Fishing Report - Lower Deschutes

I spent the day guiding two wonderful people from the great state of Minnesota. The fishing was challenging, and the weather added insult to injury... it rained hard off and on for 1/2 of the day. We did manage to bring in a few modest fish, and one fantastic Redside.

Fishing Report - Lower Deschutes - Sherar's Falls

Sherar's Falls mark the 1/2 way point for steelhead journeying up the Deschutes River. Steelhead (and Salmon) swim up a fish latter and into a trap. Once in the trap, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, study, count, and tag each fish. They use this station as a gage to estimate the amount of steelhead returning to the Deschutes. This year, they have been trapping huge numbers, weeks earlier than normal. It's going to be a great steelhead season.

Columbia River dam counts

Steelhead are storming over the dams in the Columbia river. Our steelhead season should be epic!

Tarpon Trip 2009

For the 3rd year in row I returned to the quiet fishing village of San Felipe, on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. Greeted by my friend Marco, owner of Yucatan Fly Fishing, at the Cancun airport, Kurt Brickner and I traveled to Hotel San Felipe: A.K.A - Tarpon Caye Lodge. You should already know that this location offers some of the best fishing in the world... why else would I have returned? Well it could also be the hospitality or the quality of the guides. And, don't forget the food. We ate fresh caught fish, shrimp, and lobster, all prepared in traditional Yucatan style.

Back to the fishing. How does jumping 48 tarpon sound? How does two doubles in the boat, and 5 doubles on sound? How does having 15 miles of the best tarpon flats and mangroves in the world all to yourself sound? That's right... Awesome! See for yourself.

Buckhorn won't stop

Returned from another great outing at Buckhorn Lake. To refresh your memory, the lake is loaded with large mouth bass and is rumored to have rainbow trout in the 10 pound class. We've not caught any yet, though, I'm not sure they would be inclined to eat a popper.

Enjoy some great photos from our last outing:

Buckhorn continued...

Buckhorn lake continues to kick out the bass. I have to admit, I'm amazed that they keep eating poppers. Last night we hooked 41, landed 21... all on surface patterns, poppers, sliders, and divers.

Buckhorn Lake fly fishing for Bass

The firsts guests to fish Buckhorn Lake in 5 years did so last night. The fishing was as great as heralded. Total bass hooked was in the 50+ range, with over 30 brought to the boat. The best flies where poppers... the fishing was so hot, we caught bass trolling the poppers!! Check out the photos...

Buckhorn Lake is 15 acre lake located 35 minutes from downtown Bend Oregon. The lake is loaded with large mouth bass and a rainbow trout. Bass fishing is best during the warm summer months when the water temperature heat up. The trout fishing happens in the spring and fall.

Solitude and tons of action on the surface make this lake a super fun option for all fly fishers.

Fishing Report - Lower Deschutes

We fished the Lower Deschutes every day this past week... here is the skinny on the stone fly hatch:

The fishing from Trout Creek to Maupin was outstanding! The crowd yesterday from Warmsprings to Trout Creek was HUGE, and definitely affected the fish. We had many refusals and I even watched trout refusing naturals. The best patterns yesterday where small golden stones, size 10-12.

The hatch is winding down toward Maupin, though we did see a few Golden stones still flying around, and the the fish where receptive in few spots. Between Trout Creek and North Junction the fish are still eager to eat the big bugs. We had very heavy rain last week and the river was a bit off color, but the fish didn't seem to mind. We had some of our best fishing when the river was a little off color. We did well on bigger patterns that had better silhouettes. During the rain storm we stubbled into one of the best Green Drake hatches I've seen. From 3 pm until almost 5 pm the Drakes where popping. My favorite pattern is the Green Drake Flash Cripple in size 10.

Prediction for the coming week: The caddis hatch is ramping up near Maupin, expect fish to start looking to these smaller sources of food. There are still hoards of stone flies on the bushes from Warmsprings to White Horse. The resent rain will prolong the hatch in this area. Expect to catch fish on the big bushy dry flies for another 10 days or so, especially in the upper stretches.

Bass-o-tastic!

Bass fishing is a great alternative to other freshwater species. It has gained popularity in reason years among long rodders... so much so a few brands have designed rods just for bassin'. Resently, Matt and I visited a private lake near the future lodge, to "test" the water. The fishing was out of this world!!! nearly a bass every cast. I'll keep you posted as the fishing options develop.

Reports

Sorry for the tardiness of these reports... be sure to stayed tuned to our remote feeds on Twitter and Facebook updates.

Fishing is improving on the Lower Deschutes River. The stone fly hatch is in full swing from Warmsprings to Maupin. The best fishing is still closer to Maupin and should remain so for the rest of this week, into next week. There are tons of stones in the grass from Warmsprings to Whitehorse, which means they are still mating. Once they finish it should be on. Some fish have already keyed into them, but the best fishing is still to come.

Here are some photos from our resent adventures:

Here they come...

The famous stone fly hatch A.K.A. the Salmon fly hatch is happening right now the Deschutes River. It case you haven't heard... it is one of the most famous hatches on any western river. Truly it is an experience everyone should have at some point in their fishing careers.

Deschutes River Report

Wednesday evening we returned to Bend after our first trip on the Lower Deschutes for the season. It was great to get back down there. We lucked out, no one else was on the river, we had the entire 32 miles to ourselves. The fishing was very good in a few spots and o.k. in others. The stone fly nymphs are moving around big time. We even saw a few crawling out of the river and molting. It won't be long before the river is teaming with the big bugs. Wednesday's rain brought on a thick mayfly hatch. BWO's, Mahoganies, and a few PMD's where hatching and the trout where chewing on them.

It was a great trip. Check out the photos.

Fishing Reports from the Road

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Deschutes River Fishing Report

FISHING REPORT: LOWER DESCHUTES RIVER

APRIL 3, 2009

Although the times I've been fishing lately hasn't led me to the big D, I just got a great report from a few fellas who floated from Warmsprings to Harpham Flats last weekend (yes they knew fishing is closed along the Reservation, that's why they didn't fish until they floated past the deadline). The wind was wicked, but they hit the skwala hatch perfectly. They said they saw many of the dark bodied, green stone flies on the banks, and did well fishing yellow and olive stimulators.

This hatch is spurratic and not as prevailing as the salmon fly and golden stone fly hatch coming this spring. But, when you hit it, it's great. Skwalas represent the first big fly, surface fishing of the season.

FACT: the male skwala has underdeveloped wings and can not fly. They are small and fast runners. The females are bigger and can fly. When fishing a Skwala, be sure to make it "skitter" on the surface. Rubber legs help give the illusion of movement.

ciao.

Deschutes River Steelhead Fishing

Fly fishing on the North Umpqua

Last week I went fishing on the North Umpqua with fly fishing Guide Dean Finnerty. I had a great time getting to know Dean and laughing with my friend Kurt Brickner. Below is what Dean wrote about the first day we went fishing.


We've had rain, wind, snow, sunshine... you name it, we've had it!






Yesterday we hooked one... and lost one. Today, Deschutes river guide Damien Nurre found a willing fish in our fisrt run. Sorry... no pic of the fish, just one of Damien having a great time on the North with his buddy Curt Brickner. We initally thought this fish Damien is fighting was a TOAD! It turned out it was about an 8 pound buck that wraped him around a mid-stream rock. When the fish finally came around the rock, it had seriously frayed Damien's ten-pound tippet. As you may have guessed by now, yours truely, unaware of the weakened tippet broke him off while landing the fish and before we could get any decent pic's! SORRY! I'm working with Damien and Curt again tommorow. I'll let you know how we do!

Tarpon fishing

Last spring I traveled to the Yucatan in search of the "Silver Prince"... baby tarpon. The Yucatan has become known for large populations of baby tarpon. Ascension Bay, on the west coast of the Yucatan, is well known as a tarpon fishery, as well as other flats species. But it is also home to many lodges, pangas, tourists, and pressured fish. So to avoid the crowds I went east.
My friend Marco Ruz invited me to experience fishing with him and his guides on the Mayan Yucatan. The stop was Tarpon Cay Lodge. The flats and mangroves guarding the lodge would prove to be as great as Marco claimed. One phrase describes it best... "Tarpon Catching".

I enjoyed the fishing and experience Marco provides so much that I'm going back in 2009. I have selected dates after their winter weather cycle and during the best tides for catching tarpon. Since baby tarpon live deep in the mangroves and feed on the flats, it is important to be on the water during the low tide. Tarpon will be forced from the safety of the mangroves, where we will be waiting, ready to intercept.

A total of 5 anglers will travel with Marco and myself from Cancun, to Tarpon Cay Lodge for six days of fishing for baby tarpon and migratory fish up to 100 pounds. I would like you to be one of them. This is the best baby tarpon experience on the flats. Jose Wejebe (The Spanish Fly) totes Tarpon Cay as the largest population of baby tarpon he has ever seen.

Dates: July 12th - 19th, 2009
General Itinerary:
July 12: Arrival day (Cancun)
July 13-18: Fishing days at Tarpon Cay Lodge
July 19: Departure day (Cancun)

Rate: $3,295/angler (double occupancy room / boat-guide)

Includes: Transportation, meals, snacks, non-alcoholic drinks, lodging, and guides.
Not included: Airfare, tackle, flies, leaders, alcohol, and gratuities.

Airfare from Portland to Cancun ranges in price from $350 to $500.


There are 2 spots left. If you would like more information about this trip, please email me at Damien@deschutesflyfish.com

Let's go catch some Tarpon!

Damien

Multi-day float trip

Guided Trips - Multi Day Trips
Fly Fishing Trips on the Deschutes River Oregon: A Multi-Day fly fishing trip on the Deschutes River is the best way to fully experience the beauty and the superb fly fishing the river has to offer. The trip begins at Trout Creek, where you and our staff will put on for this 32 mile float.

A 2-5 day fly fishing trip, most commonly done in 3 days, is as relaxing as it is exciting. Your only job is to do some fly fishing, eat, sleep, and enjoy yourself! Our staff of highly trained fly fishing guides, will make your time on the Deschutes River one to remember for years to come.

Our "Bagger" will go ahead of you and your guide down the Deschutes River, and have the camp set up and hour d'vours waiting for you when you arrive at our mobile Mecca.

Once at camp, you can choose to do some fly fishing in the prime water around the camp, relax in the beauty of the outdoors, or take a warm shower. A gourmet dinner is served every night while on your multi-day fly fishing trip, by our camp chef. After dinner there is time for drinks, discussing the days catches and enjoying the starry night...that's if you have not retired to the comfortable cot in your tent.

As the sun rises, so will you to find hot coffee brewing, and a warm breakfast on the griddle. Then it's off to the river with your guide for another great day of fly fishing on the Deschutes River.

Many of our clients come back year after year for this multi-day fly fishing trip. It is the favorite fly fishing adventure of many of our large groups. We can accommodate up to 11 guests per trip. All of our camping equipment is state of the art, top of the line. We provide water tight bags to keep your personal items dry, cots so you sleep better than at home, and roomy tents, large enough to have a party in, and all the amenities available for "roughing" it.

This multi-day fly fishing trip is best enjoyed during the stone fly hatch from mid May through June, andthe caddis/pmd hatches from July to September. From August to December we chase summer steelhead.

Our multi-day fly fishing trips are the BEST way to experience fly fishing on the Deschutes River, in Oregon.

Most of our clients choose to spent multi-day fly fishing trips on the Lower Deschutes River.



MULTI-DAY FLOAT RATES

$400 / PERSON / DAY for 2 angler

$375 / PERSON / DAY for 3 or more anglers

PRICE INCLUDES: camping gear: cots, tents, kitchen, rain/sun shelters, tablesand chairs, hot showers, all meals prepared by our 4star chef, non-alcoholic beverages, rental fly fishing equipment, and of course our expert guide staff.

NOT INCLUDED: flies, leaders, Deschutes River boater’s Passes, Tribal permits, fishing licenses, alcoholic beverages, and guide gratuities.

POLICIES
Early season reservations will allow you to secure the dates desired. A 50% deposit is required to secure dates, refundable if cancellation is received no less than thirty (30) days prior to trip date. Trips proceed regardless of weather conditions. We reserve to right to cancel in the event of unsafe conditions or other circumstances beyond our control. If we cancel your trip, your deposit will be refunded or applied to a future date that is mutually acceptable.

This is why we hunt for tarpon...