E-13: A Deschutes River and Salmon Fly Report

Gang: 

 

Below is an excellent 2013 fishing report from Group Three rookie (but in name only) Chuck Ballweg as well as a perfect picture of just what a salmon fly look like—this is a 2” long stone fly that is currently hatching along our Rock Creek home river and within the next week or so will likewise makes its annual appearance along the entire stretch of the Big Blackfoot River (which, in talking with our outfitter John “The Great But Propaneless” Gould, WILL be fishing for all three of our groups this year).

 

You can imagine the impact on the fish that this largest of our stone flies has—after a winter of dining on the smaller flies like I was tying this weekend these battleships arrive on the surface and WHAM the dry fly takes and ingestion by the fish is explosive.  It is like having an all you can eat buffet open for previously dieting and newly converted Nutra-Fast diners!

 

Boy are we getting close now, gang!!

 

Thanks, Chuck—see ya in Extravaganzaland in now but three short weeks!

 

RCR---<’///><

Hi Ron,

Just returned from a 2 1/2 day float down the Deschutes in Oregon.  This year was very different from last year as we were near the end of the Salmon/Golden Stone fly hatch.  Add to the mix a rise in water by 600 CFS the night before our trip and fishing became much more challenging.  On the Deschutes you are not allowed to fish from the boat and wading this river with large rocks and boulders with high water is not for the timid.  In addition to salmon and stone flies the river was loaded with caddis and mayfly hatches so fish had a lot to choose from.  We had dozens of fish surface and roll at our flies only to reject and turn away.  This just made it more satisfying when one finally did decide to gulp down our offering.  Many of our fish were caught after spotting a rising fish and then working on it until it either took what we were offering or it just went away.  It was a great education for me that 2 of the guys on the trip were true experts and watching them work the water and catch fish that I could not get was impressive.  The Deschutes remains a technical river and I find the challenge exciting and enjoy having the guides help solve the puzzle.

Chuck Ballweg