Deschutes River - August 26th 2021

 | By Seamus on 8/25/2021 8:00:00 PM | Views (368)

Recorded:

81 ° F

Fishing: Fair

Deschutes River Summer Steelhead Report
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Reality ! Steelhead fishing is very slow. We are experiencing the lowest Columbia River Basin
Steelhead return since 1938. From the middle of July, the fish counting station located at Sherars Falls on the Deschutes has counted only 4 Steelhead so far to date. Granted, they don’t count fish 24 / 7, so I usually multiply their number by 4, sometimes 5 to get a conservatively better idea of how many have traveled upstream of Sherars. So about 16, maybe up to 20 have made it to this section of the river ?!?!  That’s pathetic !!!!

In the moments of an unfolding disaster, I’m horribly concerned about the impacts of steelhead from non-treaty and Tribal treaty commercial gill net fishing season authorized on July 27th 2021 on the lower Columbia River by Oregon and Washington Fishery agencies.

After analyzing Columbia River wild steelhead return numbers in detail, a group of regional conservation organizations co-signed a letter to both the Oregon and Washington Fish and Wildlife Commissions expressing deep concern about the dangerously low number of steelhead, particularly “wild” steelhead currently returning to the Columbia and Snake River Basin.

Representatives from these organizations also provided testimony to both state Commissions on Friday August 6th urging immediate action. Neither Commissions took any additional action to protect wild steelhead beyond the existing management status quo !!!

Ten days later, combined wild and hatchery steelhead are still running at 22%
of the current ten year average. When compared to more productive time periods within the past 20 years, the current combined steelhead return is a mere 10.7% of that period !! Realistically, it’s less than that, given they used to base the run on 50 year averages. Instead, they use the ten year average so it doesn’t look as bad as it REALLY IS !!!!

The few fish that are returning this summer are also facing incredibly warmer water temperatures throughout the basin. August 15th was the 50th straight day of Columbia River water temps over 68*F. It was 73.9*F, almost 3 degrees warmer than the 10 year average for mid-August.

The lack of action is disturbing and consistent ~ Oregon closed all steelhead fishing on the North Umpqua River because fish surveys indicated that the summer steelhead numbers are only 20% of normal, yet on the Columbia River, returns are just as bad and fishing remains open in the main stem and the tributaries of the Columbia basin.

I’m positive we agree that we all want to protect Salmon and Steelhead runs, especially
this season. What can you do to help?

~ Don’t fish if the water temperature is higher than 66*F
~ Fish with appropriate tackle, rods and reels able to land Salmon and Steelhead quickly !!
~ Fish with barbless hooks.
~ If you land a fish, keep it in the water, remove the hook as quickly as possible and release the                       fish when it’s strong enough to swim away. Go to Keepemwet to learn more about properly handling fish.
~ Take less photo’s, or none at all. The time it takes fumbling around getting your camera or phone out to take photo’s, increases the handling time of the fish, stressing it out even more.
If you just have to have a photo, use a water poof camera or get a water proof case for your phone. Then take the photo of the fish under water.
~ If the tug is the drug, cut the bend of the hook off. You’ll get the benefit of the initial strike, grab, pull or tug, whilst the fish can easily roll off the hook, and return to it’s resting lay.
~ Reduce your fishing effort. Spending less time fishing reduces “fishing pressure”, thus reducing overall stress on the fish.
~ Share this information with your fishing buddies. The more people know, the better we can collectively help in protecting Salmon and Steelhead returns for the future.

You can send emails to Oregon (@myODFW) and Washington (@theWDFW) officials demanding action.

Support these wild Steelhead conservation organizations!

@theconservationangler @wildsteelheadcoalition @wildfishconservancy
@thewildsalmoncenter @wildsteelhead @nativefishsociety
@deschutesriveralliance
    
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Deschutes Red Side Trout Report:
 
Trout fishing is fair. We are enjoying cooler temperatures these days and boy it’s so nice to be able be out and not feel like your heads on fire. Early mornings and evenings are still the best time to fish.     
 
Caddis, BWO’s and Aquatic Moth are the main hatches. Fish below riffles where the water deepens and slows down. Fish Midge patterns in back eddies in the morning until about 11am. Watch for subtle rising trout keying in on Midge pupa. If the fish are picky, add a long piece of tippet to reduce drag to give your flies a more natural look. If that isn’t working try the fast water areas with caddis pupa.

Sometimes bigger is better. This time of year the Crawfish shed their outer shell. This is when they are the most venerable, trout know it and feed on them more now than any other time of year. So break out your Crawdad, Crawfish, Wooly Buggers,.. etc. patterns. Fish them in deeper water, strip them back slowly with the occasional fast strip, to make them look like they’re trying to escape. This can produce some aggressive strikes.

Keep in mind that the aquatic insect population of the Deschutes River has decreased over the last 10 years. Trout do not have the abundance of insects to feed on as they did in the past, so, they are forced to hunt for bigger meals in order to survive. That’s not to say we didn’t catch trout back in the day with the above mentioned patterns, it’s just that trout might be relaying on them more.     

Other Pattern Suggestions: 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, 16’s & 18’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.

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:
Rainbow Trout

This Fishing Report was submitted on 8/25/2021 8:00:00 PM by Seamus and last updated on 8/29/2021 7:11:20 AM.

Location

599 S Hwy 197
Maupin, OR US

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