Deschutes River

[Michael J.]

I'm heading out to the Deschutes river this weekend near Maupin. I've traveled through Maupin and driven south along the river - does anyone know if there is a road with good river access going north (I don't have a boat)? Should I use Salmon flies/Stone flies w/drag free float? I've only been river fly fishing 2 times - so any Deschutes advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, MJ

[rob allen]

HI there. I was on the Deschutes last weekend. I fished the access road North of Maupin. Given that it is a holiday weelend ant the stoneflies are hatching the river will be busy. I stronly recommend you fish downstream of Shears falls . I say this because there will fe fewer people there than any other area of the river. You'll have 17 miles of good river accessand even if you don't see many stoneflies out the fish will still hit you stonefly patterns. Fish steep rock banks with deep water close to shore and overhanging trees. The further back in the bush you climb themore and bigger fish toy will find. *bow& arrow casts work awsome when you can overhead cast. In the evenings find a nice shallow riffle and swing soft hackles this will be the most active feeding that will occur during the say.

2 things to remember though
1. drive slowly along the road, although it's been vastly improved it still eats tires.
2. It's tick season check yourself over really well at the end of the day. Especially armpits and other more sencitive areas.

[brshooter]

I couldn't agree more about driving slowly on the lower access road. I have eaten tires three times on that strech of road. Make sure you have a good spare. I made that mistake one time. Back in the 86 or 87, I ate a tire and my spare was flat as well. It was a hot July day, about 102 degrees out, and I was 9 miles down the lower access road. I knew the damaged tire could not be repaired, so I rolled the spare all the way to Shearers before I got a ride to Maupin. I had to roll the repaired tire almost to Shearers before a lady stopped and gave me a ride the rest of the way to my truck. That is one experience I will not repeat. Make sure you have a good spare and maybe pack a can or two of that tire fix it stuff that repairs leaks and inflates your tire.

[Navigator]

Michael -- Rob is right on with his suggestions. Also, don't be afraid to swing and fish a drowned dry fly, such as a #16 Elk Hair caddis, downstream. I always find it difficult to fish the evening rise with a traditional dry fly upstream presentation. I think the fish are very leader shy and detect drag and the river is just plain tough to get a drag free float. However, if you relax, cast out 90 degrees, mend line downstream, and let the fly drown - they hit it. I think it is because they see the fly first and more often than not are feeding just below the surface even though it looks like they are feeding on top. Good luck.

[ 05-23-2001: Message edited by: Navigator ]

[SteelieSteve]

You can follow the road up to roads end giving you many miles of river to fish. We used to camp at roads end every year and fish for steelhead. The redsides like buds spinners in size 2 or 3. I've seen some really nice trout caught using them. to early for steelhead up there but the trout will give you a challenge on a light rod.
Good luck

[Phish_on]

Spinners in the sacred waters! Unholy! Unholy!

[BillK]

Just got off the Deschutes River. The water today was a very dark brown, as some thunder storms last night turned either Trout Creek or Warm Springs River into a wall of mud. You might call the Oasis or one of the fly shop and check on the on water condition before heading to the Deschutes.
BillK

[local_hooker]

Rob-

I've flyfished for seven years and bow hunted for fifteen years and I have never heard of a "bow & arrow cast"??? Am I missing something good???

[rob allen]

Hi Local The bow and arrow cast really isn't anything all that spectacular but in places where there is no room to cast it can at least allow you to fish.
What it consists of is holding onto your fly, pointing the rod tip at your target then loading the rod by pulling on the leader to make the rod bend. Once you have enough of the rod bent to throw the fly you simply let go of the fly.

Like i said it's nothing spectacular and only allows you th throw a rod length of line but under the trees on the Deschutes knowing it can turn unfishable water into hot spots.