Fly Fishing Insider Newsletter featuring Deschutes River Camp Times, The morning had been the best kind of success.

Jerry Ashland & wild Deschutes steelhead, 08/08/01

Deschutes River Camp Times
The morning had been the best kind of success. Each of the three of us had landed a floating line steelhead. The late brunch had been delightful in its complexity of foods and simplicity of conversation. Every fish had been caught on the same fly pattern fished the same way. Not much stimulation for discussion there. Bob stretched across his cot in the shade of a stream side alder. He dozed with a grin on his face. Jerry and I sipped a couple of cold Bud's while leaning back in folding canvas chairs. We were partly in the sun on a flat spot of barren sand.

Several shiny black flying insects circled our feet. One landed in the sand and immediately started an excavation. A steady stream of sand flew from the back of the insect for several inches like a stream from a small hose.
"What is that thing", Jerry asked.
"It's a spider killer wasp", I replied. "It kills spiders for food for its young."
"Really?", said Jerry.
"Yup that thing is a spiders worst nightmare. It stings a spider, which only paralyzes it so it stays alive. Then places it at the bottom of a hole in the sand, lays an egg on it and covers it up. The Wasp larva then eats the spider, grows up and digs its way out."
"Geeez", replied Jerry.
As I leaned over to get a better look at the wasp, something crawly hit me

on the back of the neck. Without thinking I scooped it up and threw it to the ground. It was a medium size brown and yellow spider. The spider hit the ground running for cover across the open patch of sand. Almost instantly the wasp was on him, stinging repeatedly until the spider went comatose. It then drug it to the hole and they both disappeared. You never know what you are going to see while relaxing around camp. Maybe one bug killing another is a little strong for your taste, but it is an open window on nature.

Jerry & Bob at dinner in the screen house.

A great camp is a crucial part of the Deschutes steelhead fishing experience. A great camp requires a flat area for pitching a tent. I use a 10' X 14' screen house. So the flat spot has to be large. Shade is also a requirement. It can get hot in the Deschutes River Canyon during the middle of the day. Good food is definitely a part of a great camp. On this trip Jerry had some steaks flown in from Kansas City. They were fork Meat. Of course a really great camp spot has lots of

dependable fishing water close at hand. It is best if there is a variety of water types. As water temperatures change so can the steelheads preference holding areas change also. A really great camp sight also has a very secluded place for the portable potty.
"Oh, as far as the fishing last week. Small and dark was the answer. We pounded them. These guys had two double hook ups in one evening. Thought I was going to run out of wind, running up and down the bank taking pictures. It's a hard life but someone has to live it."

Bob Howell with a fresh wild Deschutes summer run, 08/08/01.

The Big Canyons
Ross reels introduced the trout size Canyon Series of reels about three years ago. They were a success, but it became apparent that what the angling public really wanted was an affordable high quality large arbor big game and spey rod reel. The production of the larger Canyon reels was fraught with delays which produce a lot of pent up demand. Canyon #4, #5, and #6 reels were very hard to come by for a while.

When they did finally start to arrive last spring there were many back orders to fill. Were they worth the wait? Everyone who had waited sure thought so. Like all Ross Reels, they have a practical, no-nonsense look and feel. The drag system is a departure from all previous Ross big-game and salt water reels as it is covered. The drag has proven itself in the field as one of the best on the market. It is silky smooth and has a solid, but quiet z-z-z-z-z-z-z when a fish is taking line. The Canyon #5 and #6 models have the right weight to balance steelhead size spey rods. The big Canyons are smooth and very handy to use. Once again Ross has produced a modern classic. We have a good supply in stock.
If you want to know more, or order on-line: Click Here!

Elementary Spey Casting Class
Your teacher is Mark Bachmann an ardent spey fisher and experienced communicator.

Start at the beginning and achieve a thorough understanding of how spey casting works. This 4 hr. class is for the beginning or intermediate spey casters who wants to obtain their casting and fishing skills quickly. Classes are per individual and by appointment only. Emphasis is on improving your form, timing and under standing of basic spey casting as it pertains to catching steelhead & salmon.

Price: $150 = 1 angler per class only. Class lasts 4 hours on the water.
1/2 the price of this class ($75) will be deducted from the cost of any spey rod/reel/line set-up purchased from The Fly Fishing Shop within 10 days.

Unless the weather gets really hot and the water temperatures soar, this will be the year of years for summer steelhead in the Columbia River tributaries. Some of these tributaries such as the Deschutes, Clearwater and Salmon River are big water. A two hand rod is a big advantage. With a long rod you can more effectively fish a long leader. In fact some anglers believe that a long leader facilitates casting with a "two-hander". We have a good supply of the perfect knotless tapered spey leader. It is the RIO 15' 12 pound tippet leader.

Item	Description	Price
RIO150X	RIO 15', 0X, 12pound test spey leaders, price includes free shipping in USA	3 pack for $11.85