Mecca?

[Royal]

So I got a few days off in the upcoming week, not enough hours for all the employees... so in this three day hiadus I have, I decided to go fishing. And the short while I have lived in oregon, I have heard nothing but great things about this so called "salmon fly hatch". I have also heard great things about "mecca". I looked on the map, and can not seem to locate this area. Any help on how to get to this area from portland would be greatly appreciated, as well as any other pertinent info.

also, there is an empty seat available so if you are interested and dont mind flogging the water around someone of my fishing caliber drop me a line.

[Chromaflage]

Royal - it's very easy. Take Hwy 26 over Mt. Hood. Continue into Warm Springs. After you cross over the river, just past Deschutes Crossing Restaurant, there will be a gravel road to your left that goes past an abandoned gas station. Once you make the turn you have three choices of gravel roads. Take the middle one (as I recall). Follow it all the way to the end (about 1.5 mils or so) and you will see Mecca Flat camp ground. There is plenty of bank access along and below the camp ground.

Caution - the road is very bumpy, so go slow. Also, it's a little early for Salmon flies up that high yet. But you might find some Golden Stones around. If it's warm, look for caddis hatches in the early morning and evening. For nymphing, try a large salmon fly nymph with a dropper (prince nymph, hare's ear, pheasant tail, etc.).

ORS

[Royal]

Would it be a better call to go to Maupin area? Or is it just early all around for salmon flys?

btw, thanks for the info.

[Chromaflage]

Maupin would be a better bet right now for Salmon flies. In a week or so, up higher will also be good - depending on the weather.

[BanannaMan]

There are salmon files all over Mecca and so are the people. The fish are not really keying on them since all the fisherpersons are wading 15 feet from the bank trying to fish the center of the river. I did have some fun walking the back and catching fish behind a few people, you should have seen the looks on their faces.

[daveg]

I fished Mecca yesterday 5:00 pm to 8:45 pm. It was slow, but lots of salmon flies, the fish are only a few days from getting keyed in on the big bugs. From about 7:45 to 8:30 saw about 10 surface rises or so. If is started out nymphing at 5:00 probably would have done better. I switched from an adult golden stone foam body to bead head red serendipity and bead head pheasant tail. Got one on the red bug. I had heard good success on red copper johns.

The road is the third road from the left. There are three gravel roads and a pure dirt road on the far right. The road is rough with the washout area having deep ruts, you can do it in a regular car, but pay attention and keep you tires on the high spots.

[AlseaAssassin]

Good advice bananaman!! When fishing Mecca I also wade out as far as the guys fishing the middle but cast back towards the bank and that seems to be the ticket at Mecca.