"Browning" around Bend

newportfisher · 03-12-2010, 01:08 PM

Im not sure if this has been discussed on here too much, so I thought I would start up a little conversation about it. I know that people hit up the lakes that surround Bend all the time for browns, but my question is about the River...

Obviously the Deschutes surrounds Bend and even runs through it, so my question is how do you or did you get to these bad boys, and where did you seem to have the most success doing it? I know people catch them on the little D as well. If you are a Deschutes brown enthusiast, feel free to chime in. I have talked to people that say up by the Inn is a great place and others that have told me the north end of town can produce some good fishing. Anyone care to participate in this talk?

I know how fisherman are and often times do not want to give up their secret bait or locations. Im not asking for anything in particular, just a general sense. Anything helps!

Cameron

fish-on-bend · 03-12-2010, 04:06 PM

I have pulled a few from the park by the Newport bridge about 5-8 years ago on the fly rod and took a friend from Tahoe there. He was pretty excited about catching browns in "downtown" Bend. The Little Deschutes has some big surprises.

I fished a number of spots there when I used to live in La Pine. Sunriver area has some lunkers as well. I floated my old 14 foot boat down there a few times about 10-12 years ago.

dirty bird · 03-12-2010, 04:48 PM

The Deschutes has browns in every part of the river. I was have caught them from Redmond all the way to Wickiup. My best success has been in the upper river where you can take a small boat and motor up the river and drift down in the middle casting to the shore. They hang out in the undercut banks and off of fallen trees and obstructions on the bank.

Hooked up · 03-12-2010, 06:02 PM

Lots of good places to fish. You just need to get out and explore. It has been many years ago but I used to catch them on the north end of town.

fishcentral · 03-13-2010, 05:11 PM

small blue and chrome castmasters in deep water with current .

brownshole · 03-16-2010, 12:01 AM

There is a strech of river between Pringle Falls and Wickiup. Steep pumice banks, limited access from shore. Big Browns live there. From Wickiup Junction on Hwy 97, go eight miles west on Burgess road, take a left. dirt road goes alongside the river.

GO DUCKS!!!

Tred73 · 03-16-2010, 07:05 AM

Its not like it use to be, but the stretch below Wickiup dam can be amazing. Crawdad tails use to be the go to bait, but I have not fished it in a few years because the reports are so bad.

Two Fister · 03-16-2010, 09:49 AM

I've seen some big browns caught trolling rapalas through the slack water sections above town. Bring your mosquito repellent during the summer or they will bleed you out.

Look for deep holes that provide thermal cover during the summer when the river is drawn down in the area below town. There's likely one big nocturnal piscivore lying in the bottom of the hole eating anything that trys to find some relief from the high water temps.
TF

finnedwonder · 03-25-2010, 09:33 AM

Is the section below wickiup or above town float able by driftboat?

Dextreme · 03-25-2010, 11:22 AM

The Deschutes in the Redmond area has a lot of water flowing through it right now, so its a challenge to wade out to even fish. I caught this one (13") last Thursday on a Rooster tail.

Nolan · 05-28-2010, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brownshole

There is a strech of river between Pringle Falls and Wickiup. Steep pumice banks, limited access from shore. Big Browns live there. From Wickiup Junction on Hwy 97, go eight miles west on Burgess road, take a left. dirt road goes alongside the river.

GO DUCKS!!!

I'm supposed to float that stretch in my drift boat in a couple weeks. I've never been down it before but the people I'm going with used to do it all the time. Trouble is, they used to do it ten years ago. Are there any trouble spots, trees across the river, etc? Any heads up would be greatly appreciated.

team anarchy · 05-28-2010, 02:23 PM

Browns above Bend are special. The food supply is not like it is in Wickiup or Paulinia, So please don't kill every one you catch. Floating below Wickiup is very doable in almost any boat. there are 3 major falls/rapids that have killed people. Pringle Falls, Benham Falls, and Dillon Falls. I have a 16ft/48in drift boat and fish above Bend regularly at this time of year. Floating is easy and I suggest dragging a chain on a length of rope to slow you down just a touch so you can get in a couple more casts in good water. Under cut grassy banks are your target. Spinners catch small rainbows, Size 13 Rapalas catch Browns. It's cast, cast, cast and maybe a few good fish a day. Jig or rip your Rapala back to the boat. Cast within inches of the shore. Thats where they are at. I wish there was a slide ramp right below Wickiup, but there is not. Get a Forest Service map to see ramps. Water last Wednesday was a hair low (but no problem unless you are motoring up river, and then only in a couple spots. Bottom is small gravel so have a prop protector) Clarity was great for the Upper "D". Mosquito report is zero. It's F***** cold. Normally they are only at the ramps, not on the water.

concreterob · 05-28-2010, 10:48 PM

If doing a float on the river above Benham falls then I would use Countdown Rapalas in brown trout and rainbow trout colors. Size 5 and 7 work well. Just like Anarchy stated, cast towards the banks and do a jerk type retrieve and they will hit it. The undercut banks are the key.

There are several boat ramps from Wickiup Dam all the way to Sunriver. From Wickiup the first ramp is Tenino, second is Bull Bend, and third is Wyeth. Tenino is on the south side of the river and Bull Bend and Wyeth are on the north side. Tenino to Wyeth is approximately 6.5 river miles.

There is a take out right before Pringle Falls and I would do that if you are doing that float. Between PRingle Falls and Tetherow log jam there is some good fishing, but I wouldn't float this section because of the hazards.

Right after the Tetherow Log Jam there is a boat ramp and this will take you to all the way to Besson Camp(this is a boat ramp) in Sunriver. This section is a great float and I have caught some nice browns in this area.
Tetherow to LaPine State Park is 5.5 RM (river miles). LaPine to mouth of Fall River is 3 RM. Mouth of Fall River to Big River Campground (boat ramp) is 5 RM. Big River Campground to Besson Camp (boat ramp) is 8.5 RM. Besson Camp to Benham Falls is 8.5 RM also. There is a take out right before Benham Falls.