Report for 12.14.2011


Well, we have made to yet another winter steelheading season. All right! Now we just need a little water in our area rivers. Cmon, rain already – this is the Pacific Northwest afterall!

Seeing a small yet determined stream of fish coming up over Bonneville. They are around, but whether they want to push up into the trickles we call tributaries right now, may be another story. Although a surge in levels is ideal in getting fish to move up into the fly water, it is not always necessary. Fish do some strange things, especially when they smell home around the corner. That said, I do not expect lots of fish to be around, but you just never know…

River temps are pretty cool. Putting the fly on the plate is a little tougher in the winter. It is smaller than the “late spring and summer plate.” It shrinks in the winter – kind of like throwing a dart at the fair. It’s pretty easy to pop a balloon, but sticking the center of one of those little stars can take an act of God. But guess what, the prize is much more significant. Think of the winter steelhead as the largest Teddy Bear given out at the carnival.

Size up the water. Ok, it’s cold, low and clear – well those fish will most likely be holding in the slow, deep part of the run. Or they will be hiding under a slice of surface chop that is still moving relatively slow. Look for the structure – boulders, logs old salmon reds etc… Alright, you’ve found the lie. Now work it slowly and deliberately getting your fly down in the water column close to their snout -got to set it on the plate. Sink your fly to the right depth by choosing the appropriate casting length, casting angle and the right size mend. Watch your fly sink. Think about how deep you’re getting. Try and find bottom and then compensate from there by rearranging your setup program. Remember, you don’t want the fly beneath the fish… Notice where in the run the fly pulls into tension. Is that where the lie is? Make sure it starts to swim in the fish zone. Manage the fly speed by the rate at which you lead the line and drop your tip towards the river surface. I like to slow the fly down a bit when it’s real cold, but don’t completely kill the life and profile of the fly. Remember, its motion that is noticeable to fish..

Well hopefully, for the next report I can give a few tips about higher water conditions. One good thing about fishing in low, clear conditions is that you can really get a fix on the structure and overall landscape of the run. Doing a little stream recon in these conditions can prove invaluable down the road and who knows, you may even get one!

The Sandy, Clackamas and the Hood should have a few earlys around.
Have a good time out there,
-Duffy and the GFS Team
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Gorge Flyshop
Hood River, Oregon
541.386.6977
info@gorgeflyshop.com
http://gorgeflyshop.com/