Trout Bumming New Zealand

I have been out of town the past week and a half, so I haven't been on the Deschutes very recently.  The river does look significantly better than it did a few weeks ago.  The flows are better now than they have been since mid October, and river temperatures are around 50 degrees near the dam and slightly below near the mouth.  These are great fly swinging conditions, and while there are fewer steelhead in the river than most years there are always some really nice wild late season fish around.

I am getting ready for a 37 day trip to New Zealand's South Island.  This is our honeymoon vacation and also a bucket list fishing trip.  We are leaving December 5 and returning January 10.  While this trip will cut a little into my Oregon coast winter steelhead season, we'll be back in time for the best fishing (late January through April).  I am looking forward to sight fishing for big spooky browns in all kinds of back country creeks.  I have never been, so if you have any tips or must do's please send me an email!

After that, time to swing flies for winter steelhead... can you dig it?

Chris

Fishing with Abe Blair February 2012.