Deschutes Steelhead

The Deschutes is world famous as a steelhead fly fishing river. This is because its steelhead will actively come to the surface for a fly. Steelhead start entering the river in late June and bright fish can still be caught in late November. The run is made up of three distinct races: the hatchery run, and two distinct wild races called the "A" and "B" runs. The hatchery run can start in late June during high water years and as late as August during low water years. It is comprised of fish which have spent from 22 to 30 months in the Ocean and average 6 to 12 pounds. The "A" run enters the river in July and August and is made up of fish that have spent 14 to 22 months in the Ocean and average from 3 ½ to 6 pounds. The "B" run enters the river from September through November and is comprised of fish which have spent 24 to 36 months in the Ocean and weigh from 10 to 16 pounds. Larger fish can be encountered any time.  Since this was published july 19th, I have recieved a call from ODFW Biologist Robert Hooton. He gave me a substancial list of reasons why my preception of  Deschutes River steelhead biology needed to be up-dated. These findings will be published in the July 26th "Insider"

During high water years a lot of stray upper Columbia River stocks take up temporary residence in the Deschutes and add to its fishery. Artificial lures and flies are allowed. Barbless hooks are encouraged and all wild fish must be returned to the river.

The Deschutes maintains a unique location being the most southern of mid-Columbia River tributaries. Its water flows and fall temperatures are the most predictable. Its north/south alignment keeps late fall water temperatures in the range that allow steelhead enough energy to rise to the surface for a well presented fly.

The size and topography of the river provide an ideal setting for the traditional greased line angler. Although many diverse angling methods will take Deschutes summer steelhead, floating fly lines and a traditional wet fly swing is accepted as one of the productive approaches. Most floating line techniques work best when the water is shaded by the canyon walls or by cloud cover. The angler usually begins at the head of a long run and fishes all of the way through to the tail-out. Aggressive wading and fly casting may be required to cover the most productive water. The fly is presented down stream across the current and allowed to swing on a tight line toward the angler's shore. A series of mends may be employed to control the speed and depth of the fly. Often two flies are fished on a cast or a single fly may be riffle-hitched. Waking flies are often employed in the same cast with a wet fly. Fly speed is very important, but hard to define.

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Many hair-wing wet fly patterns take Deschutes steelhead. However dark patterns in sizes four or six are proven to be most productive over the widest range of water and light conditions. The favored colors are black or purple with a touch of chartreuse, orange or pink. The following is a list of proven Deschutes steelhead wet fly patterns that will take fish the majority of the time:

• #4 BLUE MAX
• #4, #6 DARK MACK'S
•  #2, #, #6 FLY DEJOUR
•  #4,#6 FREIGHT TRAIN
•  #6 GOLDEN DEMON
• #4, #6 GREEN BUTT SKUNK
• #4 JOE GIRT
• #4, #6 MACK'S CANYON
• #4, #6 STREET WALKER

During times of very low water or heavy cloud cover a very dark, somber fly may bring more strikes. The following is a list of patterns that are proven for these conditions.

• #6 DOC SPRATLEY
• #4 PRISM
• #4, #6 PURPLE PERIL
• #4, #6 SILVER HILTON
• #4, #6 SKUNK
• #4 UNDERTAKER

Periods of high cold water or glacial run-off from White River may require that a larger or brighter colored fly be used. The following are a list of patterns which have bailed us out of these situations.

• #4 DAN'S FAVORITE
• #4 PURPLE MUDDLER MINNOW
• #2, #4, POLAR SHRIMP
• #4 PURPLE ANGEL
• #6 SKYKOMISH SUNRISE

In the late fall, steelhead seek out smooth holding areas and often congregate in tailouts. These are prime conditions to bring a steelhead to the surface with a riffle-hitched fly. The following is a list of proven waking flies.

• #4 CONRAD
• #4, #6 BLACK GREASED LINER
• #2 PEACOCK GREASED LINER
• #4, #6 OCTOBER CADDIS
• #6 STEELHEAD CADDIS

Most Deschutes steelhead fly anglers concentrate on the early and late hours and rest in the shade during mid-day. This is because they have tried unsuccessfully to raise steelhead to the surface in the bright sunlight. Several years ago we started fishing with sinking tip lines and weighted flies during these bright light hours and found that steelhead will still take a fly if it is presented at their level. In fact about thirty percent of our catch is now caught by this method. If you want to increase your catch, bring a fast sinking tip fly line and the following fly patterns:

• #4 BLACK FLASH-A-BUGGER
• #4 OLIVE FLASH-A-BUGGER
• #4 PURPLE FLASH-A-BUGGER
• #2 HOH BO SPEY, GREEN BUTT
• #2 HOH BO SPEY, ORANGE/PURPLE

Chinook Salmon return to the Deschutes River from mid-September to late October. They are extremely territorial during their spawning cycle and they actively drive the steelhead from the fine gravel sections of the river. The steelhead often seek out areas in the river where the Chinook won't harass them, such as fast water with big boulders. Often these fast water places are downstream of major Chinook spawning grounds. In years of heavy Chinook runs steelhead and resident trout will station so as to intercept drifting Chinook eggs. Don't forget your Glo Bugs and split shot.

• #4 EGG0, PINK
• #6 GOLDEN NUGGET/LIGHT ROE GLO BUG
• #4 PEACHY KING GLO BUG

Thoughts about Steelhead Tackle