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