Central and Eastern Oregon Fishing Reports
From avid Angler Tim Moran
Lower Deschutes River – Fishing has been up and down with the temps. When it reaches into the 50’s fishing has been good on nymphs and dries when a hatch breaks out. Most of the time you’ll get a BWO or PMD hatch late morning into the afternoon. There are still some October Caddis pods out there too but nymphing is 75% of the action. Tying off a stone fly or girdle bug with a small PT or Copper John trailer is a good bet. If nothing is happening swing a bugger or Sculpin pattern and you may be rewarded with a big fish!
John Day River – Believe it or not, I still know of a hardcore Smallmouth fisherman who is getting fish vertically fishing jigs in the river mouth and along the Columbia hitting submerged islands. There are stellhead available in this stretch too so troll wiggle warts and drift sandshrimp under a bobber to lure strikes. Lots of guys will wind drift shrimp and eggs here.
Metolius River – The Met is a go-to river for late fall and winter fishing. Small nymphs always produce here and dry fly action can appear at any time. Bring lots of small BWO and midge patterns and be ready to change often. There are big Bull Trout always lurking so swing big gaudy streamers on sink tips to entice those brutes. Check-in with Jeff at the Fly Fishers Place in Sisters for up to the minute river info, a guided trip or pick up the best flies and techniques for your trip. There is also a generous supply of flies at the Camp Sherman Store.
Fall River – Fall fishes well in the late fall and it’s a little easier when there is a little chop on the water so this could be a great weekend to hit it. Might even get to fish in some picturesque snow! Fish small nymphs either Euro-style or under a small yarn indicator. Don’t be afraid to work the deeper holes and cut banks with a wooly-bugger or streamer for oversize Browns.
Crooked River – Another go-to for fall and winter fishing. As long as the river levels are consistent this river will fish well. I love to fish small dry’s and droppers here but a straight two nymph set up will catch a lot of fish. Swinging soft hackle wet flies can also be deadly on this river.
Cascade Lakes – some of the Cascade lakes that are open were fishing well last week. A thin layer of ice came off of Hosmer and fishing was great! It may freeze up again but watch the freezing level and hit it if you get a window. Fish were caught on midges, small sparsely tied leeches and small nymphs lie a prince slow stripped on an intermediate sink tip.
Probably going to be a bit cold with flurries but you won’t catch anything on the couch!
From ODF&W
The Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving are Free Fishing Days in Oregon – days you don’t need a license or tag to fish, crab or clam anywhere in the state open to fishing/crabbing/clamming. (Remember, all other rules and regulations apply.)
Steelhead anglers on the lower Deschutes should concentrate on the Maupin to Warm Springs section.
Trout anglers can target the Crooked, lower Deschutes and Metolius rivers, where fishing for native redbands can be good throughout the year.
The Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving are Free Fishing Days in Oregon – days you don’t need a license or tag to fish, crab or clam anywhere in the state open to fishing/crabbing/clamming. (Remember, all other rules and regulations apply.)
Steelhead are starting to move into the John Day River – anglers should focus their attention of lower parts of the river.
As water temperatures cool in Willow Creek Reservoir, trout move into the shallows and get more active – anglers can do well fishing PowerBait from shore.
The Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving are Free Fishing Days in Oregon – days you don’t need a license or tag to fish, crab or clam anywhere in the state open to fishing/crabbing/clamming. (Remember, all other rules and regulations apply.)
Cottonwood Meadows, Spaulding, Big Rock and Lofton lakes are good choices for some great fall trout fishing.
Best bet in the Klamath Basin is fishing below Keno Dam or the Powerhouse on the Klamath River.