fishing – Page 3

November 19, 2023November 18, 2023

Foggy Start to a Perfect Fall Day

Our morning starts under a cover of low clouds

We continue to enjoy a perfect fall. The few days of rain are offset by clear skies. Morning temperatures start around freezing, but by afternoon we’re flannel shirt comfortable.

One never knows when the winter snows will slow travel, so we are living in the now.

Mornings, recently, have started with a shroud of fog. Pine trees are glazed in frost, but our morning drive is not hampered by black ice.

This week we were back on the Crooked River. There are a lot less people on the river as the weather gets colder. Our favorite picnic site is usually empty . . . the whole camp ground . . . the entire day!

Last year the Crooked was drawn down to dangerous levels and while it has taken nearly the entire season, good stream conditions have returned, as have the fish.

From here Tip can keep an eye on everyone

This time of year conditions are perfect for the Euro-nymph rig. With each progressive season, I get better at choosing the right patterns, as well as presentation. I had a very productive morning.

Afternoon sun on the river … perfect day

By noon the gray sky had shifted to blue and the sun offered a bit of warmth. Not camp chairs on the bank warm, but not mittens and down vest cold. A dram of spirits in a fresh cup of coffee pushed the rest of the chill from our bones.

Jacqueline prowled the riparian for photo ops, I broke down the rod, and we headed to Prineville to share a Tastee Treat Cheeseburger for dinner.

Perfect fall day!

November 5, 2023November 5, 2023

Fall on the Deschutes

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

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.

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

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.

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

October 15, 2023October 13, 2023

A Fall Day

We never seem to get used to how quickly fall overtakes summer. In what seems like a couple of days, the hillside shifts from shades of green to ochre.

Morning walks now require a warm coat and hat. However, by noon we are back in shirt sleeves. Fall is without a doubt our favorite season.

I’ve renewed the pursuit of Steelhead in the Deschutes River. To that end, this week we made our third, but not final, trip to Maupin.

Seasonal runs of these ocean dwelling rainbow trout aren’t always open to anglers, so one needs to take advantage when opportunity knocks.

The Deschutes Canyon still holds summer green along river’s edge. Higher up the slope underbrush has started to take on the reddish hues of fall.

The real sign of seasonal change is the presence of mule deer moving through the canyon on their winter migration . . . their gray fur a perfect camouflage on the hillside.

We watched as a pair of does with two yearlings work their way along the slope. Cartoon-sized ears keeping track of our presence as they search out another river access point.

Numerous casts to deep pools came up empty, but then Steelhead are often described as the pursuit of a thousand casts.

Clouds moved in around mid-day and the rains came as we headed back upstream and out of the canyon.

We’ll return in a few weeks to increase that cast count and hopefully meet with success. Regardless, time on the Lower Deschutes is well spent.

September 10, 2023October 11, 2023

Stone Fruit & Steelhead

Rest stop outside Warm Springs, under an ancient pear tree

Finally . . . a break from wildfire smoke. With that, we headed outside.

The Fruit Loop is a semi-regular daytrip for us and this seemed like a good time to check it out. With a not too early start, we head to orchard country above Hood River, the city.

The intent . . . pick up tree ripened stone fruit.

Apple harvest is getting close. As we drive through the orchards we pass rows of trees ladened with fruit. It is worth the trip just for this image.

The bonus, however, is fruit stand shelves with half a dozen peach varieties and easily twice that in plums.

Choices were made.

Heading out from Parkdale the road cuts at right angles back through the orchards to Highway 35. We merge onto I-84 and a short jaunt up the Columbia Gorge.

At the far edge of The Dalles we catch US197 and climb hills though cherry orchards and freshly combined wheat fields. Well past Dufer, we drop into the Tygh Valley, turn onto OR 216 and end in the Upper Deschutes Canyon at Sherars Falls.

We’re here to check on the the steelhead run. This fisherman saw no Steelhead, hooked no fish, but did enjoy the walk along the river.

Temperatures were pleasantly below August heat. Rafters had all but vanished from the river, along with most campers.

We set out chairs on river’s edge in the shade of our favorite Ash tree. Tip got some final swims and a cold beverage, or two, was consumed.

Blackbilled Magpie soars over the Deschutes

In all . . . a very pleasant way to spend a day

August 20, 2023October 11, 2023

A Return to the River

Wildfires continue to foul Central Oregon’s air . . . and It continues to disrupt scheduled outings.

Last week the world got a lesson in the destructive power of wildland fire. It certainly adds prospective to any inconvenience we might suffer at a shift in air flow.

Taking advantage of how the wind blew, we spent a day on the Crooked River. Luck favored us and there was no one in the campground or on the water.

The river treated us to an excellent parade of flora and fauna.

Temperatures in the week ahead are supposed to push up near the hundred degree mark. However, for this trip there was ample sun without a searing heat.