Ok let's call it a 4 day weekend Oct/Nov 2009! People can come and go as theie schedules lert them. Awesome! I will start posting links for licenses, lodging, equip., etc. I am really fired-up about this and promise I can put together a trip worth remembering. The two main rivers of focus will be the Metolius River (Bull Trout) and the lower Deschutes River (Steelhead). If you research these rivers you will see they are rich in tradition and have a world-wide reputation as Blue-ribbon waters.

I am going Bull Troutin this weekend so hopefully I will post some good pics.

Later, Thom

i know a fellow at a local flyshop who fishes for Bull Trout on the Metolius frequently. I will get the goods from him this next Saturday especially about fishing for Bulls in Oct/Nov. I think later is better, but not sure.
Paul

I have about 300+ days on the Metolius in the past 8 years and have been guiding in the area since 1999. I know every nook and crany of the Met. The kokanee come up in fall and the Bulls feast on them. Febuary can be better for the Bulls but if we have it in Oct/Nov we have a good shot at steelhead on the Lower D. A fair trade I think. I will tie examples of the flies that I fish and also a list of likely suspects. Since we have a year to plan and tie I bet I could have everybody covered as far as large streamers for Bulls goes.

Rockthief, do you live in Eugene? If you are local, anytime you want to come over and give the Bulls a shot, I will take you out. If you want.

Harleydeen, Sorry to hear about your frustration. The Klickitat can be a popular one. Some nice Steelies in there though.

Later, Thom

Richard, I will post links to a few local fly shops I have trust in and are very knowledgable.

Weather in Central Oregon in Oct/Nov:
October is a beautiful time of year to be here. Nights get down to around freezing but day time highs are usually in the 60's with cool mornings and evenings.
By the middle, to end, of November we get our first dusting of snow but day time highs can still be in the 50's.

I feel the clave should be end of Oct/ beginning of Nov. That way have a better chance of good weather and fresher Steelhead in the Lower D.

Water temps:
The Metolius is a giant spring creek. It flows at around 1400 cfs and 42 degrees year round. Rarely does that change. I have seen the river dirty twice and both time the Bull trout fishing was spectacular.
The Lower Deschutes is a large river that is best broken down into slower water. Staying close to the bank and looking for walking speed water 2-4' deep. It is dam controlled but has to maintain flows to protect salmon and steelhead. Normal flows that time of year are around 4000cfs and 52 degree water temp.

Hope this helps, Thom

Mike just let me know when your comin.

Here are a few links to a few fly shops:
The first is The Patient Angler. The owners name is Pete and he is quit possible the nicest and most knowledgable shop owner I have meet. If there is really something I am looking for this is my go-to guy.
His link is: http://www.patientangler.com/index.php
This next one is the closest shop to the Metolius River, so naturally they got it dialed: http://www.flyfishersplace.com/home23
These guys do more days on the Lower Deschutes than practically anyone I can think of check'em out: http://www.theriffleflyshop.com/Fly+Fishing

Well I hope this get people going on flies and such.

I should mention also that there is no guiding legally allowed on the Metolius River. This equals less pressure. This is good.

Later, Thom

Cameron, Portland shopping. Good, very good shopping. You fish, she shops, you meet somehow somewhere.

Thom,

Rodblank here. We have discussed the bulls on the Met in an earlier thread. I'm here in Eugene and would love to get in on a bull/metalhead clave. I have a ever changing and hectic schedule, but with this much advanced notice I will be able to work it out. As a fellow Oregonian, maybe I could help you with the planning, etc. Should we give a thought to renting some of the small cabins/rooms near camp Sherman? Let me know if you want to exchange e-mail addresses or phone numbers to discuss the clave.

Craig

Hi Guys,
find out about cabin pricing for us Thom, number of beds etc, been snowed in early this year, a number of hard storms, so no power or phones till today, not that I mind alot did get about a gross of flys tied and two rods wrapped. So whats the best rod weights and lines for Bull fishing? I'll have to count on you guys to pickup some of the proper flys, perhaps you could message me as to whats available and at what price, I would have no problem paying you to pick me up a goodly selection.
Also what about meals if we are staying in Cabins? I will be driving my gas efficent one wheel drive jeep wagon up if the weather is good, lots of great gas mileage. On the other hand I have some very 8mpg go anywhere including the rubicon 4X4s but then it might get cheaper to fly up. Anyway Im looking forward to a nice rod trip next year. Perhaps on up to Seatle and beyond once on the road.

Cameron, have you priced Southwest Airlines? Im a card carrying member and the fairs are pretty cheap. Also if their are major stops elsewhere for you, I will be passing though either Sacramento or Oakland, both have airports and I know Southwest uses Oakland alot for discount fairs. I could use a Co-driver. Although I would suspect that a stop or two along the way for a bit of fishing would add a day or two to the drive up. Sense it just might be that the Salmon are running then. the mouth of the Trinity River, the Rogue and a few others will be along the route.

Anyway lets keep it going, I would love to see a west coast clave as a regular

Richard

first nights snow in the driveway, my vw bug, and my rubicon 4#4

driveway used to be between those two trees

The Lake and river are right down there in the clouds, the lake and river there are at 2700 feet, Im above snowline at 5200 ft and a mile and 1/4th walk down

Three foot of snow has melted and you can now see the lake

normally I walk down to the lake and rivers edge, (my side) to fish, its sort of a yearly thing, however these storms came almost 6 weeks early and we have two more backed up for Sunday and Monday. Oh well how many flys can I tye and how many rods can I wrap?

We would love to have you Bill. Keep check'n in here. As time goes on I will be posting alot of info.

Richard, All weight rods. Bring a wide range. For the Bulls you will need something stout, like at least an 8 or 9. Steelhead 6-8. Lots of trout opportunities! I posted links for some shops so you can look for a good local selection.

later, Thom

Hope to have you Mike!

glad you posted here again richard. the "new" message icon caught my attention and i re-read the entire thread again. i hope i can make time to drive down once beforehand!

Hi been snowed in with little or none internet, (dialup) worst winter in over 100 years here. Anyway one of the rods Im bringing is a true 7wt, been working on reel/line combinations. Thus far a 7wt Orvis Wonderline generation II sinking compensated III with a beartooth Leadcore braided furrled leader and semi short included tippet seems to take my heavy wets to the bottom in semi fast water, so how fast is the water we are to expect? I can switch to Density compensated V but dont want to get stuck in the river bottom rocks. The Lead core furrled tapered leader really drops the fly with the above line.
I can go to an 11 or 12wt rod with the above mentioned Density V type lines for near river washout conditions for Salmon and Steelhead, and I will bring along at least one such rod, so just need to get an idea on exactly what you guys think will work best.
Im still planning on being there, any idea what the flow we should expect during our little clave?
Richard
Been playing with knotted tippets just for this application, 20#-15#-10# so understand your comments

Well I am hoping to run into some really big Salmon on the road trip up, have no idea how they have been runnng along the coastal areas. Its been years sense Ive hooked into over 30 pound Salmon though. Might even run up as far as the Columbia River weather and gas prices allowing. Gas prices have been going crazy here, its already up to $2.40 a gallon for regular and everytime I get down to go to the store etc its up another $.10 to. 25 yet the crude price keeps falling? something wrong with my math I guess.
Im retired so I most likely will make it a week to two week road trip anyway.
Richard