We just returned from our first steelhead fly fishing trip on the lower Deschutes River. It was a terrific trip. We meet up at the mouth of the Deschutes River where the Deschutes flows into the Columbia. From this point we take a boat ride up river. Every year on our first trip we are reminded what a great river this is. There are a lot fisherman who have heard the river is full of fish, although that maybe true, this year there maybe more fisherman than fish. 
We hooked in a two-day period 20 steelhead, between 3 guys! Now that is Steelhead Fly Fishing! What a fishery.
All that being said we are still concerned about the water temp on the lower Deschutes. We saw an average on this trip of 70 degrees. How this will not eventually effect the fishery on the Deschutes as we know it, we are not sure.
The Dalles, Ore. — Warmer than usual water temperatures on the lower Deschutes River have raised concerns among guides, anglers and fishery managers, but they have not affected the fishing or the health of the fish.
July has been very good,” said Rod French, ODFW district fish biologist. “There appears to be fish entering the river and we haven’t seen any additional signs of stress or disease because of warm water temperatures.”
While the warm water temperatures have not yet affected fish health, extended periods of water temperatures above 70F can be harmful, French said.
“While we haven’t seen much impact yet, we will be monitoring the situation closely,” he said.
Rod French (ODFW)
This quick quote was below a title that read “Steelhead fishing remains good on Deschutes River”. Does there seem to be a hint of surprise? Lets hope they can monitor and correct fast enough if there is a problem. Read More about the cooling tower on a post written July 16, 2010.
We are completely booked for our 2010 lower Deschutes Steelhead Trips. We have just opened a special slot, OCT 3rd-5th (with a possible 4-day if requested). This trip is a fall float for trout and steelhead, on the upper section, from trout creek to Maupin. The fish are bigger, the flies are smaller and this trip is a must for any avid fly fisherman. BOOK TODAY, Im sure this one trip wont last long.
2011 Deschutes fly fishing dates will be up soon. Make sure you book early!
