Scott Heemstra
07-22-2002, 02:51 AM
So here is the skinny on fishing Oregon. Last week I spent three days in Oregon fishing the Deschutes at Warm Spgs, the Metolius at its head waters, and the Crooked below Prineville Res. Redsides are barnone the strongest fighting fish to date. Caught several on the Deschutes in the 10-18 inch range on varied patterns of mostly caddis pupae, or prince nymphs (one egg taker as there were still some spawning). The Deschutes is huge beautiful full of fish and hard to wade. An absolute must stop if in the area. The Metolius is a spring creek near Sisters and also holds mostly redsides but I managed a huge bull trout to the surface. Not a hard fighting fish but fun none the less. The rumors of bull trout going after small hooked fish are true. I had a huge bull trout come after a whitefish that I had hooked and was the bleeding. The bull came out of the water as I was bringing in the whitey. Scared the absolute shit out of me. Took most of the fish there on golden stone patterns similar to a large yellow stimi and nymphed some in with a bh hares ear and a pattern cold a 'batman', basically a blue prince nymph. Also would make this a must stop. Beautiful crystal clear water flowing through a huge Juniper forrest. The upper river is a small stream but it doesn't take long for this river to become a rager. Within ten miles it goes from upper provo size to full on green river. Lastly I hit the Crooked and was surprised at what I found. The water was chalky but the bite was on with rising fish to black midges all day. You couldn't keep them off a size 22 black midge, RS2, or midge emerger. I was told that there are between 8-12,000 fish per mile by a local fly tier. Pretty amazing and I would believe it cause there were fish everywhere but they ranged from 6-12 inches with a trophy being 14. Also a good place but a bit out of the way and not quite as appealing as it was in an inferno canyon with no trees for shade. All in all the Bend area has some hot fishing. Currently I am in MI for some salmon action and will update. Tight lines, stay cool and watch your open flames. It is even dry here in MI!
-Scott
-Scott