Fly Fishing Insider Newsletter featuring The Fly Fishing Shop

Texas Redfish
October is a great month for fly fishing. Many fisheries get more active as the water starts to cool. Texas Redfish are no exception. In October the crowds of summer have diminished. The weather is mellow. There are some large Reds prowling, looking for shrimp in the grass. Red Drum
or Redfish as they are called throughout much of their range, are one of the most popular fly rod sport fish in

sunrise Laguna Madre

the Gulf Coast states from Mexico to Florida. That is because they are found in very shallow water where fly fishing is most productive. Redfish are very aggressive, often feeding in tight schools of up to two dozen individuals. This action is easy to spot because there is a lot of activity. When a fly is dropped two feet in front of the lead fish and stripped darting through the grass several fish can attack the fly at once. The quickest one gets a hook for his trouble. Shallow water Reds average

..me with a Texas Red, 11/99..

6-9 pounds, but can reach over 12 pounds. When hooked Redfish are sluggers, not runners. The fight is more dogged than spectacular. Don't worry, Reds pull hard enough to be a lot of fun. Landing rates are high. Redfish have lippy cartilaginous mouths that are specifically designed to hold a fly hook. Once hooked they usually come to the hand. That of course doesn't guarantee that

you will be able to find Redfish on your own. The Laguna Madre as the Texas coast is called is a mighty big place covering several hundreds of square miles. A professional guide with a specialized shallow draft boat is indispensable. Sometimes little gulls helped us find schools of fish. Early in the mornings we often found single

fish cruising and creating wakes on a glassy water surface. This was much like stalking Bonefish. As a matter of fact Redfish are sometimes called "Poor man's Bonefish". I find nothing poor about them. Reds are beautiful to look at in their own right. They are also challenging enough. Reds feed on critters that live in grass flats that are kind of like throwing your fly into an

extremely long knap shag rug. Your best bet is to put the fly as close to the fish's nose as possible. Your fly has to be weedless. Very long casts aren't the rule. If you can cast 50' and place your fly in a two foot circle, you are in the game most of the time. Our guide Kenny Brewer likes a nine foot, eight weight rod loaded with a WF9F Scientific Anglers Ultra line in Sunrise color. We concurred that this is the best size outfit for the fish and fishing conditions. 0X is fine enough for tippets. Climax 9' 10 pound test steelhead leaders worked very well. The Texas Gulf Coast around South Padre Island is a well kept, pleasant place with unique natural beauty. Texans have proved to be very friendly and hospitable. Redfish are a lot of fun. You should try them. More about Texas Redfish. To Top

*******	head. No matter how you tie it, the weed guard is indispensable for keeping the hook clear of weeds. Lead eyes will collect weeds and are only necessary in deeper water. Whether eyes of any kind are important hasn't been proven. Some fish will be encountered in water less than a foot deep. Tie some of your flies very lightweight.	Hook: Mustad 34007, #2-#4 Thread: Brown Uni 3/0 Tail: 12-15 strands of orange Krystal Flash, then tan calf tail as long as the hook, with brown spotted Silicone legs tied along side. Body: Brown thread Head: Dark brown spun deer hair with natural end left long. Four silicone legs tied over. Weed Guard: 20 lb. mono
Brown Silly Leg Shrimp This was our most productive Redfish fly. It may be tied with or without lead eyes. It can also be tied bend-back style without the spun deer hair
		To Top

The Local Scene

The Deschutes River
You don't have to go to Texas or some exotic place to enjoy excellent fly fishing. Oregon has some mighty fine fly fishing opportunities of its own. The Deschutes River has been my home for most of the last 30 days. (Hence the lack of "Insider News Letters") Not withstanding all the hype from all the beginners, it seems like a pretty normal year for steelhead. Good numbers of fish are there. Wild fish numbers seem as good as last year. Pressure is heavy in some areas. Clan wars and pitiful childish behaviors have developed on certain stretches of water. Fortunately me and mine have avoided most of it. Water levels have been very good. Lately White River has been a factor, silting up the lower forty miles. With the cold front that hit Thursday, the water is clearing. Steelhead are distributed throughout the lower 100 miles. Anglers will disperse. Things will become more sane as the celebrities and trouble makers will find the weather a little cold for their liking.

Most popular Deschutes steelhead flies this year are: Fly de Jour, Buddler, Joe Girt & Black Stallion. (All in stock). We still have some great spey rods on sale.

Trout fishing will continue to be good through October. The Redsides are fat and energetic. Check out these pictures.
If you would like to read a detailed Deschutes River Fishing Report, click here. To Top

Crooked River
This little tail-water Deschutes tributary is located close to Prineville. There is about eight miles of prime water that is loaded with medium size trout. Hatches can be prolific, the wading isn't challenging and access is easy. Crooked River is an especially good fishery through the fall and winter months. Fishing is usually steady throughout the day on nymphs and soft hackles. Dry fly action can occur any time of day with evening often the best. The water in Crooked River is usually silty brown color. Don't worry, this cover makes the fish more confident and covers many mistakes you might make in presentation.
Flies: Elk Hair Caddis; Blue Winged Olives; Scuds; Woolly Bugger, B.H. Pheasant Tail, Serendipities and Soft Hackles. To Top

Sandy and Clackamas Rivers
There are more steelhead than you might think in the lower Sandy & Clackamas rivers. This has also been a good year for Coho in both watersheds. These fish will take flies and the rivers are small right now and and easy to cover with a fly rod. There are big crowds in certain places. However there are a lot of areas that have no pressure at all. Rabbit strip and marabou flies in purple, black, orange and chartreuse have been the best producers. To Top

Fly Fishers Winter Months Round Tables feature Alec Jackson & Steve Gobin.
Be sure to mark your calendar. Click here for dates.

Up-to-Date INFORMATION on Local Lakes at a glance.
Scroll this table for instant information. Click the links for more information.
Our Lakes Information Section is constantly evolving. Be sure to check often for up-dates.
Want some lake fly fishing instruction? Try a Guided Pontoon Boat Trip!
The water in most lakes is cooling and the fish are becoming more active.

Badger Lake	Last stocked 6/19, fishing good, ants, caddis
Barnes Butte Lake	Superb top water fishing for both trout and bass.
Chickahominy Reservoir	Last stocked 5/29, many small fish, few large fish.
Clear Lake	Some big trout, hard to catch, water getting low, streamers.
Crane Prairie Reservoir	Been tough but some large fish are being caught on, leeches etc.
Davis Lake	Callibaetis hatches, trout fishing fair. Big bass hit streamers.
East Lake	Last stocked 8/28, some large trout, many small trout, good.
Frog Lake	Last stocked 6/12, fall doldroms.
Grindstone Lakes	look for fall bookings
Harriet Lake	Last stocked 9/18, good fishing, can be crowed
Hosmer Lake	Last stocked 5/29, white streamers, fishing good.
Laurence Lake	Road open. To Top
Lost Lake	Last stocked 7/03, terrestrials, caddis, streamers.
Mann Lake	Midges & Callibaetis.
Olallie Lake	Last stocked 7/17 some big fish, streamers
Pine Hollow Reservoir	Last stocked 5/08, fishing fair, nice browns.
Rock Creek Reservoir	Last stocked 6/12, trout & bass fishing fair, water low .
Roslyn Lake	Last stocked 8/28, fishing fair .
Timothy Lake	Last stocked 6/05, fishing good, terrestrials, crayfish.
Trillium Lake	Last stocked 8/28, fishing fair, lots of small fish.
Wickiup Reservoir	some big Brown Trout munching streamers.

To Top