Indian Island Deschutes

[DH Drifter]

I have floated the Deschutes for several years and have always bought a permit for the indian side. I read the regs and they state no fishing on islands on the indian side of the river, west of main channel I believe. Can someone give me some better information on this. Can you fish the west side of the first island you come to warm spring to trout creek? Some do not seem obvious except for the one above trout creek saying "Closed".

thanks,

DH

[Wingdam]

Technically the first island’s west side is over the line, but many people fish it without the tribe getting involved. Divide the whole river channel in half including islands, and if you’re on their half, you are trespassing. Only exceptions are from Dry Creek to Trout Creek. A couple guides have permits to fish all of the reservation side however, many more break the law on a regular basis, but I digress.

[MikeT]

Here's the link to the Confederated Tribes fishing permit web site:
http://www.tribalpermit.com/Area2.aspx

Seems pretty clear: No fishing on the Indian side above Dry Creek. No landing, fishing, or camping on any reservation islands.

[DH Drifter]

The first Island gets fished by guides which is why I was asking. I have fished it but never had a clear answer. It would seem that the east side of the island (river) is not on the reservation side as long as you are not on the island. Correct?

Thanks for the input. It would be great if they posted more of them as I am sure many people have made innocent mistakes.

DH

[24 on/ 48 off]

You can anchor just off the green, abandoned house on the East side and whallop them on nymphs! There is a shallow sandbar about 20 feet off the house. Closer towards the bank it gets a bit deeper and- its a spawning ground. Stay off that!

[River Borne]

Main channel goes left around the first Island. All Islands west of the center of the main channel are off limits. That island is fair game, being east of the center of the main channel!

[Chromaflage]

MB has it right. I've fished that stretch for nearly 20 years. I've talked to many tribal, BLM and OSP folks on the river. We were checked at the first island at Mecca Flat - no problem fishing there as the main channel is on the reservation side of the river. There is one island below Dry Creek that is posted - so beware. Other than that, with a reservation permit, below dry creek you can fish anywhere.

Originally Posted by Mountain Borne

Main channel goes left around the first Island. All Islands west of the center of the main channel are off limits. That island is fair game, being east of the center of the main channel!

[Two Fister]

The Warm Springs tribes placed their dead on the islands historically so they are kind of particular about them.

I stopped a raft at the WS put in a few years ago that had a tribal officer, a BLM ranger, and a Jefferson County sherrif who used to be a tribal officer. I asked them point blank, what was the deal with the islands. The consensus answer was anything on the east side of the center of the river was open, anything on the west side of the center was closed. Anything that was in the middle and not obvious one way or another was open, but expect some grief (but not a ticket) if you were fishing on the tribal side of that island.

No camping on any island at any time. That's true from Pelton to the mouth.

[24 on/ 48 off]

OK- here are some aerial images and MY PERSONAL interpretations. Note: I have never had any official comment on these interpretations, but then again, I have never been questioned in the 70 or 80 times I have floated this stretch. These are the images I would take with me to court, should I ever get in trouble.

First island below Warm Springs:


This one is easy in my mind. Note that most of the water appears to be on the West side of the island. It is deep water, and I have no problem calling it the "channel" and saying that the Island is NOT Tribal land.



Second island- Across from Mecca:


On a few occasions, I have witnessed people carefully walk across to the island from the Mecca campground (I would never try it!) It would be impossible to do so from the West Side. It is much deeper and faster on the West side of the channel. Therefore, it is considered by me that the Mecca Island is NOT Tribal land.



Blood Island- About 4.5 miles downstream:


While this is obviously Tribal land, it is the ONLY island posted as "NO Trespassing". It is called "Blood Island" by the Tribe, and it is considered sacred ground. Clearly, you should not set foot on this island.



BIG (Miller?) Island- about 5.5 miles downstream from Warm Springs:


This is the largest island of the stretch. I have heard of it being called "Miller Island", but I am not 100% sure of it. This island is tricky. I have floated both sides, and I am convinced that most of the water goes down the East side of the island, thus it would be called the "channel". It is deeper and faster on the East side. It is my opinion that this is a Tribal Island.


So, that's it. That's my take on things. Again, I do not have any authority on the matter, it is just my opinion.

--spud--

[Patrick]

Nice post spud. What you are calling Miller Island is the one I have always questioned. The first time I floated the river we fished it. From the top it looks like the main channel is river left - both width and flow. When we left, I looked back upstream and thought we had screwed up - looked like river right was the main channel. Sure would be nice if the Tribe would post sat. photos with their interpretation.

I think I will call them in the morning.

Patrick

[24 on/ 48 off]

Please post what you hear back from them. Thanks!