Category: Nature

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Tight-line Dead Drift

For a few years now we’ve been dabbling with the ‘Euro-nymphing’ flyfishing technique. About this time last year we got some formal instruction from Mary Ann Dozer. Then this week we finally broke down and purchased a dedicated euro-nymph rod.

I found an Orvis ten foot three weight that cost less than two hundred dollars. It arrived this week, so we took it out for a test cast on the Crooked River.

Euro, or tight line nymphing uses a two fly rig with weighted wet flies or split shot. As the name implies this is fished with the line kept taut through the arch of the drift.

The day was warm, for mid-February, and sunny. We hooked up to several fish and caught a couple of decent ones. There is an old adage which says, “a bad day fishing is better than a good day at work.”

Well … this was a GREAT day on the river.

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Late Winter Road Trip

There is a regional flyfishing show in Seattle every year that we’ve been interested in checking out.

Last year we had a huge snowfall around the time of the show. But this year we’ve enjoyed a few weeks of mild weather and clear roads, making a trip north and west a possibility.

Any time we’re on Pacific Northwest roads during winter, we travel with basic emergency supplies. Cold weather coats, hats, gloves and boots and a cooler full of rations.

Columbia River, Washington Hwy 14
Snowqualmie Pass

Our route plan was to use US 97 north to Washington state, hit interstate 90 and use Snoqualmie Pass to get over the Cascades

There are still a few feet of snow in the passes but the lower level roads appeared clear.

We kept watch for changing weather conditions, even tracked avalanche warnings, knowing Snoqualmie Pass is at risk. When stopping for coffees and to stretch our legs, we spoke to a couple of area locals about road conditions. Apparently there was a road closure at MP 67, but they figured it would be open by the time we arrived (which it was).

South Central Washington has fruit orchards and over 240 wineries.

We’d never been through these parts of the state so it was nice to explore some new country. Apple and wine country to be exact, plus it’s really a beautiful drive.

Seattle, Washington

Getting to Seattle and the show was not a problem, took our time and made it through the crazy Seattle maze of freeways.

The show was … well, glad we went, but we’re not going again … okay.

Didn’t explore Seattle, instead we headed out the next day to knock around Central Washington.

Our plans got shuffled when there was an avalanche delay on Snoqualmie and we had to shift routes south, then east to White Pass and into Yakima.

We encountered a bit more snow on this southern route and any view was hindered by a snowstorm. We did however get a sense for the potential of White Pass and the Mt. Rainer area and plan on a revisit.

Spent a night in the heart of Central Washington wine country and the charming little town of Zillah. It’s just east of Yakima and on the northern edge of the Yakima Nation’s reservation. This area is on the eastern edge of the Cascades and the start of some really beautiful canyon land we are itching to check out.

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Frozen bubbles

I’m not sure where I first picked up the idea of freezing soap bubbles.

That said … I do remember once seeing videos of the process I thought, “I want to do that!”

So we gathered supplies, namely a straw and bubble solution, then watched weather forecasts for the ideal temperature ( -12º to -30ºF – you can have some success as high as 9-12º).

Finally it got cold enough … 7ºF. Time to pull out our bubble solution. We placed it outdoors to cool down for 30 minutes. Then headed outside to give it a go.

At first we used a straw to blow the bubble and allowed them to drop onto the front step – FAIL

Next we attempted to use the straw to place a bubble on the step – FAIL

Then we allowed the bubble to start freezing on the straw, then carefully placed it on the concrete surface – SUCCESS!

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Scouting the Fall River

Crooked River, near Post Pile Campground

A perk of living in Central Oregon is that you are moments away from some of the state’s (and nation’s) best fishing and some of these blue ribbon waters are open year around.

If you have spent any time at all on this blog you are aware that we are on the Crooked River … a lot. Even in the winter it is a great spot to spend the day. However, there are two other streams open in the winter; The Deschutes and the Fall offer good fishing as well.

The Fall River, near La Pine, Oregon

The Fall River is spring fed, it literally bubbles out of the ground a few miles from our house. This means it is amazingly clear. We’ve not spent a lot of time fishing this water, though we have walked the banks numerous times.

This last week we headed over to the Fall and spent a few hours on this gorgeous stream. Crystal clear water criss crossed with deadfall and what should be excellent fish holding pools.

It is a difficult stream to fish successfully, as the clear water makes spooking fish a distinct possibility.  The water is stocked but even these hatchery fish are finicky eaters. We are thinking all the Euro-nymphing practice will come in handy.  Now we just need to find a couple of good spots to wet a line.

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Snow Boots

Right after the holidays Central Oregon got a huge boost to the snow pack.  In the few years since moving here we’ve grown accustomed to these “foot in a day” dumps of snow. The scene outside our front door can change dramatically in a matter of hours.

Luckily the neighborhood gets a regular snow plowing and our Subaru has it’s winter boots on. We’re basically ready for winter’s inevitable challenges.

As pointed out numerous times in our blog, morning walks with Tip is how we start the day. The addition of a layer of snow means you need to add traction devices to boots and boots to paws.

The latter can be a bit of a challenge. Tip doesn’t mind wearing boots, however they do add to prep time. Then there is the occasional occurrence with boots coming off in deep snow.

Often the walk will start with boots on and end with them in pockets … we’ll get the hang of this eventually. For now we don’t let it interfere with the morning’s activities.