lower deschutes summer steelheading

[SteelieSteve]

I fished there Sunday afternoon, I wasn't lucky but the guy across the river hooked 3 in 1 1/2 to 2 hours. It was windy but then isn't it always on the lower river [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] . I've been fishing the Deshutes from 84 to roads end and haven't seen a snake yet. I know they are there but just not where I go I guess. I've been told there are more snakes in the Mac's canyon area.

[rob allen]

In the last 10 years I have seen 3 rattlers on the lower river. Rattlers although being aware of them is important anywhere oin the river it's slightly less of a concern down low.
Spin fishermen do just fine all day long. fly guys like myself pretty much stick to mornings and evenings. Although I have heard of guys using small drap flies and taking fish mid-day.. as well as fishing standard patterns on sink tips. There is one certainty though.. You wont catch a fish if your line isn't in the water.

[Hawgwash]

I fish the lower stretch of the river 7-10 times per year using lures, wigglewarts & #4 vibrax. I've had very nice results in the middle of the day. Four years ago on a guided trip with Danny Haak we nailed em on our "Noon Run" for three days!

Usually ride my bike up the trail on the East side. Only saw 1 reptilian snake and several of the human variety over the years.(pack out your trash!)

Can't help if you’re using flys. Go get em! [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

[ampersat]

thanks for the info guys. just what i was looking for.

my plan is a bike ride up the east side pitching homemade spinners. they're probably not as good as vibrax or blue fox, but they're a heck of a lot cheaper.

[SteelieSteve]

I tried homemade spinners, steelies, jigs and in the past pitched warts, tadpollies and other plugs. Water is LOW.

Over the last few years I've caught fish at first light, and then at around 10:00ish there seems to be another pretty good bite. In certain spots you are able to catch fish all day.

I throw blue fox spinners. I will always cut off the factory spinner and put on a Eagle Claw laser. I've seen too many people lose fish because of a hook that a fish straightend out. My only little trick is to tie on a treble-hook fly, making the spinner look a lot like a big, good looking rooster tail.

I've never seen a rattler, but I'm usually looking at the water with that crazed look in my eye.

[rob allen]

trmember single barbless hooks!!!

[ampersat]

i checked through the archives and couldn't find a direct answer to my question. so here goes:
does summer steelheading on the lower deschutes shut down during midday? i realize the prime time to fish is first light but it's a darned long drive to get out there from portland. if i'm driving that far, and then riding my bike up the east side a few miles, i want to make sure i can get more than 3 hours of decent fishing done. also, what about the snakes out there?

[SteelieSteve]

Single barbless hooks are no longer required in the Deschutes. I got that from a ODFW checker last Sunday.