Fishing – Page 3

February 6, 2022February 6, 2022

Winter Fishing

Winter light plays through the trees and across the Lower Deschutes River

One of the perks to living in Central Oregon is that fishing is always ‘in season’. Anytime the sun shines we can find a stream to fish and that’s just what we did this week.

A part of these expeditions is a fly shop visit. There are purchases made, but more often it’s to ask for a good fly choice. The Deschutes Angler in Maupin is a regular stop. For starters the selection of tying materials dwarfs anything available in the Bend area. In the end, their understanding of Lower Deschutes fishing saves hours of trial and error … mostly error.

Winter fishing starts with a change to the vest fly box. Warm weather was tufts of floaty feathers and fur. As cold days settle in these lures get set aside for spiked, leggy imitations of aquatic invertebrates. We fish mostly weighted hooks and minimal dressings designed to get down in the water column at the active feeding level.

This week we made the drive to Maupin and the Lower Deschutes. We enjoyed a mild sunny day along the river. The canyon was still in winter colors with only a smattering of green along the river’s edge. Fishing this river is always a challenge. Warmed by the afternoon sun, and with no harsh winter wind, standing knee deep and casting a line was enough.

December 12, 2021December 11, 2021

Holiday Prep

This week we finally embraced the Christmas season. A couple of things keep full holiday regalia at bay in our house , . . the first is cats, the second is a lack of Santa believers. Yup, I finally gave up on the jolly old elf.

Seriously though, we did manage to find cedar garland, a wreath and a small tree that weren’t moments away from shedding their needles. Got the exterior decorated just before the snowfall started. And strung some tiny lights on the tree. Fire up the holiday play list, cue the snow, and let the season begin.

Jack and Tip exploring Big Bend on the Crooked River

The first part of the week was a trip to the Crooked River. Seemed like we were the only ones there. Perfect time to wet a line at an area that is usually filled with RV’s, trucks and fishermen. The river levels remain low, even for winter flows, but the fishing was good. There is a reason this spot draws a crowd.

Didn’t see any raptors, but spotted loads of magpies and robins.

Winter migration is in full swing and flocks of birds filled the trees. Tip had a great time roaming the bank and keeping us company. The sun even poked out a couple of times to take the chill off. However, it is definitely winter fishing season.

We don’t go full on holiday decoration anymore. A fullsized Christmas tree is out of the question as our cats do enough damage around here already. Not really the best idea to set up a climbing post covered in shiny, breakable orbs.

We settled for a live pine tree, potted and perfect for the counter. Outside we strung some garland over the front window, hung a wreath and trimmed them with a string of lights. It may not measure up to some lightshows in the neighborhood . . . but it is festive enough for us.

September 6, 2020September 28, 2020

A Pine Tree Maze

A favorite day trip spot is the Upper Deschutes river. This point is too far upstream for sea run or any of the huge fish the Deschutes River is famous for. However, the stream IS full of 8 to 10 inch Rainbow and Brook Trout.

There are about eight miles of stream from Lava Lake, the headwaters to Crane Prairie Reservoir. Along that stretch of highway are pullouts and parking spots, as well as a day use area on the northern end. We usually find a great picnic spot along the bank and not see another person all day. It is also a favorite river for Tip to fetch sticks and floatie toys.

Unlike the lower river, this stretch of water meanders through flat pine forest and grassy marsh land. There are lots of open meadows, but there is also a hatchwork of deadfall. The paths that lie either bank are an obstacle course of weathered logs. In places the downfall resembles jacksticks. This makes it a bit more difficult for old legs to navigate, but only to the point of slowing us down a bit … Tip finds the steeple chase an extra bit of fun.

July 19, 2020October 31, 2020

A Day on the D

This week we returned to a favorite fishing site, the Upper Deschutes River.

Proximity to our house makes for a perfect day or even half day jaunt.

Numerous pull-offs and side roads offer access to grassy banks, perfectly suited for a camp chair.

The Deschutes River is divided into three zones, Upper, Middle and Lower. There is a striking difference between these separate stretches of river. It’s entire length is bank fishable, with lots of access points for picnicking as well as camping.

This day we tried a new spot just downstream from the head waters and Little Lava Lake. From here the river flows south into the Crane Prairie Reservoir, eventually turning north out of Wickiup Reservoir and onto the Columbia River. This close to the head waters means the stream is more wadeable but holds smaller fish.

Nothing better than a dust bath after a swim in the river …

The stream is never more than knee deep so we can wade and fish either bank. It is also perfect for a game of fetch with Tip.

The biggest fault with this weeks jaunt was a lack of fish caught, but that was made up in time spent pulling a stick from the river.

March 22, 2020March 25, 2020

Scouting a cold blue ribbon

The Deschutes River north of Maupin was, for years, a go to fishing spot. There are BLM camp sites along the river from the bridge on Highway 197 to Mack’s Canyon.

When we moved to Central Oregon it was with a thought that we’d spend time on the lower Deschutes.

However, we’ve since discovered the Crooked, Fall and Upper Deschutes and haven’t been to Maupin in over a year.

This year, as we were planning camping excursions. I noticed there is an extension of the BLM land South of Maupin.

In all those years we never even looked that way!

This week we decided to take a day trip back to the old fishing spots and checkout this new area.

The scouting trip was interesting.

That stretch of the river flows through a much tighter canyon and while there are some nice stetches of water, for the most part steep banks and narrow roads make this a much less inviting area.