A Steelhead Story

I just got off from four days in the canyon. As per usual this time of the year, we experienced everything from eighty degrees and sunny to sixty-something with crazy winds and sideways rain! And as per usual, the fishing was awesome. The dry/dropper under a Chubby with a couple of my Custom Flies caught so many nice trout. And one lovely little wild steelhead! More on that in a minute. We also did some bobber fishing and caught a bunch of really healthy, crazy beautiful trout. One day one I was fishing a guy a from Southern California who straight up told me his objectives for the trip were to get a native trout on a dry fly and catch his first ever steelhead. After our first stop, during which he landed several trout and seemed to take instruction well, I told him I liked his chances to achieve what he’d come to do! After lunch, at one of my favorite fishin’ holes, I put him in the prime bucket. He landed a good trout on the dropper/dropper fly (my unbeatable GMO Frenchie!). Then a little farther out, he got nibbled. I told him to put it right back in there. Next cast the Chubby went down, the rod went up, and fish on! His first words were, “Not as big as the last one.” Then he uttered the words no Lower Deschutes fish wants to hear: “Yea, I think it’s a small one.” I’d come over to land the fish. Just then, the line starts moving slowly, inexorably up river. There was no panic from the fish at that point; more an annoyance, perhaps just another obstacle in what’s been a long journey. Only certain fish display that characteristic. Sometimes it’s a foul-hooked whitefish. Sometimes it’s a six-pound Butter Belly. Sometimes it’s not. My guy was doing great, keeping solid pressure without horsing the fish. I didn’t mention the possibility of what might be on the other end of his line for two reasons: I wasn’t sure, and often times, when the word ‘steelhead’ is uttered to the uninitiated, they can get a wee bound up––never a good thing. Instead, I simply stated the obvious, “Don’t ever call ‘em small. They don’t like that.”

As we ease into the autumn, the Lower Deschutes River is enjoying great conditions, solid hatches, lots of healthy redbands and the best return of steelhead we’ve seen in several years. This is truly our favorite time of the year. The cooler days make for comfortable air temps and declining water temps, which equal really good fishing. On recent trips we’ve seen the last of the summer caddis, decent PMDs and even the first few October Caddis. With each day we get deeper into the fall, the primary diet for trout will get smaller, meaning midges and BWO will begin predominating. This is not to say that a big fly shouldn’t be utilized. I will almost always have either an October Caddis pupae or smaller stonefly pattern on to compliment either a BWO nymph, a soft hackle or emerging midge. These rigs can be fished under an indicator or a large, buoyant dry fly.

It is with great and humble pride that we are officially launching Griff Marshall Outdoors. For many years, this idea has swirled around our family, and now it’s coming to fruition. For this first year we will primarily focus on ... The post Latest News – February 2022 appeared first on Griff Marshall Outdoors.

As January comes to an end, it’s time to recap what 2022 has offered so far in local fishing action. While we rue the loss of a steelhead season on many of our favorite Columbia tributaries, there is much to ... The post January 2022 Central Oregon Fishing Report appeared first on Griff Marshall Outdoors.

Photos and comments from 2021, covering both fun fishing and guiding The post 2021-That’s a Wrap! appeared first on Griff Marshall Outdoors.

This is a copyrighted excerpt from the chapter ‘Her Heartfelt Gift’ from My Mistress Whispers and Roars-Second Edition. It chronicles an evening session while camping between guide trips, and one truly special fish… The post Her Heartfelt Gift appeared first on Griff Marshall Outdoors.

This is a copyrighted excerpt from “Marilyn or Raquel?”, a chapter published in My Whispers and Roars-Second Edition. It chronicles a camp trip with four clients down the Lower Deschutes. The post Marilyn or Raquel? appeared first on Griff Marshall Outdoors.

This is a copyrighted excerpt from “The Autumnal Romance” chapter of My Mistress Whispers and Roars-Second Edition. These are stories from October and all the Lower Deschutes has to offer as the season winds down. The post 10th month excerpt appeared first on Griff Marshall Outdoors.