Is it worth it?

[fishmonger]

Well, the Summer Runs of steelhead are winding down, and the Winter Runs are starting. The Deschutes doesn't have a winter run, so it's time to try some other rivers. Last weekend I fished the Hood River, which runs off the slopes of Mt Hood. It is a relatively short and small river. It has been cold lately, so conditions were tough: air temp 24, water temp 32, wind 10-15 mph, water low and clear, and a developing snow storm. I had on long underwear (tops and bottoms), 2 layers of fleece pants, wool socks with liners, 3 sweatshirts, recently repaired (thank you Aquaseal) Orvis breathables (no thank you Orvis customer service, a story for another thread), neck gator, baseball cap, Thinsulate cap, wading jacket, and lined neoprene gloves. With all this crap on, its a wonder I could move.

The Jerk:
http://www.myfishingpictures.com/img/084077.JPG (http://www.myfishingpictures.com/?p=84077&c=500&z=1)

How cold was it? Well, I didn't have to worry about slipping off of a rock when I was fishing, because my felt soles would freeze to the rock. I slithered up on one particularly large and round rock with a fairly deep approach, and fished sitting down for a few minutes, and the butt of my waders froze to the rock. It was a great run, but alas, no takers.
http://www.myfishingpictures.com/img/084078.JPG (http://www.myfishingpictures.com/?p=84078&c=500&z=1)

32 degree water should be frozen, right? It is, if it isn't moving.
http://www.myfishingpictures.com/img/084074.JPG (http://www.myfishingpictures.com/?p=84074&c=500&z=1)

Water this cold really slows down the metabolism of fish, so slower runs are the place to look. This run would be great if the water was 40+.
http://www.myfishingpictures.com/img/084075.JPG (http://www.myfishingpictures.com/?p=84075&c=500&z=1)

Swinging wet flies is the preferred method on the Descutes, where covering lots of territory on the big water is necessary. On the Hood, dead drifting GloBalls, string leaches, and nymphs is the way to go. The arsenal:
http://www.myfishingpictures.com/img/084076.JPG (http://www.myfishingpictures.com/?p=84076&c=500&z=1)

I went back to the car for lunch, after it had been snowing for about an hour, and decided to bag it and head for the barn. I didn't want to get stranded away from home, because the Columbia Gorge is known for it's treacherous winter driving, and the Oregon State Police often closes I-84 through the gorge. We ended up getting 9 or 10 inches overnight. Here is the Mongermobile at the jobsite on Monday:
http://www.myfishingpictures.com/img/084080.JPG (http://www.myfishingpictures.com/?p=84080&c=500&z=1)

So, did I catch any fish? In a word, no. Bummer. That makes 8 days on the water since my one and only steelhead, with one sucker and one whitefish caught, which is ironic, since I grew up in a place called Whitefish Bay, and never saw a whitefish before. I saw a guy catch and release a nice wild steelhead on Saturday, and the same guy catch and keep a hatchery fish on Sunday, so I know they are in there and catchable. Which leads to a philosphical question: Are you a glass half-full kind of person? I must be, because even with all the challenges, the opportunity to hook into another steelhead is definately worth all the time and trouble.


FM

[flyflicker]

FM,
Man I love the Hood River. Some of the most beautiful country around. You need to get down to the North Fork Nehalem out of the town of Wheeler on Hwy 101 (easier for you to take Hwy 53 off of Hwy 26 towards Seaside), the Nechanicum which is about 5 mi. on down 26 past the hwy 53 cut-off, or the Klatskenine River Just above Astoria. Dec. is prime time on those rivers and all are small streams perfect for flies. One note on hwy 53, if it's icy go really slow and careful. I think the state of Oregon had a competition to see how many curves could be fit in a 9 mi. stretch of road and obviously won hands down with that one. Access on the North fork is limited, with most people fishing just below the hatchery. There are some good stretches above the hatchery, but the stretch above is usually better later in the season for wild fish that don't stop at the hatchery. There are also some access points further down the river, just look for the pull-offs on the side of the road. The Klatskenine can be really hot some days when the fish are coming through and slow if they're not. Course that is typical of all the coastal streams. Wish I could join Ya for a trip, the week between Christmas and New Years was my favorite time of year on the Wilson River above Tillamook. Out your way you might want to try the John Day River, though it's prime time is October. The Sandy River just East of Portland on I-85 is also a good one with lots of access.

[skibum]

Mark, Mark where are you?? OH... Is that you under all those cloths??...lol Ya know I snowski in less cloths than that. But then again i'm not standing in 32deg water, if all goes well while skiing ;).. Speaking of, got my first runs in 9 days ago up in NC.. Snow was pretty good, and they have almost all the runs open at most resorts, in NC that is.. Hey Mark, interested in fishing Dukes on Sat??? OK OK I hear your wifey yelling now so maybe not...lol But lemmi know either way.. I promise to have you home before christmas eve dinner :D

[James Buice]

You are killing me. I'm two months away from steelhead; I'd be wrapped up like a stuffed pepper if I lived out there as well. Have not fished OR, but do a bit farther up north. Guess I'll keep wishing my life away until the end of Feb...

Looks cold...

James

[fishmonger]

Flicker,

Awesome local knowledge again, thanks again. The wife was out a few weeks ago, and we went down to the coast. We stopped at the huge Sitka Spruce, so I got to see the Necanicum River there, and saw the North Nehalum driving through the coast range. I want to go back. It is flooding down there right now, but I'm headed to Atl for the weekend anyway. Hooch time on Sunday!

FM