Featured River: Deschutes River Fishing Report

Deschutes River Fishing Report:
December 28, 2009 - Had a few inches of snow last night, which probably won't stick around for long. As the snow starts melting the river will rise and the color might go off for a day or two. Some folks are still chasing steelhead - which are all summer fish that will be lazing around for a few more months when they spawn. Most steelhead being hooked right now are on deep sunk wet flies like intruder style patterns. Guys out there nymphing for trout will also encounter steelhead down deep. The majority of steelhead in the river now are wild native fish holding out for a chance to run up one of the tributaries to spawn. The hatchery fish are gone for the most part, though there are some stragglers left over. If your goal is to hook a hot Deschutes steelhead, you should have been here 2-3 months ago when they were fresh. There are still some fiesty fish out there, but most anglers hang up the steelhead gear by the end of January or head off to rivers with winter run fish. Tight lines! John and Amy Hazel and the crew at Deschutes Angler Fly Shop