Tag: Tip

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Summer’s End

In one day alone, lightning ignited 19 wildfires across Central Oregon.

August came and brought a scattering of rain showers, as well as a renewal of the heat warnings. The West is still on fire, the air quality drops to moderate and storms bring some rain but also lightning.

This week our escape was to drive a few miles west to the head waters of the Deschutes River and Tip’s favorite swimming hole.

 

The ODFW has placed restrictions on Oregon’s large rivers as water temperatures rise from the heat wave.

These “Hoot Owl” hours protect already stressed fish, limiting hours we can be on the water.

The Upper Deschutes benefits from higher altitude and mid-summer snow run-off, so it’s waters stay cooler and fishable, for now.

Tip loves this spot to wade the stream and play fetch. Once started it’s pretty hard to get his focus off the game. We’re glad to set our chairs on the shady bank and take in it’s natural AC.

There is a ten degree difference in temp plus the soothing sound of moving water (broken by demanding barks from the dog). Half a day on the stream and we all are refreshed.

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Winter’s Return

 

Winter’s start is always messy. The warm days of fall still linger and melt early winter snows. This week we’ve had a mix of weather … most of it wet … much of that snow.

The week ended with a winter storm watch for the Cascades making passes un-passable. We’re not looking to get far. At present we will enjoy a crisp morning stroll that includes untracked powder.

The snow fall we got at the beginning of the week came under a cold front and frocked pine bows.

However, by the end of the week the temperatures warmed and the snow it brought was deeper but also heavy and hard to shovel. By afternoon the city plows were clearing the rutted streets of a slushy mix.

 

The shift to consistent cold is coming, but for now we have to contend with this snow and rain mix.

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A Day on the D

This week we returned to a favorite fishing site, the Upper Deschutes River.

Proximity to our house makes for a perfect day or even half day jaunt.

Numerous pull-offs and side roads offer access to grassy banks, perfectly suited for a camp chair.

The Deschutes River is divided into three zones, Upper, Middle and Lower. There is a striking difference between these separate stretches of river. It’s entire length is bank fishable, with lots of access points for picnicking as well as camping.

This day we tried a new spot just downstream from the head waters and Little Lava Lake. From here the river flows south into the Crane Prairie Reservoir, eventually turning north out of Wickiup Reservoir and onto the Columbia River. This close to the head waters means the stream is more wadeable but holds smaller fish.

Nothing better than a dust bath after a swim in the river …

The stream is never more than knee deep so we can wade and fish either bank. It is also perfect for a game of fetch with Tip.

The biggest fault with this weeks jaunt was a lack of fish caught, but that was made up in time spent pulling a stick from the river.

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Treasure on the river

The Crooked River, one of our favorite Oregon rivers.

Quarantine has closed campgrounds, state and national parks but not fishing. This is good news for us.

Once a week we head to our favorite stream with lunch and fly rods. Tip finds joy in both the ride up to the river and running the riparian.

If we are not both fishing, then Tip divides his time between JQ’s photographic adventures and checking in on Jack.

Enough time has been spent on rivers to develop good manners, for the most part. At some point in the day a stick is discovered, dropped at someone’s feet and thus a game of fetch is initiated … though it often involves much vocal encouragement.

This day was a bit different. Instead of a stick, Tip discovered a ball.

Bright orange, this lost dog toy became a treasured possession and required numerous rounds of ball throwing.

The shade side of a picnic table offers excellent cooling to rest up between expeditions.

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At Distance, still

We’ve been “stay at home” for just about a month … except for a couple of trips to re-supply fresh produce.  Then the weather got real nice, making it that much harder to just walk the neighborhood.

Staying distant as possible, we took a road trip to the Prineville Reservoir. Mostly we just wanted to see what was and what was not open.

Turns out the BLM has gated off the places with parking lots. Campgrounds were closed to camping and the signs said to keep socially separated.

That wasn’t a problem.  Tip found a spot to cool down and roll in some dirt.

Yeah, he needed that!

The drive didn’t really cover much distance, but it did wonders for our spirits.

There are lots of places you can go and still be more than six feet … just have to be careful about parking at trail heads, boat landings and campgrounds.