Smoke'n Hot July

The blast of hot air nearly choked me as I stepped out of my air-conditioned truck into the dusty parking lot overlooking the Columbia. By the time I walked to the tailgate and opened it, my shirt was already sticking to my back with sweat. I reached for my wet wading guard socks, crusty and shriveled from my last fishing outing, and emptied my water bottle over them, making them easier to put on, then refilled the bottle and quickly chugged it. With boots laced up, I hit the path to the water's edge and started looking for movement.

Through the heat waves blurring the air, I squinted at the shallow water in front of me, peering through copper sunglasses for signs of life, and stepped in. The water brought instant relief from the heat. I barely had time to unhook my fly from my rod guides and pull off a dozen strips of line from the reel before I saw it. A dark shape, two and a half feet long, was inching toward me, hugging the mottled river bottom. It was broad-backed and shaped like a football, with thick, two-inch scales that reflected sunlight like bronze armor. Something dropped into the water column and settled on the bottom near its head, taking it by surprise. The carp turned toward the strange object and buried its head in the soft mudflat, rolling its leathery tail as it inhaled the intruder. A firm hookset sent the fly home, and soon I watched my backing knot head toward the shipping channel in the Columbia.

 I know we all have concerns about the upcoming summer conditions. Here in the shop, we have been getting plenty of questions and concerns about the next couple of months. But the diversity of fishing surrounding Portland and the Willamette Valley means that not only is there great fishing when the weather gets hot, but sometimes it gets better. If you have been curious about fishing for warm-water species like smallmouth and largemouth bass, panfish, or my personal favorite, carp, this summer is an excellent time to explore new areas and stretch your fly lines. From what I’ve seen, carp are wrapping up their spawning rituals and have begun to feed hard. Columbia and Willamette River carp easily reach 20 pounds and offer rare, challenging, and addictive sight-fishing opportunities within a half-hour drive of anywhere in the metro area. Come and pick our brains! We’d love to help get the uninitiated into their first carp. The carping season is underway, and both Alex and I have been getting out looking for tailing fish.

For trout diehards, look for higher-elevation lakes for relief from the warmer weather. We’ve been getting great reports from the Mt. Hood lakes and as far as Diamond Lake. Rivers and creeks higher up in numerous systems still have plenty of cold water and enough bugs hatching to keep any dry-fly angler constantly reaching for their floatant. Coastal streams should start to see decent pushes of sea-run cutthroats, and reports of some mid-coast rivers already having nice fish well up the system have been coming through the door. For steelhead anglers, let’s remain patient and keep sending out good vibes as fish start moving over Bonneville in larger numbers. Rivers like the North Umpqua and mid-valley systems will be great places to get in some reps with floating lines and Scandi heads in anticipation of the upcoming season, when we are blessed with cooler water temps. If you just have some free time on your hands, swing by and come hear some of Josh’s stories from his two-week stint up on the Nushagak swinging flies for kings. All of us have been getting out every weekend and have plenty of intel to share as you are making summer fishing plans, so come say hello!