Descutes Reports?

[flatocean]

Any reports from the lower river for steelies

[Jakiedog]

It was slow over the weekend...Nets are in big time...The counts at the dam just spiked. Should be good next week if they get the nets out.

Kevinsdriftboat landed 2 yesterday.

Snaggers off the bridge landed a few.

Water was milky Sat and Sun

I saw a guy using white spin n glo with tiger stripe get a limit.

[cooky]

Not red hot but there are plenty of fish to be caught. My advice would be to put some miles on the ol' "cadillacs for the feet". If your not gettin' 'em keep moving. Cast and move cast and move....

[Slow and Low]

White River was out all weekend, cleared to reasonable level yesterday. Very, Very windy in the afternoons. We have been doing decent, but I have not seen many rods bent.

[woodsy188]

White River was out all weekend, cleared to reasonable level yesterday. Very, Very windy in the afternoons. We have been doing decent, but I have not seen many rods bent.
:yeahthat: Heard it was hard to get the boat down the river on Monday!

[Slow and Low]

:yeahthat: Heard it was hard to get the boat down the river on Monday!

If you mean the wind. Yep, Moody to the boat ramp was the worst.

[uhmw]

I hooked and lost a steelhead 2 miles south of maupin during a bow hunting break on opening day weekend. I was dreging the bottem for redsides and was suprized with a way too wimpy leader. I caught two reasonable trout also for fishin at 1pm.

[FishWonk]

It was slow over the weekend...Nets are in big time...The counts at the dam just spiked. Should be good next week if they get the nets out.

A long time Deschutes fisher has told me that the nets seriously slow down the fishing in the lower river. Is that consistent with others' experiences? Is there a schedule of when the nets are in/not in? I'm planning on spending 4 or more days on the lower river later in the month, and will be curious to see if/when the nets are in.

thanks for any thoughts on that,
FW

[Wild Chrome]

The "lower river" refers to 100 miles worth....the entire steelhead distribution. Do you mean that entire reach? I don't think nets make a day to day difference in the Shears-Maupin stretch. Most fish have been out of the Columbia for weeks by the time they reach there.

[Two Fister]

A long time Deschutes fisher has told me that the nets seriously slow down the fishing in the lower river. Is that consistent with others' experiences? Is there a schedule of when the nets are in/not in? I'm planning on spending 4 or more days on the lower river later in the month, and will be curious to see if/when the nets are in.

thanks for any thoughts on that,
FW

If you're talking about at the mouth and the lower 20 miles or so the nets make an enormous difference. When the counts go from a few thousand fish over The Dalles dam to a few hundred there are simply less fish to enter the system. The lag might take a couple of days to show up, but it's real.

[FishWonk]

If you're talking about at the mouth and the lower 20 miles or so the nets make an enormous difference. When the counts go from a few thousand fish over The Dalles dam to a few hundred there are simply less fish to enter the system. The lag might take a couple of days to show up, but it's real.

Yes, I was referring to what I should call the lower, lower river - the first 7 miles that I fish from the mouth by biking and hiking upriver.
I still haven't found a schedule for gillnetting on the internet - maybe I'll post this question to the general board.

thanx-
FW

[Hunt-man]

Still slow from Pine Tree to Macks Canyon. I fished 3 days with a friend, one day with a guide. One fish with the guide and one without.

[Slow and Low]

1 for 2 dry lines. Pine Tree to Heritage. Water temps were 61 to 65. Slow.

[flopearedmule]

Sept5,6 and 7. Floated from beavertail to heritage in 3 days. I didn't touch a fish and I talked to another below washout and he said it the slowest he has seen in awhile. While I was waiting for my ride at heritage I saw a couple caught. Also the trollers coming in at most had one fish and alot didn't have any fish. The fish checker said it was slow.

[bauer buoy]

1 for 2 dry lines. Pine Tree to Heritage. Water temps were 61 to 65. Slow.

were the nets in the big CR?

[MikeT]

The nets are in the river but that shouldn't be having an effect. There are 6000-7000/day crossing both The Dalles and John Day dams; a lot of those have to be turning in to the D.
Fishing was a lot better in July even with much lower fish counts over the dams. I had 20 "grabs" on flies in four one-day trips in July, but only had seven in three trips in August. Things started out much better than usual, then died just when it usually starts heating up. This month and next should be the peak; let's hope things turn around soon.

Mike

[bauer buoy]

The nets are in the river but that shouldn't be having an effect. There are 6000-7000/day crossing both The Dalles and John Day dams; a lot of those have to be turning in to the D.
Fishing was a lot better in July even with much lower fish counts over the dams. I had 20 "grabs" on flies in four one-day trips in July, but only had seven in three trips in August. Things started out much better than usual, then died just when it usually starts heating up. This month and next should be the peak; let's hope things turn around soon.

Mike

thank you !

[Two Fister]

The nets are in the river but that shouldn't be having an effect. There are 6000-7000/day crossing both The Dalles and John Day dams; a lot of those have to be turning in to the D.
Fishing was a lot better in July even with much lower fish counts over the dams. I had 20 "grabs" on flies in four one-day trips in July, but only had seven in three trips in August. Things started out much better than usual, then died just when it usually starts heating up. This month and next should be the peak; let's hope things turn around soon.

Mike

That recent increase over the dam is likely due to the nets being out of the river for a bit. They are going back in and the counts will again drop. The fishing has been slow for most since the nets went in for the first time in August. There was a decent slug of early fish that beat the nets to the river.

TF

[JKW]

Fished Saturday down around the rattlesnake canyon area. Fairly slow for myself, longline released one nice fish and banked one native. Was hoping to have a little better action than that. Might go down to the mouth on Tuesday.

[cphatts]

I concur.....I LDR'ed 2 this past weekend near Macks..... which wasn't very good considering the amount of quality time I spent on the water. I didn't see any other rods bent either the entire weekend..... seems to be a little on the slow side right now.

[Jar Head]

Floated from Mack's Canyon to the mouth this weekend - Water was pretty clear (White River is running cleaner).

Fishing was very poor - Didn't see a single fisherman, other than ourselves, with fish. Most boats were skunked. We managed 1 steelhead the whole way.

I got this one on a size 14 soft hackle, swing method on a 5 wt fly rod.

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/P9060944.JPG (http://www.ifish.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/85384/size/big/cat//ppuser/1069)

[Slow and Low]

were the nets in the big CR?

The nets are out right now. I don't know for how long.

[NWaddict]

I haven't been yet this year as I usually dont float until later into September, but someone help me understand why the nets the are the problem. I dont like them anymore than anyone else, but are the fish just not holding and dipping into the Deschutes like them often do?

The difference in fish numbers between the dalles and the john day dams has been around 20K to 30K fish ever since July. Are fish just not stopping and holding on their way through, or are the nets the problem?

[Two Fister]

I haven't been yet this year as I usually dont float until later into September, but someone help me understand why the nets the are the problem. I dont like them anymore than anyone else, but are the fish just not holding and dipping into the Deschutes like them often do?

The difference in fish numbers between the dalles and the john day dams has been around 20K to 30K fish ever since July. Are fish just not stopping and holding on their way through, or are the nets the problem?

The steelhead counts drop from several thousand to a few hundred fish per day over The Dalles Dam when the nets are in. Those fish are never coming back.

I think it's likely that the fish that arrived early have moved farther up into the system. I know several people that have recently caught fish further upstream. The lower river fish haven't been replenished since the nets only came out recently. I also don't think that a significant thermal barrier has formed this year so it's likely that fish will blast upriver given the chance.

I don't trust the lower Columbia non-tribal gillnetters to self report their catch so it's only fair that I'm equally suspicious of the tribal netters whose practices are much worse.

TF

[NWaddict]

Well there is certainly a big difference in bonnie counts and the dalles counts. No doubt much of it is because of the nets.

But, with as many fish that have gone over the dalles (well over the 10 year average of 127,000), it seems like the fish are just not holding.

When did fishing really drop off this year?

Anyone know the temps?

[Slow and Low]

Well there is certainly a big difference in bonnie counts and the dalles counts. No doubt much of it is because of the nets.

But, with as many fish that have gone over the dalles (well over the 10 year average of 127,000), it seems like the fish are just not holding.

When did fishing really drop off this year?

Anyone know the temps?

The temps are high 61 in the am and 65 in the pm. Fishing is as good as it gets for the time of year. My advise is to stay out of the "club scene", places like wagonblast, ferry canyon, south junction, and look for some solitude.

[rock bottom]

Floated from Mack's Canyon to the mouth this weekend - Water was pretty clear (White River is running cleaner).

Fishing was very poor - Didn't see a single fisherman, other than ourselves, with fish. Most boats were skunked. We managed 1 steelhead the whole way.

I got this one on a size 14 soft hackle, swing method on a 5 wt fly rod.

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/P9060944.JPG (http://www.ifish.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/85384/size/big/cat//ppuser/1069)

Beautifull fish. I bet that was alot of fun n a 5wt!

[Jar Head]

Beautifull fish. I bet that was alot of fun n a 5wt!

Yes! I felt very fortunate to even touch a fish, since I only get out to sling the flies maybe once a year.

What is funny is that I started out on this trip using the flies I bought at the local fly shop; things of beauty, really - with their bead heads and bling bling. Steelhead or Redsides - they just weren't buying it. So, I tie on an old beat up, rusty fly I probably tied 10 years ago - Looks like hell. About the 4th or 5th cast with this little monstrosity - WHAMO. Steelhead comes up, makes a boil at the end of my leader, I set the hook - It's on!

Here's my humble little killer - I guess it's more of an emerging caddis (with bucktail) than a true soft hackle

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/Fly.JPG (http://www.ifish.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/85505/size/big/cat//ppuser/1069)

[Michelle K]

Nets went back in yesterday. :(

[Slow and Low]

Afraid of that. I saw them today betwen Hood River and the Klickitat on the Washington side but wasn.t sure about the Oregon side.

[KevinsDriftboat]

How did day 2 go for you? Missed you on the way out. And I will always be glad to help you hike out any big fish!

Nets went back in yesterday. :(

[Slow and Low]

slow

[yankee1]

Question : Floating later this week ,if the nets are in now will it affect fishing later this week like Thurs./Fri.? How long do they stay in?

[KevinsDriftboat]

Nets came out on Friday. It takes 2-3 days for the bigger fish to return. Expect lots of fish with net marks. And fish with gashes in their belly from the bridge snaggers.

[Steelie Mike]

Nets came out on Friday. It takes 2-3 days for the bigger fish to return. Expect lots of fish with net marks. And fish with gashes in their belly from the bridge snaggers.

It was disgusting seeing all of the nets in the river today. There was a lot of them too.

[KevinsDriftboat]

UGH! Thanks for the heads up.

[Zugbug66]

Is there a time frame for when they have to pull the nets for good?

[Slow and Low]

It was disgusting seeing all of the nets in the river today. There was a lot of them too.

did you catch any fish?

[Michelle K]

How did day 2 go for you? Missed you on the way out. And I will always be glad to help you hike out any big fish!
I only got one on day 2, I'm guessing around 6 lbs. I don't really care if I take any fish home, I release about 90% of what I catch anyway. However, I do have alot of non-fishing friends who are always volunteering to help me eat the ones I do keep! :D

[Hookmiester]

Has anybody been staying at the State park? Heading up there in Oct, just wonder how it is???

[Steelie Mike]

did you catch any fish?

No, the three of us did not touch a things as well as the ten others that were fishing right across the river from us above Heritage. Granted we only fished the AM shift, I only heard of one fish hooked that morning.

[KevinsDriftboat]

Its a great park with a few rules, keeps it great. Unless it rains a bunch dont bother bringing any firewood. Talk to your neighbors there, its friendly place!
The host has ice for sale, and firewood. Fishing is technical, dont plan on banner days of big bumbers. Enjoy the beauty, and watch out for the porcupine, he likes the pears. I almost stepped on him! I also saw a young bobcat up the trail. Lots of snakes in the evening on the river trail.
River courtesy is great 98% of the time upriver.

Mitch
I might see you there

Has anybody been staying at the State park? Heading up there in Oct, just wonder how it is???

[Zugbug66]

Wow, dismal reports..... Heading over for the weekend on the 1st of Oct. staying in Tygh Valley at a buddies cabin. Plannig to float Beaver tail to Mack's, or Nena to wapinita....Hmmm what to do.
wayne

[AlseaAssassin]

We had some pretty good success at the mouth this last weekend but it was on gear.

[NWaddict]

You shouldn't believe everything you read. I took my girlfriend and her dad this weekend and we hooked 12 over 2 days and a morning of fishing. Her dad had never steelhead fished and hooked 2. All on spinners. A lot of natives. The fish are there, it's just a matter of where you fish and how you fish it.

[Slow and Low]

Not so much a matter of what your fishing:D. The fish are not spread out. The majority of fish we hit were in pockets. Most of the fish were hatchery and dark.

I will tell you this the long rodders are in full hatch from Lockit to Harris. Wholly you know what. I have never seen so many drifters on the lower river, and mostly boats I've never seen before. Crazy. I think I'll stick to Jboat weekends.

[joliver]

I have to agree with the flyfisher explosion. I came off Friday after four days and Friday morning I have never seen so many flyfishers! The powerboat traffic seems to be normal but somebody had a sale on long rods and drift boats. Amazing to see that many flies in the water.

[Slow and Low]

very, very, slow.

[IDFishrite]

Saw at least 30 guys on the island Saturday night.The park host said he counted 42 one of the previous days and river courtesy very bad...Heritage ramp/Park area is a zoo.Too bad..

[Nonates Buckheninigloo]

Move up river,
I finally got one at Mecca flats last wednesday on an R&B spinner, and heard of more coming out of trout creek. Very few people if you get there early. But after this post things may change. HEHE :passout: :twocents:

[Two Fister]

Move up river,
I finally got one at Mecca flats last wednesday on an R&B spinner, and heard of more coming out of trout creek. Very few people if you get there early. But after this post things may change. HEHE :passout: :twocents:

Dude! How could you!?!?! :passout::passout::passout:

[cphatts]

I landed a nate on Saturday evening but that was the only fish I touched swinging all weekend.....seems rather slow for this time of year.

Slow & Low....I think I saw you drifting in a black boat with blonde lady and brown dog riding up front on Sat near Macks?

[Zugbug66]

Has the White been puking?

[ctchchromeeateyes]

Has the White been puking?

Haven't heard anything about the White, but I was on the D this past Saturday at the mouth, and the water looked great. However, I did not touch a fish other than one grab. More fishermen than I have ever seen at the park- 2 to 4 people on every run.

I did see some hardware guys haul back some nice fish from up-river starting about 1pm- before that, nothing.

[jdougher]

Fished the mouth on the east side Sunday. Beautiful sunrise, river in great shape, however didn’t touch anything fishing traditional steelhead flies. Saw a number gear guys hook up (6-8?) only one fish landed.

[Slow and Low]

I landed a nate on Saturday evening but that was the only fish I touched swinging all weekend.....seems rather slow for this time of year.

Slow & Low....I think I saw you drifting in a black boat with blonde lady and brown dog riding up front on Sat near Macks?


Yep that's me. We camped at Beavertail Friday night and put on Saturday. We floated to Heritage and did not have a bump. The only weekend since June I have not hit a fish on the lower river. Unbelievable...still a great trip.

I took my sled down Mon and Tues and managed one nate. On a brighter not I saw Bauchman and Jack Hagen with fish on... nymph fishing. The fish checker counted one fish from a sled coming out of the canyon today.

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSlow!

Might be time to head up river

[Slow and Low]

Has the White been puking?

Rivers in great shape but there are no fish.

[Outdoorbnd]

Went 2 for 5 today. It seems that most of the fish in the river have been around for awhile. Anyone catching any chrome around Maupin?



11430

11431

[Zugbug66]

Fished around Maupin Thur eve, floated Nena to Wapinitia fri (in the rain) and got blown off the water on sat. 5 fish hooked on nymphs by a buddie. I was swinging flies, and wishing I was nymphing. There are fish, saw lots. also stopped by the ladder at shearers....the ladder was full of fish. they

[Slow and Low]

Thanks for the report.

[cphatts]

Went 2 for 2 last weekend but then the White started puking mud and sthut it down. Overall it still seems a little slow for October but you cant catch em sitting on the couch either!

[Oregon_moose]

im goin to be heading up from the mouth to harris by sled for a sheep hunt october 17th. i looked at the boaters pass to see if i need one that time of year and it said i didnt but a guide i talked to said i would. im calling blm tomorrow but if anyone knows that would be great! also is that part of the river fly fishing only? whats running up that way, any tips for gear to take?
thanks!

[wedgeman]

Nets came out on Friday. It takes 2-3 days for the bigger fish to return. Expect lots of fish with net marks. And fish with gashes in their belly from the bridge snaggers.


"Gashes in the belly from bridge snaggers" What proof do you have of that? I don't think I've ever seen you fish the bridge. You are very offensive to us law abiding fisherman who fish the bridge. As I've said in my previous post I've never in 10 years of fishing the bridge seen anyone keep a snagged fish. I have heard jealous fisherman who don't catch anything get frustrated with people who do. Not saying that's the case with you. But you really seem to have it in for us guys that enjoy the bridge. It would be great if you had some hard evidence before you try and start something here. You seem a little angry to me.

[Outdoorbnd]

Saturday was a little rough with the wind and rain. Managed to hook three and land one. Had to work hard to find fish.


http://www.geocities.com/alpinesnow800/Oct4-08.JPG

[Slow and Low]

:D

[woodsy188]

im goin to be heading up from the mouth to harris by sled for a sheep hunt october 17th. i looked at the boaters pass to see if i need one that time of year and it said i didnt but a guide i talked to said i would. im calling blm tomorrow but if anyone knows that would be great! also is that part of the river fly fishing only? whats running up that way, any tips for gear to take?
thanks!

Drift permit required. Its just not limited entry on segment 4 that time of year.