Crooked River – 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!

September 24, 2023September 24, 2023

Summer’s End

By week’s end clouds moved into Central Oregon, daytime temperatures stayed in the seventies, and there was a chill to the morning’s air. Summer has come to an end.

There are still wildfires raging to the north and plumes of smoke continue to move over us. However, spurts of rain and cooler weather will aid in their demise.

Amid shifting forecasts we’ve managed to find spaces with smoke-free air and blue skies. This week one of those excursions was to the Crooked River Canyon.

Regardless of location, fishing gets better as summer turns to fall. There are fewer people along the river and it is no struggle to locate shade and stave off the scorching summer sun.

What’s not to like about the Fall?

As mentioned here before, the winter migration has started bringing with it more birds to the canyon.

River’s edge may still hold the last of summer’s green and buzz with insect life but just a few paces up the bank a season’s heat has taken its toll.

It won’t be long now for frosts to push the green out of the willow’s leaves and spread warm tones of brown down to river’s edge.

We start the day with puffy vests and hoodies braced against the brisk morning air.

Waders have again become required kit for fishing. But there’s still enough energy in the mid-day sun to warm you out of those top layers.

It’s inevitable that September will shift into October and our lunches will be accompanied by hot cocoa and a splash of whiskey. All too soon this pleasant Fall weather will get pushed out by winter’s chill.

Until snow blankets the roads, we’re getting in as much outdoor time as possible. We favor this time of year.

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.

There are still patches of green grass and shade to rest in.

A predicable afternoon breeze and shade from the Juniper branch canopy took over about the time the sun caught our side of the canyon.

Enjoyed a picnic, shot a lot of images and caught some fish. In all . . . a very nice day.

August 6, 2023October 11, 2023

Crooked River Day Trip

This week we headed up to the Crooked. Looked like a good place to avoid the Bedrock fire smoke plume, which has haunted us for weeks.

Typically, BLM sites are in use by summer campers. So, we’ll pull into a day use spot.

This day we got lucky and found a favorite spot empty. In fact, the whole campground was empty.

Summer is peak season for camping so we’ll pay the parking fee when we find a spot. Two reasons; old guys like me get half price deals and BLM uses these dollars to maintain these spots.

We set up camp chairs in the shade of some ancient juniper trees. Pull out the lunch boxes and while I rigged a couple of rods JQ points her camera at flowers, butterflies, birds and bees.

Might be because the smoke has been bad for days or it’s just a fluke . . . but there are very few people on the river. Amid this calm, we take photos, enjoy lunch with a cold beverage and catch a few fish.

In all . . . it was a great day and nice break from the smog.

July 2, 2023July 1, 2023

Summer Time

We’ve officially moved into summer and Central Oregon weather outlook is sunny and warm. This week we were back on the Crooked River.

Found a nice patch of shade to set up chairs and enjoy the day. The Osprey paid a brief visit, but didn’t pull any fish out of the river.

A Kingfisher dropped by for a bit. Again, obviously hunting, but moved on before pulling any prey out of the water.

American Kestrel, one of the smallest falcons in North America

The highlight of our day was watching American Kestrels soar against the canyon walls . . . occasionally stopping in the tree directly across from us.

Even with all those predators in the sky, I still managed to catch a few fish . . . between malt beverages.