Fishing – Page 2

June 26, 2022June 24, 2022

Summer Days

This week contained the summer solstice, June 21st, the longest day of the year. It also brought sunny days to the high desert. While we didn’t venture far from home, we did manage to visit some favorite spots.

Early summer is marked with days warmed by clear sky and daytime temps pushing into the realm of hot. However, the shrubs and grasses still hold spring greens with the added punch of a bloom or two.

A swallow swoops towards a colony of a gourd-shaped mud nests.

There are still surprise bird sightings, even as the migration tapers off. We’ve spotted fawns, as well as fledglings, not always with camera in hand. Some of the most pleasant days are jammed into the last weeks of June and early July … if you’re lucky.

All too soon the relentless sun will bleach the color from the sage plateau. We’ll seek shade under ancient Juniper along the river’s edge. And all too soon, we will scan the horizon for a plume of wildfire smoke … all too regular these days.

The Crooked and Upper Deschutes are running at average flows and fishing better than ever. The weather is perfect for relaxing with a good read in our camp chair. We’re not ignoring the oncoming drought, just enjoying the lush start to summer.

June 5, 2022June 5, 2022

Stream Side Respite

Early summer on the Deschutes headwaters

The Deschutes River headwaters couldn’t be more different from its iconic lower runs. From Lava Lake to Crane Prairie Reservoir, the Upper Deschutes is more of a creek than river.

It meanders through grass meadows and Lodge Pole pine forests. This week that stretch of river opened. Literally, the USFS unlocked roads and the stream was opened to fishing.

Signs of life after the winter snows retreat

This seven mile stretch of stream is a favorite summer destination. There are great spots to picnic, excellent stick fetching and good fishing. Even in the hottest days of summer, there are shady spots along the river to open a camp chair and enjoy the day.

Few things are more relaxing or peaceful than a spot in the shade by a quietly tumbling stream.

We’ll be back up here often until the snow closes things down for another season.

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.