Columbia Gorge Fishing Report - December 1, 2025

Deschutes Steelhead

Call it about a wrap on a great season.  You can certainly still find a fish or two out there, but the majority will have been around for a while....or a long while!  Can't say that the water temp has taken a huge nose dive yet, but that could happen any time soon.  If you try it again, focus on getting the fly down a bit and slowing your swing speed.  Unless we see an unlikely rise in water temp, call it a sink tip game.  

Deschutes Trout

Ideal conditions for trout fishing with a great extended forecast.  Lots of cloudy days = good BWO hatches and awesome streamer fishing!  Conditions couldn't be much better.  The water just hasn't gotten that cold yet.  Not nearly as cold as it could be, anyway.  You could catch fish on just about any preferred technique at some point during the day.  It would be wise to take advantage of the awesome fishing weather while it's still here.  It can be great in the wind and snow, too, but the travel is easy for the time being.    

Winter Steelhead

How quickly the steelheader's mind shifts gears!  We've already heard whispers of a couple winter fish on the coast.  That tends to be a fun factoid about a lot of the winter rivers with decent wild returns.  Their arrival times are highly varied.  This allows different batches of fish to successfully make a go of it throughout the extreme variation of water levels we see in the nest few months.  The begining of the season is a great time to get one on the swing.  The number of fish present isn't typically very high, but the water is on the warmer side for winter.  That always increases the odds.

This is an annual statement on our blog, but it's definitely "make your own report" season with regards to winters.  At this point, it's safe to say that every flow spike on the coast (and some other places) from now on will draw some fish.  Just like summer season, the first fish to hand is always one of the best!  If nothing else, it gets your head in the game.    

"The Gorge"

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Simms Heavyweight Base Layers - Stay Warm in these!

Sometimes a little extra insulation makes all the difference when fishing in the winter, and that starts with the right base layer. If you need something that goes beyond the traditional thin pieces, check out the Simms Heavyweight Base layer Bottom.  They feature a micro-grid fleece that adds a great deal of warmth without much additional bulk. These things are cushy! Stay warm. Fish longer.  Catch more!

Shop Simms Heavyweight Base layers here!

"The Gorge"

Gorge Fly Shop Team - 541.386.6977

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Columbia Gorge Fishing Report (01/23/17)

Sorry for the lack of fishing pictures as of late, but we finally are thawing our after a horrendous ice storm this past week and I may finally be able to fish again!

This rig has gotten us through everything this winter has thrown at us!

There are definitely some winter steelhead being caught by the brave souls out there this past week.  The best reports have been coming from the Oregon Coast. Some of our more local rivers have finally gotten some water, as the rain and thaw continues, but I don't see any major spikes in flow in the next week.  I say pick and river and get out there while the weather abides, you can't catch them if your fly isn't wet!

We lost a lot of good trees due to the ice

Haven't heard much from the trout scene in the past week, but I would imagine the fish are hungry and biting well, especially with the low pressure and warming trend.

Looking forward to some swing time real soon!

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

Hood River:

USGS

NOAA

Klickitat
USGS
NOAA

Clackamas:

USGS

NOAA

Deschutes near Madras:

USGS

Deschutes at the mouth:

USGS

NOAA

Columbia River

Bonneville Dam Water Temps
Columbia @ Hood River (The mouth of the Hood backs up at 75 feet)

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

Ryan Van Duzor
Gorge Fly Shop | Product Specialist
541.386.6977


Read More from the "Bearded Pescador"

 

"Fly Fish the World with Us"

Columbia Gorge Fishing Report (01/15/17)

I don't think I'll be bass fishing anytime soon... the camera shake is from the wind. #columbiarivergorge #winter

A video posted by Ryan Van Duzor (@the.bearded.pescador) on Jan 13, 2017 at 3:20pm PST

If you can't get out fishing, it's a great time to tie flies!

Well, Old Man Winter has yet to release his icy grip on us in the Gorge.  We haven't seen temps above freezing in quite a while and there is close to 3 feet of snow in my yard in Stevenson.  As my caption above states, I don't think I'll be bass fishing anytime soon, gotta give those fish a break anyway! But, there is still water flowing, and there are winter steelhead and hungry trout to be had!

An absolute winter beauty from the Yak.  Photo by Jeremy Leder

Winter trout fishing can be phenomenal and, in fact, some of the best of the entire season.  Trout have to eat all year to keep their metabolism going and the fishing pressure is low which can equal epic fishing for those brave enough to get out in the cold.  There can be really steady midge hatches as well as BWO activity.  The blue wings particularly like the nastiest weather to get going.  Tiny nymphs (18-20) dropped behind a juicy restless stone can be a deadly combo.  Streamer fishing is my go-to technique in the winter, especially when the insect activity is low.  Swing and stripping streamers can produce some real brutes.

Winter steelhead are certainly around and if you can get to your river you will likely find the pressure on the fish is lower than usual.  A lot of our moisture is locked up in the snow at the moment, but even a small warm up can get fish moving as the flows increase.  Smaller flies fished deeper can be more effective in the cold clear water.  I have heard of some good fish being caught on the Oregon coast and the Olympic Peninsula, so if you have the time and the weather cooperates I recommend getting out to those rivers and escaping the tundra for the few days.

A beauty from the Sandy!  Photo by Sam Sickles

You can be comfortable winter fishing with the right gear and clothing.  Check out Greg's article on winter weather gear for some helpful pointers.  Breathable layers and good outwear/waders will make a huge difference in your comfort level.  You also want to pay close attention to your feet and your hands.  Two or more sock layers (I prefer wool) and a good set up gloves will keep you in the game.

Remember COTTON KILLS!!  Leave your Ducks sweatshirt at home and stick with synthetic materials and wool which will keep you warm even when you are wet.

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

Hood River:

USGS

NOAA

Klickitat
USGS
NOAA

Clackamas:

USGS

NOAA

Deschutes near Madras:

USGS

Deschutes at the mouth:

USGS

NOAA

Columbia River

Bonneville Dam Water Temps
Columbia @ Hood River (The mouth of the Hood backs up at 75 feet)

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

Ryan Van Duzor
Gorge Fly Shop | Product Specialist
541.386.6977


Read More from the "Bearded Pescador"

 

"Fly Fish the World with Us"