It's 'steely time' in Central Oregon

David Banks, Columnist

Steelhead water is calling. photo by David Banks Dedicated Central Oregon anglers are going AWOL from home and work, seeking Deschutes, McKenzie, North Umpqua, Santiam and John Day river steelhead.

Odds of hooking up with the big fish are good, especially in the renowned water in our backyard: the Deschutes River.

The ocean carries no El Niño. The Columbia's waters have cooled. Mt. Hood run-off is not too murky. October caddis pupas are moving. The moon is mostly dark. The weather forecast includes cloudy skies and some rain. All this is excellent -- but wait, there's more.

About 5,000 steelies are passing the Dalles Dam. More than 17,000 will be returning to the Deschutes, according to fishery scientists. This is good, though it does not match the supreme run of more than 40,000 back in 2001 when experienced fly anglers hooked up to 15 steelhead a day.

You can keep up to three hatchery, fin-clipped steelhead a day. Most are landed, photographed and released. Bait fishing for steelhead on the Deschutes is permitted from Sherars Falls, three miles downstream. Use artificial lures and flies everywhere else.

Fly fishing is the most challenging and thrilling technique for these territorial and forceful fish.

It is easy to get "into" fly fishing for steelhead.

"Once you get that big tug and you fight a big sea-run fish for 20 minutes, the hook is in -- the angler," according to Matt Flautt of the Fly Fisher's Place in Sisters.

The best way to learn to find steelhead is on a one-day guided trip. Equipment is provided; you float in a drifboat, enjoy a streamside lunch, and learn how to cast. Locally call The Fly Fisher's Place (549-3474) or John Judy Fly Fishing (595-2073).

A fall day along a steelhead river is well-spent time in one of nature's wild and handsome settings. Add walking the banks armed with a stout fly rod and you can't help but look for steelhead.

The incredible qualities of these fish are compelling.

Steelhead are seagoing rainbow trout, ranging from Alaska to San Diego. They swim upriver and spawn. Unlike salmon, they live to go out to sea again, usually for a year or two.

In saltwater they gain up to 20 pounds and return, "ocean bright" in color. It is believed their name comes from this chrome to steely-blue color. Combined with their strength and bony, tempered skull, "steelhead" fits.

Deschutes steelhead will be 18 to 40 inches right now. Most weigh between four and 10 pounds. Larger fish are possible. The world record is an Alaska-caught 42-pounder.

Wade and fish in water three to six feet deep, with structure and flowing about as fast as you can walk.

Matt Flautt suggests swinging a purple leech, Don's Fly or green butt skunk. Nymph fish with sink tip lines using a double beadhead peacock stone or large green rockworm.

Recently, Deschutes steelhead have been landed from the mouth of the Colombia, upriver to the Warm Springs area. Good spots have been Mack's Canyon, Beavertail and South Junction.

It's time to go find one.