Streamers For The Win
March is here, and even though we still have some cold blustery days, the sunny days are becoming more prevalent and common. I know spring is just around the corner because my dog has lost enough hair recently to start my own dubbing business.
Last week I attended the Deschutes River Alliance annual auction to volunteer, and there was an incredible turnout with lots of support for the work that they are doing. If you’re interested in donating or finding out ways you can help the Lower Deschutes, check them out at https://deschutesriveralliance.org/
Conditions on the Deschutes are very similar to a couple weeks ago. We had a slight fluctuation in flows at the Moody gauge between February 25th and the 28th of just a couple hundred cfs (cubic foot per second), though that shouldn’t have been enough to really affect the fishing. River temps have stayed at an average of 44 degrees. That temperature is at the lower end of the spectrum for Blue Wing Olive hatches. We have we have seen some great dry fly action over the last couple weeks during the noon to 2 p.m. window.
Now let’s talk about streamers! For years, there was a misconception that our fish on the Lower Deschutes just don’t eat streamers. Our fish definitely seem to be more bug-centric but myself and other guides on the river have noticed an uptick in productivity on them in the past few years. Perhaps it’s the changing river conditions driving the trout to find other protein sources. Regardless, our fish are eating other fish and I like it! If you’re into trout spey this can be a great time of year to work the riffles, stripping and popping those flies to life. If you are out Euro Nymphing and the fish seem to be shutting off, tie on a jig streamer and give it some action as it drifts to see if they just need a bigger meal.
On a guided trip last week, nymphing was incredibly productive to start the day, but shortly after lunch the fish seemed to shut down. At a stop that I have consistently found fish all winter I was seeing no action at all. We went through the normal gamut of flies that I rely on during the colder months to no avail. I decided to throw the bug patterns out and tie on one of my jigged Kreelex Minnows. No sooner did the jigged streamer hit the water when—bam!—we had a fish eat it and take a screaming run. If you’re out fishing the Lower Deschutes this time of year and you want a little change of pace from your nymphing program, or have been experiencing a lull in productivity, I highly recommend giving it a try.
I get asked by clients all the time what my opinions on streamers are. My three streamer rules are: 1. If it’s sunny make it flashy; 2. If it’s cloudy make it a more traditional bunny strip pattern; and 3. No matter what, make it as heavy as possible! The Deschutes has a lot of flow and every bit of weight you can add helps keep the fly in that strike zone while you animate it.
If you’re using a trout spey don’t be afraid to fish a short heavy tip if your flies don’t have much weight. Cover water quickly and constantly change your strip cadence and presentation. Be sure to take note of what action the fly had with each strike you get. Don’t be afraid to fish your fly upstream. Stripping the fly downstream will give you the most natural fleeing baitfish presentation and gives a wary trout less time to assess the fly and make a determination as to whether or not it’s real.
Flies that worked well for me since my last fishing report are size 16 Pink Bead Hare’s Ear and Pink Bead Pheasant Tail (big surprise I know). Small lightly dressed size 18 Silver Bead Orange Collar Pheasant tail. Size 18 Silvey’s Super Sinker in Black and Brown. Size 8 Jigged Kreelex Minnow in Silver/Gold. Size 6 Heavily weighted Bead Head Bunny Strip Muddler. Size 10 Egg Sucking Pine Squirrel Leech in Black. Size 18 Baetis Student. Size 16 CDC Blue Wing Olive Comparidun.
I hope everyone gets a chance to try some streamer fishing this late winter and early spring and finds success. Weather forecast have been changing by the minute out here, so bring lots of layers and don’t trust your meteorologist! Thanks for tuning in and happy fishing. I’ll see you on the water!
