The Deschutes Redside Trout
In Oregon there is a river that flows Northward along the back (East) side of Mt. Hood. It is one of the "fishiest" rivers I have ever experienced. I enjoy trying to imagine how it would have been in the early 1900's, or 1800's, or 1700's for that matter, before the crowds of white men damaged it. There are early photographs of wagon loads (I'm not exaggerating) of trout being harvested. Even today you can get a feel of what it would have been.
It has a resident rainbow that is truly magnificent. It's wonderful in heart as well as in skin. More than once while fishing for Deschutes Redsides, as they are called, I would hook a fish that took off to the far side of the river at a speed that made my reel protest. "WOW! I've accidentally hooked a Steelhead!" I'd think to my self. To my amazement when landing the fish it is a 13 inch resident trout! They are by far the hottest trout I have ever caught, fish to fish. Now and then on any stream, a particular fish will fight very hard. On the Deschutes, it seems to be nearly every fish. They are also beautiful. The "Redside" name is well deserved. Photo's don't do them credit. But look at this one! A deep, dark, purply, Rainbow.
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The Deschutes trout are not easy to catch. Do your home work well. There is a Stonefly hatch near the end of May that is world renowned. But even it can be very frustrating. |
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I have been most successful fishing Beadhead Caddis Nymph (Pupa above right) dead drift, with an adjustable strike indicator. Work fast riffles thoroughly, and when your ready to give up, sometimes there he is! In my experience the Deschutes is not a dry fly river except in some areas on some days. The real action is with subsurface flies. The Yakima on the other hand, you can count on dry fly action nearly any day.
This is a Deschutes Rainbow with a nymph just visible in his mouth, and being lead on the tippet to pose for this photo. This fish was about 16 inches and wonderful.
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