|
Written by Matt Thornton
|
|
Last Tuesday was my birthday, so I burnt the world and decided to fish the Deschutes with Ben.
The morning was spent down river, fishing was slow and the weather crispy cold. The river level was high and the normal pockets I drug my Czech rig through weren't working. We drove up river and hopped out at a favorite spot. I fished the exact same pockets i usually pick up fish in but no bueno? Ben kept moving further down the drift... almost got to frog water and there, on the swing, how its supposed to happen, the Cutthroat took his nymph.
So we stayed there a bit and fished slower water than we usually do. I caught some White fish and lost some trout. Then off to Locked Gate at about 1PM. Blue Wing Olives start poppin' at 130PM. The back eddys are full of eager sporty lookin' fisherman. We fished the trees just before the hatch petered out. I got nothin', Ben got a bump on a Stimulater.
Hiked further up and fished another back eddy. This time, with a Parachute Adams and Stimulator combo I had some luck. Got some rises to the Adams but the mojo was off all day and long distance releases (LDRs) were as good as I could do. Saw a few big fish working across conflicting currents that I could not mend over. Seems to happen a lot on the Deschutes. Also my flies sink a lot. Every 2-4 casts a lot. How do you beat the chop on the D? End the day with a beer and a smoke. I love that river. I love how disappointed I get and how thrilling it can be. I love the feeling of being in the valley with the rest of the wildlife. Can't wait to fish it again soon.
|
Birthday Deschutes Bash
