Anyone have favorite method...flies....suggestions for fall [ October] steelhead fishing the Deschutes south / up stream of Warm Springs?...especially interested in lines and flies used.
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Anyone have favorite method...flies....suggestions for fall [ October] steelhead fishing the Deschutes south / up stream of Warm Springs?...especially interested in lines and flies used.
Any aversion to certain tactics? One or two handed rod?
Swinging traditional PNW steelhead flies (several originated on that river) on a floating line works well on the Deschutes in that stretch. Tie some heavy and tie some sparsely, #6-#4 mostly. Spey rods are particularly useful when your back is to the willows, but not absolutely necessary, as long as you are a decent caster. A short fast sinking sink tip (15' head) can come in handy on some deeper slots, and nymphing of course works if you wish to resort to that. For nymphs, have had best luck with caddis patterns and generic attractors, and you might want to have some October caddis patterns in case they are around. Nothing beats the grab on the swing, however...
One handed...I'm too long in the tooth to start a new style but sure would go 2 handed if I was younger and going more often...my experience has been on the lower Deschutes in years past when most folks used swinging floating lines.
My aversion would have to be wading ...my balance is shot ..
Two years ago I had the opportunity to fish the area referenced and could handle some runs. Five of us got skunked in two half days and we heard a group the next day had 15 hook ups....going to give it a try again and I'm thinking we may be missing something...hence the questions.
BTW I was fishing a 15 ft intermediate tip WF8F/I
You can still find fish willing to take skating/waking flies in October...and I fish wakers on a pretty short line. However, your best bet will be with light to medium tips or polyleaders and the usual suspects - purple peril, intruder, etc. I've never found a fly that's better than another for Deschutes fish in the fall. More about your swing (if that's what you plan on doing - I can't bring myself to nymph the D for steelhead) speed, depth and just fishing good water. If you have confidence in a fly, stick to it. I've taken summer/early fall fish on bombers, muddlers, traditional wets and bunny leeches. You should find plenty of fish south of Warm Springs by then.
Purist! lol. Do you swing flies the size of a half chicken, like yer suppose tew? lol.Quote:
I can't bring myself to nymph the D for steelhead
eggs? nymph?
I choose to drop a loop.