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Okay….time to dispose of the high and fluctuating water discussions. The Clack is on a full-scale drop. The majority of last winter’s snowpack has finally melted and the fluctuating levels we’ve experienced through June are a thing of the past til fall. Within the next week, the river should be down to the point, wade fishing access will be a very real possibility. Current conditions have the river flowing at 2410 cfs, with a gauge height of 12.37.
There is still quite a bit of traffic on the river. Spring Chinook are still arriving at the hatchery, as are summer steelhead. Summer fish typically return to the Clack in 2 pushes throughout the summer and we’re still in the midst of the first push. Best fishing will happen from McIver Park down to Barton, but there are several high producing runs between Barton and Carver.
As flows continue to drop, fly selection will change as well. The lead-eyed leeches and T-14 are a recipe for disaster. Summer wets and dries, swung, skated or riffle hitched will be the best method from now till fall. Opt for a Purple Peril, Freight Train or Green Butt Skunk style of fly to start off with. If you prefer to keep the fly down, use your clear intermediate, this tip is often a winner on the Clack. Nymphing will produce results as well. A Black Woolly Bugger or a red pheasant tail can be deadly options here in the summer.
Boaters should be advised as flows drop, the Clack becomes a difficult run in a drift boat at these levels. Please be especially aware of the Minefield below Dog Creek, as well as sweepers within McIver. Best summer fly fishing on the Clack is done either in the early morning or later afternoon/evening, due to extreme spookiness of the fish during the “rubber” hatch.
Trout fishing is now open on the Upper Clackamas. The Oak Grove Fork of the Clackamas provides excellent small stream trout fishing this time of year. The upper reaches of the river are accessible and can be a great place to spend the day casting dries for willing eaters.
Guide Info: Jad Donaldson. Call us at 503-639-6400 to book your trip.
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Coastal rivers with summer steelhead are currently low. The Trask, Nestucca, Siletz and Wilson Rivers have either arrived or are nearing median summer flows. Fishing is still a possibility on these waters and in some cases a very good option; however you should shift your tactics to accommodate the fishery.
Decreased water flow will cause these summer fish to keg up in holes. Best fishing is going to be found on the extreme sides of the day. You can leave your sink tips at home for 90% of the available water. Most fish will hang in the tailouts early in the morning and later in the evening and with reduced flows they’ll cycle in and out of oxygenated water for relief from the warm water and sun. Should you see rain in the forecast and a spike on the gauges, it would be a good time to head west. Smaller and unweighted flies will rule the day till fall.
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The Salmonfly bonanza is officially over. There are still a couple of drunken flies fluttering around amongst the bushes and there are plenty of husks in the bushes, but it’s time now to move on to the summer season. Mornings and evening will provide the best opportunities for fishing on the surface and those who choose to brave the midday temps will find nymphing just about the only option other than some opportunistic trout feeding in the backeddies. Not to say nymphing isn’t a bad option. It’s a great option and one likely to help you find the bigger fish in the river, but be forewarned – wear sunscreen and wade wet to brave the typical temps.
Water levels are ideal with flows reading 4560 CFS on the Madras gauge. Water temps are climbing, bringing life to a variety of Caddis. Read our Spotted Caddis article by clicking here. This article shed lights on Caddis in general.
There are lots of bugs hatching on the Deschutes now and one needn’t know all of them in order to catch fish, but some rudimentary knowledge of what’s happening can be useful. In the mayfly category, there are Pale Morning Dun’s, Pale Evening Dun’s and a version of the Pink Albert. The PMD is going to draw the most attention and activity but will taper toward the end of the month. PED’s and Pink Albert’s will be consistent through the month but mainly only drawing attention on the surface. PMD’s can be effectively fished in all versions of the life cycle and a prepared angler will use all options.
PMD’s are around but finding the run is key. Not all runs and flats have thse bugs, so one must move around to find the right water. The hatch will occur between 10 am ~ 2:00 pm. Look for long flats and smooth runs. Should you see fish boiling in flats and runs, they are taking PMD emergers or spinners. If you see clear winged sailboats getting gobbled then fish your dun pattern. The PED is a bit slower to get out of bed and are now hatching later in the afternoon into evenings. Note that the PED’s are a bit larger with a darker thorax and wing compared to the PMD.
Yellow Sally’s will continue to be a steady option and fish will key on them, so if you see the hot butted stone out, keep an eye peeled for rising fish. The main story of the summer is here however; caddis, caddis and more caddis. All shapes forms and sizes will be a factor as the main staple of the redside diet cuts loose with abandon. Adults and dead caddis will be a factor during the morning hours and the evenings will be filled with adults and emergent caddis. You must be prepared with larval, pupa and adult forms to succeed on the “D” in the summer.
Craneflies are out as well and are definitely something the fish are interested in. We have a great pattern for these flies at the shop.
Midday fishing will find most fish in the oxygenated riffles, under trees, against steep banks and under ledges. With light off the water, you’ll find fish spread throughout the river. When nymphing, skip the big stones for a bit and stick to smaller flies, possibly a larger cased caddis if you’re looking for a large fly.
Here's a NEW list of can't miss Deschutes Spring Flies:
Tool Nymphs: BH Cased Caddis, BH Black Stonefly Nymphs, BH Prince Nymph, Pat’s Rubber Legs Black, BH Pheasant Tail, BH Hare’s Ear.
Dropper Nymphs (size 14-18): BH Lightning Bug, BH Bubble Back, BH CDC Prince, BH GR Hares Ear, BH CDC PT, Black Biotic Nymph, Kaufmann's BH Rhyacophila, Morrish’s Biotic Nymph, Sparkle Pupa, Green Jelly Cord Caddis, Kaufmann's Mirage Copper, BH Soft Hackle Orange, Yellow, Brown, Olive and Tan, Bead Head WD-40.
Dry Flies: size 14-16 Pale Evening Dun's, size 14-18 PMD's, size 14-20 Midges, size 14-18 Tan, brown & Peacock Elk Hair Caddis, size 14 yellow Crane Flies, Size 10-12 Pink Albert, Size 10-12 Yellow Sally’s.
Steelhead:
It’s time to head to the mouth of the D’ and get the swinging stick out. Steelhead have been caught for a few weeks now, and currently the White River is not dumping silt into the river, though this could change with some rain.. You will find the best concentration of fish from Kloan downriver. There’s nothing better than swinging a “dressed” size 6 TMC 7999 on a dryline, but when conditions don’t call for the traditional “Old School” way, it will pay off to experiment. With murky conditions we favor larger purple or black patterns. The MOAL, Hickman’s Fish Taco, and the Loop leach fished on a sinktip are favored. When clarity is less of a factor, then dust off your traditional Steelhead flies ala Kaufmann’s Freight Train, Max Canyon, and Purple Perils.
The lower miles can be infested with Jet boats during planned sled days. Plan Check the sled boaters schedule in order to find more solitude and less plugs fished on “side-planers”.
We will update you every few days throughout the season with water conditions and fish counts.
There is plenty of access for the walk and wade angler. Access points on the East bank (BLM) are Warm Springs, Mecca Flats, Trout Creek and South Junction. The only access point on the West bank is Dry Creek. This is a great stretch of water to fish as most anglers on foot seem to favor Mecca Flats and South Junction. Also beware of private property at South Junction. Bear in mind that there's a large spawning area in front of Dry Creek. Please don't wade on this large redd. You can also use your mountain bike (with a good suspension) to explore more water. Again, we remind you, you must have a Tribal Permit in this stretch.
The Warm Springs Tribe also reminds anglers not to step foot on, or fish any island west of the main channel. Law enforcement from the tribe is expected to be patrolling the entire reservation in pickup trucks and boats alike. We remind you that there's no access on the reservation side of the river of any kind from Pelton Dam to Dry Creek. Same goes for the stretch between Trout Creek to the Northern Boundary of the Reservation. (Approx river mile 69/Dixon)
You can only fish and step foot on the reservation between Dry Creek (94.5 mile marker) and Trout Creek (88.4 mile marker) with a Tribal Permit. You must provide your state fishing license, Tribal permit and picture identification when fishing this section.
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Fishing on the Metolius has been good to fair. Central OR has had some very hot days and while that doesn't have much to do with the water temperatures on the Metolius...it certainly can have an effect on the hatch cycles. Anglers willing to bring all their skills to bear on the Metolius will find success fishing all stages of bug activity in combination with aggressively searching out feeding fish.
July is a big month on the Metolius for dry fly activity. While the much treasured Green Drake hatch is severely on the wane here, another big hatch is happening now. The Golden Stonefly is out and trout are looking up when they are available. This can be a good time of year to run tandem dries or a dry and an emerger on the Metolius. Fish are susceptible to a golden stone imitation here like any other water and you'll not need to fish severely light tippets in order to get a take. Try fishing a golden stone here with a caddis pupa trailer.
There will also be heavy PMD and Caddis activity throughout July. Look for PMD hatches during the day with spinner falls in the evening. Caddis will get going late afternoon and be a good evening's activity otherwise.
As usual on the Metolius, there will be BWO activity with the consistently cool water. Yellow Sally's and midges are also in the mix. This is not peak bull trout time, but they can be found in the river here and there. Also, do not be afraid to nymph this river. Golden stones, mayfly nymphs and caddis larva are all being eaten down below. This river is a challenge to the best anglers, use all your advantages.
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The Sandy is still higher than normal for this time of year. The river is flowing at 1830 CFs which is a little more than double the mean. Having said this, the Sandy has been in relatively steady decline for the last 5 days. With the removal of Marmot Dam, the Sandy is more susceptible to rainfall than ever and with the freezing level well over 6000 feet you can expect the rain to translate nearly immediately to off color water.
Despite all this, there are summer steelhead in the Sandy and they can be caught. You'll need to concentrate on well oxygenated holding water where the fish will have an opportunity to seek some relief from both the water temperatures, prey and the fast flow. Best fishing will occur from early morning till mid-day, the Sandy tends to lose visibility as the day goes on during mid-summer. Without a doubt, the largest concentration of fish will be found in the neighborhood of Cedar Creek.
Floating lines and small sink tips can be used, but more importantly this is a time when brightly colored flies can be an asset during the dog days of glacial runoff.
Guide Info: Jad Donaldson. Call us at 503-639-6400 to book your trip.
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The McKenzie River has also hit full summer gear. The notable early season hatches have all wrapped up and won't arrive again till next year. Golden Stones, Green Drakes and the Mckenzie Caddis are on the deep wane. This is caddis time on the McKenzie. Additionally, PMD's, Midge's and Yellow Sally's will be a bit of a factor but not much as the weather stays hot.
Carry soft hackled patterns in brown, tan, olive and yellow and figure on the trout being either close to the banks or near toward riffles and the deep holes on the bends in the river. If you have the choice, water above Leaburg Dam should be more productive than below.
Steelhead fishing in the McKenzie can be productive as fish are still arriving in the river. Fish to these fish on the extreme ends of the day...else indicator fishing for these fish will be the route to take midday.
The McKenzie has a large hatchery trout program and hatchery fish are planted just for a supplement to anglers. As a matter of fact the stocking of these trout is one of the largest hatchery projects in the nation. You are encouraged to retain the hatchery fish (all wild fish must be released). Please study your 2008 fishing before going. The best fishing for hatchery fish is from below Forest Glen Boast Ramp down to Hayden Bridge near Springfield. There are 16 boat ramps in this section. Access when floating is plentiful.
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Lakes are open!
Chickahominy Reservoir - pretty decent reports on leeches and ice cream cones!
Davis - open with limited access, both bass and trout are active.
Crane Prairie - target the shallows for best fishing now.
Wickiup Reservoir – it’s game on here.
Billy Chinook - recent changes in the regs. Kokanee are included in the total of 5 trout allowed.
Timothy – one of Hood’s largest lakes and the site of the Clackamas headwaters.
Harriet - great smaller lake with a large stocking program.
Laurance – things are all good here.
Rock Creek – still fishing well
Pine Hollow - a good place to pull out the poppers.
Gorge Lakes - ditto
Clear – this lake can get slow when the weather gets hot.
Hosmer – past the ice-off bonanza but still a great destination for landlocked atlantics and mammoth brookies.
Lost - Hexagenia!
Little Lava – headwaters of the Deschutes, has potential in its lower slough.
Lava – better overall fishing than Little Lava.
Trillium – this gorgeous lake is a good float tube fishery.
Frog – a great little hike-in lake on Hood.
Merrill – Hexagenia!
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Summer irrigation flows are here again. Finally, we can (tight to the) bank on stable flows, albeit predictably high. It’s time to man the flotation devices in the interest of probing (scraping) the edges of the bank with our offerings.
Golden stones are on the wane, with Summer Short-Wings beginning to amass. Summer Short-Wings are a 8-10 tannish brown, and will be around into September. Also beginning to show, though they require a slightly keener eye to id, are the little Yellow Sallies, a 14-16 (2xl) pale yellow, spritely stone. Of course, PMD’s will be around most the summer, as will the assorted caddis; with smaller species (16’s to micro’s!) tending to prevail until the giant Octobers begin to show in late-Aug/early-Sept.
And, any day now, it’s time to start showing… Hoppers! And beetles! And ants!
If without a boat/guide, fear not. Check for our “Washington Trout Streams” report on attractive alternatives to the Yak for the wading-only angler. Of course, in about a month or so, the upper Yak will be wadeable (limited, but wadeable) above the Cle Elum. Who can wait THAT long, though?!
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| It’s “too-hot” time, unless you’re game for some bass or carp (which can be fun!). It’s been a great, prolonged basin lake fishery this year. Wish the big bows and browns, and tigers, luck over the hot season – we’ll be sure and let you know when they’re ready for their fall training. Meanwhile, look to BC’s Kamloops area, or our own Alpine Lakes, to keep the Stillwater love alive.
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Floating line steelheaders…its time to get the summer game in shape. Both of these rivers are producing chrome bright steelhead with some abundance. Anglers who have braved the higher flows have been rewarded.
Both rivers are currently on the drop. Flows are still higher than they have been at this time in past years, but we’re entering a point where you can choose between swinging deep on a tip or opting to raise a fish on the floater. Best solution, rig two rods and do what the water tells you to. Once these rivers reach typical summer flow, go ahead and leave the tips at home.
There’s still a chance you could hook some incidental Kings in this water as well…tie ‘em on tight.
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SW Washington Rivers are fishing well. The Steelhead runs have been good in Columbia tributaries and things should continue as flows begin to trim to summer levels. Despite high water, consistent levels have kept angling at a high level.
The Cowlitz, Kalama and Lewis are Steelhead factories and the promise of chrome summer fish should be enough to get you out this way if you’re looking for a fix. Spring Chinook are still available in these drainages as well.
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