Lower Deschutes Fishing Report
Fishing is fair to good on the Lower D right now. The first half of August produced some really good days with some quality fish hitting the net but as we are getting into the new heat hitting the region has slowed the fishing slightly.
Some good fish can still be found but sometimes you have to work hard to find them. Hit the deeper holes, buckets, and riffles to target fish that are feeding in water that is cool and oxygen-rich. The water temps have been solid throughout the summer but as the water heats fish will move into different zones to find bugs and oxygen.
Going smaller with PMD nymphs, caddis pupa, and perdigons can be the ticket to finding picky fish that have seen many flies throughout the summer. Additionally, get creative where you fish, don't just stick to the larger runs and pools that are most accessible to guides and the general public. Anywhere that gets relatively deeper than the rest of the river can hold fish. Fish during the optimal times, such as morning and evening. There are plenty of anglers who fish for the hottest part of the day and head home right as the fishing picks up. Evenings will have significantly more dry fly action as the sun dips below the canyon and caddis move out to the water.
Steelhead are in the river and on their way upstream. I found some success near Mack's Canyon a couple of weeks ago and pretty soon they will be spread throughout the entire river. Swinging and nymphing are popular tactics so break out the spey rods and get out there while you can. This is one of the best runs we have seen in the last decade. or if you want to learn a thing or two about catching steelhead book a trip to get in on the action.
Book a trip on the Lower Deschutes today to unlock some techniques to open up what the Lower Deschutes has to offer.
Crooked River Fishing Report
The Crooked continues to be an awesome fishery this summer. PMD's are still hatching consistently, especially on the hotter days, and is one of the few fisheries that doesn't fish better with an early wake-up call.
The water is plenty cold and the bugs only start to get active around midday when the water temps bump. Midges, PMDs, BWOs, caddis, and leeches can be productive on the Crooked. During the morning I stick to the slow and deep water where fish will hang out picking up midges and smaller baetis nymphs that go by and I'll move to the riffles and rock gardens in the afternoon to pick up fish targeting emerging insects. Two bits, frenchies, perdigons, caddis pupa, and zebra midges are my go to out there. Don't be afraid to run a dry dropper with a larger caddis pattern, a small hopper, or your favorite attractor dry. Fish are looking up midday if there is a strong enough hatch but mornings and evenings have a fair amount of surface action.
Book a trip with me on the Crooked River and experience a beautiful canyon with plentiful wild redbands.
McKenzie River Fishing Report
The McKenzie is a great option to float in September. I have success running dry dropper with a large foam pattern and a tungsten beaded nymph. Walts worm variants have been my go-to lately. Larger wild fish seem to love the dry this time of year as they try to consume as many calories as possible before colder months set in.
The McKenzie stays cold so fish will stack up in both slower and faster water depending on how they are feeding. Focus on seams that have enough depth to give them cover. Rock gardens and riffles are also solid options. Try tight-line tactics in deeper pools and shelves with leeches, rainbow warriors, and soft hackle pheasant tails.
Book a trip on the McKenzie River for a beautiful float through crystal-clear pools and lively rapids in search of wild redbands.
Comments