Fire Update and Fishing Report

As of this writing, the entire Lower Deschutes is open to boating and camping.  BLM is advising floaters between Warm Springs and Dant to be aware of continued firefighting efforts in the area as well as hazards created by the recent fires.  On to the fishing report....I was supposed to put in on Tuesday for a 3 day trout trip from Trout Creek to Harpham.  Obviously, the fire forced us to change our plans.  Fortunately, our clients were happy use this opportunity to see a section of river they had never been on and we went ahead and floated from Pine Tree to the Mouth...in search of trout.  Yeah, it almost seems blasphemous to be trout fishing in late July on the lower, lower river.  However, we had a stellar trip!  We fished in uncrowded conditions to unmolested trout that were eager to pounce on a well presented fly.  Caddis dries in the evening worked very well as did various pupa patterns sunk deep during the day. 

We talked to multiple people who had been hooking steelhead, mostly below Lockit.  Seems like the gear guys were doing best, especially in the middle of the day.  They're here!