Crooked River – Page 6

July 17, 2022July 16, 2022

A Day on the River

Summer in Central Oregon starts out full of sunny, warm days that transition to the dog days with sweltering afternoons. There is a shift in how long it takes for the morning chill to burn off.

By August we’ll seek AC spaces for midday retreats. This week we took advantage of one of those slowly warming summer days to sit along the river.

The Crooked River canyon has started to shift to the brown tones of summer. Along river’s edge there are still green grasses and a few remaining blossoms.

While the migratory birds have moved on, the juniper trees and willow bushes are still alive with activity. We even manage to catch glimpses of Osprey stalking the river and raptors hunting the canyon edges.

The day is balmy and we don’t even need to move camp chairs into patches of shade until the late afternoon sun really starts to beat down. Fishing is pretty good and our iPads are full of reading material. We fill cups from a thermos of ice tea and munch on crackers spread with Mettwurst (German spreadable smoked pork sausage) and cream cheese.

Dappled light casts shadows through juniper boughs

By late afternoon the wind picks up so we pack the car and head home. There will be lots more trips to the Crooked. In the weeks to come, we’ll be more dependent on shade trees and actually look forward to afternoon winds coming off the river.

May 15, 2022May 14, 2022

In Defense of Hatch Charts

This week we caught the front end of the Mother’s Day Caddis hatch on the Crooked River.

Only a flyfisher would be excited to stand in a swarm of bugs armed only with the understanding that they don’t bite … but the fish will.

Weedy Water Sedge is a common name for the caddis fly –Trichoptera. Brachycentride. Amicoentrus – often found on still and tail waters.

The emergence of this aquatic insect in spring, along with a dozen other genus of the same order, is predicted on a chart.
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River hatch charts are notoriously inaccurate. Though only some of that is on fisherman. If they were good at keeping secrets no one would know that around Mother’s Day there is an excellent hatch on the Crooked River.

http://https://vimeo.com/709899428

A Caddisfly hatch, or rather series of hatches, is a daily event which can re-occur over a series of weeks. So … Mother’s Day is close enough. We’ve managed to participate for a few years now, thanks again, in part, to charts.

Speaking of hatch charts they will also show that over the next few months there is a marked spike in activity. This time of year if we aren’t tracking bird migrations, we are trying to anticipate emergence of a specific genius of Plecoptera, common name; Salmon Fly.

Finding a hatch and catching fish are not always synchronous. For example, I fished over this hatch with very little luck catching fish.

However, JQ managed to get some good images. This weekend I’ll hit the tying bench in anticipation of next week’s adventure.

April 17, 2022April 16, 2022

Winter Redux

We watched this belted kingfisher plunge headfirst into the river, catch a fish, then eat his catch. Brilliant!

It was 79 degrees and sunny at one point last week. We spent a relaxing day sitting on the banks of the Crooked River getting berated by a pair of Canada Geese.

Then this week … it snowed.

Every morning we woke to a couple of inches of fresh snow. We had to break out the snow shovels and they even plowed streets again.

On the bright side, snowpack in the mountains is closer to normal. However, we didn’t attempt any road trips all week. These morning snows would mostly melt away by late afternoon, at least on the roadways. But it brought our adventures to a standstill.

Central Oregon didn’t have as many problems as some western parts of the state … we didn’t lose power or have a bunch of downed trees. I’m sure the skiers were glad to have the season extended.

We are SO ready to shake off winter and jump into spring.

But still, we are ready for spring to come back. Right now, the forecasted week of rain is actually looking good.

February 20, 2022February 20, 2022

Always an Eye on the Weather

Spring-like weather continues … although, this week was pretty low key. We had an appointment with our tax person, which required time collecting papers. the house was in need of some above ‘regular’ cleaning, and there were a couple of canning projects.

We did make it out to the stream late in the week. Didn’t fish, just set up chairs along the bank, had a picnic and watched wildlife.

JQ took some photos and I got in some drone practice. In all … a very mellow week.

This winter started out with above average snows and raised local’s hopes for some drought relief.

Unfortunately, reservoirs are at record low levels, to the point that even an average snow pack won’t be enough. It would, however, have gone a long way toward easing Central Oregon’s water crisis.

Well, this past December was followed by a record dry January. We went from a hundred and ten percent snow pack to eighty-five and relief isn’t in the forecast.

Basalt-lined canyon along the Crooked River

We take advantage of sunny days, but keep in mind that the rivers we enjoy and the creatures living in and around them, are going to suffer.

So as we take in a mild winter day, with fingers crossed. we wish for a few more wet weather fronts to roll in before winters end.

February 13, 2022February 12, 2022

What Winter?

Willow thickets line the edge of the river

Robins generally live for two years in the wild.

Had to look at the calendar a couple of times this week just to remind ourselves what month it is. Spring-like weather makes it feel more like April than February.

Not complaining … it’s been great to go around in a hoodie or light jacket. But we also know that Central Oregon is notorious for false springs. We are still ready for the late February snow dump.

This week, once again, we headed to the Crooked River. Flocks of robins, acting more like swarms of swifts, swirl off the rocks at streams edge into trees or bushes and then back.

The thrum of hundreds of wingbeats fill the air

We noticed groups gathering late last year, but they didn’t leave.

Robins are the most numerous bird in North America. They are commonly associated with spring, when they move north, pair up and seek out breeding sites.

A group of robins is often referred to as a “Round” of robins … but are also called a Breast, Blush, Rabble, Bobbin, Red, Squabble, Rash, Hood, Reliant and a Riot.

In spring (real Spring), robins become territorial pairs, but in the winter they form flocks and typically migrate south to less hostile country. This year that southern move hasn’t happened. The flocking robins are staying in the northern states.

While the bird is common, it’s not been subject to study, so we don’t know why they are sticking around. They just are and it makes for some interesting birding along the river.

Light reflects off fluttering wings creating a rainbow of colors

We were lucky to see raptors as well. This is perfect habitat for bald eagles who are known to winter within the Crooked River canyon and ospreys … high vertical cliffs, wide slopes and riparian meadows.

The Crooked River winds its way through rugged canyons

Harsh winter light glints off bird wings

Fishing hasn’t been all that good but the nice weather makes for great picnics. The camp and day use sites are relatively empty, giving the place all to ourselves.

Daylight is still a limited resource and that is made even worse in the canyon. Steep basalt walls start to block the sun off the river in early afternoon. However, the eastern bank stays in sun until mid-afternoon plenty of time to enjoy the day.