Heading to the Crooked this weekend

I’m taking my son, who is mostly a spin fisherman. I’m hoping to get him some action on the wimp noodle. I’ll report here after we get back.

Question about camping….do they have cashless card machines at the blm campgrounds on the Crooked? They’ve got them most places on the lower D now, but I can’t find any info on those, on the Crooked campgrounds.
 
Last edited:
Click to expand...
I'm gonna be in that area in March, might take a day trip. Look forward to your report. Have fun!
 
might try to do some target shooting over there…..anyone know if there’s a good spot close by to shoot? Based on looking at satellite imaging, maybe cross over the dam and pole around out that way?
 
Pigs said:
might try to do some target shooting over there…..anyone know if there’s a good spot close by to shoot? Based on looking at satellite imaging, maybe cross over the dam and pole around out that way?
Click to expand...
Yeah that's probably your best bet. Anything below there is going to be tough to get far enough off the highway, and everything else has private land blocking the way. Anything south and west of Prineville Reservoir should work just fine if you find a good backstop.
 
Flow looks low and slow - find the deep holes - for the deeper pools, if nothing is rising, pull a streamer (guess you could try still-water bobber fishing, but I wouldn't waste my time).

Good luck
 
Evan B said:
Yeah that's probably your best bet. Anything below there is going to be tough to get far enough off the highway, and everything else has private land blocking the way. Anything south and west of Prineville Reservoir should work just fine if you find a good backstop.
Click to expand...
Careful, a lot of that is private property, and if not private, a lot of off road stuff - there is a shooting range on Hwy 20 around Millican, but pretty sure you have to be a member.
 
Canuck from Kansas said:
Careful, a lot of that is private property, and if not private, a lot of off road stuff - there is a shooting range on Hwy 20 around Millican, but pretty sure you have to be a member.
Click to expand...
Lots of BLM land (the yellow). I just wouldn't go trying without OnX or some other map to make sure I was in the right spot.
1772212146339.png
 
Just got home… the quick, and dirty of it for now.

Beautiful weather. Beautiful campgrounds. I was not prepared for what 76 cfs is on the Crooked. Wow! Talk about skinny! And there were people everywhere! I won’t go back at that flow. imo, it should be closed to fishing this low. We didn’t even fish very much. Caught a few bows and whiteys, but I kinda felt sorry for em! The deeper spots were surrounded by a never ending goretex hatch.

I would take the fam back over at normal flows, but man, I’m a little concerned about how busy it will get. It’s a long pull for me, and I’ve got many more options with more solitude.

I used to want to move to Central OR, but yea I don’t think so anymore….its kind a shit show over there
 
Canuck from Kansas said:
Careful, a lot of that is private property, and if not private, a lot of off road stuff - there is a shooting range on Hwy 20 around Millican, but pretty sure you have to be a member.
Click to expand...
We prowled around a little looking for a good spot to plink, but I didnt feel good about anywhere we looked, so we didn’t shoot
 
Pigs said:
Just got home… the quick, and dirty of it for now.

Beautiful weather. Beautiful campgrounds. I was not prepared for what 76 cfs is on the Crooked. Wow! Talk about skinny! And there were people everywhere! I won’t go back at that flow. imo, it should be closed to fishing this low. We didn’t even fish very much. Caught a few bows and whiteys, but I kinda felt sorry for em! The deeper spots were surrounded by a never ending goretex hatch.

I would take the fam back over at normal flows, but man, I’m a little concerned about how busy it will get. It’s a long pull for me, and I’ve got many more options with more solitude.

I used to want to move to Central OR, but yea I don’t think so anymore….its kind a shit show over there
Click to expand...
The population growth in that area has impacted most of the Cascades to the west as well. My former go to hiking areas are now too depressing for me to visit because they are over run with people that don’t think it’s so bad because it’s better than where the came from…
Fortunately I read maps and have found some areas where I still can hike a trail that requires some route finding. I still mourn the loss of a few favorites.
 
SculpinSwinger said:
The population growth in that area has impacted most of the Cascades to the west as well. My former go to hiking areas are now too depressing for me to visit because they are over run with people that don’t think it’s so bad because it’s better than where the came from…
Fortunately I read maps and have found some areas where I still can hike a trail that requires some route finding. I still mourn the loss of a few favorites.
Click to expand...
I lived in the Reno/Tahoe area for 11ish years. Recreating down there could be interesting…Bay Area, and LA as you go south….pretty crazy at times ….getting trail head passes, etc. I did the same thing as you though. Lots of cool stuff that didn’t get all the press.

My uncle got out of Bend several years ago, and moved further east. He didn’t like the growth. He grew up there, and now in his mid 70’s. At the time he moved I just thought he was being a grumpy codger. I get it now. It’s not what it once was….lots of money…It’s all relative like you said….if ur coming from Sesttle, or LA, it’s still sparsley populated playground. If you knew what it was before, it’s yuppie/redneck zoo! 😆
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top