Looks like I’ll be in the Bend, Oregon area sometime toward the end of July. It’ll be mostly family time, but I wondered about the fishing opportunities for a day or two? Just a quick out and back probably, or whatever. Any leads appreciated; thanks…
I haven’t been in that area in years. I went to the Deschutes river below Bend a few times with my step-dad in the mid 70’s. There are a few fly/tackle shops in the area that may be helpful.
This is a local outfitter: http://www.riverborneoutfitters.com/
This is a local fly shop: https://www.sunriverflyshop.com/
Good luck. Jim
I have fished the Metolius River. I don’t think it is toooo far from Bend?
Oodles - upper Deschutes, Crooked, Metolius and a jillion more I don’t know. There’s a string of lakes just south of Bend where there is a beautiful spring creek that bubbles up out of the ground. Stay longer!
A good place to start is, http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/fishing/where_how/50_in_90_bend.asp
Bend Fly Shops;
http://www.patientangler.com/
http://confluenceflyshop.com/
http://flyandfield.com/
In Sisters, https://flyfishersplace.com/
In Redmond, http://www.finandfire.com/
There are also a couple good fly shops in Sun River, The Sunriver Fly Shop and The Hook.
Any of them will be happy to point you toward good fishing.
Cliff
Thanks y’all.
There are many good fishing opportunities within an hour or so from Bend.
The Metolius is beautiful and challenging. It can be a little crowded on weekends. Don’t expect to catch a lot of fish but it’s worth the trip.
The Crooked River, below Bowman dam, holds a lot of fish. It remains to be seen what effect the high flows during runoff this year will have on the fishing.
The Fall River is a spring creek south of Bend. It is stocked regularly. Although many of the fish are plants, the crystal clear water can present a challenge. Light tippets are the rule.
The Deschutes has several sections that are all very different and each with it’s own charms. It goes from a small forest stream to a broad meandering river to a large desert canyon river.
There are a number of great fly fishing lakes near Bend. Crane Prairie reservoir, Big Lava Lake, Hosmer Lake and East Lake to name a few. The Cascade Lakes Hwy is worth the drive for the scenery alone.
Check out https://flyfishersplace.com/ and http://flyandfield.com/ for more info.
I enjoyed fishing on Hosmer Lake in a float tube. Surrounded by beautiful mountains. Caught an Atlantic salmon west of the Rockies!
I lived in Bend for 20+ years and highly recommend the Crooked River and also recommend The Patient Angler (Peter) and Fly & Field Outfitters (Scott) for information.
MikeW
Sorry for the slight hijack, but what have you heard about the Crooked lately? Was up there last summer and the fishery had crashed, although I never heard a definitive explanation.
Would highly recommend the OP contact the guys at Patient Angler. The best shop in the area in my opinion and with a very helpful and informed staff. Would also recommend contact the Fly Fishers Place in Sisters if you decide to try the Metolius, which is a very scenic area. The Fin and Fire shop in Redmond is also a must visit if you are a tyer, and is on the way to Sisters.
Finding fish in this area is not that hard…heck, the section of the Deschutes that flows through town holds trout for that matter. Best of luck.
I haven’t been there this year, but I’ve seen some encouraging reports lately. This spring saw very high water levels. You’d like to see it at 300cfs or less for the best fishing. In March it was running over 3000cfs. That is a lot of water for the Crooked.
While you are in Bend, I highly recommend a visit to their fly casting course. It has a variety of twelve targets and can improve your casting. FREE and open to the public. in the Old Mill District of Bend on the Deschutes River.
https://www.theoldmill.com/stay-play-bend/fly-fishing-casting-course/