The Deschutes River

Mary Ann and I got out on the Deschutes River this week searching for trout and steelhead.  I targeted trout with small #18 nymphs and was very successful, with several nice 15″ to 18″ fish to the net.  Mary Ann took out my 10′  6″  5 wt Micro Spey in search of steelhead, and although she didn’t find any, she still hooked a few nice rainbows and whitefish.  A very nice day on the river.

A nice rainbow that took a #18 Pheasant Tail nymph.

A nice rainbow that took a #18 Pheasant Tail nymph.

This guy was happy to take a #18 tan caddis pupa fished on the bottom.

This guy was happy to take a #18 tan caddis pupa fished on the bottom.

A monster +20" whitefish putting a big bend in Mary Ann's 10'  6"  bamboo Micro Spey.

A monster +20″ whitefish putting a big bend in Mary Ann’s 10′ 6″ bamboo Micro Spey.

Crooked River Fishing with Bamboo Rods

Mary Ann and I got the chance to get out on the Crooked River yesterday for a few hours.  The water level has finally dropped down to a fishable level (350 CFS)…high but fishable and off-color.  I was using my 8′  3″  5 wt Signature Series bamboo rod for some EuroNymphing with small nymphs.  A bug sampling we took showed plenty of nymphs in the water…scuds, sowbugs, lots of mayflies, a few caddis, and even one stonefly.  Although we didn’t get a lot of fish, the rainbows we picked up were nice sized fish.  #18 Blue Zebra Midges and #16 Pheasant Tail Nymphs were the best patterns.  Here are a few photos of our day.

The Crooked River at 350 CFS.

The Crooked River at 350 CFS.

Bug Sampling from the Crooked River.

Bug Sampling from the Crooked River.

A good bend in my 5 wt bamboo rod.

A good bend in my 5 wt bamboo rod.

A nice Crooked River Rainbow that took a #18 Blue Zebra Midge.

A nice Crooked River Rainbow that took a #18 Blue Zebra Midge.

Scenes From Yesterday on the Metolius River

Mary Ann and I got out again on the Metolius River yesterday for a couple of hours of afternoon fishing.  There was a great hatch of BWOs but fish weren’t coming up for the adults.  But, we did pick up a few rainbows on #18 BWO soft hackles.  Also saw quite a few winter stones climbing around on the snowy backs.  Here are a few photos from the day.

This little guy was checking out my bamboo rod.

This little guy was checking out my bamboo rod.

A great close-up photo of the BWOs that were hatching.  It looks like I should be tying these flies with orange thread for the correct head color.

A great close-up photo of the BWOs that were hatching. It looks like I should be tying these flies with brown thread for the correct head color.

A #14 winter stonefly crawling around on the snowbank.

A #14 winter stonefly crawling around on the snowbank.

Some fellow anglers on the river, but I suspect these guys were looking for salad rather than meat.  Four eating lunch...One watching out for them.

Some fellow anglers on the river, but I suspect these guys were looking for salad rather than meat. Four eating lunch…One watching out for them.

 

Another Beautiful Day Fly Fishing on the Metolius River.

It was a beautiful sunny day yesterday so Mary Ann and I got away from the house for a little fly fishing on the Metolius River.  We’re so lucky that this wonderful free flowing stream is open all year and only 30 minutes from our house.  With 4 inches of snow on the ground and 29 degrees, we fished the stretch known as the “water wheel area”.  Although there were a few BWOs and midges out on the water, we didn’t see any surface activity so it was a nymphing afternoon.  Here we are on the river, and a feisty native rainbow that Mary Ann landed on a stonefly nymph imitation.

Dave and Mary Ann on the Metolius River.

Dave and Mary Ann on the Metolius River.

The Metolius River in January

The Metolius River in January

A nice little native rainbow

A nice little native rainbow

 

Christmas Day Fly Fishing on the Metolius River

What Fun!!!!Christmas day….27 degrees….beautiful sunny day….8 inches of snow….and Mary Ann and I went fly fishing on the Metolius River.  She used her 10′  6″  5 wt bamboo switch rod to swing streamers, and I used my 8′  3″  5 wt bamboo rod  to Euronymph small nymphs.  We tempted a few trout to our flies, and got one nice rainbow to the net.  Here are a few photos.

Fly Fishing the Metolius River on Christmas Day.

Fly Fishing the Metolius River on Christmas Day.

Mary Ann with her Switch Rod.

Mary Ann with her Switch Rod.

Concentrating on my nymphs.

Concentrating on my nymphs.

A beautiful 13" rainbow that took a #18 Red Serendipity.

A beautiful 14″ rainbow that took a #18 Red Serendipity.