The wife and I are planning a vacation for the 2nd week of June 2011. I’m not sure where to go and what to do…I know we want to go to the NW and would like to get some fishing in… Please give me some ideas on where to go and what to fish for.
Thanks,
Joel
Great forum, lots of information and help from the folks here:
http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/board/
Regards,
Scott
Should be a good time to fish the Deschutes.
Were I only coming once, and only had a week, I would start at the north end of the Oregon coast and drive to the south, along highway 101. There is enough to keep you buisy for a month or more. I would spend nights in Astoria, Newport and coos bay/ bandon. I would probably go out fishing on the ocean one morning just because you can’t do that in WI and other than that I wouldn’t fish but just sight see.
Eric
Born in Oregon currently living on the Washington Coast.
The Salmon fly hatch is usually around this time in the NW so think stones. And yes, the D is really good this time of year!
any specifics on where to fish on the D?
Joel,
What kind of fishing do you want to do? River or stream or lakes?
The Northwest (Oregon & Washington) has a huge assortment of styles of fishing. You have coastal rivers that offer summer run steelhead and salmon and SeaRun Cutthroat (now called coastal cutthroat I believe). There are small lakes along the coast that contain some great bass and crappie fishing along with trout.
Then as you move inland a bit you have a limited number of rivers that actuall produce good fishing. Many of our rivers are fed mostly by glaciers and are very milky during the summer from glacier runoff. There are a number of lowland lakes that offer decent spiney ray and planted trout fishing.
Then you get up into the Cascade Mountains. That area offers some really nice small stream fishing, river fishing, and high mountain lake fishing. HOWEVER, in June? IN 2011? I don’t think so. We may end up with a big snow pack this year, then again we may not. But, so far the weather has been bringing in lots of moisture and that means snow up in the mountains. So, depending upon when the snow starts to melt, again the weather dictates that, you may not be able to access any high mountain lakes or rivers or they could all be blown out or you may be too early as many of them may still be closed.
Then as you travel eastward you get into the real fishing areas of WA and OR. The Eastern areas, made up mainly of high dessert or arid type area. Rivers like the Yakima River near Ellensburg, WA or the Deschutes River in Oregon fall into this area. They are located on the eastside of the Cascade Mountains. They are great for fishing. But, they are subject to runoff like any mountain river can be. We have some really good lakes over in the eastern parts of WA and OR, some have trout but most have bass and crappie/bluegill/perch fishing.
So, it all depends upon what type of fishing you like to do and what type of water you like to fish.
Larry —sagefisher—
The lower D has the most prolific salmonfly hatch, but the middle should not be over looked just got to know where to go. I like to fish from Pelton Dam (Warm Springs) down, because it’s closer to Bend. It can get really busy down there typically around Maupin because you get alot of Portlanders. There are some nice fish to be had. Last year in July I took a trip to the Yak and that was great too. The thing about the D is no fishing from a boat so best to keep an eye on the flows. I fish all of the D from the headwaters at Little Lava down. Each stretch is great and has a whole lot of character to it and species. Here’s a great link to the whole Deschutes Basin to check the real time flows:
http://www1.wrd.state.or.us/cgi-bin/choose_realtime_gage.pl?basin=05
If you would like to know more about some particulars let me know.
-Jake
A few pics
Wife and I did a similar trip a few yers ago. A week is NOT enough. It’d be like taking ONE spoonful of bread pudding. We flew into Seattle ,ferried to Vancouver and back, and then drove South from Seattle along 101 and 1 to California and Santa Barbera. I had planned to fish but abandonded that idea in favor of sightseeing. Mount St. Helens and Mount Rainier are not to be missed. The views are intoxicating. We had a book “Eat Your Way Across the US” by the Stearns and that put us into some memorable restaurants, diners and dives.
You WILL enjoy your vacation, GUARANTEED.
Mark
PS: Can anyone from thataaways tell me the name of a restaurant/ buffet/ abandoned loggers dining/mess hall on the waterfront either in WA or OR serving , among other great things, a WHOLE pie for every two people in your party. We’re hardly talkin gooormay BUT you ain’t leavin hungry.
Joel: I agree with both Marco & Eric that there is so much to see that it is impossible to see it all in a week and still get in much fishing. When we moved to Oregon the wife & I drove to Seattle to visit friends. Upon leaving we took the coastal route, US 101, from Seattle down to Frisco. The scenery is fantastic. The mountains, the seashore and the Redwoods are amazing as well as Crater Lake National Park. I could list more neat places but I think a travel guide is in order.
That being said I would throw in a rod or 2, maybe a 5 & an 8 weight and if the urge to fish becomes too much to ignore check with the locals and give it a shot. Hiring a guide for a half day trip on the Rogue (Hemingway’s River) could result in some great salmon.
Tim
This is such a great place to live. I’ve got the Deschutes literally running through my back yard. Yes, there are so many options if you want to take the Coastal route or stay more inland??? From Bend you can fish more than five rivers and countless lakes within less than an hour drive if your going the hotel route. If camping there are WAY too many options all stream side. Don’t forget the legendary Metolius River just to entice you to Central O even more. The N. Umpqua and Rouge are less than a half a days drive and you have the Cascade Range less than twenty minuets out of Bend if you want to take a hike up South Sister or play on Mt. Bachelor and explore the high lakes like Hosmer or Devil’s Lake. Fortunately my lady loves to fish as much as I do, but when she doesn’t want to there are lots of hikes, bike rides, wild life viewing, and just about anything the missus may enjoy doing.
If you stay in or near Bend, you have the Fall and Metolius Rivers - think oversized spring creeks because that’s what they are, especially the Metolius - along with the Deschutes (upper, middle and lower) and the Crooked. The salmonfly hatch should be going on the lower Deschutes, and if it’s not strong then there are almost always BWOs and PMD/PED/caddis around to keep the fish looking up.
Personally I’d spend all 7 days on the Metolius. I’ve been smitten with that river for a long, long time.
So we decided on a place right outside of LaPine state park. We are on the Deschutes river and a half block from 4 different entrances to the state park, also, fall river is a 15 minute walk away…I can’t wait to get there…Although the middle of July is a long ways away.
Make sure you bring alot of mosquito repellent!!! I should be around when you are in town and if you’d like to meet up let me know. I usually take my fishing trip in the beginning of July. I can show you some of my favorite spots up there. Don’t know if you like lake fishing? (I don’t) but if you have a boat of some sort that’s a good place to be. LaPine isn’t the best little town but Sun River is near and Bend is only 25 mi away. Let me know when when the time gets closer so I can “Pay it forward” as Z did for me on the Yakima last year. I’m always willing to help those around my area.
Cheers
-Jake
thanks Luckie88 I will let you know! We wanted to be out of town, a little secluded… It should be fun…we are both new to trout fishing so it should be interesting!!
