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Flash or no Flash, that’s the question

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Now for those who know me, or have been out on guide trips. You know that I usually follow a more traditional approach with my fly selection. With an open mind I looked at some of the rules I like to follow in my ever going quest for the elusive winter steelhead.

The rule that I turn to when times may be tough is fly size having a direct reflection in comparison to water temperature. Without giving away to many trade secrets, the warmer the water the smaller the fly. Having that in mind, in the winter with far cooler water conditions we use bigger flies.

I would now like to offer another idea or dogmatic theory. The same concept could be applied to water turbidity, simply the more turbid the water the more flash can be applied. Now steelhead theory is always being test for both pros and their cons. Another problem in validating something like this is that some folks are just a bit shied away by these very garish offerings, some won’t even look at them as flies but more like a plug that a gear fisherman might use.

How ever you want to take this bit of info is always up to you. With running the risk of sounding a bit brash with these kinds of things, i just want to add that with these ideas i have taken as many fish as days on water in four different rivers. Fished with the same fly in all scenarios. Food for thought have some fun with it.

First Look at the River

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I would just like to report on the status of the Sandy river. After just coming off the water i would like to say that the river was in great shape. The flow was a bit high but what can you do that’s what brings in the fish. All the runs that I had a chance to fish brought the fly acrossed in the most artful of manners.

The minute that I waded into the cold glacial water and the pressure of the flow gathered against my knee, I was instantly reminded that I was winter steelhead fishing. The day had that sometimes slight but ever present rain. With a temperature that was ever constant all day. As I stood making every cast count, watching and waiting with every swing on the ready. Never questioning my sink tips depth, never forsaking the offering I had placed at the terminal end of my line. I just went fishing…

And it was fun. The day yielded no fish but that’s just a matter of time.

They say that there is no justice in Steelhead fishing, I say that if you get to stand in some of the most beautiful water on the planet and cast with even the mutter of a chance at a Steelhead that in it self justifies all. When it come down to the math of the fishing, the river only rewards the diligent. So get ready, book your trips now and prepared for anything who knows who will hold the 20 lb fish this year.

Deschutes river steelhead fishing…

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Well just thought that i would give a few words of encouragement about fishing. the Deschutes river has been fishing very well at least the three days i have been out we have hooked numerous fish everyday. Some of the fish are a bit tired but there are still some smoking hot bright fish, just ask my brother pictured above. Sink tips type 6 will do, flies in the 2.5 to 3 inch size will do. There were no colors out performing the rest, Just keep the damned thing in the river OK. So during the holidays when you get that day to yourself come on out, stop in the shop and fish because there are still a couple of weeks of good Deschutes fishing left.