The month of June brings blooming dogwoods, blossoming flowers, the worlds largest run of American Shad to Oregon's biggest waterways and a bit of fly fishing craziness right near Portland, OR. The Columbia River which cuts the boundary line between Washington state and Oregon combined with Portland's cargo way the...
To say Nick has unbounded energy might be an understatement but when it comes to steelheading his optimism often outweighs the challenges of the fishing conditions we face. He gets to fish with me about once a year for steelhead and each time he does it's a blast with Nick...
Want to get started right with spey casting? Having casting challenges and could use some coaching? Water Time Outfitters offers spey casting lessons to move your casting to the next level. Guiding and spey casting for over 20 years the guides at Water Time Outfitters can help. We offer riverside...
Cody and his brother Ian from back east had never hooked a steelhead on the swing. Each had a glow of enthusiasm that comes early to the quest of steelhead on the swung fly. Sometimes that is what one of my old time clients calls "unwarranted optimism" - I think...
I consider myself so fortunate to live and work in such an amazing part of the world chasing these unbelievable creatures we call Steelhead. It’s truly a marvel to hold a fish like this for a few brief moments. Their aggressive nature and powerful battle leaves you shaking and...
Winter wind, sleet, hail, rain and just plain cold nasty weather combines with big rivers and elusive steelhead to make one of the most challenging fly fishing endeavors ever; so often this drudgery of winter we gear up to fish down. Sometimes amid the heavy layers of fleece, long underwear...
Oregon coastal rivers get some great winter steelhead runs and some of the best rivers for early fish are usually: Three Rivers, Nestucca, Necannicum, NF Nehalem, NF Alsea, Nestucca and Wilson Rivers. Low flows on the smaller streams have made fishing difficult. Some fish are showing in most rivers but...
Fishing on the Clackamas in December has been a bit slow with low and cold conditions most of the month. Late summer steelhead have been nearly non-existent and the search for chrome winter fish is the game. Low and cold usually means lower in the river is best. Recent rains...
Eventually even the best gortex waders will get leaks. I find that I always lose the battle with the blackberry patch or miscellaneous thorns that are found on the banks of the rivers we fish. The Water Time Outfitters guide crew has found this little tip an easy and fast...
The Clackamas River has been running high; recent heavy rains combined with melting snow on lower hills have raised levels substancially. Last week water levels reached flood stage at over 19' at the Estacada gauge. Now its late for coho and we are seeing the last remants of spawning fall...
Want to find great local spots to fly fish steelhead near Portland? The Clackamas River is home to steelhead, salmon, trout and wildlife just minutes from Portland, OR. This class focuses on helping the bank bound angler find the best places to go, what time of year, what water levels...
Fly Fishing Portland Oregon- Fall Fishing Opportunities The warm sun beams down as leaves softly trickle to the green grass; my wife and I walk hand in hand through fall colors along the Clackamas River on the McIver park trail minutes away from Portland, OR. It’s a special time with...
Spectacular scenery, mule deer, bighorn sheep, bald eagles, golden eagles, wild redband trout and the sought after unicorn of fish- steelhead all are found in the incredible Deschutes River canyon. Guiding the Deschutes River for over 25 years has given me the unusual ability to soak in the awe of the...
Fall temperatures have cooled the high desert and the vivid colors of the season are the perfect blend to the beauty of the redband trout and blush cheek of fall steelhead to be found here. Water levels have started to rise as the irrigation season in central Oregon draws to...
Fall on the Clackamas is a special time- the river is quiet with the falling leaves and the colors astounding! Deer wander the banks and a variety of fish can be found in the waters cooled by fall rains. The Clackamas River had an increase in water level with recent...
It's now September and the steelhead in the Clackamas have been trickling in since May. These fish are getting wary and hanging in the deep, cool pools of the river. Floatilla's of rafters and inner tubers have assaulted these poor fish all summer and now that school is back in...
This year marks one of the lowest return numbers to the Columbia basin seen in over 20 years; but nobody told the fish! Fishing has been somewhat- well let's say surprisingly to say the least. With light pressure we are finding steelhead most days on the river. With a gap...
Line screemed off the fly reel as Rocco held the bent throbbing spey rod in a 13' long arc; the summer steelhead had slashed his fly-a Crandall's Provider and was now jumping and thrashing about in the cool 54 degree water of the Cowlitz River. Swung fly strategies excel in...
Fishing opportunities abound in Oregon and summer for sure is an action packed time of year near Portland! Here is a breif break down of fly fishing options for summer here in the great Northwest. Summer Steelhead: In less time than you can cruise through an IKEA you can...
http://www.fpc.org/web/apps/adultsalmon/R_yeartodatecomparisontable_results.php Steelhead and salmon may be the hallmark of the nw but this year returns look bleak. It appears that the severe drought conditions we had when this year's stock of fish were headed to the ocean was tragic. Outgoing juvenile steelhead had warm water and very little flow to...