Oregon Fly Fishing - fly fishing when it rains all spring

 | By Seamus on 4/28/2013 11:20:17 PM | Views (348) Another Oregon rainy season that will not end. When it does the snow-melt will swell normally fishable rivers until almost July. The upper lakes are surrounded by snow or the roads into them are impassable. Cabin fever gets pretty bad. If you just have to get out and cast a fly rod you can do that almost anywhere that is open for fishing. High cold water may make catching trout nearly impossible but at least you are out fly fishing.
To catch trout look to the west. There is very little snow in the coast range and coastal temperatures are mild compared to the upper cascades. Oregon Coastal lakes and reservoirs are stocked and some of the more shallow lakes can fly fish pretty well while you are waiting for the rivers to open on Memorial Day. When the season does finally open stick to the coastal streams for a while. The coastal cutthroat will be aggressive long before the cascade streams slow down and get warm enough to catch trout in any numbers or on dry flies. Occasionally you will catch leftover sea-run cutts in the 15" to 18" range. As the snow-melt subsides and the outflow from the reservoirs in the Willamette valley go back to normal you can have some great trout fishing in the tailwater rivers between the coast range and the cascades. Some of these rivers open the fourth Saturday in April and others are open all year for catch and release (check the regulations every year). The water temperatures coming from the dams into these rivers is a bit more consistent and still warmer than the snow run-off. The bug hatches tend to start at lower elevations and work their way up, and with the warmer water there can be some good dry fly action. (I have seen bug activity in snow-melt streams but the cold water prevents fish from moving very far.)
By mid to late June the higher lakes and rivers will be accessible and much more fishable. Of course we are dealing with Mother Nature and there are always exceptions. But this is my basic method for catching trout in these conditions (heavy rain and snow into late spring). Work your way from west to east to have a better chance of actually catching fish. I understand if you want to just want to get out and listen to nature and the river with a fly rod in your hand. Often-times catching fish has very little to do with fly fishing. In that case get to any stream that is open and enjoy the solitude. There are far fewer people out fishing April to June than there will be in July and August. Enjoy! Read More

Catch Information

Species:
Cutthroat Trout

This Fishing Report was submitted on 4/28/2013 11:20:17 PM by Seamus and last updated on 4/28/2013 11:20:17 PM.

Location

204 W 1st Ave
Albany, OR US

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