Yesterday my friend Tim and I finished up 3 days on the Deschutes, floating from Trout Creek to Harpham Flat. Like I said in this post from about a month ago, I don’t care what anyone with an agenda to promote says, the Lower Deschutes is in excellent shape. I had not been on this section of the river in some time, so I was curious about what I would find. The water was clear with no excess algae, aquatic plants were abundant and healthy, the banks were coated with caddis that birds and bats gorged on in the evening, black stonefly nymphs were everywhere in the river, and the fishing was excellent. The only bummer was that I landed 5 big Northern Pike Minnow, one of which was 15″ and 2 were 17″.

While there were many rafters on splash and giggle trips, I did not see another serious angler the whole trip other than Tim. I have no idea why. Stonefly season is long gone, but the fish are still in the river, wet wading in hot weather is refreshing, and we never had to pass up a spot due to it being taken. In less than 3 full days of fishing I caught over 40 redbands from 5″ to 18″. Frankly, I lost count. Was it 45? More? I caught 21 on the last day alone before stopping around 1 in the afternoon. Like I said, the fishing was excellent.

I use big flies so most of the trout I caught were 13″ to 16″, but more than a handful were 17″ to 18″. As you can see in the photo above of an 18+” fish, I use a measure net, no guessing lengths and adding a little. Of course, the scenery was great.

I still prefer the Warm Springs to Trout Creek stretch which has better scenery (no trains, cars, or houses along the river once you get just a little underway), bigger fish, and more access to both sides of the river, but I need go on the Trout Creek to Harpam Flat float more often.