Upper Deschutes Browns

[Tanner]

I am going to Sunriver in a couple of weeks and I am wanting to float the Deschutes for some browns. Usually when we go we start at Colonel Patch Bridge (Century Drive?) and float down to Spring River where we usually stay. This year I want to do a float from Tethrow Log Jam (Which is right below Pringle Falls) Down to the SunRiver Marina. Can any one help me with info on this float. How to get to the put in? Is there any dangerous water?(I have no problem with anything up to class 4 rapids in my driftboat). I know how to catch the big browns in there, I am just not familiar with the water above Colonel Patch Bridge.

[FallRiverGuy]

Tanner,

I don't know what the water is like above State Rec Park. From just below State Rec Park to the bridge crossing the river at South Centry drive the river is flat. I have motored that far in my little boat. Boy that will be some float, like an all day one. The river is just as serpentine above where you have put in before as below.

Here are some numbers of businesses offering rafting trips and they should know the river situation.

Blazing paddles......388-0145
Ouzel Outfitters.....800-788-7238

There are boat ramps off of Burgess road that are below Pringle falls. I don't know which one(s) are below Tethrow log jam, but one of them should be. Burgess road is the one that takes off from 97 at Wickiup Junction.

[Tanner]

Fall River Guy,
Thanks for the info. I will be calling them.

Hawgwash,
I mainly flyfish up there using a fairly heavy 8' sink tip on my 6 weight. I use either an olive or black wooly bugger, a bullethead rainbow trout imitator streamer, or a Zonker. Just drift down (Or anchor in extremely fishy looking spots) and cast right to undercut banks or structure such as stumps or logs and erratically strip it back in. There are also a few big deep holes, that I will do a wet fly swing in and then strip it back in. I have caught browns up to 7 lbs in there on my fly rod.

If you are not a fly fisherman, get some Rapala CD7 Countdown Minnows in a rainbow trout pattern and do the same as mentioned above. Rebel Crawdad imitation plugs work good too. Try back trolling those through some of the deeper water or along long stretches of cut bank.

In the evenings, you can fish the shallower water with floating broken back Rapalas. Just kind of twitch them on the surface.

Fishing for these is a lot like Bass fishing. Remember, The bigger browns main diet is other fish and crawdads.

[Phish_on]

I own that river! But only from Big River to the footbridge below the marina. Have never fished up above your Colonel Patch, but I think it's all the same until you get to Benham Falls. Then whoooooooosh goodbye.

There are NO FISH anywhere around there, trust me on this one. [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img]

[Hawgwash]

How do you catch them in there? I was very frustrated there last year. Threw everything under the "sunriver" at them so to speak!

I'd appreciate a couple of tips. Just not too specific so you don't get blasted by anyone who owns the river!! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Thanks!