The Lower Deschutes River is open year round for Trout, Slamon and Steelhead. Usually I don't start fishing the "Des" until April 28th when the entire river is open. Two weeks ago I got the itch so I took off over Mt. Hood and into Maupin, Oregon where the Duschutes River runs through the high desert, where the fish hammer big Stone Fly's, Baetis, March Browns and others. Before meeting my fishing buddy at Devils Canyon, I stoped at Harpham Flats ( 2-3 miles North Down river ).
It was 80 degrees that day, it had not been that hot on the Des since last season. I knew that the Rattlesnakes may be out and I knew that the Rippers would move into the shallow fast riffles. I tied on a Stonefly and a Flash Back Gold Ribbed Hares Ear above it. After about 20 minutes I was tight to RIPPER. I cast up stream and as my bugs were on sink, before I even began to mend my line, my strike indicator dove sharply to the bottom. I was bit.
After a strong run down river about 50 feet, I put the brakes on her a little bit. She immediatly "hunkered" down on the bottom. I turned my rod low, parallel to the water, and got her moving again. She began up stream and soon she was 15 feet out in front of me. It is at this point that I began thinking about what kind of fish this was. I had not seen her yet, I just knew she was heavy. Usually when you get the head shakes and extreme pull from a fish on the Des it is a big Rainbow (redside). Sometimes it is a 30 inch white fish! Well 15 ft. out in front now, she rose and belly rolled. Holy shit!
She rolled twice and did a happy fish leap, I was tight to a 22 inch Resident Rainbow in April. She came in without any fuss, I got her in the net and took the bug out of her mouth and released her with out even touching her. As I watched her shaddow cruising out from my net into the river I realized that I live in the best state in the Country!
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