout here don't always give it up easy. Some days more so than others, but its a fishery well worth spending your time on to dial it in. 

Our various caddis hatches have been excellent this year but that's not the only game in town on the Deschutes. Fall Caddis, or October Caddis will be taking flight this month. BWO and Mahogany Dun adults come out around mid-day. These caddis and mayflies also have their pupa, nymph, and emerger counterparts if you enjoy fishing sub-surface. 

Warmwater: The John Day is a whopping 8.25 CFS at the time of this report. Plenty of bass to go around, but if you go it'd be best to look for any type of current or some deeper pools. My favorite way to fish for them there is with a black leach-like fly with a red head, cast out and let it swing then lift the rod... they almost always take when the fly starts to lift. Plenty of other flies work here too and it is a fun place to experiment. The Columbia has been fishing good as well for smallmouth and carp. We've had a bit of wind lately which makes casting tougher, but we're usually out there with larger rods anyways to match up with the heavier bass bugs. They also make a big difference when the wind does pick up so we're able to punch through it. An Outbound Short line works amazing in those conditions, and even OPST Commando heads are seeing their place on the Columbia.

 

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.

Local Fishing Information

Bookmark our new link to Weather, Stream Conditions and Fishing Licenses

Cody Booth
Gorge Fly Shop | Product Specialist
541.386.6977  

Columbia Gorge Fishing Report 8/29/18

 Smokey skies and swung flies...

Steelhead: Numbers of steel have increased a little lately over the dams, most likely due to the cooler weather we've been waiting for... As expected the angler numbers on the rivers are a direct correlation from those queued into dam counts. However, numbers are still pretty low in the grand scheme of things. While sometimes I'm apart of the O'Dark 30 Crew that gets to spots before first light, I really dislike competing for water. Thus, I've been bushwhacking through woods and rappelling down cliffsides in order to find untouched water. It's a bit more exploratory and a bit of a gamble, but it sure beats standing in line for the the pool that was rumored to hold fish recently. I have heard fishing has slowed a little on the main rivers, which is again why I like approaching the less attractive water. Though you can certainly grab a guide to get chauffeured from spot to spot in either a sled or a drift boat, and you'll most definitely be put in the right spots (and hopefully at the right time!). Obviously I wouldn't pass up an opportunity to hop on someones boat, but I've always been more of a DIY guy.  

 This native one-salt fish thought it was much bigger with the fight it displayed. I love wild steel!

I've heard the Klick is in a little better shape and finally getting some better clarity. I haven't been over there recently, but I have also heard the lower flows have made floating more difficult. Be cautions if floating above town as there are a couple spots with log jams or where the current pushes boats into walls.

Trout: Caddis hatches are the main program on the Deschutes right now and flows are about back to the historical average. You still might be finding some fish further off the bank than usual but I would just keep an eye on the foam lines. The majority of fish I find out there are typically along the foam lines. I haven't been up to the little creeks lately, but I've heard some second hand reports that the trout are still gobbling up various dry flies. 

Warmwater: Columbia temps and levels have stabilized since the last report. Plenty of smallmouth bass and carp to go around! With a little of this cool weather reprieve, it might be nice to go fish some warmwater without feeling like you're getting roasted out there. The John Day River is all but a trickle right now- Under 14 CFS at McDonald Ferry! While the bass are still there, they are out of their typical lies. A buddy of mine was over there recently and in two half days of fishing landed over 180 bass, with the largest being about 16"- A black gurgler-like fly was his predominant choice.

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.

Local Fishing Information

Bookmark our new link to Weather, Stream Conditions and Fishing Licenses

Cody Booth
Gorge Fly Shop | Product Specialist
541.386.6977 

Columbia Gorge Fishing Report (8/19/18)

Important Closure Information via ODFW & WDFW: 

Deschutes River-

The Columbia River around the mouth of the Deschutes River closed to all fishing, including catch-and-release. The closed areas are:

• All waters south of a strait line projecting from the flashing red USCG light #2 upstream to the lower South Channel Range B marker located approximately 3/4-mile upstream of the mouth of the Deschutes;
• The lower Deschutes River from the mouth upstream to markers placed on the downstream end of Moody Rapids.
• This area will be closed to all fishing until river temperatures have stabilized below 68 F. ODFW staff will continue to monitor river temperatures and run sizes throughout the fall to determine when the area can be reopened. This is unlikely to occur prior to late-September. 

Steelhead fishery closure in the Wind River and Drano Lake-
Action: Release all steelhead. Night closure for salmon/steelhead fishing.
Effective date: August 18th, 2018 until further notice.
Species affected: Salmon and steelhead.
Location: Drano Lake and Wind River from mouth to 400' below Shipherd Falls fish ladder.
Reason for action: Precautionary action is being taken to reduce steelhead impacts as cumulative steelhead passage over Bonneville is behind expectations, particularly during a time with elevated water temperatures.
Additional information: When a night closure is in effect, fishing is closed from one hour after official sunset to one hour before official sunrise. Official sunrise and sunset times can be found here.
The steelhead run will continue to be monitored as the season progresses.

Steelhead fishery restrictions in the Columbia River-
Action: Night closure for salmon/steelhead fishing.
Effective date: August 18, 2018 until further notice.
Species affected: Salmon and steelhead.
Location: Columbia River from Buoy 10 upstream to Hwy. 396 at Pasco, WA.
Reason for action: Precautionary action is being taken to reduce steelhead impacts as cumulative steelhead passage over Bonneville is behind expectations, particularly during a time with elevated water temperatures.
The steelhead run will continue to be monitored as the season progresses. Anglers are permitted to fish within joint state waters with either a Washington or Oregon fishing license, but must follow regulations of the waters being fished.
Anglers are reminded that you may not continue to fish for salmon once the daily adult limit for salmon has been retained.

____________________________________________________________________________

Steelhead: Considering the above information it looks as though these warm water temps are hindering the run right now. I myself have been wondering why ODFW hasn't implemented a Hoot Owl closure on the Deschutes with the high river temps from the last two months, but it shouldn't stop angers from self-regulating their fishing. I always keep a thermometer close and monitor throughout the day.

Chelsey still swinging dryline while the sun is up. 

However on the Deschutes we did see a slight touch of cooler water last week. Partly due to some slightly longer nights and a bit of smoke in the air from fires along the West Coast from California to B.C. While the smokey skies aren't desired, it has made for better dryline fishing on the Deschutes. Typically most anglers switch to sink tips when the sun is on the water, though I continue to fish dryline as long as I'm swinging away from the sun and not towards it. The Deschutes is a world class dryline river, and that's just the way I've always fished it. Typically I hang up the rods when I can't escape the sun and end up taking a siesta until I can either swing my fly away from the sun again or the canyon shadows return later in the day- Though I have yet to fish late afternoon/evening this year with water temps as they are. 

The Klickitat came into shape briefly last week and then quickly blew out again. I heard a rumor of 2ft of visibility on Tuesday/Wednesday and upon arrival Thursday morning I saw 6 inches to a foot max. But as they say, c'est la vie, and I went home early...

Trout: I keep saying it but man, the caddis hatches have been pretty phenomenal this year on the Deschutes. There's literally swarms of them at times! Because the Deschutes is so low right now, most the fish are off the banks further than usual. I've seen fish rising farther off the banks than normal but the good news is the wading is more manageable in spots to reach them right. My best tip is to head out early and fish those dry flies heavily until late morning. Afterwards you'll still find some surface feeders, but more of the action will be subsurface with nymphs. 

The smaller creeks up higher are at low flows too, but there are still plenty of fish found in the deeper pools. The lake fishing has also remained consistently good with mornings and evenings being your best bet. Personally, I haven't seen a strong Hexagenia hatch yet but maybe they're still to come as Hex hatches along the west coast can last as little as a few weeks, to a couple months in duration. 

Warmwater: The Columbia River recently rose a little from some dam release. Often times this disperses fish briefly before they settle back into their comfort zones. The bass have been hitting all sorts of goodies, but typically the big boys (and girls) are found near structure, whereas the smaller ones are more widely dispersed and if off the carp flats. This has been Jacob's summer of carp, as Carpe Diem has has left him in pursuit for much of his free time. I don't blame him either as they are a challenging species and readily available.

Speaking of carp and warmer waters, I am reminded of a book I the other year- The Dog Stars. This post-apocalyptic story follows Hig on his journey of searching for what else (if anything) is out there after a flu epidemic wiped out 99% of the Earth's population. Accompanied with his dog, a Cessna airplane with a stockpile of AvGas that doesn't expire like traditional gasoline, and a gun-toting misanthrope, their adventure ensues after Hig hears a muffled radio transmission alluding to other survivors in need out there... A bit of a love story, a bit of adventure, Hig had a passion for trout fishing in Colorado until all the cold and clean waters became too warm. What once were prime trout waters, are now filled with carp. Though he claims to despise carp, he can't help but pursue them with a fly rod and eat them too in such troubled times. If you enjoy fictional reads, this is one I would highly recommend exploring.

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.

Local Fishing Information

Bookmark our new link to Weather, Stream Conditions and Fishing Licenses

Cody Booth
Gorge Fly Shop | Product Specialist
541.386.6977 

Columbia River Gorge Fishing Report (8/15/18)

Chelsey with a D-Loop on the Deschutes, searching for desert steel.

Steelhead: We're slowly starting to get into my favorite time of the year! Counts over the lower dams have slowed down recently, and my thoughts are because of the warmer water in the Columbia. Though fish are migrating pass the numerous dams and many are cooling off in the colder tributaries along their way home. Water still remains fairly warm in the Deschutes and I still don't recommend fishing late if the water temps are near the upper 60's / lower 70's. 

Still slightly frustrating over there on the Klickitat River as it seems to be just one of those summers where clarity might not come into shape consistently until September. When that happens I guarantee I'll be over there skating some October Caddis patterns in every open tailout I can find! That river gets a great hatch of those bugs, and by that time many of the fall chinook tend to push out the steelhead and you'll find steel in shallower water and in the riffles more.

Trout: Lake fishing has been pretty decent lately. I recently spent a night up at one of the lakes near Mt. Hood and found a few fish around. The highlight might have been seeing an Osprey diving in and taking out a nice sized trout, then a Bald Eagle swooping in and steeling away the fish from the Osprey mid-flight! Nature, eh? There were a few Hex flies come evening, but honestly it was very minimal. Leach patterns and sinking lines were doing the best and a few Callibaetis Cripplers finished the job.

Trout up in the creeks have been happy lately, though the flows are getting pretty skinny in areas. Chesley recently went back to a favorite spot of hers with the 2wt and a few dries. A couple nice fish were around in the small water, however she noticed some unfortunate trash left behind by other outdoor enthusiasts. In fact, I also found a bunch myself when I was up at the lake. I wish people wouldn't go escape to the woods for R&R and just leave their trash behind. I don't know a single person who's thrilled to pick up some strangers dirty diaper from a fire ring... But, I digress. 

If fishing the Deschutes for trout I would certainly bring some size 18 Caddis flies. I've seen a good hatch of caddis this entire season over there, and while some are around size 16's more often they are smaller and the trout seem to respond better to the smaller caddis flies. Otherwise, I would bring some nymphs out and fish the oxygen-rich water down deeper. 

Warmwater: The Columbia has been pretty low lately so if you're out searching for carp you might find those flats a little easier. If they're tailing and feeding it will be much easier to have them cooperate than if they're just sunbathing. Smallmouth on the Columbia have still been loving those larger poppers and baitfish patterns. However, over on the John Day its flows are just a trickle at the moment, so many of the smallmouths have found new water to hang in. If going to the JD, I would concentrate on some moving pieces of water or the deeper holes. 

Jacob and the boys have been getting into 'em all summer on the Columbia!

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.

Local Fishing Information

Bookmark our new link to Weather, Stream Conditions and Fishing Licenses

Cody Booth
Gorge Fly Shop | Product Specialist
541.386.6977