Hard to believe it is the end of February already. Especially since it has been 70 degrees out and I’m thinking more about dry flies and solid hatches on the local winter time close to home side project fisheries. That’s right seventy degrees in February. I know winter will rear its head again before “real” spring shows up, but I’ll take a little mid winter heat wave. With all that said, spring and the start of the season is not far off. It’s time to start talking about what is ahead for 2022.
We are less two weeks away from the start of our Owyhee River season. This Eastern Oregon trophy brown trout fishery is the perfect warm up after a long winter. Prolific hatches from blue wing olives, midges and the main draw, the larger skwalas. These flightless stoneflies crawl out and scurry on the water and stream bank vegetation, and big browns slurp em down. Chasing big browns in skinny water chowing down well placed dry flies is a treat. The Owyhee is known for it rugged canyon landscape and plenty of fish that pull the tape between 16-20”+. Dates are incredibly limited and book well in advance. Better to act now if you want to experience this brown trout playground. If we are booked for spring, we might have some open dates in August.
We wrap up on the Owyhee and head back to our main attraction the old Deschutes. May is Salmon flies and Stones. June through the rest of the summer is a mix of PMD’s and caddis. Then we’ll see what happens for steelhead this year. The fall trout is super fun and can be fantastic. So however the steelhead shakes out, the fall is a great time to be here. Salmon fly dates are all but gone. If you are interested in these memory filled multi day camping river trips fill fast. It is truly just a great experience and the canyon is spectactular,
We will take a break and jump to the John Day for some small-mouth fishing. Fun for all abilities and ages. We run these trips Mid-June to Mid-July, depending on snowpack and river levels. A great mix up to the Deschutes and fantastic introduction to fly fishing.
We bounce back and forth from the Deschutes to a late summer- early fall Owyhee season. If you missed the Owyhee in the spring we have some slots later in the season. That is what is in store for us. We hope you can join us and share these amazing places. We have a lot of options and happy to help pick which time and experience that is exactly what you and your group are looking for. We’ll be posting fishing reports here and Instagram to update you on the action. Don't hesitate to contact us, we are always happy to talk fishing. Hope to see you soon.
Tight lines,
Cory Godell
Deschutes River Anglers
corygodell@gmail.com@deschutes_river_anglers
541-771-2288
The Season Is Fast Coming
As I was riding the chair lift, yep living the dream, it hit me how close and fast approaching fishing season is from us! Skiing is fun an all, but it is a filler between fishing seasons. I mean shoot it’s March and the fishing on the Middle Deschutes is picking up pretty well. With that said, it seems like things are slowly getting more normal, thank goodness, at least we won’t miss the bulk of salmon fly season this year!
So the Owyhee, we are pretty much booked for the spring season and look forward to harassing some big browns. Dry fly action on BWOs and Skawalas should be a fun start to the season. For those that missed this, book early. This big brown trout early season playground fills up fast. We do have a few available dates later in the season for hopper season, which is a blast throwing big bugs to the banks.
The Deschutes…. As always the kick off to the season ramps up fast from early season nymphing to the big bug dry fly event that is the salmon fly hatch. Dates are all but full. Caddis and summer time Deschutes trips are awesome and still have dates available.
For years we have gone over and worked on the John Day. We are happy to announce we have picked up a permit and offering trips on this amazing canyon lands small mouth bass fishery. Fun for all ages and abilities, this overnight camping trip is a bucket list destination and the perfect family adventure. June and July is the time, weather is amazing and the trip is unforgettable. Permit application and getting dates is getting a little trickier, if you are interested in this unique desert small mouth fishery, gives us call and lets get your permit an dates locked in.
Here’s to getting back on the river and a great season. Looking forward to sharing the water and these amazing places we call home with you. If you have any questions or we can help plan a tip, give a shout. Always happy to talk fishing.
Seasons just around the corner
With a mild winter so far in most places and winter flying by, it’s about time to start thinking ( if you ever stop) about harassing some trout. First stop on the Deschutes River Anglers tour of trout has us headed to Eastern Oregon and the Owyhee. This awesome Canyon Lands tailwater fishery is a big brown trout playground. Can’t think of a better way to shake off the cabin fever than hitting the Skwala hatch and watching pods of browns slurping like the pigs they are at the trough. To fill in gaps with skwala action we see Blue Wing Olive (BWO) hatches and a dry- drop rig to search when they aren’t up and working. This is truly a fun, unique fishery that should be on the spring “to do “ list… Recommend putting it above the spring lawn landscaping duties… they will be there when you come home from the river. Chores are easier when you can daydream about the fish you just caught.
Before you know it Salmon Flies and golden stones will be going on the Deschutes, think May. Before that, spring on the”D” can be a blast with limited crowds and decent action on BWO and March Brown hatches. Not super consistent or every day, but when they happen fish that haven’t seen a fly in months can be soft pitch and willing targets. What is consistent is it can be some of the best nymphing of the season, especially as we move closet to the big Stone and Salmon flies getting active to migrate to the banks and start their annual invasion.
We are stoked to announce that we have acquired a John Day permit and will be offering multi day trips for small mouth bass on this amazing high desert canyon river. These trips are not only incredibly scenic and relaxing, the fishing is lots of action and great for all ages and abilities. We fish out of the boat here, no wading and slipping and sliding. The weather is normally nice to hot, off river activities such as swimming, and exploring make it an amazing family trip.
We look forward to fishing with you this season. If you have questions regarding trips, dates, or shoot anything fishing…..give us a call or email. We are happy to help. Owyhee and Deschutes Salmon dates are fulling up fast and limited, so if those sound good to you, we recommend contacting us sooner than later. Well here is to a great 2021 and getting back on the water!
Happy New Year
This time of year and THIS CRAZY YEAR in particular, we at Deschutes River Anglers just want to take a minute to thank you for getting out of the house and going with us on the river this year. I think we all need a sense of normalcy, a couple days or nights away from the news and and the oddness of avoiding each other masked up. Fishing and the river have a way of healing and being there when we all need it the most. Have a safe and Happy Holiday season and we look forward to fishing with you next year.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
This time of year and THIS CRAZY YEAR in particular, we at Deschutes River Anglers just want to take a minute to thank you for getting out of the house and going with us on the river this year. I think we all need a sense of normalcy, a couple days or nights away from the news and and the oddness of avoiding each other masked up. Fishing and the river have a way of healing and being there when we all need it the most. Have a safe and Happy Holiday season and we look forward to fishing with you next year.
the Crew at Deschutes River Anglers
