Season of the White (River)

I'm sitting at the bar in our new house in Bend watching snow fly... winter seems to be firming its grip on Central Oregon and I am happy to be inside with my girls and a fire.  Reflecting back on the past five months of chasing steelhead on the Deschutes I learned some new things about this unique watershed.  Seeing new things after years of being on the water is humbling, but ultimately strengthens my understanding of the river.  It also reinforces the fact that the Deschutes is living breathing thing.  Fishing was spotty and difficult overall this summer and fall but we never went too far in between really good or at least solid fishing.  We caught plenty of beautiful fish this season, the only frustrating thing was fishing sink tips so much of the time in August and September, even during low light.  Gotta put food on the table though so T-8 it was.

I want to give a huge thank you to everyone who fished with us this year or seasons passed.  We're fortunate to have clients that we enjoy being with and can call friends.  You're good people.  Thank you.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Chris

Dan Lemoine connects while fishing a classic "bay style" run on the upper river. The 45 mile stretch from Warm Springs to Maupin played an important roll this year.

Diane Morrell is a steelheader.

We did succumb to the murky water down stream of the White with light sink tips and unweighted flies for a good part of the season, very much against our will.  Gotta produce.

Paley getting her grip figured out.

Father son team Randy and Mark raggon were a kick to fish with... trips like this are what it is all about!!  Here Mark admires a pretty doe he caught on a cool crisp October morning.

Our English Setter, Dixon, eagerly anticipating a hookup.  If you hook the first fish he is your dog for the entire trip.  he made some beautiful points along the river this fall.

Cheryl O'Neill came out and pretty much dominated!  Here she is kooked up with the first of several over two short November days on the river.

Color coordinated for fall.  Dressed for success!

Our home on the river.  BRAVO makes killer wall tents.  This 10' X 12' has stood up to heavy commercial abuse for the past five seasons showing very little wear and tear.

After a long season of guiding on the Deschutes Nick and I firmed up plans the night before and headed out to check out some new rivers in hopes of fishing the floating lines that have been coiled in our bags for most of the summer.

The Kid putting the finishing touches on a wild doe that absolutely ripped!

Heavy fall storm and dramatic lighting on one impressive body of water.

This fly... this f'ing fly!  Looks pretty good considering where it has been.  A winner tied by Nick Rowell and fished by yours truly.  I am in love with Gamakatsu's McNeese spey hooks.  Fish bite and won't let go!

Kinda cheesy no doubt, but it feels so good!  Funny thing is, out of eight fish hooked on this trip, all eight were landed and half of them were caught at the same time (two doubles).

Parting shot of Cheryl O'Neill and I with one heck of a buck she caught early in November.  This fish was nearly impossible to hold, partly because of his raw strength and partly because of my trembling hands!