Crooked River

May 3, 2026May 2, 2026

Tail Waters

We spend a lot of time on rivers. Usually Spring brings a rise in water levels. There is always a period ahead of this surge as temperatures warm and fishing is good.

Then one settles in to wait for run off to end and river flows to return to a fishable level.

Seemed to be casting knots rather than flies.

The Crooked River is a tail-water, meaning it flows out of a dam, which also means that the levels are more regulated. This bit of control has a positive effect on late spring run-off.

This year’s minimal snowpack means there will be a marginal rise to levels. It will become a problem in September when the reservoir dries up, but for now it makes for good fishing.

Caddis flies are food for Buntings as well

This week’s trip to the river was not particularly productive on the fishing side.

There is a Caddis fly hatch timed for the first part of May . . . Mother’s Day Caddis . . . which is just getting started. So maybe next week.

Lark Bunting, known for their flight displays and song

There was a marked increase in bird activity. Of course the Canada Geese and a variety of ducks bobbed in the water and settled on the banks.

We also got to watch a Kingfisher fishing. We added a new species to the list. Though not unusual for the area . . . a Lazuli Bunting was spotted and regaled us with song.

Sighted, also, was the Methuselah of butterflies, a Mourning Cloak in fringed black, was sunning in the willows.

This species overwinters, living for up to ten months which is a couple of lifetimes for a regular butterfly.

Warmer mornings are on tap for the future and the forecast is partly cloudy at worst.

The heat of summer will be on us all too soon, but for now we continue to take advantage of these beautiful spring days.

April 12, 2026April 18, 2026

April Sunshine

It was my birthday this week . . . thus we did birthday stuff all week. And by that I mean, we hit the river every other day. The weather was very cooperative.

American Kestrel also called American Sparrowhawk

Days still start cold, but the sun quickly warms the day.

We spent our time this week sitting on the Crooked River and it required no more than a thin sweater.

Turkey Vulture

American Kestrel

Spring will advance to summer quickly on the high desert. However, we’ve got a few weeks where fresh green runs high up the canyon’s walls.

The wildflowers are just starting to show some color. Waterfowl have started to pair off, swim and fly in larger numbers.

These are quiet days on the Crooked. Camping season hasn’t started and school hasn’t ended. We’re taking full advantage.

Spring will also mean a trip to Summer Lake and judging by the increase in bird activity, timing is right.

There isn’t the usual snow pack, so we’ll access the Cascades earlier this year.

Expeditions are filling out the calendar, but for now we’ll enjoy a slice of birthday cake and watch the ducks paddle around in the river.

March 22, 2026April 18, 2026

It Sure Feels like Spring

OK . . . going to call it. Winter is over.

The aspen tree has buds. We’ve had a week of 60 degree days, and a robin showed up at the feeder. All signs that spring has sprung.

We’re not so naive to think a winter storm isn’t possible, but at this point it appears unlikely.

The week has been busy with errands, but we made time for a trip to the river. It’s very spring-like in the Crooked River Canyon these days.

The river is fishing very well, so that brings a lot of people. Also, there has been an increase in wildlife among the willows and junipers.

Those rowdy Magpies are back, though not yet at last year’s force, but then its still early.

While the Magpies were making a racket in the juniper trees, on the far bank a pair of Kingfishers were scouting for a meal.

When you look at Kingfishers it’s easy to see why people believe birds evolved from dinosaurs.

Warmer weather brings better fishing. The water doesn’t seem to be much warmer, but it only takes a few degrees to stir life into the aquatic insects.

We managed to hook up quite a few more fish than our typical winter outing . . . although we didn’t have any dry fly action.

The week ahead is forecast with warmer days, so we’re increasing planned excursions.

This week there was a 20 acre fire (debris burn got out of hand) about a mile from our house. As we monitored evacuation notices, we couldn’t help wonder how bad this year’s fire season might actually be.

That said, we are focused on getting in as much outdoor time as possible before air quality gets bad and closures begin.

November 23, 2025November 21, 2025

It’s Gotten Cold

Winter seems to be upon us. This week was wet . . . and bone chilling cold.

Each year we seem to need more time to adjust to the season of snow. Usually the transition from fall to winter is enough, but for some reason this season seems particularly short.

Perhaps the days are moving faster?

Either way . . . here we are . . . well into November and still thinking it’s October.

The weatherman suggested that Wednesday would present some sun and perhaps be a bit warmer. So we headed up to the river.

The sun did not break through the overcast sky and it never got warmer than 37º. Thus we only spent a couple of hours on the river.

That said, our time was marked by the presence of a Bald Eagle perched in the Osprey’s snag. So fierce!

We pulled out the Drone for a water survey. The Crooked River is at it’s winter time low level.

Finally, when the chill became too much, we sipped on mugs of hot tea, enjoyed some roasted chicken, and shared a slice of delicious cranberry cake. So, all was not lost.

By December we should have acclimated to winter and be better prepared for frigid days on the high desert.

We know there will be breaks from these arctic fronts, where sun-filled days outnumber the dull gray ones. It’s just this week was particularly dull.

November 2, 2025October 30, 2025

Another Nice Fall Day

The fall storms this week moved in and on rather quickly.

That is typical of high desert weather. If you wake to dark clouds on the west of the Cascades, there is a good chance it will rain for a couple of days.

On the eastern side of the mountains, a storm front can sweep through in a matter of hours, leaving the remainder of the day clear. We generally try to take advantage of that pattern.

Late fall storms interrupted our week, but there were breaks that offered perfect days to sit by a river.

The day starts with rigging a fly rod or two.

Fall means I shift my fishing rig set up.

I’ve not tied on a dry fly in the last two weeks.

Tiny nymph patterns, doubled up on sinking strands of mono get fished near the bottom. This is the method employed until the end of Feburary.

The bird population has thinned as well. Migration patterns mean majority of birds have . . . well . . . moved on.

There are some resident ducks and the osprey did a brief fly-by. However, we’re not pestered by the Magpie gang and the amount of bird song is definitely diminished.

The day was sunny and warm, for late October.

One other thing, there are fewer people, which is much appreciated.

The river is at winter levels, exposing a lot of rocks

We can set up our chairs and enjoy the river sounds without distractions. Which is pretty much what we’ll keep doing until the snows come . . . and even after that.