Portland, Oregon

Shelter from the storm.

Spring time in Portland=Rain. Now that things are warming up on the east side of the cascades... I have put the steelie pursuit on the backburner. In reality... I have just been jones'n to sleep in a tent again. My last to weekends have proven to be a success. Some nice weather, redsides, campfires, and good company has refueled my spirit. I guess I am not a true steelheader. I never considered myself one anyways. That does not mean I have given up.... but at this point there is no use in banging my head against a wall.



Jackson and I met up with some fellow Drakians this weekend on the D..... The fishing hasn't quite turned on yet..... but it was nice to see some sporadic hatches, and surface feeding action. What was even better, was sitting around a warm fire drinking, and shooting the shit with no worries about what I have to do at work on Monday.

Fall River

I spent the last week carefully watching the weather around Oregon. My intention was to camp with Jackson and get away for the weekend. Oh yeah..... and to fish. The truck was packed Friday night.... and by 6 am the next morning it was pointed towards Bend. The weather was predicted to be..... PERFECT. It was.


I chose to fish the fall river for one reason: I saw a picture of it in a book.... and it just looked like a river I would fall in love with. The Fall has the most amazing clarity I have ever seen in a river which scared me at first....



Order of the Day:
1) Pound the fallen trees with streamers
2) Long tippets and tiny flies



Fish On!!!!!



When camping, make sure you bring good companions:
1)Dog
2)Tasty Beer

Jackson


Scott Lays is down?


Ok... Back to the fishing:
On the second day I found a meadow portion of the Fall loaded with willing fish. They had no problems with my BWO comparadun, this water was really clear as well, but a long tippet helped my shitty presentations to the fish. I was even able to set the hook and land fish. I usually can do everything right up until the setting the hook part. But it all came together for me this weekend. Things are looking up.

The weekend went by too fast and I am now thinking ahead to my next trip. I did find an interesting portion of the river that has peaked my curiosity. A local was telling me Browns stack up below these falls during a certain time of year. It has already been marked on my calendar.

Indie....... Fly Shop

Saw this posted on the Drake today and it was very cool. I would like to have a beer with this guy.

Spring: First Push.

I got out today, in a much needed sort of way. Since I moved to Oregon I have tried to focus on learning how to catch steelies and leave the trout behind for a while. The steelies have been kicking my ass.....

After getting the skunk on a coastal stream Saturday, I called a friend to see what he was doing..... before I could ask him how he was...I was already agreeing to fish with him on sunday for redsides on the Deschutes. I can't complain.

The weather decided to cooperate and I felt the suns warmth on my face for the first time in months. The fishing was starting to feel a little more forgiving and we had plenty of opportunities. Redsides were caught, and beer got drank.

Here's my boy Wingnut in on a fish:


Damn sun felt mighty good. I was hot...... not cold. Hell yes! Even my BOY Jackson was going NUTS!!!!! Straight up true english Lab style:



Is this a day to go down in the record books???? Nope. But.....the beginning of spring gets rid of my shack nasties!!! The dries were even in effect today... some fish were rising and the BWO's, and the caddis were coming off in strong numbers!!! Attention anglers:
Make sure your boxes are filled, gear is in shape, and calendars are open because the season will be coming into shape before you know it..... shake off the frost, get prepared, and don't let the season pass you by. (I am usually not this positive... especially after trying to learn how to catch steelies, but after a warm sunny day like today..... and the future promise of consistent trout fishing, how could I resist?)

All positive bullshit aside:
The end of my day is described as seen: