CHASING DESCHUTES STEELHEAD

TACTICS FOR CHASING LATE DESCHUTES STEELHEAD

Written By Deschutes Angler Guide Steve Light

Are There Still Steelhead In The Deschutes River?

No need to hang up the cleats just yet. The Summer Steelhead season has a little life left in her. Now’s the time to dig deep. The river is up, cold, colored and void of anglers. But the hope of chrome is still alive and kicking. For those die-hard Deschutes Steelheaders this is the time for a late Summer-Run beast. And I mean a real BEAST! No need to be at the 'Moss Hole' at 4:15 am to reserve your rock. There hasn’t been anyone around since the end of October.

What Do You Want To Bring To The Deschutes?

Don’t bring your Floating Lines and Small Wet Flies to this show. Think “dump truck”. AIRFLO’s Intermediate Compact Skagit Heads, RIO's Skagit Intermediate Head, RIO’s Heavy MOW Tips, Black and Gold Cold Medicine, 12lb Maxima Ultragreen, and a flask of Single Malt Scotch.  Alright now, let’s find a juicy tank to run this through.

Deschutes Angler Fly Shop Late Steelhead Essentials

Where To Look For The Late Deschutes Steelhead?

Forget about the water that you fished in August. Well, not entirely anyway. Right about where you got out of the run is where you now get in. Sure it’s up to your arm pits, and 40 degrees but these are the honey spots. On top of that, you’re also going to be fishing greasy, super-soft, gushy, slow water that oooozes its way towards the Columbia River. I think I could empty my flask whilst the fly slowly finds its way.  Keep in mind that these fish lay up in this water as temperatures plummet from a spunky 56 degrees to a frosty 40. Slow and low is the theme for these late Deschutes Summer runs. The integrity of the water will also require a slower pace as you creep your way through the run. So pay close attention to how your fly reaches the bank below you.

Critical Points And Presentation

Line management is critical to the presentation for these late Deschutes Summer run Steelhead.  Lots and lots of mending and straightening.  The Deschutes Angler Guides have found that the key to sniffing out these Steelhead is to keep a direct connection to the fly so you can feel the most subtle of grabs. The typical summer take feels like a Burlington Northern hit a cow on the tracks and the late fall bruisers can sometimes feel like a kitten playing with a ball of yarn. Be patient! Wait for it ... wait ... OK, NOW!

How We Stay Warm While Catching These Late Run Steelhead

Nope, it's not August anymore so outside of different tackle, you'll need some dry, toasty warm, bad-ass winter gear from top to bottom. I don't think you can top a Merino Wool Beanie to keep your cranium lucid. Cover your torso up with Simms' new Bulkley Jacket. This GORE-TEX and Primaloft Insulation can tackle the burliest of what Mother Nature tosses your way. Throw your old crusty leaky Neoprene Waders away, you'll need to fit yourself with Simms' New redesigned G4 Pro Wader to keep the cold flowing Deschutes out. Layer up with Patagonias' Insulated Pant atop of Patagonia's Marino Wool bottoms. You can keep your tootsies warm with a pair of Simms Super Toasty Wader Socks. Since falling in the river is not in the program, keep yourself upright with Simms Felt Guide Boots and a Collapsible Wading Staff as an added insurance policy.

Stay Toasty My Friends.