One door closes, another one opens

It seems like just a couple of weeks ago I was writing a story about the poor King Salmon returns in Alaska. And now we are reliving another low Steelhead return on the Deschutes and a sportfishing closure. It’s hard to imagine that, in less than 10 years, the Deschutes will be suffering its 3rd closure because of poor returns. Not that long ago we were hitting record returns, 600,000 fish in the Columbia.

Sadly, starting August 15, angling for Salmon and Steelhead fishing on the Deschutes will be closed. It is possible that the river will reopen if enough fish return.

There is a lot of confusion about this number, the count, and how it works. So here’s a quick breakdown.

The fish passage count over Bonneville is specifically from July 1 on. Whatever passed before that does not apply. So when you look at the fish passage center and see that the non-fin-clipped number is high enough, that’s the yearly cumulative number. That number is off by about 3,000.

Framework & Timeline:

July 1: In-season passage of wild steelhead over Bonneville begins 

July 31: Passage Evaluation, July 1 - July 31

1. Minimum: 9,900 fish (Close or Open August 15)
2. Optimal: 18,700 fish (Open within 10 days)

August 31: Passage Evaluation, July 1 - August 31

1. Minimum: 23,100 fish (Close or Open Sept 15 - May 31)

So it is possible for the Deschutes to reopen. If the return is late and it ramps up, we are back up and running. If not…..

I know it’s sad for us all, but there are other options. The lower Columbia has been having good steelhead fishing. The rivers of SW Washington are going well. The Cowlitz continues to have good returns. The Kalama would be another good option. The Willamette has had another good Summer Steelhead return. If you want to stay local, the Clack has fish. Get out early and beat the rubber hatch. The Willamette and McKenzie are also fishing well.

Beyond steelhead, the Deschutes is still open for trout fishing and is typically good late August and into September.

For some other options, there are plenty of Bass in our local rivers. The Willamette, Columbia, Tualatin, John Day, Umpqua, and so many others are choked with them. They love to eat flies. Don’t forget about carp; they are all over as well.

And if you are looking to escape the heat, go to the coast. Soon there will be salmon in the rivers, and there are always Cutthroat available. And if you want to explore, there’s always surf perch off the beach and jetty fishing for rockfish.

I know things seem bad with the fires, low water, and poor returns, but we’ve got options. Stop by the shop and let’s talk about them. I bet we can find something cool to do.