Home Forums Fishing Flyfishing Excellent steelheading trip for me!

Just made it back from a week long Deschutes steelhead trip. Tied my old record of 28 fish landed. Was hoping to exceed that number, as the bite was on and time was still available. The last 3 fish on, however, managed to slip the hook. Still a grand time.

Good trip and my most favorite of fish....

What rod/rods, line did you use?

I fish with a small jet jon boat to get quickly to spots I can wade in the Salmon River. I use a # 8 rod with a 8-9 weight line with an anti-reverse reel which I love despite the upfront costs. Are you wading most of the time which I assume ??''

Will have to check into where the steelies are in Idaho. Know the Grand Rhonde (sp?) has been good at the mouth at times in the past. Ever tried that ?? Don't know bout the Oreg. license requirment however.

Steelhead: The lower Deschutes is a relatively wide stream in places (80 to 100 yds). The local fish run between 24 - 28 inches with an occasional stray Clearwater fish (30 to 37 in.) showing up. Hooked 2 of those this past trip but lost one after 10 minutes and the second after about a minute of screaming runs and acrobatics. Over the past 10 years I have gone to spey rods (13 ft 8 wt; 14 ft 9 wt; and 16 ft 11 wt). Used to wave 7 and 8 wt 10 footers about, but they feel like balloons sticks to me now. With AM/PM shaded water, we use double taper floaters throwing a daisy chain of 3 flies. The big gun (16 footer) is for distance and the wind typical to 50% of our evening sessions. During times when I get bored and want to do some mid-day angling, I put a 9 wt sink tip on the 14 footer and toss a single fly. As to flies, there seems to be no magic pattern. I like to retire each after it takes a fish, and go to something entirely different. I've developed a penchant for low water ties as long as I'm in clear water. Mostly 1-ought heavy hooks with relatively small flies. My thoughts are the heavy hooks get down a bit more, are less inclined to cut their way out of hooked fish, and subsequently inflate my landing percentage. The barbs get compressed mostly for my own safety. I'll try to post a shot or two of some of my favorite patterns in the coming weeks. I just figured out how to get a decent sized image into photo bucket. I have a weekend session on the John Day River scheduled in mid-November, and given the distance and hunting trips too, that will likely be my last fishing for the year.

Idahochukar: In the Deschutes river we drift-boat down on extended camping trips, but have to wade when fishing. With the exception of disabled folks, there is no angling from a floating platform. A good rule in my book, as it leaves lots of unfished refuges for escapement. My buddies are hitting the Grande Rhonde around Oct 20+, but I will be hunting the Idaho side of the Snake River Canyon. Thanks for the interest, and keep the lines tight on your end. 1Minute

Excellent is right. That sounds like a great run, 28 fish.

A few more weeks here...too, my favorite fish.

"no angling from a floating platform" is an interesting reg--understand, having been blown off my traditional small stream haunt, the Betsie here in MI, by driftboat guides.

Geez..that is GREAT!! Thanks for sharing!

HoundGirl

Geez 1minute, great photo! I sure hope you left a fish or two without a sore lip down there. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Been fightin' the two-handed trend, but you present very compelling evidence to support making the leap.....

Do you do any nymphing at all, or only swinging?

CastandBlast: Didn't go after any trout but did pick quite a few up accidently in some of the more rapid tailouts and pocket water when swinging the steelhead flies. With calm conditions there were lots of rises visible on the flats, but I do not know what they were sipping. It's laughable how unpleased I am with 15 -18" trout when steelheading, and elated when I'm after trout. We have some good trout angling here around Burns, but when I put in the time and travel for steelhead I tend to focus. Some neophyte buddies got on river on the 18th for 5 days and were overjoyed with their success. I do not have specific numbers, but know they landed a few 36 inch Idaho fish. They floated too, and word must be out, because the primo campsite/fishing spots were mostly all occupied. As to speys, they are just easier and more efficient implements to fish with. Wish they had been available on the US market about 30 years ago. Keep the fly in the water, 1Minute

Thanks 1minute. Your report is almost enough to make me wish I hadn't drawn a deer tag and I'd be fishing instead, ..... almost <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Maybe we'll tag out early and blast then cast.

Are you hunting deer this year?

Castandblast: "Are you hunting deer this year? " Yes. We will be doing the Idaho side of the Snake River Canyon via boat. Passing on the first 3 days of their season, but will be afield on the 13th. Wife and son both have Oregon elk tags left, but I will be unarmed for all of my Oregeon outings. Good luck with the deer. 1Minute