Crooked River info

[Doc Spratley]

:whazzup: I have a friend that recently retired and moved over to the Bend area. He is interested in learing to fly fish and has asked me over to his place to give him a lesson or two. Although I've fished the Deschutes for years, I've never been on the Crooked River. It is closer to his house so I was thinking of taking him there. Now, I'm not asking anyone to give up their secret go-to spot, but can someone give me some directions on where to go and how you get there for a section on the Crooked River that might produce some trout, but that would be easy water for a beginner? I'd be much obliged. graemlins/1zhelp.gif

[BuKuBass]

The first five or six miles below Bowman dam upriver from Prineville offers the best fishing and lack of obstructions that may foul a backcast. Plus there're plenty of current lanes to show him how to mend his line. Don't forget to cast directly upstream, as fish sometimes will be tight to the bank in the shallows seeking warmth.

[fishinbuddy]

Make sure you have some scud patterns in your fly box. Pink and orange work best. Crooked is a very fun river to fish. Also lots of fish per square mile. You will catch lots of redbands 7-13inches and plenty of whitefish in areas. There are some 20 inch plus fish in the crooked, but you won't see many past 15inches. Stop at prineville sporting goods in town and pick up some local fly patterns and have them point you in the right direction. You should just drive through the blm campgrounds and look for an appealing piece of river. Try the upper campgrounds, like Upper Lone Pine. Good luck.

[nufenchafel]

Below Prineville I have had a lot of luck nymphing with a green rock worm and a strike indicator. This works best after the sun is hitting the water full on, and the bigger fish have moved lower in the water.

[drbfish]

The post above says 'below Prinville'. Do you mean south? Because I have never meet anyone who has fished down river from Prinville. I wonder if I am missing something?

As far as the original question, the crooked is a great beginner river. Any of the campgrounds in the 12 miles or so below the dam are great. The fish will be looking up for caddis and some duns pretty soon! But, nymphing will be the most fish, copper jons, brassies, rockworms, and lots of scuds.

[ 04-21-2002, 08:39 PM: Message edited by: drbfish ]

[Doc Spratley]

Just wanted to thank you for the advice. I am on my way tomorrow night. Hopefully, by the end of the weekend, I'll have a flyfishing convert on my hands. :cheers:

[PittsburghD]

Send news of your journey. We'dove to hear about it. :tongue:

[nufenchafel]

Sorry, I meant below Prineville Reservoir.

[drbfish]

I guessed that is what you meant. Has anyone fished the crooked river above the lake or below town? I have heard the upper river is ok for native wild untouched fish.