Back At It!
Things are finally warming up here in Maupin again. I'm sure we aren’t done with winter yet, but the days that feel like spring have begun to outnumber the days that feel like winter. Our river has definitely been a bit temperamental this winter with quite a bit of fluctuation in flows. With that being said, fish are still being caught and Blue Wing Olive hatches have been well worth fishing on our overcast days.
River Conditions -
The river is currently an impressive 10,900 cfs at the mouth and 7,500 cfs coming out of the dam. This is definitely higher than most people are used to seeing the river. During flows like this you will find fish tight to the banks doing what they can to avoid the heavy flows. Water temps coming out of the dam are ranging between 44 to 45 degrees. Temperatures at the mouth ranging between 45 to 48 degrees. On warmer days you will see the temps lower in the system climb to that 48 degree mark but typically they have held between 45 to 46 degrees. This of course will all change as the days grow longer and warmer.
What’s Happening With Trout -
Nymphing has been productive as ever on my outings this winter. Fish are still holding in their typical winter habitat of slower paced water with some fish moving into the slightly faster heads of riffles and seams to take advantage of Blue Wing Olive hatches. I tend to gravitate towards fishing riffles and glides this time of year as there is more consistency in speed of current. A consistent current makes for more confidently feeding fish. With that being said there is a myriad of slower water that fish will live in during the winter here and it pays off to explore. Once you find fish be sure to slow down and work the area as they probably have friends!
As you fish these riffles and glides it can pay off to keep your eyes peeled for any surface activity. There may be times you see fish rising to eat dry flies but you can’t make out the actual fly they are keying in on. This is usually a sign that the fish are feeding on midges. Fishing a midge dry on the Deschutes can be a frivolous effort to say the least. However fishing a Blue Wing Olive dry with a midge dropper will help you target those fish sitting mid column. Fishing dry dropper in the winter is always a nice break from the monotony of nymphing down deep and will also help to show you whether or not fish are starting to key in on Blue Wing Olives. The best surface activity out here has without-a-doubt been on our overcast days.
Streamer fishing has been a ton of fun with these higher flows. You can jig streamers on a tight line setup such as a Euro rod or with your conventional weight forward rod by high sticking. The other option is to find some slower paced riffles or soft inside edges among pocket water and strip or swing those same streamers. The colder the water the more likely I am to slowly jig streamers down deep. The warmer water temps will provoke better eats on swung or stripped flies. As always, it’s streamer fishing, so it can be a hit or miss endeavor.
Flies That Have Been Working -
CDC Comparadun BWO Size 16, 18, and 20
Hi Vis Parachute BWO Size 16, 18, and 20
Silver Bead Green Glo Brite Perdigon in Size 16 and 18
Silver Bead Blue Glo Brite Perdigon in Size 16 and 18
Silver Bead Roza’s Green Tag Jig Size 16
Pink Bead Tasmanian Devil Size 16
Pink Bead Hares Ear Size 16 and 18
Pink Bead Green Collared Pheasant Tail Size 16 and 18
Copper Bead Quilldigon Size 16 and 18
Egan’s Frenchie Size 18, and 20
Devin’s Egg Taco Size 14 and 16
Tungsten San Juan Worm size 14
Tungsten Zebra Midge in Black and Red Size 18 and 20
Sculpzilla in Natural and Olive Size 4 and 6
Olive Bugger Size 10
Mayers Mini Leech in Black and Olive Size 12
Jigged Kreelex Minnow in Rainbow or Gold/Silver, Sizes 6 and 8
Thanks for tuning in! I’ll be posting more frequent fishing reports into spring and can’t wait to see many of you again this season! As always, if you would like a more recent report on what’s happening here in Maupin, don’t hesitate to shoot me a text or email. I’m heading out on a saltwater trip to Kiritimati from the 15th - 26th of this month. For those of you trying to reach me in that time frame I’ll get back to you as soon as I return to cell service. Tight lines and happy fishing to all!
