I'm thinking about picking up a new single handed trout rod, specifically for dry flies on the Deschutes and other northwest rivers. I'm torn between picking up a 4wt or 5wt. I'm considering a used or closeout Sage Circa in 589-4 or 489-4, or a Burkheimer DAL in either 4 or 5wt, essentially a deeper loading road to toss dries. While I'm leaning toward a 4wt, I'm wondering if I'll regret that decision if the wind picks up or if I fish the salmon fly hatch and am tossing bigger bugs. I grew up primarily fishing a 9' 5wt, but haven't chased trout much in recent years, focusing mostly on swinging flies with a two-handers for steelhead. What's your go-to Deschutes dry fly rod? Any thoughts or suggestions appreciated.
Favorite Deschutes River Trout Rod
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There will be others who can chime in and fish the Deshutes a lot more often then I, but I do know the area. I think you hit the nail on the head when you mentioned wind and at times bigger bugs. I think you would be under gunned with a 4 weight or a Circa. I would certainly be considering a 9’ 5 weight and something with a bit of muscle when it’s called for. But again you’ll probably get others who May have other ideas.
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I will usually a 6 weight on the Deschutes because of the wind, it’s pretty decent sized water, and there’s often a chance for hooking up with a steelhead.
Also those redsides are scrappers, I’d rather get them in and let them go as opposed to a drawn out affair with a 4-weight.
Also those redsides are scrappers, I’d rather get them in and let them go as opposed to a drawn out affair with a 4-weight.
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Don't get the Circa for that kind of fishing. Pure spring creek rod right there. The regular trout action Burkie 590 would be sweet. If I was to sell all my shit and get one moderate big river dry fly rod, I would be trying out the Scott GS 886 and Sage Mod 690. Or save some money and find a Hardy Jet 906 or Sage Accel 590.
The Sage X 590 is wonderful, with a true to weight line it virtually forces you to cast 50 feet like the rod is hungry. Took me about 4 days to adjust to, now I can cast 2 feet of line and 15 feet of leader exactly where I want it.
The Sage X 590 is wonderful, with a true to weight line it virtually forces you to cast 50 feet like the rod is hungry. Took me about 4 days to adjust to, now I can cast 2 feet of line and 15 feet of leader exactly where I want it.
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I think the 5 is the best choice for the Deschutes but i don't nymph much. Well hardly at all really. If i did i might be persuaded to go with the 6 as well.
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When I go to the Deschutes, I take numerous rods. My rod of choice is a Sage LL 490. I've caught a lot of nice trout on it there. If I want a 5 wt, I use a Loomis NRX LP and for a 6 wt. I have a Winston BIIx. The Winston and Sage in those models are not available any longer except through a third party but the Loomis can be had at a local fly shop for about $750. I also take a 5 wt. switch and a 6 wt. spey rod.
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...although I would go beyond calling them"scrappers",some of those fish have shoulders that go beyond their size.
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I have spent a considerable amount of time on the Deschtes, primarily in the lower canyon between Maupin and Mack's Canyon. I use a 5wt. almost exclusively, spend 85% of my time nymphing. In the evening we have a few favorite spots where we fish dry flys, same 5 wt, different line that has not been drowned all day. Having said all of that, I use a fast action 5 because of the wind, it can get pretty brutal and... I will fish big bugs from tim to time, easier with a 6 wt. Would not consider going down with out a 6wt. with a serious back bone, it will save your day. In my most humble opinioin, it is no place for 4 wt. if for no other reason than some of those fish are pretty strong, and it would be just too hard on the fish.
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Another part of my reason for a 5 wt is that i will not fish in the wind.. it's no fun with any rod no matter how good the fishing is.
If i was willing to fish in the wind a 6 wt might be a good choice.
If i was willing to fish in the wind a 6 wt might be a good choice.
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Forget the 4wt. I would be squarely on the 5wt train and would not be afraid of using a 6wt. Because of current and presentation. Not the fish. When those fish head for heavy water you gotta be able to put some muscle on them to get them back out of it. It’s not the size or strength of the fish that’s the problem. It’s that big river current
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Some of it is living in that current,though.I have seen those fish rising in some pretty heavy water and they have some tails that put other rainbows to shame.
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What's the difference between a 10-inch trout and a four pound trout? Both are small and weak compared to an angler. Trout aren't chinook salmon or tarpon; we pursue them for other reasons. So we needn't feel ashamed for catching them with huge, brutal six-weights.
And there's always that desert canyon wind, waiting to pounce.
And there's always that desert canyon wind, waiting to pounce.
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I started fishing the Deschutes with a 9' 4wt back in the early 80's. It was like taking a knife to a gunfight. Some of those fish caught close in could be out in the current and into your backing in seconds. Trying to crank them back upstream against the current got old real fast.
After some early embarrassments being over matched by beefy fish I built a G Loomis 9' 6wt IMX blank primarily to nymph fish with but it would still throw a big stonie against the breeze. The 6 wt had the backbone to stop some of the bigger fish and gave me a real chance against the occasional steelhead. Nowadays I might be tempted to use a 10' 5wt but would be wasting my time and stressing the fish with a 4wt.
One other thing about the Deschutes-although the good dry fly days make for exciting fishing-it doesn't happen every day. I fished it for years with a guy that was a dry fly junkie and on many trips I out caught him 5 or 10 to 1 using nymphs instead of waiting for the occasional rise. Be sure you get a rod that can do both.
After some early embarrassments being over matched by beefy fish I built a G Loomis 9' 6wt IMX blank primarily to nymph fish with but it would still throw a big stonie against the breeze. The 6 wt had the backbone to stop some of the bigger fish and gave me a real chance against the occasional steelhead. Nowadays I might be tempted to use a 10' 5wt but would be wasting my time and stressing the fish with a 4wt.
One other thing about the Deschutes-although the good dry fly days make for exciting fishing-it doesn't happen every day. I fished it for years with a guy that was a dry fly junkie and on many trips I out caught him 5 or 10 to 1 using nymphs instead of waiting for the occasional rise. Be sure you get a rod that can do both.
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I agree that nymphs generally outfish dries but if you wait to see fish rise you are missing the best dry fly fishing.
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always a balance between enjoying the fight and overly stressing a fish you plan on releasing..on our annual 3 days float, we carry 5 wt's with some butt set up for dries, 6 wt's for sub-surface..beside mid-day nymphing, in late afternoon on warm days we'll stick on a mini sink tip for swinging pre-hatch..hella fun tugs..
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For the deschutes, I use a a 10' 5wt. I use a super long euro leader for nymphing where the fly line doesn't leave the reel, and If i'm going to fish a dry fly/dry dropper I'll switch to a conventional tapered leader. Aside from the wind that can whip up, there is the possibility of a steelhead or the odd 20" rainbow taking your nymph out into the main current. If you have a 4wt or less, you're screwed.
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