Deschutes near Maupin ??

Hawk · 06-20-2007, 10:38 AM

I'm going to be up there next week and I'm wondering how it's been?

mandinga · 06-22-2007, 12:13 AM

late june on the deschutes....

you shouldnt have to ask.

Hawk · 06-22-2007, 08:57 AM

I've been on the hunting side for several years (1000+ posts), but I'm just another newbie on the trout fishing side.

Sorry for the "dumb" questions.

12244 · 06-22-2007, 09:00 AM

I just talked to a guy that drifted with 4 others, 1 fish. Pretty dismal for the D after he just left drifting the JD with hundreds of hungry bass on the fly.

Two Fister · 06-22-2007, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawk

I've been on the hunting side for several years (1000+ posts), but I'm just another newbie on the trout fishing side.

Sorry for the "dumb" questions.

Hawk,
No such thing as a dumb question. I've been fishing the Deschutes for 25 years and I'm not sure I could make sense of Mandingas response.

The trout have just about finished the salmon fly hatch in that section. There may still be some golden stones around. There is sometimes a bit of a short lull after the hatch ends, but it usually doesn't last long. There will be epic hatches of caddis, Pale Morning Duns (PMDs), and Pale Evening Duns (PEDs) starting shortly. The dry fly caddis action will be an evening to dark hatch anywhere you can find a decent eddy or moderate speed current line. PMDs will hatch all morning and return to the water throughout the day. I've had best luck with PMD emergers fished just below the surface film.

Nymphing with cased caddis (sz. 10-12), hare's ears (sz. 16), flashback pheasant tails (sz 18), Copper Johns (sz 16-18), green rock worms (sz 14-16), and LaFontane Caddis Emergers (sz 14-18) will all produce well for the next couple of months.

Spinners of just about any make (Mepps, Roostertail, Panther Martin, etc) will all take trout. Remember there's no bait, scent, or scented worms (like a pink worm) allowed on the Deschutes.

Steelhead will start showing in July but it really doesn't pick up until late July-August.

Have a great time and don't forget your sunscreen!
TF

12244 · 06-24-2007, 08:52 AM

Scent is banned?
I didnt know that. I only know of the recent "no Rubberized bait" rule.

Two Fister · 06-25-2007, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinsDriftboat

Scent is banned?
I didnt know that. I only know of the recent "no Rubberized bait" rule.

Mitch,
I'd need to double check the regs, but I believe scent is considered bait on rivers/lakes where bait is prohibited.
TF

Artwo · 06-25-2007, 12:41 PM

Per the definitions section of the 2007 Oregon fishing regulations for "bait" it states.....

"Any item used to attracted fishwich is not an artifitail fly or a lure. Molded soft plastic of rubber imitation worms, eggs, or other imitation baits are considered bait. Scent is not concidered bait."

I also looked in the section specific to the Deschutes and doesn't state any special regulation pertaining to the scents. It just states lure and artifitial baits only.

Sturgeon · 06-25-2007, 01:38 PM

Been fishing the deschutes for many years. I was approached about using scent one day from another fisherman. He must have got frustrated and approached. Anyway I questioned his motives but wisely asked a state trooper and the trooper told me scent was ok. Just no soft plastics or bait. Never have I ever seen a regulation on it in oregon synops.

Two Fister · 06-25-2007, 01:59 PM

I'll leave it up to you guys as I don't have a copy of the regs in my office. I was told scent was considered bait by a state trooper checking licenses at the mouth so that's what I was going by.
TF

Artwo · 06-25-2007, 02:59 PM

He was wrong..................................

That is why I always carry a copy of the reg's with me either in the boat of the back pouch of my fishing vest. I too have had the OSP tell me something that I knew for certian was not the regulation. I just very politely show them what the regulations say and have never had a problem. I've even had them tell me; thanks, I never knew that.....................

Artwo · 06-25-2007, 03:07 PM

As a clarification to the original question however..................

"Remember there's no bait, scent, or scented worms (like a pink worm) allowed on the Deschutes."

The regulation for the Deschutes specifically states.....................

"Restricted to artificail flies and lures"

With that being stated, I would not recommend using scents in the Deschutes river as it reads to be very specific as to what is allowed.

wapiteaser · 06-25-2007, 03:41 PM

This is a funny post. Most of the fishermen on the Deschutes use a scent on their spinners, spoons, corkies, and even their flies. Yes, I have seen the fly fishermen put drops of shrimp or some other scent on their flies. It states soft molded plastic or bait. Some of the newer patterned flies are pushing the border with some of the plastic they use on their flies. Some are even using a single Jensen egg on a little fly hook. I have found several of these "patterns" in the bushes or trees in the Mecca Flats to Trout Creek area. As for OSP, some are not up to date on the regs. One was recently checking fishermen at Sherars Falls and didn't know you didn't have to tag fish under 24" or that they were jacks . A couple of the fishermen educated him pretty quick with a synopsis they had in their car.

Tar Heel · 06-25-2007, 04:16 PM

So are soft plastics off limits? I have never used them on the "D," but wondered if they were allowed. I thought a jig, or somehting of the sort, would be considerd an artificial lure.?

Two Fister · 06-26-2007, 08:52 PM

OK, OK I get it guys. Sorry for the wrong info. That's why I said check the regs as I didn't have a copy in my office. Geez. Take a deep breath.

I fish spinners, plugs, and flies for trout, steelhead and salmon. I've never felt the need to use scent and I've caught a lot of all three species on the Deschutes. I've been fishing the river since 1982.

For your additional info, according to Ryan Messmer at ODFW (the guy responsible for this portion of the rules) the rule allowing scent was only changed a few years ago. The reason the rule was changed was because ODFW and the State Patrol felt it was too difficult to enforce as most scents are difficult to detect by humans after they've dried or been fished. It's only legal currently because they feel that enforcement is already stretched too thin.

According to Messmer, most states that don't allow bait also prohibit scent. Oregon is also considering changing the rule so everybody had better just keep an eye on those regs in their back pockets...

TF

FrozenFish · 06-27-2007, 12:24 AM

Easy TF, its really easy to get goofed up in the Deshutes regs, remember when it was single barbless? Your first post was really great, and anyone just starting out in this water would be well served to follow this simple formula.
If you are feeling lazy, as can happen after a day in the sun in C.O., maybe your favorite adult salmon fly pattern? You might be surprised how long a short term memory is. -FF