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hatching Golden Stone…Deschutes

The Salmon fly hatch on Oregon's Deschutes in May/June, is arguably the best dry fly fishing the Pacific Northwest has to offer. The hatch starts at the mouth of the river in the first week of May.

By May 25th there are usually a few Salmon Flies at Warm Springs. The first week in June is peak for the best fifty miles, between Maupin and Warm Springs. The hatch trickles off through June and there are scattered salmon flies around Pelton Dam most years until nearly the first of July.

A dense hatch of golden stones and several smaller, lesser-known, but very important species accompanies the Salmon Fly hatch. Early in this sequence fish will be keyed on Salmon Flies and Goldens. Later in the hatch, especially in places where the trout have been worked over hard, trout can become very picky. They often ignore the best-tied and presented big dry patterns. Instead they will select out caddis, alder flies, may flies and very often, smaller stones. These are most often size #12 to #14 Olive Stones.

As the salmon fly hatch comes to a close, these smaller stone fly species tend to linger on, and through July are replaced with even smaller ones. These summer stone flies are usually bright yellow and are size #14 to #16.

Last week Caddis, Stone Flies, Crane Flies and Pink Alberts provide a smorgasbord of hatches that tempted trout to the surface of the Deschutes River.  In spite of rainy and often blustery weather, the afternoon fishing was very consistent.  In first-light hours of the morning the air was calm and there was a sparse micro-caddis hatch that brought a few fish to the surface.  Pursue this hatch if you are really gung-ho.  We chose to listen to the rain on the tent roof while sleeping late our last morning.  Mid-day fishing was dull.  Probing with nymphs and soft hackles proved that brunch was a better

option. As the water temperature rose in the afternoon the surface activity picked up.  The insects became energetic and the fish responded to them.  There was a mix of hatches.  Thursday afternoon I watched Dave Osgood land many very nice trout.  They came to a varied selection of dry flies.  Some came to small brownish caddis.  Others ate tiny crane flies.  Still others selectively fed on PMDs.  The last part of the day a small Olive Stimulator was the key.  Individual fish seemed to be selecting their own preferences in diet.  Individual hatches seemed to come in waves.  Several times there was a burst of crane flies that only lasted a few minutes.  Then there would be a mini caddis hatch which would disappear and then reappear several minutes later.  In the mean time PMDs came and went and were followed by little Olive Stone flies.  We adapted to the conditions and changed flies often.

Field Test: T F O SPEY ROD  8 wt 12’ 6”
Guide Marty Sheppard completed an on-the-river test of the budget priced TFO-081264P. Marty has had a lot of experience fishing the Sage 8126-4 spey rod so choosing him for this particular "rod-test" was no coincidence.  The fact that he was the top producing local winter steelhead guide working out of The Fly fishing Shop during the though 2004/2005 season is further evidence of his qualifications.
TFO's spey rods are all in the Pro Series.   Pro Series rods are finished in matt black, have hard anodized/machined reel seats, good cork handles and premium fittings.  They are designed for the guide industry as top-performance "loaners".  They are practical,  multi-piece single-handers that come with a sock, but no case and sell for $139.95 to $224.95.  This series of rods has proven to be very popular with guides and non-guides alike.  The four spey rod models each come with a nice rod tube for $249.95. 
The rod was tested with the Rio Windcutter 7-8-9 multi tip line and then with the newer Skagit 550 line with a 15’ type 6 tip.
The first impression when casting this rod is a good one, with the rod throwing nice tight high line speed loops. Our tester was on river left with a good upstream wind, easily throwing snap T’s and single spey casts. Using an underhand type of cast gives this rod a good bit of power, although the rod can be overloaded by an over zealous top hand during the course of any cast. Switching to the type III and VI (3&6) tips allowed effective casting of Marabou and bunny leech type of flies. Bigger and/or weighted flies really require a good deal of precision in the timing of the cast, and is not really something this model likes to do easily. Switching to a lighter line weight or perhaps another type might be helpful, although all day aggressive casting can be somewhat of a chore when having to “push” a spey rod all day. 
Using the Skagit 550 line with the 15 type IV tip enabled the rod to throw bigger flies with ease to about 65 feet (measured beyond the rod tip), (if we weren’t so honest I would have said 95 feet). Longer distances are quite possible with this rod when you get everything just right. Spending a bit more time with the rod would fix that. This line would be a good choice for the average winter steelheader working average size streams. 
Twelve-and-a-half foot long rods can take a tighter stroke to hit its “sweet spot” than do 14-foot rods. This can be a real advantage in tight brushy areas, also landing steelhead and when casting with a lot of wind. A tight, compact back-cast is all it takes to load this rod properly. When you get used to finding the “sweet spot” with this rod it develops a high line speed that cuts through the wind easily.
This is a good all around rod, and when combined with the T F O large arbor reel it is a very cost-effective combination that is well balanced for most winter/summer conditions. Both rod and reel are fully warranted by the factory and the T F O folks have not been difficult to deal with in any manner.   Purchase Rod       Purchase Rod/Reel Combo

Equipment is an important part of any professional guide service.  Every job is done better with the right kind of well maintained high performance equipment.  Nearly every guide would rather have you fish with your own rod and reel.  He has enough to do without having to maintain a stable of rods & reels.  You would rather fish with our own rod & reel to because you are more familiar with it.  However every guide knows that people sometimes forget to bring things or tackle gets sent to the wrong destination by the airlines. Bottom line is that every fishing guide needs some rods for clients to use.  Lefty knows this.  He's fished with a lot of guides.  So he designed the perfect series of "Professional Guide" rods.  They are all multi-piece to the travel and store easily.  The actions are crisp, but easy to time.  They are very durable and N0-Fault Warranteed!

Length: 12' 6"       Line: #6/7/8     Pieces: 4   

Length: 12' 6"       Line: #8     Pieces: 4   

Length: 14'       Line: #9     Pieces: 4   

Length: 15'       Line: #10     Pieces: 4   

Patagonia Waders

Patagonia Watermaster Breathable Stocking Foot Chest High Wader are the hippest fashion statement this year.  A huge percentage of the best professional fly fishing guides are gearing for the season with this wader.  This has happened with little sales pitch from the parent company.  It is a grass roots movement.  These waders for whatever reason just appeal to professional guides.  Here are some of the reasons why: 
Patagonia's innovative waders now have a reinforced leg and seat, 21% more puncture-resistant fabric reinforcements and right- and left-specific neoprene feet. They have the most advanced suspension system available. Waist-mounted suspenders allow you to fold down the bib for comfort in warmer weather (and to quickly release water after a spill).  For male anglers a huge advantage during foul weather; not having to take off your rain coat to pee.  (No demonstrations please).
The anatomically contoured crotch and knees let you move freely even when fully layered up. A gravel-guard cuff (with boot hooks and gripper elastic) seals out grit. Built-in adjustable wading belt and field repair kit included. Guides are also very value conscious. All waders eventually wear out.  It's how many dollars per day for use that is the issue.  All indications are that these waders can take it.  And Patagonia takes care of their customers with great warrantee service.

Now available in both men's and women's versions.

Rods & Ribs

Saturday, May 21, 10-3
Temple Fork Outfitters Demo Day
w/Dick Sagara
A back yard barbeque will be served. 
Casting contests & raffles. Win a TFO fly rod.
See what happened last year.

Everyone is welcome!

Anticipation.....
By: J. Morgan Jones

It’s one of those quiet little spots of calm water that sits between a series of boulders. Little bits of foam gather at the head for short moments before drifting through and out into the fast water where they begin the journey to who knows where, perhaps on their way to another back eddy I suppose. It's one of those little places that your eye just automatically goes to when surveying the water. To me it is one of those single (perhaps) fish spots that I mean to try one of these times. Perhaps not worth the trouble go to this particular spot, but if I was already in the water near it.........
Today there is something different. You know what I mean. You don’t actually see anything

specific on the surface, more like you have imagined ...something.... out of the normal ebb and flow of the river, a single musical note out of place in a never ending symphony. I find it curious that after years of fishing and all that it entails, my self-taught fishing wisdom tells me.....to do nothing. Just look.  For what?  Nothing.....just look.
Then I am standing in the current perhaps fifty feet below what I am seeing, no, that’s not quite right, I can’t even say that I saw anything, but.....
There is good water next to me, a wonderful river flowing through one of those high desert canyons. Spring colors decorate the walls and an almost glowing green serves as a living carpet at the floor of the canyon. A spectacular vision. I never tire of it. Regardless, my vision is fixed on that spot, and my mind is quiet, as if waiting for the eyes to send a signal that will put everything in motion. I wait.
I see it this time. Something touching the surface of the water, from underneath. As subtle as a the slightest breeze touching only one flower, and though you cannot see the wind, you can recognize the movement, as do I.
A fifty foot cast into a pool that is maybe four feet long. A tiny island surrounded by a rushing current. Bits of fur and feather bound onto a curved sliver of metal at the end of, well, a string. All that I need to do is to drop my fly into the head of this place, with enough slack in the remaining line to allow the fly to drift freely across this spot without warning the fish in any manner. You would think any of us would know better. It appears I do not.
It is obvious that the task seems pretty much impossible, although “seems” is not the same as absolutely. I begin to strip line from the reel.
I ready that place in my mind that I keep the memories in, ready to record this, if needed.
I begin casting, shooting line, working quietly. There is no hurry to this. No need, really. I do not know if I can do this, but the important thing is - I believe I can.
I will know in a moment.
The line forms that candy cane shape as it drifts though the air, un-rolling and traveling forward at the same time. I am focused on this one place, this one time.
I wait.