Crooked River – Page 2

June 28, 2026June 27, 2026

River Side

There was a nice big Rainbow just behind that rock

We’ve settled into summer. The mornings are cool and the afternoons are hot, so we travel in the morning hours and are comfortably ensconced in AC by late afternoon.

This will be the rhythm of our days for the next few months.

Back on the Crooked River we’re looking for a Caddisfly hatch.

We have had lots of success on the river in the last few weeks. The dry fly fishing season is in full swing and the Crooked is at peak performance.

We were treated to a Great Blue Heron sunning on a rock. Usually they are kind of skittish and you don’t get much chance to grab a pix. This was not the case this day. He was quite satisfied to just lounge by the stream.

After a long rest the Great Blue Heron heads downstream

We then watched him as he fly-hopped along the edge of the water in search of his next meal. It was a real treat!

The Osprey flew by a few times, hunting the length of the canyon it seemed.

He did rest a few minutes on the other side of the river, passed with a fish in his talons and generally harassed the fish population on our stretch of the river. So I guess we were in similar pursuits.

June 14, 2026June 12, 2026

Summertime

The morning’s watering left droplets on the lavender

We wrapped up the last of the spring projects . . . planting, weeding, and general yard work.

Our yard work philosophy focuses on using drought resistant plants and drip irrigation. This conserves water, as well as our work load, while keeping the habitat around our house very bird friendly.

June days seem to start out cooler and never reach blistering hot. That will change in July.

For now, trips to the river don’t require regular shifts to stay in the shade.

Attempting to drop a dry fly above rising fish

The last couple of fishing excursions have included late morning caddis fly hatches.

The conditions have been perfect for dry fly fishing. Once the swallows start diving we know the hatch is on.

Paired with the temperate early summer weather, these trips to the river have been great.

Bird activity has shifted. Fledglings are out and about and there is frequent movement along the river’s edge.

We sighted a young osprey perched in the snag dominating the opposite bank. He appeared to have taken a recent dive into the river, and was busy air-drying his feathers.

JQ identified another new (to us) bird. It was a a medium-sized flycatcher called Say’s Phoebe. It has a distinctive pale orange breast and feeds mostly on insects.

Say’s Phoebe named after Thomas Say, an American naturalist

Forecasts are for more of the same this coming week . . . cool mornings and warm afternoons. Heaven!

Colorful spikes of lupine have started to appear in the high desert

We plan to spend a few days at the coast celebrating Jack’s little sister’s birthday . . . then visit old haunts before the heat of the season sets in.

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.