Trout - Deschutes River:
The trout are getting happier and happier with the warmer weather we are starting to see across much of Oregon. Some baetis activity is still happening in the middle of the day. Some days the hatch is coming off stronger than others and lasting longer than others. Just depends mainly on weather and water temps.
Another prominent spring mayfly throughout the lower D, is the famous March Brown. This is a slightly larger, brownish gray colored mayfly that typically hatches in a size 14-16. Little early yet for these, they usually don’t start coming off hard until later this month and into April. Definitely a fun hatch to fish and is usually the hatch that kicks off consistent dry fly fishing for the rest of the season with stoneflies in May/June (salmonflies, golden stones, and yellow sallies), green drakes in May/June, and caddis caddis caddis all summer. Nymphing is getting it done, both Euro and traditional. Best of luck out out there!
Pretty snowy and cold up at the lakes. Until the spring...
Winter Steelhead - North Oregon Coast + Portland Metro area
Dry and sunny out on the coast and in the valley as of late. The long range forecast doesn’t show any large rain events in the future besides a few days of showers, which likely won’t do anything to the flows except maybe at a tint of color, which is a good thing!
Fishing remains fairly slow and inconsistent. Fish are being caught no doubt, but man are we having to work for them this year. Discouraging to see for sure, but there are still enough fish to make it worth the efforts.
Focus on larger river systems this time of year when the water starts getting low and clear. The smaller tribs are generally too low and far too clear to be productive, so the mainstems and larger rivers are where you should be focusing your time. There will still be chrome fish moving into these systems through the end of the month. Usually the closer to April we get the lower I fish in the systems to intercept late chromers. Versus fishing high and catching spawning or already spawned out fish.
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.
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.
-Zach Parker
"The Gorge"
Gorge Fly Shop Team - 541.386.6977
