[Seawolf]

Hi,

I am heading off with the family on a road trip to central and eastern Oregon and will be spending the 1st several day camping allong the Deschutes River as we head south. We will stay at the campground at the confluence with the Columbia and will try swinging for early Steelhead. Anyone fished the lower Deschutes near the confluence? Is it wadable for spey? Any favorite fishing and camping spots up river? looks like there is plenty of access along the river and camping but I am not sure were the best spots are. Also is there good reason to head east to the John Day River while we are in the area?

Thanks,

Thomas

 

[Gary Thompson]

Hi Tom
I don't know squat about the lower Deschutes, but I have read and reread many posts from the past that cover the area you are asking about "search" will get ya there and my bump will get ya back to the top.
Have a great trip, watch where ya put your hands and feet, the BUZZ bunnies are thick in that part of the country.

 

[fredaevans]

Here's the Lower Deschutes BLM river map(s); it's detailed and dead on accurate (Map 10 is the mouth of the Columbia area). Not fished the immediate area so will leave that to some else to comment, but given the ease of access I suspect (weekends/early in the season) you'll have lots of company.

http://www.boaterpass.com/LDRFrame.htm

 

[floatinghat]

There is fishable water very near the mouth on up to the dam. It is very wadable although it can be slick. It's big water that has incredible holding water from end to end. This is early for the JD unless you are looking to catch SMB. You don't say when you are going but it sounds like it will be soon so I would stick to the D. You will see the holding water and you can camp at the mouth on the east side and ride your bikes or walk upstream to fish your water. when you see snakes don't kill them.

 

[the central oregonian]

Yes its pretty easily wadable....There should be fish at the mouth area right now. Perfect water for the spey and floating line. Make sure you pack the trout rods, after you leave the mouth and get around maupin it should be good trouting, caddis,pmd's standard nymphs.

 

[Scott Orness]

Drive 40 minutes farther south from The Dalles to Maupin. Great BLM campgrounds just downriver and up off the Locked Gate RD and a city park campground there as well. You can fish up or downriver from there and have a great time with the feisty redsides. Caddis hatches in the evenings should be off the hook and fish caddis cripples during the morning as well as pmd and bwo's. Caddis emergers as well as your PT, Prince and Hare's Ear nymphs work well.

 

[fredaevans]

Also read the posts to this current thread:

http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/board/showthread.php/69420-lower-deschutes-oregon

 

[gt]

you can hike or bike the old railroad bed on the east side of the river, just above the campground. you will find the fishermen trails going down to the river off of that road bed. lots of spots only limited by how far upriver you choose to walk/ride.