oregon.flyandfield.com

Monthly Spey Classes

2008-07-14T14:54:00.000-07:00

Monthly Spey Classes

On the Water Spey Day

Looking to learn about spey fish this is it!

Fly and Field Outfitters and Bruce Berry Present On-Water Spey Day

This is a great tool to get you on your way with spey fishing techniques and a fairly intense/comprehensive class. You will need waders & boots for our day on the water and feel free to bring your own rod/reel/line combination if you would like. Class will start at 10:00 a.m. going through basics with a short break around 1:00 p.m. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. We will resume on the water about 1:30 p.m. and go officially until 4:00 p.m. Any diehards who have not had enough at that time can feel free to stay for more personalized one on one instruction or to talk line matching, fishing technique, etc. Class cost is $100.00 and class size is limited to 8 maximum so there is great hands on learning time for each participating fly fisher.
* July 25th & 26th * August 15th &16th
* September 15th &16th * October 11th & 12th

For more information and/or to register, please call Fly and Field Outfitters 541-318-1616

Tight Lines Auction - Deschutes River Conservancy

2008-05-06T10:32:00.000-07:00

Join the DRC in honoring the Deschutes River and tributaries by bidding on exclusive fly fishing packages in the Deschutes Basin and destination fly fishing trips to exclusive lodges throughout the world. The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs have granted special access to the DRC for pre-arranged fishing trips on the tribal side of the Lower Deschutes for this event.

To Register:
541.382.4077 ext.10
debbie@deschutesriver.org

A Victory for the Deschutes River

2008-02-25T20:01:00.000-08:00

The neediest stretch of the Deschutes River is in the midst of a remarkable transformation. Because the change is taking place bit by bit, project by project, many people probably haven’t noticed it. But it is happening, and the result will benefit not only fish, but everyone — including tourists — who values the river as an aesthetic and recreational amenity.

Castro Resigns

2008-02-19T09:57:00.000-08:00

With resignation of Fidel Castro as the leader of Cuba, maybe we'll get do some fishing there soon. Rumors have it that Cuba is one of the best fishing locations in the Caribbean. Time will tell. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

The Slim Beauty Knot

2008-02-04T16:12:00.000-08:00

The Slim Beauty knot is a strong, easy-to-learn knot that doesn't require the use of a bimini twist to achieve close to 100% class-tippet-to-shock-tippet connections.

I started using this knot last year in the Yucatan. It is easy and quickly tied in the field. Slim Beauty Knot.

The Upper Deschutes River

2008-01-31T16:22:00.000-08:00

The Deschutes River upstream of Farewell Bend Park was iced over in spots last week. The river can be good to fish in winter, but variable conditions can be tough to predict.

Why the low flow?
The region’s water managers hold back water behind Crane Prairie Dam and Wickiup Dam in the winter to ensure that irrigators will have enough water in the summer.
The flows below Wickiup Reservoir have dropped as low as 25 cubic feet per second this winter, which fish biologists say is a detriment to the redband and brown trout populations.
Low flows become less pronounced as anglers move downstream, although the effects are still noticeable.
For all the drama of the Deschutes River in the winter — the fluctuating flows, the bitter cold, and the occasional icing over (as happened just last week) — there are still those anglers who cannot get enough.

More about the Upper Deschutes River

$4M grant to benefit fish projects

2008-01-19T07:23:00.001-08:00

$4M grant to benefit fish projects
4 Central Oregon groups will split funds to boost salmon, steelhead.

The Deschutes River Conservancy, the Deschutes Basin Land Trust, the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council and the Crooked River Watershed Council together received the grant from the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board at the board’s meeting last week. The watershed board is a state agency that distributes grants for conservation projects with funds from the lottery and other sources.

Trout Bums: Bend Oregon Fly Fishing Film Tour

2008-01-11T07:03:00.000-08:00

For the 4th year now, the Trout Bums are coming to Bend, Oregon.

They call themselves the Fish Bums, but their experiences are not always about the fishing.

Sometimes they’re about the curious situations in which they find themselves — such as drinking too much fermented “yak yogurt” and ending up passed out somewhere in the middle of frigid Mongolia.

That’s what happened to Thad Robison while he was filming “Fish Bum I: Mongolia.”

“It’s the nastiest, foulest thing you’ve ever put in your mouth,” Robison says of the potent cocktail. “It is bad. It creeps up on you. The locals knew more than they were telling us. It hit me like a freight train.”

More

Deschutes River Conservancy names new directors to board

2008-01-09T07:20:00.000-08:00

Deschutes River Conservancy names new directors to board

Bruce Bischof, Damien Nurre and Jim Mead have joined the Deschutes River Conservancy board of directors.

MORE

The Fly Fishing Show: Denver

2008-01-07T09:30:00.000-08:00

Thank you so much for taking time out of your weekend to visit the Fly Fishing Show at Denver’s Merchandise Mart. We hope you enjoyed the show and it got you excited about fishing this coming season. It was our first experience at the show and we are glad to have met you. We appreciate you giving us the opportunity to introduce you to the fly-fishing possibilities near Bend Oregon, and the services we provide for the angler traveling to our neck of the woods.

A large amount of visitors to our booth were interested in our Multi-day Camp trips on the Lower Deschutes river. This is the best way to experience the majesty of the canyon, while enjoying the savory meals, comfortable camps, and fantastic fishing for steelhead and wild rainbow trout. Our guests return year after year not just for the great fishing, but because of the fine hospitality we provide; no gear hauling, no tent wrestling, no cooking or cleaning, just pure fishing pleasure.

We still have space available during the prime dates for both trout and steelhead. The famous Salmon fly hatch starts at the beginning of May and will last until mid June. July is our staff’s favorite month for trout fishing, and the steelhead make their first appearances during the middle of September. October and November are the best months for high steelhead catch rates.

Damien Nurre

Deschutes River: Last Trip

2007-11-20T08:44:00.000-08:00

Our last multi-day on the Lower Deschutes river this season was in mid November. We lucked out with the weather... big time. The weather in November can be variable. One day it can be 50 degrees, the next day snowing. During this trip we got 3 days of 50+ degrees. It made for pleasant fishing and the fish responded accordingly. We recorded our best catch rates of the season, hooking 31, and landing 22! The hot fly was a MOAL leech, black with an orange bead head. We caught fish on traditional wet flies, as well as other leech patterns.

What a great way to end the season.

Damien Nurre

Kilchis River, Oregon

2007-11-15T09:20:00.000-08:00

At the end of every season, our entire staff goes fishing. This year we ventured to the Kilchis River near Tillamook, Oregon. Each year there is a large run of Chum Salmon (also know as Dog's) that return during the beginning of November. For many of us it was our first time fishing for Chums or any salmon. It was a wild experience. We would watch fish move up river in massive schools. As the schools would swim through, lines would tighten and reels would begin to scream. At times, we would have 6 or more of us hooked up at once.

We had a great time fishing, laughing, and hanging with our friends.

Damien

Bend - Petropavlovski Russia

2007-09-04T21:22:00.000-07:00

In June of 2006 I received a phone call from Will Blair of The Best of Kamchatka. I was surprised to hear from our outfitter. He was supposed to be on the peninsula, welcoming his first of 13 fishing groups to the fabled wilderness of Russia. Bad news was imminent. Due to the loss of FAA status, the Russian airline that was scheduled to transport us to the Kamchatkan hub Petropavlovski would not be flying. Our trip was cancelled, rain-checked until 2007.

For a full year my 3 comrades and I prepared for our turns to wade into the runs, riffles, and pools of the Leveya River. During that year the trip would morph into a grotesque journey from one airport to another before reaching our final destination. I wasn't the only hesitant angler in the group. Would the fish be worth traveling for 24+ hours? That's a long way to go to catch a fish. The answer could only be known by embarking on this pilgrimage.

So on the 18th of August, at 6:30 pm, we boarded Alaska flight number 2333, bound for Los Angeles. Just after midnight we took our seats on the second and longest leg of the journey aboard a Korean Air jumbo jet. For twelve torturous hours we sat in our cramped, economy class seats. By the time we reached Seoul Korea, my feet were so flushed with blood; I wished my shoes were a size bigger. Five hours lapsed before we boarded the flight to Vladivostok Russia. Travel into Vladivostok was uneventful. Vlad to Petro was the opposite. We were packed into an old DC-3 that had been sitting on the tarmac in 90-degree weather for hours. The plane door closed when our Russian Captain donning a golden crucifix unhidden by his half buttoned uniform, entered the cabin and did the final passenger checks himself. At random he pulled bags down from the overhead shelf, making passengers stuff their carry-ons under their feet, shrinking any level of comfort to nothing. Once he was satisfied with his mischief he returned to the cockpit to torment his American passengers for another 40 minutes. As the temperature soared the plane stayed grounded. With no air was circulating in the cabin we roasted. At one point a Japanese tour guide visited the seats of each of his tourist, forcing them to chug water. Just as the situation reached maximum tolerance the plane speed down the run away and into the air for the 3-hour flight in Petropavlovski.

Tired, sore, and smelly, Leeann, Herb, Glenn and I deplaned with the other 12 travel weary anglers into the land of bears, vodka, and mouse eating trout. A sense of accomplishment and relief was shared by all. We had made it. Like any traveler, I awed at the experience of the past day as I marveled at the sights of this new environment, but the striking views of volcanoes to the North, West, and South couldn’t curb my need for a warm shower and a bed.

Fly Fishing Kamchatka Russia

2007-09-03T19:55:00.000-07:00

Friday night at midnight, I crawled into my bed after 48+ hours of travel from the Leveya River in Kamchatka. What an adventure?. Drunken Russian miners, beautiful women, old school helicopters, poachers, bears, extreme jet boating, vodka, caviar, rain, a useless sat. phone, a late extraction, 8 hours on wash board roads racing to the airport, more drunk Russians, missed flights, expensive upgrades, alcoholic guides, enormous volcanoes, and bowls and bowls of borsch. We did catch some fish too.

Check back for the full report.

A Day for the River

2007-08-14T15:22:00.000-07:00

Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Grant Access on Tribal Side
of Lower Deschutes River for One Day Fly Fishing Event

Bend, Oregon – This year, the Deschutes River Conservancy (DRC) is celebrating ten years of successful river restoration work in the Deschutes Basin. The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs helped found the DRC in 1996 and have contributed to much the organization’s success. To raise awareness about the challenges facing the river and generate financial support for the DRC’s mission to restore streamflow and improve water quality in Deschutes Basin, the Tribes have granted the organization special access on the Tribal side of the Lower Deschutes River for an exceptional fly fishing event. Saturday, September 15, 2007 has been designated by the DRC as “A Day for the River”- a day to honor all that the river provides us. The limited access and sacredness of the Tribal side of the river would make this a very coveted day among experienced fly fisherman. These coveted fly fishing trips will be auctioned off at the DRC Tightlines Auction & BBQ Dinner on Thursday, September 6, 2007. For more information, about the trips or to register for the auction, contact Bea Armstrong at (541)382-4077 ext. 23 or visit www.deschutesriver.org.

In addition to the fly fishing trips, on that one day, folks will have an opportunity to experience the entire river from its headwaters in the Cascade Mountains to the mouth at the Columbia River. Throughout the Deschutes Basin, the DRC provide you with a chance to enjoy the river by fishing, rafting, canoeing, or hiking. Some of these activities will have a fee associated with them and others will be free of charge. Our hope is to increase the level of awareness about our natural resources and to inspire the community to give back to this tremendous resource that we have here in Central Oregon – the Deschutes River. For more information about the event, visit www.deschutesriver.org or call (541)382-4077 ext.23.

Tarpon Time again

2007-08-13T19:51:00.000-07:00

Last March I traveled to the Yucatan in search of the "Silver Prince"... baby tarpon. The Yucatan has become known for large populations of baby tarpon. Ascension Bay, on the west coast of the Yucatan, is well known as a tarpon fishery, as well as other flats species. But it is also home to many lodges, pangas, tourists, and pressured fish. So to avoid the crowds I went east.
My friend Marco Ruz invited me to experience fishing with him and his guides at two destinations on the Mayan Yucatan. The first stop was Tarpon Cay Lodge. The flats and mangroves guarding the lodge would prove to be as great as Marco claimed. One phrase describes it best... "Tarpon Catching". The second location was the Spanish Colonial city, Campeche. Rich in history, old world architecture, and fine cuisine, Campeche is quickly becoming a hot spot for baby tarpon junkies. Sight casting to 20 pounds of silver cruising the mangroves edges will turn anyone into a junkie.

I enjoyed the fishing and experiences Marco provides so much that I'm going back in 2008. I have selected dates after their winter weather cycle and during the best tides for catching tarpon. Since baby tarpon live deep in the mangroves and feed on the flats, it is important to be on the water during the low tide. Tarpon will be forced from the safety of the mangroves, where we will be waiting, ready to intercept.

A total of 5 anglers will travel with Marco and myself from Cancun, to Tarpon Cay Lodge, Campeche, and back to Cancun. I would like you to be one of them. This is the best baby tarpon experience on the flats. Jose Wejebe (The Spanish Fly) totes Tarpon Cay as the largest population of baby tarpon he has ever seen.

Dates: April 25th - May 3rd, 2008

General Itinerary:
April 25: Arrival day (Cancun)
April 26 – 28: Fishing days at Tarpon Cay Lodge
April 29: Transfer from Tarpon Cay to Campeche. Lunch in Merida and visiting Chichen Itza
April 30 – May 2: Fishing days at Campeche
May 3: Departure day (Cancun)

Rate: $3,415/angler (double occupancy room / boat-guide) – this rate reflects a rate of $3,295/angler + $120/angler (extra travel day)

Includes: Transportation, meals, snacks, non-alcoholic drinks, lodging, and guides.
Not included: Airfare, tackle, flies, leaders, alcohol, and gratuities.

Airfare from Portland to Cancun ranges in price from $350 to $500.

I will also be hosting a fly tying seminar on the 31st of March and a casting clinic on the 14th of April. These classes will be limited to those anglers traveling with me.

There are 4 spots left. If you would like more information about this trip, please email me at Damien@flyandfield.com

Let's go catch some Tarpon!

Damien

Crane Praire

2007-08-13T06:17:00.000-07:00

August 9: Crane is starting to produce big fish on a regular basis. This day, my clients Mr. Love and Gary were on fire, boating 13 fish and on a very windy, but productive day. All fish were caught on the chronomids under indicators, The summer is running out for your chance at that trophy "cranebow".

This is Fly

2007-07-12T06:42:00.000-07:00

A new online magazine is one of the coolest additions to the world of fly fishing in many years.

Check it out at www.thisisfly.com.

Mid Summer swing

2007-07-06T19:24:00.000-07:00

The staff at Fly and Field Outfitters is in the heat of our busiest time of year, and in the HEAT! It is HOT in Central Oregon. Yesterday the mercury didn't stop climbing until it reached 103 degrees! This heat wave will slow the fishing during midday. So find some shade and relax. The best fishing times will be from sunrise until about noon, and then from 7 pm until dark. The best fishing is during the final hour of the evening.

On the Lower Deschutes, the caddis are hatching full bore. Last week I witnessed one of the thickest caddis migrations ever. At 1 pm, thousands of caddis swarmed their way up river.

Our guides have been reporting good fishing on all of the waters in the area. The Upper Deschutes between Little Lava lake and Crane prairie has been fishing well for smaller brook trout and rainbows. Many happy anglers have been returning to our shop, stoked on their first fly fishing experience.

The Lakes are fishing well too. The highlights are East Lake and Crane Prairie. Choronimid fishing on Crane has been producing some big "Crane Bows". A few in the 24-26 inch range were caught last week. The Callibeatis hatch on East Lake is happening from 10 am to 2pm, or so. Don't neglect the spinner fall earlier in the morning. Wind drifting a nymph is nearly guarantees catching fish.

We have had some very fun trips on the Lower Deschutes this summer. During our past 5 over night trips, we have been very lucky, as no other groups launched with us. We only shared the river with a few folks rafting for 3 days! Our guests have been enjoying the solitude and the great fishing.

Check out these smiles.

Green Drake Spinner Fall?

2007-06-17T14:41:00.000-07:00

What's the best dry fly fishing experience you've had? A blanket caddis hatch? How about a PMD hatch during a drizzly afternoon in July? Or a Green Drake hatch? Big gaudy hoppers or stone flies? All of these experiences can build to epic proportions, and until recently I thought I had seen the best of the best. Last week I landed my boat onto one of my favorite rocks. My clients unloaded and began throwing their oversized size hair and hackle stone fly imitation into a pod of exceptionally aggressive Redsides. One drift, two drifts.... ten perfect drifts through meat of the best water without a take, left both my client and I feeling rejected. Determined to catch at least one of these fish, and not to let my guest down, I focused on the surface of the water to see what the trout where consuming. I spotted caddis, PMDs, and of course stoneflies, but none of them where being eaten. Then I saw one... I first thought it was an adult Green Drake, but it was just after 10 am, and the drakes hadn't been hatching until 3 pm. Then I spotted another one, and another one. There was something distinct about them, their wings where transpearant... SPINNERS!

Once the code was unlocked, the fish fell to imitations. A big, size 12, purple haze was the fly of choice. It proved itself worthy landing 8 fish in no more than 30 minutes.

I will never forget those 30 minutes and will always be on the look out for them again.

Game On!

2007-06-04T07:34:00.000-07:00

The Deschutes river from Warmsprings to Maupin is entrenched in the stone fly hatch. Fishing in the upper stretches has still been spotty... mostly due to pressure. The full moon may have had an effect too. In the past week I saw the fishing just up stream of Maupin being the best. From Wednesday to Saturday, the fish where more keyed into the big bugs.

Warmsprings to White Horse has been very spotty. Some spots are better than others. Look for the fishing to imporve as the hatch grows longer.

Damien

Deschtues River Report

2007-05-26T05:53:00.000-07:00

If you have been wondering about when and the where the salmon fly hatch is happening... listen up.

Trout from Warmsprings to Maupin are gobbling up those big protein packed meals. Yesterday I drifted from Warmsprings to Trout Creek. Trout were eager to slam a well placed imitation. Most of our fish came up on flies drifted down stream or under the bigger trees and brush.

For the next 3 weeks, expect to be able to fish with the stone fly imitations.

Little Lava

2007-05-22T20:08:00.000-07:00

On Thursday May 17, I had a great trip with Jim O'Shaughnessy on Little Lava Lake. We started out by wind drifting against the weed beds, but noticed quite a few fish rising in the distance. We quickly moved and started to cast a wide variety of dries (mostly midge imitations 20,24). We soon lost count at the number of fish he was catching. This all happened in the last two hours before sunset. Jim did a wonderfull job putting the fly in the right spot. We caught fish from 15" to 21". As the light faded we used a large caddis (so we could see it) with a callibeatis dropper and caught a couple of fish that way. A great fishing trip. The other picture is from the next day with my son Calvin.

Brian O'keefe: Estancia del Zorro

2007-05-20T20:53:00.001-07:00

Wednesday May 30th Fly and Field Outfitters is bringing Brian O'keefe to the TBD Loft, in downtown Bend, for a night of fly fishing and travel stories. Brian, a renown fisherman and photographer, will be presenting a slide show about his adventure last fall to Patagonia region of Chile and Argentina. He stayed at the Estancia Del Zorro and claims few places mimic the experience. He would know. He's fished in most of the place you dream of, and many places you've never heard of.

The night begins with hor d'oeuvres and drinks. Then Brian will enlighten us to the world of the Southern hemisphere and the glorious brown trout swimming in those southern rivers.

The event will be held at TBD Advertising's Loft, located in downtown Bend above the furniture store on the corner of Bond and Minnesota. The doors open at 6 pm. Show begins at 7 pm.

For details, call Fly and Field Outfitters. 541-318-1616

Fly Swap 2007

2007-05-20T20:08:00.000-07:00

Memorial Day Weekend, May 26th and 27th we will be hosting our 3rd Annual Trout Bum Fly Swap. Similar to the ski swap in the fall, anglers will have the chance to both sell old gear or get "new to you" gear at a great price. Here's how it works: From May 20th to May 25th, we will be accepting used gear to be sold in the swap. You set the price, we sell it for you. When the product sells, you get either 70% in cash, or 100% in store credit... sounds like a "no brainer" to me.

There will be variety of products for sell, from pontoon boats, rods, reels, to fly tying materials. Doors open at 8 am on Saturday morning. For the best deals be at the fly shop at 8 am. In the past 2 years the best gear has always sold in the first hour.

This year we will also have many products in the store on sale. Save up to 40% on waders, boots, clothing, rods, and reels.

If you have any questions, please email us at info@flyandfield.com or call 541-318-1616

See you on Saturday.