With the Trout season closed along the borders of the Warm Springs Reservation the focus is on the Steelhead here. The fish continue to be caught throughout the 100 miles of the Lower Deschutes. There have been some BIG fish in the mix and many are in fine shape for this late in the season. We have seen some good action from Warm Springs to Maupin and have even got some decent reports from below Sherar's Falls. Most anglers are fishing sink tips with larger profile flies. The water temps. are cooling so it becomes more advantageous to think lower and slower. Look to some of the "softer" water to produce as the fish are conserving energy in the cooler temps. The speed of the water becomes an important aspect to look at this late. The faster riffles are less likely to hold fish as Steelhead do not need that high oxygen content like in the summer months. The numbers of fish are right about on the ten year average, so expect to work hard for a couple fish. Nymph tactic's will continue to produce with most anglers using a "stonefly" type lead fly and smaller droppers like Prince's, PT's or Rock Worms in the 6-10 size range. Get out while you can as the Steelhead are waiting. If your thinking of fishing for those feisty redsides, you can still head to the Maupin area for some good action. There should be some decent dry fly activity with BWO's being the main player in the game.
