Fall on the Deschutes

Where to now?

Days are growing shorter and mornings colder. Leaves have shifted from green to gold and paint the ground amber around our picnic spot.

Just a hint of green left in the trees
Rigging a rod

Fall in Central Oregon is a very short season . . . a brief few weeks between ‘Indian summer’ and first snow.

I’m still looking for Steelhead, so we’re making the trek to the Lower Deschutes.

This week we scouted different access spots, a task acknowledging Tip’s desire to wade, as well as the need to access good holding water.

Just upstream from where the White River empties turbid waters into the Deschutes was a nice stretch. Still no luck catching Steelhead.

Panorama of the river

However, the sun tempered a morning chill and we found a nice spot to brew a cup of coffee and enjoy our lunch.

Azure sky through branches

Winter looms and we wake to a dusting of snow on the ground more than once.

The week ahead promises wet but mild weather. We’ll pack rain gear, break out the beanies and generally prepare for colder days.

Fall color

However, this day was a perfect Fall day on the Lower Deschutes and we took advantage of that.