I’m visiting my aunt in uncle in Redmond, Oregon for a few days in mid July (18-21) and wondering which river I should check out? Deschutes, Met, Crooked, any others I’m missing?
Mid July Central Oregon
- Thread starter jeradjames
- Start date
+1
I have great memories hiking into the Deschutes canyon on that stretch, fishing with with family members. Great dry fly action in the evenings.
My parents are in Redmond and I'm headed there middle of June to hit the lakes. In July I would spend a day at the D above Billy Chinook (rough hiking over the volcanic rock scree areas), Crooked, Met and Fall (super easy wading) rivers to see which one was fishing better. The little D between Lava and Crane Prairie can be pretty fun euro nymphing with light gear in the summer if your into that.
Honestly, all of them.
I've spent many hours on the D where it bends around the Eagle Crest resort. Lots of really wonderful, wadable water there. Be sure to bring plenty of elk hair caddis and don't miss the evening mayfly hatch. At one point the water surface got so dimpled from feeding fish that I thought it might have been raining.
The State Park near Steelhead Falls in Terrebonne is also a nice fishable stretch of the D. You can also make the drive up through Madras to fish the D near Warm Springs. there's plenty of easy access around Mecca.
The Metolius had gin-clear water and very canny fish, which make for very challenging fishing. If you feel the need to be humbled, then that's your spot!
I've fished the Crooked with some success, but it warms up earlier each year. I'd suggest putting that on the bottom of the list.
The State Park near Steelhead Falls in Terrebonne is also a nice fishable stretch of the D. You can also make the drive up through Madras to fish the D near Warm Springs. there's plenty of easy access around Mecca.
The Metolius had gin-clear water and very canny fish, which make for very challenging fishing. If you feel the need to be humbled, then that's your spot!
I've fished the Crooked with some success, but it warms up earlier each year. I'd suggest putting that on the bottom of the list.
Thanks for the replies everyone. Thinking about a day on the Deschutes and the Metolius but hard to choose! Will have to make a trip back obviously.
Also, Jeff's reports are spot on with the bigger, more popular waters.
flyfishersplace.com
Fishing Reports Archives — The Fly Fishers Place
flyfishersplace.com
this
and this
Personally, those two areas are where I'd be spending 100% of my time.....but I'd also be stripping big streamers for bulls on the Met for most of that (especially early and late)!
The D just isn't anywhere close to what it was pre-mixing tower (~15 years ago), but it's still good and worth a trip....sometimes I wish I could go back in time given that I'm a far better trout (and in general) fisherman than I was back then.
In July, the weather may decide for you. The Metolius is a spring fed stream that stays cold year round. The Deschutes is used for irrigation above LBC and is a tail water below. Water temps can become an issue in summer, depending on how hot it gets and how dry the rest of this spring ends up being. The Met is also considerably less exposed, making it a friendlier place to fish on a scorching day.
Another option you might explore if it’s a hot July is the upper tributaries of the Middle Fork Willamette, like Salt Creek or the north fork middle fork. Cold water, heavily treed, not too far from Bend.