Deschutes River - August 15th 2019

 | By Seamus on 8/23/2019 12:45:54 AM | Views (343)

Recorded:

84 ° F

Fishing: Fair

Deschutes River Summer Steelhead Report
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Steelhead fishing so far on the Deschutes is slow. There are some fish in the system, and there have been a few moments of glory, but realistically, you will make many casts before getting a grab.

The following is important information pertaining to Columbia Basin Salmon and Steelhead management plans. Oregon and Washington have taken steps to protect the ESA-listed fish.

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission closed the Columbia River around the mouth of the Deschutes River, along with a portion of the lower Deschutes up to Moody Rapids, this week to protect upriver wild summer steelhead. It made the call at its Commission meeting in Salem Friday, Aug. 2.

The closure that began August 12 and will be in effect through Sept. 15 is to protect wild Snake River fish that may take refuge in the Deschutes’ cool waters on their journey to the Snake River. The fish are listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act.

“Returns of ESA-listed wild Snake River steelhead this year are forecasted to be similar to the extremely poor returns of 2017 and there are ongoing concerns about the potential effects of angling on wild steelhead that may gather in cooler water near tributary mouths like the Deschutes,” an Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife news release says.

“Perhaps the most important cold-water refuge is at the Deschutes-Columbia confluence,” the memo said. “The Deschutes will start cooling in August, just as Columbia heats up and as the up-river salmon and steelhead migration peaks.”

The Commission directed ODFW to take similar steps to close the mouth of the Deschutes River last year, as well. Based on additional discussions with the public and regional biologists, the boundary of this year’s closure has been refined to reduce the impact on chinook fishing opportunities, the Commission added.

In addition, both Oregon and Washington have begun a series of rolling steelhead recreational angling closures from Buoy 10 at the mouth of the Columbia to the Oregon/Washington state line. Those closures prohibit anglers from keeping both hatchery and wild steelhead, effectively making angling for steelhead during certain periods a catch-and-release fishery.

Aug. 1 to 31 from Buoy 10 upstream to The Dalles Dam,
Aug. 1 to Sept. 30 from The Dalles Dam upstream
to the John Day Dam
Sept. 1 to Oct. 31 from John Day to McNary Dam, and
Oct. 1 to Nov. 30 from McNary Dam upstream to the
OR/WA state line.
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Deschutes Red Side Trout Report:

Fishing overall is pretty good. Best times are mornings and evenings. Midday fishing is okay, just concentrate your efforts in fast water, such as riffles, deeper runs with a little white water chop and deep white water pockets. You will have more success by fishing smaller flies in those water types. 

PED’s and BWO’s are currently the main mayfly hatches. Not real abundant, but enough for the trout to notice.   

Caddis are hatching in good numbers, particularly in the evening. Make sure you’re fishing sizes 16’s to 20’s in any stage. Larva, pupa and adult. Aquatic moths are also hatching in fairly good numbers, and again, fish the fast water types for both caddis and aquatic moths.

 Pattern suggestions: Para PED 12’s, Thorax BWO 18’s, Elk hair Caddis, 16’s, 18’s, Hares Ear Soft Hackle, 14’s & 16’s, Prince Nymphs, 10’s and 12’s, Sparkle Soft Hackles, 16’s, 18’s, CDC BH Pheasant tails, 14’s, & 16’s Double bead caddis, 14’s and 16’s. Lightening Bugs, 16’s, Rainbow Warriors, 18’s & 20’s.

We will show you some other new patterns that have just arrived that we think will help change the minds of some of those stubborn red side trout.

River level is 3,830 CFS and the water temperature is 61 degrees.

I encourage you to click on “Monthly Hatch Chart” to see what you can expect during this month. Its also a great way to get a sneak preview of hatches in the months ahead.

Please join and support the Deschutes River Alliance. We are fighting very hard to preserve, protect and maintain the health and wellness of the Deschutes River.

Go to this link to find out what’s been happening and educate as many friends as you can. http://www.deschutesriveralliance.org/
If you have Q’s, Please don’t hesitate to call, we will be glad to help!

Thanks, see ya soon
John Smeraglio
Deschutes Canyon Fly Shop
599 S. Hwy 197, Maupin, OR. 97037
(541) 395-2565
john@flyfishingdeschutes.com




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Catch Information

Species:
Chinook Salmon


Rainbow Trout

This Fishing Report was submitted on 8/23/2019 12:45:54 AM by Seamus and last updated on 8/23/2019 12:45:54 AM.

Location

599 S Hwy 197
Maupin, OR US

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