Fishing From a Boat on the Deschutes

Duane Doran · 12-09-2005, 12:08 PM

I know this question has come up before but it seems I'm always more frustrated by it after I've done a trip down the Big D. Anyway, what do you all think is the REAL reason you can't fish from a boat? I've heard lots of theories but have yet to hear a single one that actually makes sense. If I had my way the Warm Springs to South Junction section would go catch and release and allow you to fish from a boat.

24 on/ 48 off · 12-09-2005, 12:49 PM

I don't know the reason, but I know I like it the way it is. I could only imagine trying to get a trip permit when 500 people a day are trying to float the river.

That stretch of river has plenty of public access from the bank. I'd guess better than 80% on the East side, and the west side below Dry Creek to Trout Creek is open with an indian permit.

It's a great fishery as it is. I can't see changing anything.

That's my 2 cents.

--spud--

CARTMAN · 12-09-2005, 01:03 PM

I agree with 24 on\ 48 off. I was jelous of those with the drift boat so I bought one. not to fish from it but to get me to the spots were there was better water.

cartman

12-09-2005, 02:04 PM

Quote:

I know this question has come up before but it seems I'm always more frustrated by it after I've done a trip down the Big D. Anyway, what do you all think is the REAL reason you can't fish from a boat? I've heard lots of theories but have yet to hear a single one that actually makes sense. If I had my way the Warm Springs to South Junction section would go catch and release and allow you to fish from a boat.

So what is the real reason Hotrod? I think the Deschutes is fine just the way it is and if I had my choice I would like to see even less boat traffic on the river

Mad Mikey · 12-09-2005, 02:16 PM

One can only imagine what would happen during steelhead season.

Duane Doran · 12-09-2005, 02:20 PM

Stew,

I personally think the river would be far more enjoyable if fishing from a boat were allowed. And I honestly don't think everyone in the state would rush out and buy a drift boat just to fish one fairly small stretch of the river. I believe it would lessen the pressure on specific "honey holes" and spread the fishermen out more evenly making the river seem a lot less crowded. Please note that I suggested catch and release would HAVE to be part of the change.

But my real question wasn't whether you like it the way it is because know a lot of people do, rather why do you think the regs are in place?

Slow and Low · 12-09-2005, 02:56 PM

The regs are in place to reduce fishing pressure. Many fish have never been hooked in that river. Name another river with a strong a run of actual natives, I don't think you can.

How people getting along. I would hate to have to avoid anchored boats fishing as well as people fishing from the bank. Can you imagine the disagreement between fisherman and rafters if you could fish out of a boat.

Stew, we would all like less boat traffic. I for one am not going to give up my right to float. Best part of the Deschutes is floating it, camping it, and fishing all in one.

rob allen · 12-09-2005, 04:48 PM

i don't know why the no boat fishing regs came to be but i am sure thankful for them..

1 fishing the D from a boat for trout would be a waste of time and potentially very dangerous, there are very few spots where there is good fishing and safe to float lazily along..
secondly during steelhead season you could absolutely foreget flyfishing, every run would be full of sleds side drifting and driftboats pulling plugs...

12-09-2005, 04:54 PM

Would it have something to do with the wild and scenic designation?
I think Mikey is right about the chaos that fishing from a boating would cause.

crazy_frog · 12-09-2005, 05:30 PM

"honey holes"

bauer buoy · 12-10-2005, 10:25 AM

Hello everyone !
Look back in the 70's and 80's, there was no boat passes.
There was more boats and rafts on the same day that it was to hard to fish. there was some fishing

outfits up there shuttling four times a day and that would be hard fishing from the bank too. There is nothing wrong the way it is now, so injoy the the fun being there as is.

TillamookChinook · 12-10-2005, 11:06 AM

I assume the rule is to provide some sanctuary for fish. I think this is very compatible with a wild fishery. I like the fact that there are probably some big fish there that I probably can't reach.

TC

Duane Doran · 12-10-2005, 12:00 PM

Please note again my comment that it would only work if the river went to catch and release so the gear guys hogging holes while side drifting wouldn't be applicable.

In addition, I had two good friends from Montana out in September and we did a 5 day camp/fish trip. One is the attorney and the other the scientist who founded the the Whirling Disease Foundation. They're also heavily involved in TU. Dr. Science, as I call him (he discovered the Ebola Virus), was quite surprised by the lack of fishing from a boat and said from a biological perspective there is no sound reason for such a regulation provided the river was catch and release. Numerous studies they've done, in conjunction with other state and conservation organizations, indicate no difference in fish populations between a river with no fishing and one that employs catch and release. He went on to say such a regulation makes people drifting the river often anchor and get out of their boats to fish seams off of shallow gravel bars. These are typically prime locations for spawning reds. I can think of numerous locations where this happens and although it's generally by people who don't know any better it still happens a lot.

So based on my original question I believe there's got to be more to the regulations than protecting the fish population because the current ones do not do that. Any theories?

Two Fister · 12-10-2005, 12:39 PM

I believe that the rule preventing fishing from a boat has been in effect for decades. If memory serves (which is by no means a certainty) the folks at the Oasis have a picture noting when the retention limit went from 100 fish per day to 30 fish per day and fishing from a boat was banned. I believe it was in the 1930s.

Like Slow and Low and other have said, the rule was put into effect to provide sanctuary for fish. I'd have to disagree with your scientist friends as I watched plenty of floating fishermen on other rivers drag their anchors through redds trying to stop on those same gravel bars. That'll do a lot more concentrated damage to a redd than someone walking across it. People also often get out of their boats when trying to land a big fish and they really aren't paying attention to where they are walking at that time. Catching spawning fish also puts them under severe stress and there are simply spawning fish on the Deschutes that you can't reach from the bank and/or gravel bars.

I, personally, wouldn't want to see the rule changed. I'm sure you could hammer fish that would otherwise be very difficult to reach, but that's part of the beauty of the river.

TF

TroutGirl · 12-10-2005, 01:32 PM

I guess, I think its working for the fishery, so why change it. Its got a strong native population. Its not all C&R. So, something about the setup is providing shelter to a reproducing population of good fish.

Its not a very informed opinion, but if its not broke, why change it?

lilnorthfork · 12-10-2005, 01:58 PM

Interesting thread. Don't know the answer to your question. I love the D and, though drifting over 50 trout in a deep pool in the middle of the river is almost more than my heart can take, I like the rules the way they are. Personally, I think allowing fishing from a boat would dramatically increase the pressure. There seems to be a huge contingent in our society that would spend a lot of money for recreation where someone else does all the work and they get the reward. I think there could suddenly be a booming market for driftboats equipped with couches.

Fishing with my son on the D for the first time this summer, I did get to pondering how cool it would be if they allowed fishing from a boat for kids under 10 or 12 years old.

Definitely not much safely wadable water for the kids. As much fun as a regulation like that would be for me and my family, I would probably lobby against it... because it would probably end up being a step in the wrong direction instead of a stand-alone regulation change.
lnf

PittsburghD · 12-10-2005, 04:42 PM

It is all about the pressure. I know this has been repeated a few times already but, the main thing is to keep the river open to all who pass through it without having to navigate around anchored boats. It is a minor detail but, al in all makes it fun and available to all sports.

--D

Pete · 12-10-2005, 05:23 PM

I think the answer to the question is that the river bottom is a virtual food factory, interspersed with spawning beds. Dropping or dragging anchors is felt to damage those systems.

srogers · 12-10-2005, 06:14 PM

I like the fact that it requires you to become more intimate and learn the river - you can't just bang down in the boat for a day casting to slack water, rather you have to take your time, explore, and learn the river. Providing some sanctuary to the fish is just a beneficial side note to me...

scott

Duane Doran · 12-11-2005, 12:52 PM

Dragging anchors and forcing users to learn the river are definitely good points.

Billy Tillamook · 12-11-2005, 05:01 PM

Those interested in the Deschutes should pick up a copy of "Deschutes" by Dave Hughes. Its an excellent read with great,well researched writing about this great jewel, not to mention excellent photography.
In a chapter on the trout in the river Dave writes "Early bag limits on the Deschutes were 35 fish, with a 6 inch minimum length.As access became easier through the 1920's and 1930's, such high limits took their toll. One can only regret, with what we know now the numbers of small "trout" kept and killed were undoubtedly downmigrating steelhead smolts that never did reach the ocean.
Limits were eventually reduced. but pressure was not, and trout populations continued to decline. In the late 1930's the Oregon Department of Wildlife took a farsighted step. They closed the river to fishing from boats. This instantly created a source of santuary water for the trout."
Makes good enough sense to me. I was introduced to the river as a teenager by my father and have spent countless hours enjoying the rivers beauty and fish. Personally, I don't think those hours on the river would have been near as enjoyable if there were fisherman pounding it from boats.
Don't misunderstand me though...Every time I'm there I still briefly fantasize about backtrolling a jumbo jet diver and fat nightcrawler through a deep hole

Hey,I can fantasize can't I?

Meskel · 12-12-2005, 01:48 PM

The great Deschutes debate goes way back and it is still a topic of conversation in our legal system today.

Meskel

Duane Doran · 12-12-2005, 04:25 PM

Does anyone think the Warm Springs Permit has any bearing on this? In other words if you could fish from boat you wouldn't need to buy one.

Duane Doran · 12-12-2005, 04:27 PM

One more question: Don't you think changing the regs to allow boat fishing and going catch and release would be even better for the fish?

12-12-2005, 04:46 PM

No not at all! This no fishing from floating device law has kept the Deschutes the special place it is. I cannot imagine what the benefit of allowing fishing from a boat would bring to the fish.
I would fight against this change in the regs and I'm sure many others would too.
Leave well enough alone

Whiskey Dick · 12-12-2005, 05:46 PM

Quote:

One more question: Don't you think changing the regs to allow boat fishing and going catch and release would be even better for the fish?

Duane, the slot limit is 2 fish between 10" and 13" as of now. How many people do you know who keep fish of this size on the Deschutes?. How many guides on the D do you know who allow there clients to even keep fish in the slot limit?. In over 15 years guiding on the D unless it is a Hatchery Steelhead they all go back.
Rob has it right," 1 fishing the D from a boat for trout would be a waste of time and potentially very dangerous, there are very few spots where there is good fishing and safe to float lazily along..

secondly during steelhead season you could absolutely foreget flyfishing, every run would be full of sleds side drifting and driftboats pulling plugs"

.
You said"If I had my way the Warm Springs to South Junction section would go catch and release and allow you to fish from a boat." Apart from Harpham flats Warm Springs boat ramp and TroutCreek boatramp have the largest number of boats launching, now remember i said boats not fishermen, Do you really want to stop and anchor your boat in the middle of the river with all the rafts heading down river? Remember this is a multi use river.
I have a question for you, Why do you say" it seems I'm always more frustrated by it after I've done a trip down the Big D." I have spent over 130 days on the D this year with 3/4 of that WarmSprings to Harpham and we have been lowholed 4 times this year, 2 when fishing for trout and 2 when fishing for Steelhead and each time we just jumped in the boat and moved on to fish another spot, no big deal. You talk about "honey holes" let me share one with you, Launch your boat at WarmSprings Boat ramp(river mile 97) and float down stream for 3-4 days stopping to say hi to Oscar at Whiskey Dick, pull out at Harpham Flat(river mile 56) and there you have it a 41 river mile "honey hole". Don't get frustrated just move on there is plenty of water to fish and not a better place to do it

lilnorthfork · 12-12-2005, 06:40 PM

lnf

Slow and Low · 12-13-2005, 05:47 AM

Quote:

One more question: Don't you think changing the regs to allow boat fishing and going catch and release would be even better for the fish?

The WS permit doesn't apply to the lower river. For those of you who float to Heritage try sand remove the sideplaners from your mind and replace them with a hogline like in Oregon City.

Slow and Low · 12-13-2005, 05:49 AM

Quote:

One more question: Don't you think changing the regs to allow boat fishing and going catch and release would be even better for the fish?

It's already catch and release. Good luck catching a fish that's fits into the bag limit. Also good luck killing a trout there and not getting the same for yourself. 99% of fisherman on the Deschutes voluntarily catch and release.

Duane Doran · 12-13-2005, 08:14 AM

Thanks for all the good points!

Abalone · 12-27-2005, 06:32 AM

Trust me ! The Deschutes would be a Zoo if they allowed fishing from a boat.

I knew someone that snuck his sled into a spot on the Deschutes below Shears bridge and fished it from a boat with plugs. They couldn't keep the fish off their lines.
But that was a long time ago and he is dead now.

It's a good law and it should stay in place.

I don't know how long that law has been in place.
If anyone can still remember him Buzz Salsbury bought and owned the first Jet Sled in Oregon used for fishing.
Buzz saw the Logging companies using them and realized how great they would be for the Clackamas and the Deschutes.
I don't know exactly what year it would have been but sometime in the Early 70's or late sixties.
But he used to run the Deschutes long before the access road was put in and had most of the lower river to himself. I can remember seeing Jet Skis back then. It's funny how you don't see Jet Skis or Wave runner trying to get up there. But in those days you could be on the river all day and maybe see one drift boat or a raft go by. I am sure Buzz probably fished from his boat a few times. Buzz was an awsome fisherman.

Abalone · 12-28-2005, 05:20 AM

I did some checking and learned something interesting.
The Deschutes has been closed to fishing from a boat since the 1930's and it was closed because the Deschutes trout club didn't want people fishing the waters inside their Club area. So they worked it so the State closed the whole river to fishing from a boat.

It's still a good law.

Fishing from a boat is still allowed from a boat if you are handicapped but you are only allowed to fish areas that you could normally fish from. In other words no back bouncing or running plug etc. etc.