Today in Oregon, the first week of March, they (the weather guru’s) are calling for mid 60′s and clear all day. Yesterday was not bad in the high 50′s and there were visions of the beautiful salmon fly’s on the Deschutes River… Now I know some of you may not understand this but they are magnificent creatures. They have long antennae; weak, chewing mouthparts; and two pairs of membranous wings that, at rest, fold like a fan. The hind wings are generally broader but shorter than the forewings. And Despite their well-developed wings, they are poor fliers. These awkward bugs rest in the grass, next to the river, or in tree branches extending over. Well a breeze comes up and well Its Almost Magical.
illustration of a Fly 1652
The Deschutes River Redside will take station under the trees or along the bank and begin to feast on the bounty of the river. Not small flies, these insect in some cases are 2″ long, so our artificial fly is a size that can be seen… Not a long cast, the Redsides are in a feeding binge so in most cases it is a short but precise cast. When they “slurp” the fly up… Away we go, with a Deschutes River Redside on the other end of your line you better hang on.
Deschutes River-Oh My.
Ok, Ok, we know thinking. “Deschutes salmon fly fishing in March?” gotta tell ya fellow flyfisherpeople this weather just starts this little voice going, that wont quit until I have that 6 weight in my hand, brushing the Salmon Fly off my neck, and hooking one of these unbelievable fish.
For the first time in many years we have a few seats open on our Deschutes trips. Give us a call, lets see if we can make a date work for you…
“Are you hungry yet?” look at that fish, man we are, let’s go fishing on the deschutes…
