Outing to the Deschutes River
Outing to the Deschutes River
The River Considered to be one of the great rivers of the west, the Deschutes
is renowned for it’s native redsides and acrobatic steelhead. The river’s
greenish water runs in stark contrast to the pink stone of Oregon’s high desert.
Depending upon conditions, anglers can enjoy nymph, soft hackles or dry-fly
fishing, usually all. I like to fish nymphs or soft hackles during the day.
When the shadows hit the water in the evening, I enjoy switching to dry flies.
A big Clark stonefly or a Norm Wood Special will usually get visious takes
on the surface. The river is big and fast moving, so plan to break it down
into small pieces to get the best results. CSF’s Deschutes River outing
has become an event that is anticipated throughout the year and it continues
to be one of the club’s most popular fishouts. There is always a chance that
the Windknot of the year will take place in front of your eyes. Remember
the flying espresso machine, Larry? The Fishing Whether you call beforehand or upon your arrival in Maupin, check
in with John and Karen Smeraglio at the Deschutes Canyon Fly Shop (541-395-2565)
for up-to-date river conditions and accurate recommendations on which flies
are producing. Also, you can check their web site: www.flyfishingdeschutes.com.
Four- to six-weight rods work well. I like long rods for nymphing and short
rods for drys under the trees. Nymph flying is always good. Dry flies get
better as the water warms up. There is nothing like a redsides jumping on
a dry stonefly. You do not need to be an expert to fish this stream. There
are plenty of places for beginners to wade and fish. I recommend felt wading
shoes with carbide small spikes and a wading staff. You can make a staff
with an old ski pole and a cord to attach to your wading belt or buy one
of the many good commercial models that fold up and are carried in the fly
shops. Bring lots of flies. Flies Yellow Mays 12-18; olive, tan, gray & tan Caddis; golden &
salmon Stone flies drys including dark Stone, Simulators, Madam X, Norm Wood
special 4-8; Blue-winged olives 16-20; large dark & light Stonefly nymphs;
Pheasant tails 12-18; Hare's ear 12-18; my favorite the Prince nymph 8-16.
Try tying beadheads and some flashbacks. A new nymph that is featured in the
Spring 2002 FlyFishing & Tying Journal, the O2 pupa may become
a hot Deschutes fly this year. Our local fly shops and the Deschutes Canyon
fly shop have these flies, plus some of their own special patterns. Camping Our plan is to camp again at the Beavertail Campground, which is
about 12 miles downstream from Sherar's Falls. Gayle and I plan to be camping
there with our trailer. If the campground area is not available, I will post
some paper plates with the name of the new campground and leave word of the
change at the Deschutes Canyon Fly Shop. Plan to be there early in the week.
Check with the fly shop or BLM to see if water is available in the campground.
Bring your camping gear, and I recommend plenty of water. NOTE: be sure to
bring a gas-burning stove and BBQ. NO OPEN FIRES ARE PERMITTED. See
DeLorme's Oregon Atlas & Gazetteer pages 63 & 84 for directions.
Optional Accommodations For anyone who does not wish to camp, there are several options in the town of Maupin. Rates are reasonable. Imperial River Co., 304 Bakeoven Road, Maupin, OR 97037, 800-395-3903;
Deschutes Motel, 616 Mill Street, Maupin, OR 97037, 541-395-2626; Oasis, US
Highway 197S, Maupin, OR 97037, 541-395-2611
Fishing and Water Level Reports For up-to-date information, log on to the following sites: http://www.flyshop.com/Centers/index.cfm?category=nw
And for a look at current water levels, log onto http://www.wrd.state.or.us/cgi-bin/choose_realtime_gage.pl?basin=05 Directions There are a couple of routes that most of us use. The first: take I-84 out of Portland to the last exit in the Dalles (US-197). Go south on US-197 heading to Maupin. Turn left on Highway 216 to the Sherar's Falls Bridge. Cross the bridge, go straight about a half mile; as soon as you cross the Buckhollow bridge, turn left onto a gravel road (Big Sign: Deschutes Canyon Recreation Area). Follow the river downstream about 11-12 miles, at the top of a short hill, turn left at the sign Beavertail Campground and follow the road into the campground. Look for my Terry Trailer. The second route: Highway 26 over Mt. Hood, at the top turn left onto Highway 216, turn right onto US 197 to Maupin, cross the bridge, turn right half block for Deschutes Canyon fly Shop or turn left go one block past City Park, turn left and follow the river towards Sherar's Falls. At stop sign turn right and go straight about half a mile. As soon as you cross the Buckhollow Bridge, turn left onto a gravel road (Big Sign: Deschutes Canyon Recreation Area). Follow the river downstream about 11-12 miles. At the top of a short hill, turn left at the sign Beavertail Campground and follow the road into the campground. Look for my Terry Trailer.
Contact To contact the outing fishmaster, see the club calendar. |
