Oregon Fly Fishing Report by Larimer Outfitters

Larimer Outfitters New Website & Blog

2012-02-02T22:55:00.000-08:00

My new website is finally on-line! Outside of information on my fly fishing guide service, spey instruction and hosted travel, the new site features a new blog with tons of fly fishing tips, trip reports, and updates. Check it out at www.larimeroutfitters.com

-Tom Larimer

Hatch Magazine Photo Contest

2012-02-02T22:48:00.000-08:00

Hey photographers... How would you like some brand spankin new Maui Jim shades? Check out the photo contest on Hatch Magazine -Yours truly will be one of the judges. For more info, Click Here

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T16:06:00.000-08:00

The new year brings big changes to Larimer Outfitters! My new website/blog is just about on line. In addition to information about my operation, the new site will have tons of video blog posts, new photo albums, gear info and more. Here's to a great fishing season in 2012!

-Tom Larimer

Happy Holidays

2011-12-24T17:47:00.000-08:00

Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and a happy new year! Thanks for a great season on the water!

-Tom Larimer

New Website & Blog Coming Soon!

2011-12-16T18:48:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since I've posted... I've been busy working on a new blog and website that will be integrated into one site. So, no more Oregon Fly Fishing Report. The new site will have tons of new info and video posts! Check www.larimeroutfitters.com in the next week or so to view the site.
Thanks!
-TL

You'll Always Remember Your First

2011-12-08T04:00:00.000-08:00

Doesn't look like it, but Jake was really excited...

Jake Markezin from the East Coast fished with me and my good friend Ed Hepp on one of the last days of the steelhead season on the Deschutes. Jake popped his cherry on this nice November buck. Nice going Jake!

Advanced Anchor Placement

2011-12-06T18:41:00.000-08:00

I recently did a video post on the Deneki Outdoors Blog on advanced anchor placement for Spey casting, Check it out

The Making Of Skagit Master Three

2011-12-03T04:00:00.000-08:00

Jeff Mishler hard at work at my tying bench.

My good friend Jeff Mishler from New Water Media is the man behind the extremely popular Skagit Master Series of videos. Jeff was gracious enough to invite me to be a part of the newest addition to the series, Skagit Master 3. The video will focus on fly tying, and the philosophies of the tiers. My segment will include my Reverse Marabou and Loop Leech. Look for the video to be available sometime this winter.

-TL

New Echo Website

2011-12-01T04:00:00.000-08:00

My good friends at Rajeff Sports just launched a new Echo website... Echo makes a wide range of affordable fly fishing products including rods, reels and fly lines.
Check out the new Echo website.

-TL

Loving The Late Season

2011-11-29T04:00:00.000-08:00

I love steelhead fishing... Photo Ed Hepp

Despite the recent high water, I got out for a late season mission with my good friend Ed Hepp. Every dog has his day I guess... I found this incredible wild buck late in the afternoon.

-TL

Five Good Reasons To Fish The Bahamas With Tim Rajeff and Tom Larimer.

2011-11-27T22:19:00.000-08:00

Tim Rajeff gets the ghost.

1. Your double haul needs some help...

2. Tim is one of the best casting instructors in the world.

3. Hanging out with Tim is really, really fun.

4. Catching bonefish, barracuda and permit is pretty cool too.

5. You're going to need a break from the Northwest winter come February 25th.

Tim and I are headed down to Andros South Lodge on February 25th, 2012. Drop me a line if spending a week on the flats with Tim and I sounds like fun.

-Tom Larimer

Giving Thanks

2011-11-24T10:21:00.000-08:00

I'm thankful for being a steelheader...

This Thanksgiving I’m especially thankful for a wonderful fishing season in 2011. I was fortunate enough to host a number of trips to some incredible fly fishing destinations around the globe. The Bahamas showed me how a 12 pound bonefish can really mess with my casting. My trip to Alaska West was insane… By far the best trip I’ve ever taken to the north. The Dean was especially kind to my group –The river lived up to it’s name and then some.

I had a number of new Airflo Spey line designs hit fly shops this season. After four years of working with Airflo, I finally feel my family of lines is complete. Thank you to Tim Rajeff and the folks at Rajeff Sports for the opportunity.

Although we faced some tough spring conditions in Oregon, the summer and fall easily made up for it. The lower Deschutes fished as well as I’ve ever seen. A special thanks goes out to my guide and camp staff for all their hard work.

Finally, I’m extremely grateful for all the folks that fished with us in 2011. Thank you for your continued business and support. –I can’t express my gratitude enough.

Happy Thanksgiving!

-Tom Larimer

Larimer Outfitters

You Should Do This...

2011-11-20T14:17:00.000-08:00

Is it worth shaving your head for a chance at an Echo Rod of your choice? Or deadlifting 100lb dumbbells often enough to develop Tim's Hulk-like forearm physique? How about rocking supertight running shorts and hanging out at the local Tiki Bar? Only you can answer the above conundrum and if you've ever been to a flyfishing tradeshow, there are a lot of folks out there who'd do much weirder things for a free rod. Given Tim has long-stated being a hair dresser to the stars is a dream of his, well here's your chance to get your shave on and truly "Be Like Tim" (just don't challenge him to any casting contests). Let your imagination carry you away on this one. No limit on number of entries, all we ask is that you make it fun, imaginative, and respectful.

*All entries must be emailed to contests@rajeffsports.com in .jpg format and as high a resolution as possible. Contest deadline is 12:01am January 16th, 2012. The winning image will become property of, and all rights of use to Rajeff Sports, LLC.

First Snow Of The Season

2011-11-19T11:27:00.000-08:00

I'll take snow over 34 degree rain any day... That's exactly what we had this week while chasing late season steelhead on the Deschutes River. I spent a wonderful day with long time Larimer Outfitter clients Rich & Janis Kornbroth. Despite the snow and colder temperatures, we had a great day.

-TL

Larimer Interview On Hatch Magazine

2011-11-15T08:48:00.000-08:00

Looking for another way to screw off at work? Check out Hatch Magazine. It's a great on-line resource for gear reviews, environmental issues, interviews, photography and just about anything dealing with fly fishing. Hatch recently interviewed yours truly with 20 questions about being a fly fishing guide. Read my interview with Hatch Magazine.

-TL

How To Warp A Trout Fisherman

2011-11-14T06:00:00.000-08:00

Fished with Chett Cross from Rocky Mountain Anglers in Boulder, Colorado late last week. After running my jet boat up the lower Deschutes on the most beautiful morning I've ever seen, Chett lost his steelhead virginity with this beautiful native. I always love watching a hard core trout addict getting his world rocked by a rampaging steelhead. Nice going Chett!

Father and Son

2011-11-12T08:06:00.000-08:00

I fished with Eric and Ben Steel last week on the lower Deschutes. We had a great couple of days on the water! I always love fishing with a Dad and his Son... Reminds me of my youth. Some of my best memories are from spending time with my Dad on some remote lake or river. -As a guide, it's a privilege to be a part of wonderful Father and Son memories. Thanks for a fun trip guys!

-TL

Late Season Gator

2011-11-11T20:32:00.000-08:00

John and Jason Hickox joined me on a recent late season guide trip. John landed this massive wild buck near the end of the day. Nice work John!

Last Camp Of The Season

2011-11-06T18:40:00.000-08:00

We just wrapped up our final steelhead camp trip on the Deschutes. Thanks to everyone who fished at my camp this season, I really appreciate the business. And, a big thanks to the guide & camp staff for all of your hard work. What an awesome year!

Gotta Love Autumn

2011-10-28T08:34:00.000-07:00

Fall is officially here in the Columbia Gorge and with it comes my favorite time of the season to be on the water. Although our schedule is booked almost solid until the end of the month, we do have a few openings on the Deschutes and Klickitat in late October and November. If you enjoy fishing without the crowds, the “late season” offers some great fishing opportunities. –Some of the largest steelhead start showing up in our rivers in November. Give me a ring if you want to get out this fall.

-TL

Late Fall Steelhead on the Deschutes

2011-10-27T12:00:00.000-07:00

Jim Trainer found this wild beauty on a recent Deschutes trip with Larimer Outfitters guide Mike Duffy. Nice going Trainer! The late season is our favorite time to be on the Deschutes... The big fish show up and there's no one around.

-TL

Winter Is Coming, So Is Andros South

2011-10-27T07:55:00.000-07:00

Andros South Bonefish. Cam Miller Photo

I’m looking forward to my hosted trips in 2012. At this point, I’m booked solid for my week on the Dean River in British Columbia and my week in Alaska. However, I do have some availability for my February trip to Andros South Lodge in the Bahamas. We’ll be chasing huge bonefish, barracuda and the occasional permit. Andros South is one of the finest saltwater destinations in the world. Outside of world-class fishing, the lodge offers a comfortable atmosphere, incredible cuisine, and all the beer you can drink. –It’s a great escape from the winter! Let me know if I can answer any questions or help you plan your trip.

-Tom Larimer

More Info About My Trip

Steelhead Camp

2011-10-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

Larimer Outfitters client Steve Turner sent me some great images from a recent Steelhead Camp on the Deschutes. Thanks for the shots Steve!

Finding Walter

2011-10-24T08:19:00.000-07:00

Dan Gordon from The Gorge Fly Shop recently found this beautiful 39" wild buck while on a Deschutes Steelhead Camp. Nice going Dan! I don't care what the other guys in the group say, you're alright in my book.

-TL

Mono Shooting Lines

2011-10-23T07:53:00.000-07:00

Pete Laskier getting throttled in AK.

I’ve never gravitated towards mono shooting lines for Spey casting, mostly because mono is hard to hold on to. However, mono has some huge advantages over other running lines. First, because of its fine diameter, it shoots faster than extruded or braided lines. Consequently, it tangles less and shoots farther. Second, you can hold larger loops of line, which also aids in reducing tangles. More so, it pulls less water into the guides than other running lines, which is a huge benefit in the colder months of the season. -Less water in the rod guides means less guide freezing and warmer fingers. Last but not least, it’s cheap!

However, it’s still hard to hold on to. That said, my good friend Andrew Bennett from Deneki Outdoors recently showed me an easy trick to help with the grip issue. (Andrew later informed me that Alaska West head guide Ed Ward showed him this trick) Simply wrap the top six inches of the upper grip of your Spey rod with plumbers tape. The tape will give you sufficient grip on the mono during the cast. Although many anglers will still prefer an extruded running line like Airflo’s Ridge Running Line, those looking to add a few feet of distance with less tangles will love mono.

-TL

The Klickitat River Needs Your Help

2011-10-08T10:44:00.000-07:00

The Klickitat River in southern Washington is among the crowned jewels of the Pacific Northwest. Long revered for its large native steelhead and spring Chinook, the river has some of the most intact habitat for fish and wildlife in the Middle Columbia Region.

Unfortunately, decades of hatchery released non-native Coho, Skamania steelhead and fall Chinook threaten the survival of Klickitat native salmon and steelhead. Since 1999, native Klickitat winter and summer steelhead have been listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Similarly, the native run of wild spring Chinook which once numbered in the thousands has a thirty year average of 300 fish.

Potential expansion of hatchery operations in the Klickitat basin, detailed in the July of 2011 Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) released by Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and the Yakama Klickitat Fisheries Project (YKFP) will further imperil the river’s wild native salmon and steelhead.

The actions within the DEIS do not rely upon the best available science to recover wild native fish, jeopardizing wild runs by continuing most releases of non-native hatchery fish at or above their current numbers.

BPA and YKFP are required to solicit and respond to public comments during the DEIS process. This means that before anything is changed on the Klickitat BPA and YKFP must respond to the concerns raised during the public comment process.

This is where you come in. Please take 2 minutes to visit the NFS website, read over the comments, personalize the letter and send your message to BPA.

Thanks for your time,

-Tom Larimer

Fishing With Legends

2011-10-05T17:20:00.000-07:00

I recently spend a day floating the Klickitat Canyon with my good friends Randy Stetzer and Tim Rajeff from Rajeff Sports. Together, these two have forgotten more about fly fishing than I could ever know. It was a true honor to row them down the river. After pawing through Randy's beautifully crafted flies and hearing his insightful thoughts on steelhead behavior, I remembered why I got into this crazy sport in the first place... It's all about rolling the soul. Thanks for a great day guys.

-TL

More Photos From Steelhead Camp

2011-09-23T08:00:00.000-07:00

Here's a few more from a recent Deschutes River Steelhead Camp... Enjoy!

Deschutes Steelhead Camp

2011-09-22T18:33:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I've been able to post... Making hay while the sun is shining! We've been booked solid every day... It's been a great fall on both the Deschutes and Klickitat. Here's a few great photos from our Deschutes River Steelhead Camp. Thanks Dick and Dale for a fun trip!

-TL

Ten & Two On-Line Magazine

2011-09-09T04:06:00.000-07:00

I had heard about Ten & Two Magazine but finally got around to checking it out. The free on-line subscription is packed with interesting articles and beautiful photography. It's not your standard fly rag. -Definitely worth stealing some time from work when you're bored.

Check out Ten & Two Magazine

The Headwaters of the Klickitat

2011-09-08T03:52:00.000-07:00

Crowds make me nervous... So when the annual invasion of tourists happens in Hood River every Labor Day, I usually keep my head down and lay low. However, my sweetie and my dog weren't about to spend the long weekend watching me tie flies. Instead, we headed up to the Bird Creek Meadows trail on Mt. Adams. She assured me the ruff road to the trailhead would weed out all but the most serious hikers. We'd see the REI types but probably not much in the way of the Winnebago crowd.

It was an awesome hike! Great vistas of the Gorge, incredible wild flowers, and -you get up-close and personal with Hell Roaring Canyon and the headwaters of the Klickitat River.

Next time you're looking to stretch the legs and go on a killer day excursion, check out Bird Creek Meadows. Pack a #4 weight and make a few casts in Mirror Lake on your way. Although I didn't fish it, a few of the large trout I saw rising made me wish I had packed a rod.

-TL

Nice Fish Paul

2011-09-05T04:00:00.000-07:00

Paul Warner found this handsome Deschutes buck on a recent five-day Deschutes Steelhead Camp. Despite three days of nuclear wind, it was an awesome trip. Thanks Paul!

-TL

Taking Good Fish Photos

2011-09-04T04:00:00.000-07:00

Michael Kerr holding a beast the right way. Jeff Hickman photo.

Here a few tips for taking great fish pics. Always remember, the safety and well being of wild fish is worth way more than a photo. Keep the fish completely under the water until both the angler and photographer are ready. My rule is to keep the fish out of the water for no longer than five seconds.

1. Get close to your subject. Most photos are taken way too far away. Get close enough to capture the anglers expression and the details of the fish.

2. Shoot with a flash on sunny days. As anglers, we all wear hats that create a shadow on the anglers face.

3. Have the angler kneel on one or both knees. Get close to the water when you press the shutter and you'll get great contrast from the water and background.

4. Have the angler hold the fish with their front hand under the fish... Keeping their fingers away from the gill plates. Jeff Hickman's shot above is done perfectly.

5. Keep the rod in the photo, it helps tell the story of the shot.

6. Take the anglers sunglasses off. Eyes are the window to the soul... The anglers soul should be beaming and you can't capture it with shades on.

7. Keep the fly in the fish's mouth, especially if it's big and bright. This will add more detail to the shot and only adds to the story.

8. Turn the fish into the light. Usually this means tilting it slightly until the sun lights up the chrome.

Happy shooting!
-TL

Deschutes Steehead Camp

2011-09-02T21:10:00.000-07:00

I took this shot early in the morning as my clients were gearing up for the morning session of steelhead fishing on the Deschutes. Waking up early has it's rewards. Outside of superb dry line fishing, watching the canyon come to life is pure magic.

-TL

Fighting Gravity

2011-08-31T04:00:00.000-07:00

I had a number of folks ask about a skater pictured in a recent post I did about the Klickitat River. I designed "Fighting Gravity" last season and it has become my number one skater for steelhead. It's been a great producer on the Deschutes and Klickitat. Plus, it's easy to tie and floats like a cork. Hopefully, it'll be available in fly shops next season, until then -here's the recipe.

Hook: 3X long, 2X heavy down eye streamer hook.
Thread: 6/0 Uni-Thread
Tail: Crystal flash
Body: 2mm foam -two pieces tyed Chernobyl Ant style
Collar: Spun deer hair, clipped on the bottom.

Pretty simple... The pic is of my two favorite colors but you can get creative!

-Tom Larimer

Making Poly Leaders Last

2011-08-30T17:20:00.000-07:00

If you're not fishing a Poly Leader on your floating Spey lines, you should be. They help turn over your fly, especially when making shorter casts. Plus, a Poly Leader give you more "grip" on the water when forming your D-Loop. More so, you can buy them in different densities from floating to fast sinking giving you a lot of flexibility in your dry line fishing.

Although Poly Leaders work great out of the box, you can get a lot more miles out of them with a simple modification. Using 20 pound Maxima, tie on a 1' butt section using a seven turn Albright Knot. Finish the other end of the butt section with a perfection loop. Loop your 2' to 4' of tippet on using a triple surgeons loop and you're ready to roll.

I've seen some leaders start to delaminate when an angler accidently places their fly into a tree and pulls like hell to get it out of squirrel land. By doing so, the core material can separate from the polyurethane coating. The Albright knot will displace the pressure equally on the core and coating. It's a great trick to make your Poly Leaders last a long time.

-TL

Hickman's Fish Taco

2011-08-28T21:56:00.000-07:00

Mmmmm... Tacos

Russell Davis found this Deschutes buck on a recent guide trip with Mike Duffy. It ate one of our favorite flies for both summer and winter steelhead... Hickman's Fish Taco. The "Taco" is available in all the favorite food groups of steelhead and salmon. LO guide Jeff Hickman also introduced the Flash Taco last season and it too has earned is place in our box. It's easy to cast and moves like a sea creature.

LO Hosted Fly Fishing Travel 2012

2011-08-24T16:44:00.000-07:00

Now is the time to start planning next years fishing adventures! Consider spending your vacation on a hosted fly fishing trip with Larimer Outfitters. As hosts, we’re there to ensure you have the trip of a lifetime. From casting instruction to travel questions, we’ve got you covered. Give me a call at 541-490-9446 or shoot me an email if I can help you plan your next trip.

BC West, Dean River

Steelhead with Tom Larimer 8/11 -8/18

I just returned with a group of anglers from BC West last week. We had ideal water conditions, great weather and a ton of steelhead around. Epic is too weak of a word to describe our trip. Both the upper river and lower river fished extremely well. Over all, it was my best trip to the Dean yet. I’m already missing the hell out of the river (and Belinda’s cooking) -and can’t wait to return to the Dean in 2012.

Only three spots left and will be booked solid by Saturday, August 27th

Steelhead & Salmon with Jeff Hickman 7/14 - 7-21

Larimer Outfitter Guide Jeff Hickman also hosted a trip to BC West in early July. This is a unique time to be on the Dean because there are both steelhead and Chinook salmon in the river. Although they didn’t put huge numbers of fish on the beach, they made up for it in size. There were many big fish in Hickman’s week! Of course, they lost a ton of fish because you’d be hard pressed to find a hotter fish than a July steelhead on the Dean.

Only Five Spots Left!

Alaska West, Kanektok River

Salmon & Rainbows with Tom Larimer 6/22 -6/29

I spent an awesome hosted week of Spey fishing for kings at Alaska West this summer. After a few days of the best salmon fishing we’ve ever seen, we decided to check out what else the Kanektok had to offer. We were blown away! We had incredible mouse fishing for leapord rainbows, chums on switch rods and beautiful grayling on dry flies. It really opened my eyes to how amazing that fishery is. Not to mention, the guide & lodge staff knocked it out of the park. It was the most memorable trip Alaska yet... And I can't wait to get back.

Only two spots left and will be booked solid on Saturday, August 27

Andros South, Bahamas

Bonefish, Permit & Barracuda with Tom Larimer 2/25 -3/3

I spent a week of “re-con” at Andros South Lodge last winter and it was the most relaxing fishing adventure I’ve ever taken. After most fishing trips, I feel like someone just flogged me with a 2X4! (Anadromous fishing tends to put me in “death march” mode.) After fishing at Andros, I was totally relaxed and satisfied. The program at Andros South is totally dialed in… I can’t say enough about the staff, the lodge, the guides and the fishing. If you dream of beautiful white sand flats, monster bonefish, and cold Bahamian beer during our cold dreary northwest winter, you’ll love this trip! Six spots left!

FREE Casting Lessons with Tom Larimer!

Book a hosted trip with Larimer Outfitters for the 2012 season and

receive a FREE two hour casting "tune-up" before your trip!

Five Reasons To Fish The Klickitat This Fall

2011-08-23T08:02:00.000-07:00

Autumn is right around the corner and with it brings another season on the Klickitat River in south central Washington. I have a love affair with this river... It's one of my favorite rivers to guide and fish on. Here's just a few reasons why...

-TL

Plan your trip today! Contact us to get started.

Airflo Rage Compact -TL's thoughts on design

2011-08-22T19:39:00.000-07:00

The Rage Compact -Airflo's newest floating Spey head.

Working as a fly line designer for Airflo the past few years has been a great privilege. We've built a solid family of Spey lines including the Skagit Compact for sink-tip fishing, the Scandi Compact for finesse dry line work, the Tactical Steelhead for those that appreciate a longer casting stroke and want the versitility of a multi-tip line, and the new Skagit Switch -Which is by far the best sink-tip line for switch rods and shorter Spey rods. However, there was a void in the line-up.

I've always loved Scandi heads for floating line presentations. From the moment I first cast them over ten years ago, I grooved on the line speed and tight loops I could throw. However, Scandi heads have their faults. First, they suck in the wind. The long, delicate front taper which gives Scandi's there finesse-like feel, crumbles in even a modest breeze. Not sure if it isn't windy in Europe, but the summer steelhead rivers I guide -mostly the Deschutes and the Klickitat, are windy places. As are every other big western river. The other problem with Scandi heads is they struggle to turn-over foam skaters and large wet flies. (Yes, I know you can do it... But it's not fun.) There just isn't enough mass in the front of the line to give the caster sufficient turn-over. As long as I'm ragging on Scandi heads... Another shortcoming is that most anglers struggle when they switch from their Skagit to their Scandi. These lines cast so dramatically different! I hate watching anglers waste precious fishing time trying to shift gears!

So why not just put a floating tip on a Skagit and call it good? Good question! The problem is when you cast a Skagit with a sink-tip, most of the sink-tip is in the water during the D-Loop formation. The caster is effectively feeling the load of the Skagit head alone. When you loop on a floating tip, you need to arialize more D-loop. Consequently, you feel the weight of the Skagit plus the 60-some grains in the floating tip. -60 grains is an entire line size! Ever notice your floating tip makes your rod feel mushy? And, its awfully easy to throw a tailing loop. That's because your rod can't handle the added grain weight in the D-loop. The Skagit + floating tip was a band-aid solution to a bigger problem.

What I really wanted was a Spey line built for surface and near-surface presentations that bucked like a Skagit but still had the finesse of a Scandi. Tim Rajeff, the US. distributor of Airflo and over-all fly casting guru, gave me the green light to start working on a new breed of line. With the help of Tim and the design team at Rajeff Sports, we came up with the answer to all of our problems.

The new Airflo Rage Compact is the perfect floating line to compliment your Skagit Compact. To be blunt, it is by far the best floating line I've ever cast. As a general rule of thumb, line your rod 30 grains lighter than your Skagit. If you like a faster -livelier feel to your floating line and have a very bottom-hand dominant stroke, go 60 grains lighter. Either way, the thing jacks! Like all of Airflo's Spey heads, the line comes in 30 grain increments and is available in 360 grains to 600 grains. I recommend using a 10' Airflo Poly Leader with 2' to 4' of tippet. I fish an intermediate leader even with skaters.

Awesome for sinking Poly Leaders
If you fish shallower rivers in the West like the John Day or smaller rivers in the Great Lakes, the Rage will easily handle a sinking Poly Leader and an unweighted fly. It's a great line on rivers where a full blown sink-tip is overkill. I wouldn't try casting a big weighted bug, but it'll jack an unweighted tube a mile.

The Rage is also a killer floating line for switch rods!
I was blown away how well this thing casts on a switch stick. Line it exactly the same as your Skagit Switch. Just for reference, most #7 weight switch rods are taking a 450 grain head. It made me re-think the rods i'll be fishing this fall!

Airflo's new loop labels...
A new feature on all Airflo Spey lines is our labeling of line type/size on the front loop, plus the old color coded system. Now you have an easy way of identifying your Spey lines!

Smart... Very smart.

If you love the feel of casting Skagit heads and want a floating line that cuts through the wind, turns over with total ease and doesn't take a PHD. in casting to make it huck, give the new "Rage" a try. I guarantee it will elevate your floating line casting and fishing.

-Tom Larimer

Find an Airflo dealer near you!

Deschutes Steelhead Fly Fishing Report -August 18, 2011

2011-08-17T23:29:00.000-07:00

Doesn't get anymore shit eating than that...

Two beautiful steelhead, two happy anglers. Opitz and Bittman tore it up with Larimer Outfitters guide Jeff Hickman last week. The recent drop in water temps have made for better fishing as of late. Skaters are coming into play in the mornings though you're better off fishing a wet in the evenings. The sink-tip bite in the mid-day has been strong until around 3:00pm. Life is good on the Deschutes.

Final Thoughts From The Dean

2011-08-14T20:02:00.000-07:00

Back in Hood River and I'm already missing the hell out BC West and the Dean. This was my third time hosting a trip up there and every time it gets a little better. The staff is continually making improvements to the lodge and the experience. Everyone left with huge grins on there faces... Not to mention the incredible memories forever burned into our mental fishing albums.

The fishing was good... We hooked, landed and lost our fair share for the week. But you go to the Dean for more than just the body count. It's more about experiencing a healthy ecosystem where bears are still at the top of the food chain, wolfs are the night watchmen and the run of wild steelhead is strong. It's an opportunity to glimpse through a window of time and see what our rivers here in the states were once like -and what we would all like to see them be again. But the reality is unfortunate... They never will be. For that very reason, I cherish every moment, every cast and every fish on the Dean... Despite man's attempt to muck this world up, the river and it's mighty canyon are still a stronghold for all things wild.

-Tom Larimer

Lodge Life

2011-08-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

Life is pretty damn good at BC West Lodge. The food is out of this world, the beer is cold, and living is easy. It's a great place to relax after a great day of chasing steelhead the Dean. Beats the hell out of sleeping with the bears...

This Place Breaks Shit...

2011-08-12T22:22:00.000-07:00

I've never been on a river that destroys fishing gear like the Dean River. Mostly, because the fish are just so damn hot. No other river offers ass-kickings as frequent as the Dean. So far this week, two Spey rods have blown-up, four reels have gone to the boneyard, sink-tips were snapped, many hooks were bent, three shooting lines were shredded and an entire Skagit head -sink-tip and all, were eaten by the river. Ya gotta love when steelhead break shit.

-TL

A Nice Fish

2011-08-10T21:38:00.000-07:00

Cam Groner with a nice one... On the Dean.

Day three at BC West

2011-08-08T22:37:00.000-07:00

There's something special about this place... Outside of the incredible food, comfy accommodations, and genuine hospitality of the folks at BC West, there's just a feel to the Dean that's magical. It's a combination of swinging your fly through some of the most bitchin steelhead water on the planet, while standing under the cathedral of the BC coast range, and the fact that these steelhead are truly magnificent. More to the point, every one of them kicks the ever living crap out of you. But it's more than that... There's an energy about this place that can't be described in words or with photographs.

The Dean River is Heaven

2011-08-06T21:52:00.000-07:00

Day one on the Dean and the river is living up to it's reputation... We had an awesome session of fishing this evening. Fish were hooked, fish were lost and fish were landed. The scotch has started to flow and the stories of the day are being told in the club house. Belinda's cooking is as good as ever and all is well in the world. We're on the Dean again.

The Road to the Dean... Bella Coola, BC

2011-08-06T04:00:00.000-07:00

Glad this guy knows what he's doing...

The flight into Bella Coola, BC has a tendency to make your ass-hole pucker like a balloon knot... It's kind of scary. You descend thousands of feet very quickly and the nearby steep canyon walls are a visual reminder of why flying into remote parts of coastal BC takes a certain breed of pilot... They must be a little crazy. Despite the turbulence, we made it to our jumping off point for BC West and the Dean River yesterday. Today we fly to steelhead nirvana.

-Tom Larimer

Deschutes Steelhead Fly Fishing Report

2011-08-05T16:36:00.000-07:00

Steelhead fishing is picking up on the Deschutes. It's still a hunt, but life is getting good for those chasing chrome on the "D". The bite has been strong through early afternoon then shutting down as the river warms up. The Columbia River dam counts have gone up with 6000 to 8000 fish a day coming over bonneville dam and almost as many over the Dalles Dam. -It's only going to get better!

-Tom Larimer

Headed to BC West and the Dean

2011-08-01T22:42:00.000-07:00

Dean River Rodeo... Try to hold on for 8 seconds...

Only four more days and I start my journey north to BC West and the Dean River. I'm taking a great group of anglers up there this season. Given the email traffic lately, I think they're excited! Just saw a report on FaceBook from Simon Gawsworth... It's on like Donkey Kong! We fly in to camp via chopper this Saturday. Stay tuned for posts during my trip.

Idaho Cutthroat

2011-08-01T22:25:00.000-07:00

I just spent four days fishing one of the best cutthroat rivers in Northern Idaho with my good friend Sean Visintainer from the Silver Bow Fly Shop in Spokane and Larimer Outfitter's guide Joe Ringo. Ya gotta love trout that crush big foam dries and streamers. The fun factor was pinned at 11.

To see more photos from my trip, check out our FaceBook Page!

Take a Kid Fishing

2011-07-30T06:00:00.000-07:00

Laurance Lake, Oregon

For those of you looking for a great place to take a kid fishing near Hood River or Portland, check out Laurance Lake. The lake sits in the shadow of Mt. Hood and is only a short drive from Parkdale, Oregon... Easy striking distance from the PDX metro. A non-motorized boat will make life easier for you although there is good bank access near the dam. There's a great camp area if you want to make a weekend of it. Expect to see other folks, especially on Saturday night. However, the camp host does a great job keeping the peace. You can have some great dry fly fishing in the mornings and evenings but trolling or stripping olive or black wooly buggers will put some huge numbers up! Stop in at the Gorge Fly Shop (Hood River) or The Fly Fishing Shop (Welches) and they'll make sure you have the right bugs.

Have fun!

-TL

Fishing Dogs Are Cool

2011-07-27T06:00:00.000-07:00

Many of you that have spent time in my boat have heard stories about my new canine friend Zelda. While i've known for a while that she is possibly the worlds greatest dog, she still needed to prove herself in a fishing situation. The drift boat kind of freaked her out at first but after a while she settled in and got comfy. I'm happy to say... It's official, she IS the world's great dog.

The Dirt on Hickman's Dean Week

2011-07-26T06:00:00.000-07:00

Larimer Outfitters head guide Jeff Hickman returned last week from his hosted trip to BC West and the Dean River. The guests had a blast. Over-all, there wasn't the numbers of fish like Jeff's week last year, but the average size made up for it... The found some monsters! Getting stoked for my trip on August 5th!

-TL

Heading to Idaho

2011-07-26T04:00:00.000-07:00

Tying with foam is fun...

I'm headed to northern Idaho to chase Cutthroats this week. My good friend Shawn Visintainer from the Silver Bow Fly Shop in Spokane agreed to show me one of his favorite rivers. After a few evenings at the vise, here's my arsenal of foam... Shawn tells me they've been finding 50 to 60 fish a day on dries! Stay tuned for photos.

-Tom Larimer

Deschutes Steelhead Are Here!!!

2011-07-24T11:52:00.000-07:00

It's that time of the year again... Deschutes steelhead are showing up in the lower river and life is good. We've been finding fish on a regular basis, but it's been a hunt. Good anglers are finding one to two fish a day. That being said, the dam counts are finally picking up and I'm expecting the fishing to follow suite. For those of you wondering, the water temps. have been 61 to 62 degrees in the mornings and reaching 64 to 69 depending on day time temperatures. The water is still fairly high after the rains from last week. We've been finding fish on floating lines rigged with an intermediate Poly Leader and flies dressed on heavy irons during the low light time periods. Sink-tips have been very effective in both the shade and in full light conditions. So there's the dirt... There's fish to be caught and it's only going to get better. Here's a few shots from the past week or so. -TL

Our schedule is filling up quick! Give us a call at 541-490-9446 or email us to plan your trip!

The Trout Fishing Is Good

2011-07-24T11:03:00.000-07:00

Mmmmm... Yellow Sally

The trout fishing on the Deschutes is as good as it gets. We've been having some great fishing in the mornings and early afternoons. The river has been slowing down around 2:00 pm, then picking back up around 4:00 pm. While the dry fly fishing has been a little slow, we've been having huge days dead drifting small pheasant tails, midge and caddis pupa. If we have found fish on top, it's been a yellow sally or caddis game. However, the fish are starting to key in on terrestrials like grasshoppers and ants. Windy afternoons can generate some great dry fly fishing this time of the year. Most anglers on the Deschutes don't consider fishing grasshoppers... That's because there isn't a large population of bugs from Mack's Canyon up river. However, the lower river offers some fantastic terrestrial fishing.

-Tom Larimer

Hickman's Dean Trip Update

2011-07-12T22:37:00.000-07:00

LO client Jim Greenleaf with one of his Dean River treasures

If the grin on Jim Greenleaf's face is any indication of how the fishing has been on Jeff Hickman's hosted week at BC West, I can't wait to get there! Check out his other fish of that day on the Deneki Blog. You can also get updated fishing reports on the Deneki Facebook page.

I head north to BC West and the Dean River in just a few short weeks... Tying flies like a crazy man!

-TL

Back in Anchorage

2011-07-02T01:32:00.000-07:00

The flight from western Alaska to Anchorage gave me some time to reflect on a my week at Alaska West and the Kanektok River. Over-all, it was an insane week of king fishing. Every tide brought huge schools of giant chinooks in from the Bering Sea. -To be blunt, we fucking whaled on 'em. It wasn't uncommon to hook five to ten kings on a single day of fishing. Plus, the XL fish showed up in mass. It was everything you dream of when it comes to king salmon with two-handed rods.

After a few days of the best salmon fishing on the planet, I decided to check out what else the Kanektok had to offer. I was blown away! We had incredible mouse fishing for leapord rainbows, chums on switch rods and beautiful grayling on dry flies. It really opened my eyes to how amazing that fishery is. Not to mention, the guide & lodge staff nocked it out of the park. It was my best trip to Alaska yet... And I can't wait to get back.

Ya Gotta Love Alaska...

2011-06-30T04:00:00.000-07:00

Chasing Kings with Ed Ward

2011-06-29T07:30:00.000-07:00

It’s day five of a week long salmon bender on the Kanektok River in Alaska. I fished the river yesterday with Alaska West’s legendary head guide, Ed Ward. Fishing with Ed was killer… He has a way of thinking about salmon that kind of changed the game for me. Every year I fish this place, I end up learning something that totally blows my mind. However, I usually figure it out after the fact. It was awesome having Ed give me my “Ah Haaa” moment before I go home.

Ed explained how fish near the ocean, especially on a dark rainy day, travel up river in the top third of the water column. In this scenario, he fishes his fly broadside and lets it swing with speed. He wants the fish to have to make a quick decision. –Elicit the predator! I do the same thing when guiding the Deschutes when the fish are fresh and moving. I was blown away how many fish he hooked on a short sink-tip and a lightly weighted fly. When it comes to king salmon, everyone thinks massive sink-tips and heavy flies. Of course, Ed doesn’t think like everyone else.

There is a time for big sink-tips and heavy flies though. As the fish move up river, especially in bright sun conditions, they transition into the deeper slots. The one thing I do know about this game… If you’re not hooking fish, you need to change something. Maybe it’s your tip, maybe it’s your fly, or maybe you just need to fish like Ed.

Six Shots From Alaska West

2011-06-29T06:00:00.000-07:00

Day Two at Alaska West

2011-06-27T00:06:00.000-07:00

Why we're here...

Day two at Alaska West and everyone in camp has a perma-smile glued to their face. All is good in the tundra. We had a modest push of kings enter the river on the first day of our trip. Fish were hooked, fish were landed, but over-all it wasn't lights out. Today's tide brought huge pods of massive chrome missiles into the lower river. Kings were rolling everywhere! AK West guide Brian Styskal (and Larimer Outfitters guide) -and I had an all out fun-fest on a beautiful piece of water in the lower river. Every pass was producing multiple fish hooked. Larimer Outfitters clients Niki Thommen and Greg Wright showed up in the ninth inning and immediately doubled up. To say the salmon fishing on the Kanektok is good right know would be the understatement of the year. Yeeeehaaaa!!!

-Tom Larimer

Back in the Hunt...

2011-06-25T07:35:00.000-07:00

You are here...

Waking up on day one -week three at Alaska West. The weather is perfect, the river looks great, and according to the smiles we saw from the week two crowd at the airstrip, there's a shit ton of really big kings around. Stay tuned!

-TL

North To Alaska

2011-06-23T08:32:00.000-07:00

In-bound for the K-tok

Finally, after countless evenings tying flies, hours of preparation and more than one night of lost sleep dreaming about Spey fishing for huge king salmon, I'm off to Alaska West and the Kanektok. My stoke factor is pinned at eleven! I've only been to AK West during week one of kings... This season, I've slid into the legendary week three spot. While I'm hosting a trip with a few of my clients, I'll also be giving Spey clinics during my time up north. Stay tuned for posts from my adventure!

-Tom Larimer

Rainbows of the Arolik

2011-06-21T08:11:00.000-07:00

Ya gotta love big-ass Alaskan rainbows that eat huge flies.

Back on the Lower Deschutes

2011-06-20T22:25:00.000-07:00

The Lower Deschutes is finally low enough to safely navigate with our jet boats. Guide Mike Duffy and I headed up the creek today to check things out. The river is still high but in great shape. We didn't fish much but did manage to hook a few trout in the spots we fished. It was great to see the lower river again!

-Tom Larimer

Beginner Fly Fishing Clinics

2011-06-20T08:23:00.000-07:00

He's right there...

Larimer Outfitters introduced our Intro to Fly Fishing Clinics this season. So far, they've been extremely popular. Our goal was to give new anglers a solid introduction to fly fishing at an affordable price. Each four hour clinic is limited to only two anglers. We cover gear, basic casting, entomology, reading the water and presentation. Our trout clinics are held on the Deschutes River and our steelhead clinics will be done on the Hood River. At only $99.00 per angler, it's a great way to start your fly fishing education.

Simms Alaska West Video

2011-06-19T06:00:00.000-07:00

For those of you that haven't experienced the pure beauty, magic and excitement of Alaska, here's a little video Simms Fishing Products did at Alaska West. Only five days until I go!

-Tom Larimer

Only Seven Days Until AK

2011-06-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

Please go munch again...

I leave for my annual hosted trip to Alaska West and the Kanektok River next week. Last season we had some of the toughest fishing and weather conditions I've ever seen in Alaska. Lots of heavy wind, tons of rain and cold temperatures made for some hard days on the water. We found fish, but it was punishing. Thats anadromous fishing in western Alaska... You take the good with the bad. I chalk up last year to building karma for the future. I'm hoping... No -PRAYING, the fish gods will smile on my week and bring us good weather and a shit-ton of big bright king salmon. I'll be writing blog posts throughout my week...

-Tom Larimer

Week One at Alaska West

2011-06-16T07:49:00.000-07:00

LO Client Justin Dawson and guide Ed Ward find chrome day one!

Larimer Outfitters head guide Jeff Hickman is currently hosting a trip at Deneki Outdoors' Alaska West Lodge on the Kanektok River. We've been hearing some good reports via Deneki Outdoors Face Book page!

Deschutes River Trout Fishing Report

2011-06-16T07:37:00.000-07:00

Just when you thought the Deschutes River was going to finally settle down, the flows jumped from the mid 6000 cfs range back into the 7080 cfs. Such is life on the Deschutes this spring... Oh wait, it's mid June.

Despite the big water, the fishing has remained pretty damn good. Lot's of bugs! We've been having some good hatches of PMD's, PED's, caddis and yellow sallies. The fish are still taking golden stoneflies though the hatch is pretty much done. On days the fish aren't willing to rise to dry flies, we've had great success fishing tan caddis pupas and yellow sally nymphs.

Good Luck!
-Tom Larimer

Four Spots Left for Andros South 2012

2011-06-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

Are you tired of the cold, rainy weather we've had this spring? Imagine eighty-five degree sun, beautiful white sand flats, huge bonefish and the best fly fishing lodge in the Bahamas. Sounds pretty good right about now!

Now is the time to be thinking about your winter vacation for next year. Consider joining me on an epic flats fishing trip to Andros South Lodge. We'll be chasing some of the biggest bonefish in the world. Bring your ten weight because you'll get shots at giant barracuda and permit as well! I'm headed south from February 25th to March 3rd, 2012.

After spending a week at Andros South this winter, I can honestly say it was the finest saltwater experience I've ever had. The lodge was stellar, the food was out of this world, the guides were incredible and the fishing was off the charts. Visit my website for more trip details or to see more photos from my 2011 trip. I only have four spots left to fill for 2012. Please contact me via email or give me a call at (541) 490-9446 if you're interested in pursuing giant bonefish under the sun next winter.

Sincerely,

Tom Larimer

Larimer Outfitters

For the Love of Bugs...

2011-06-05T05:00:00.000-07:00

Deschutes Stonefly Hatch Is Still Rolling...

2011-06-04T06:00:00.000-07:00

The big bugs are still out on the Deschutes River in the Maupin area. The colder than normal weather has strung out the hatch and great dry fly fishing with stoneflies is still happening!

-TL

The bugs you're looking for.

The bugs you need...

Deschutes River Green Drake Hatch

2011-06-03T10:00:00.000-07:00

Every year, on the tail end of the salmon fly hatch, the green drake mayflies start popping. The hatch usually lasts for only a few days... Of you hit it right, it will be a day of dry fly fishing you'll never forget. If you're headed out to the river in the next couple of weeks, I'd have a few of these bugs in your fly box. You can't miss the hatch when it happens. Just look for the massive mayflies that look like black hawk helicopters.

-Tom Larimer

Parachute Green Drake... Yum.

Deschutes Trout Fishing Is Ramped Up!

2011-06-02T20:29:00.000-07:00

Here's a few photos from a guide trip last week on the Deschutes. The golden stoneflies and salmon flies were in the bushes but cold weather kept the trout from really keying in on them. Despite the lack of surface activity, we had a great day of fishing dead drifting nymphs.

-Tom Larimer

Deschutes River Trout Fishing Report

2011-06-01T21:50:00.000-07:00

Just got off the Deschutes after an amazing day of trout fishing. All I can say is wow... At one point I was watching my client fish and started counting all of the different bugs on the water. Within about thirty seconds I observed golden stoneflies, salmon flies, yellow sallies, pale morning duns, huge pale evening duns, caddis, and one green drake. It was a smorgasbord of trout food! We had a great day of Deschutes dry fly fishing with perfect conditions and happy trout.

-Tom Larimer

Three Great Stoneflies for Deschutes Trout

2011-05-31T06:00:00.000-07:00

Here's three best stonefly dry flies for Deschutes River trout. The Norm Woods Special is a classic Deschutes dry fly designed by legendary guide Norm Woods. It doesn't look like much but the trout crush it. The secret to the fly's success is that it sits low in the water like a real stonefly. My Golden Stone is my favorite of the group. Like the Norm Woods, it sits low in the water but tends to work better in heavy water. The Chubby Chernobyl is a highly visable fly perfect for low light conditions or heavy water.

Happy fishing!
-Tom Larimer

Larimer's Golden Stone

Norm Woods Special

Chubby Chernobyl

Deschutes Stoneflies Hatching

2011-05-30T10:03:00.000-07:00

Larimer Outfitters' guide Joe Ringo took these killer photos of Deschutes River Stoneflies and Salmon Flies in there adult life cycle. With cooler weather in the forecast, focus your efforts fishing the big bugs in the afternoons and evenings. The trout will look up even if you don't see a ton of bugs on the water.

Good luck!
-TL

Deschutes River Salmon Fly emerging from it's shuck.

Deschutes River Golden Stonefly moments after emergence.

Deschutes River -Sweet stonefly love.

Deschutes River Trout Fishing Report

2011-05-29T11:07:00.000-07:00

Klye's Bead Head Yellow Sally -Image: The Fly Fishing Shop

Trout fishing on the Deschutes River is ramping up despite the high water. I guided the Maupin area the past couple of days and was surprised how good the fishing was with 8500 cfs rolling down the river. The wind blew like hell out of the northeast and we even had some good rain showers but the fish didn't seam to mind. Although we saw tons of golden stoneflies in the bushes, we found all of our fish nymphing. Kyles Bead Head Yellow Sally was by far the preferred nymph (available at The Fly Fishing Shop in Welches, Oregon). We also found some nice fish on my Copper Back Yellow Sally. We should have some good dry fly fishing with the big bugs when the weather warms up but I would definitely have these nymphs in your box if you're headed out to the Deschutes.

Good Luck!
-Tom Larimer

Spey Casting Michigan Style

2011-05-27T06:00:00.000-07:00

I had a wonderful time on a recent trip to The Northern Angler fly shop in Traverse City, Michigan. It was great to see the north woods again! Thanks to all that attended my Spey classes and the awesome staff at The Northern Angler for all their help. If you're ever in northwest Michigan, stop by and check out their huge selection of tackle, soft goods and fly tying material.

-TL

High Water Attitude on the Deschutes

2011-05-25T17:20:00.000-07:00

This wonderful spring we're having here in the Northwest has continued to keep the flows on the Deschutes high. At the moment, the big girl is running at 8110cfs... We should be around 6000cfs for this time of the year. Given the forecast for the next few days, I don't expect the river to come down anytime soon. So, you can sit on your hands and bitch about it, or, you can adapt.

The first thing you need to do is get in the right mind-set. It's easy to get discouraged in high dirty water. Keep in mind though, the trout don't stop eating just because the river is high.

The next thing through your head should be to forget everything you know about the Deschutes and look at it as a brand new river. Many of your "old faithful" spots simply won't fish the same way they do when the river is at normal flows. Look for soft water behind breaks and riffles. The trout won't sit in raging water this time of the year. I'm talking about water that usually is dry land. As long as it has a rock bottom, soft water and provides the fish with consistent bugs the fish will live there. The river has been high for a while now and the trout have adapted to it.

Finally, be thinking about fly selection. The stoneflies are still happening! While you may not find epic dry fly fishing, the fish will still look up. Try fishing an attractor nymph below your stonefly dry, especially in the afternoons and evenings. If that isn't happening, nymphing with stonefly nymphs and a dropper is the way to go.

You need to fish slow in high water... Pick the spots apart like a surgeon. Change flies, and play with the distance between your indicator and flies. Be persistent and good things will happen.

Good luck!
-Tom Larimer

One Big-Ass Deschutes Trout

2011-05-19T06:00:00.000-07:00

Larimer Outfitters' client Jim Greenleaf found this beautiful Deschutes River trout on a recent guide trip. Nicely done Jim!

Don't Walk Through The Fish!

2011-05-16T06:00:00.000-07:00

The Deschutes River is primed for the fabled Stonefly Hatch. We been finding some great trout nosing around in the shallows eating stonefly nymphs. This beauty ate the fly in only eight inches of water! With high water this year, the fish feel very comfortable pulling up into the shallows in the late afternoon and evening. Don’t make the mistake of walking through them!

When the fish are up shallow, try fishing a lightly weighted stonefly with no added weight on the leader. Your strike indicator should be Poly yarn to avoid spooking the fish. A plastic or foam indicator makes too much of a disturbance when it hits the water for shallow water fishing. Your indicator should be only a couple of feet above your fly for this scenario. Fish the heads of riffles and focus your attck on the seams coming off boulders. You’ll be surprised how shallow these early hatch fish will be. Good luck!

-Larimer Outfitters Staff

Five Great Deschutes River Trout Shots

2011-05-15T06:00:00.001-07:00

Deschutes Stonefly Hatch Open Dates

2011-05-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

If you’re looking to get on the water in the next couple of weeks for the famous Deschutes Stonefly hatch, we have a few open dates for float trips with legendary trout guide Mike Duffy…

May 15, 16, 17, 21, 23, 29 and 30 should all be great days to hit the hatch!

We also have walk-in trips in the Maupin area with Joe Ringo.

To book your trip, please call Duffy directly as I will be out of town giving some Spey classes in the Midwest. He can be reached at 307-413-3559.

Thanks!

-Tom Larimer

Deschutes River Stoneflies Are Here!

2011-05-13T21:07:00.000-07:00

Dinner is served...

I saw the first Golden Stonefly on the Deschutes River a few days ago! The trout were keyed into the nymphs mega! Every big fish we caught yesterday was on golden stonefly nymphs. It's on like donkey kong!

-Tom Larimer

Sandy River Spey Clave This Weekend

2011-05-13T20:58:00.000-07:00

Jeff Hickman charging it in AK. Image: Tom Larimer

If you’ve never been to the “Clave”, it’s worth your time to check it out. Every Spey rod and Spey line imaginable will be on hand for you to try. Plus, some of the worlds best casting instructors will be giving casting demos all weekend. If you’re there on Saturday, I’ll be giving a demo at 4:30. I’ll also be in the Airflo booth all weekend.

Hope to see you there!

-TL

Deschutes Stonefly Hatch Technique

2011-05-08T06:00:00.000-07:00

Let her ride!

We all love to see big Deschutes River trout eat our stonefly dries on the surface. However, often times trout will take adults that have been sucked below the surface as well. When you’re fishing a stonefly dry and the current pulls it under, let it! Most folks will immediately pull their fly out of the water and make another cast. Let it marinade! You can pick up a ton of bonus fish by tight lining a submerged adult. If the wind is howling and the dry fly fishing is tough, try nymph fishing a Norm Woods Special under a strike indicator. You’ll need to fish a couple of split shot on your leader to get the fly down in the water column. It’s a deadly technique for those days the fish just won’t come to the surface.

-TL

Five Reasons To Hire A Trout Guide

2011-05-06T06:00:00.000-07:00

1. Guides narrow the focus of the day... You'll learn how to find productive water.

2. A good trout guide will test your skills and make you a better angler and a better caster.

3. Having someone else pack the lunch, row the boat and tie on the flies pretty much rules.

4. Understanding entomology is critical, a good trout guide will share their knowledge of bugs.

5. Learn how to adapt... Rivers change and an experienced guide changes with it. Pay attention and ask questions, you'll be amazed by the shit that goes through their heads while on the water.

Deschutes River Stonefly Hatch is Close!

2011-05-04T16:08:00.000-07:00

They're not here yet... But they're close!

I spent yesterday afternoon on the Deschutes River with guides Mike Duffy & Joe Ringo. We had a monster Slate Wing Olive hatch around mid afternoon. Despite the blanketing of bugs, we could only find small trout and a few pesky smolts. The big boys were no where to be found. My suspicion is many of the big fish are spawning. That being said, if you do head out to the river, please be mindful of spawning gravel! Avoid fishing around islands or small backchannels as these prime spawning habitat for Deschutes trout.

All of the fish we did find came on golden stonefly nymphs fished under strike indicators. It's clear the fish are starting to key in on the migrating nymphs and the Deschutes River Stonefly Hatch is close! With a little nice weather we should see rising water temps. and some really good fishing,

-TL

Guide Mike Duffy Shares Insights on Life, Steelhead and the Pursuit of Happiness

2011-04-27T08:49:00.000-07:00

Mike Duffy in his element...

When I first came to Oregon, I was surprised to find that the majority of the population did not fish. Furthermore, I discovered that of those folks that enjoyed fishing, only a small percentage chose to fish with a fly. But what was most disturbing to me, was learning that most fly anglers here, forgo the opportunity to target Steelhead via fly fishing methods. I have heard, “I’ll bust out my gear rod when I’m Steelhead fishing,” over and over again. What is it about these mythical creatures that breeds fear, or thoughts of being unattainable in our weary hearts? Could it be that the task demands an elevated level of practice, understanding and perseverance? That is certainly understandable. People like to see immediate results for their actions.

Is it that folks have too many other things going on in their lives that there seems to be little time for standing in a river? Sure, there are only so many hours in the day, and we all need to choose our battles.

The wonderful thing about the world we live in is that we all have different thoughts, points of view and yes, we all have different interests. It is our personal diversity that lends itself to a robust world; full of dreams and actions that splinter like a web and that are held together by the places that we intersect.

If I was to describe myself- my path, I might explain that I yearn to experience the beauty of place, the inhabitants and explore the possibilities that the web offers. With a keen eye, and an open heart I follow a journey that encourages an understanding of the way things are. And from this understanding, stems a passion and an ability to perform, albeit under challenging conditions, to find a connection and a satisfaction that resembles some form of accomplishment.

I must confess, more than any other road, my path ends at the river. You see, results for any of our actions, often go overlooked. Hearing the gurgle of cool river flow over a slick, mossy ledge, or noticing the swirling eddy line that presses just firmly enough against your leg is a result. I am fishing. I am on the journey, and surely when the firm steel jaws crimp down on my swung fly, the ultimate goal will be achieved. However, the true beauty lies along the path we take. Noticing, learning, understanding, practicing…

One day on the Deschutes River, I stood like a speck under a canopy of blue, wading into a gorgeous run that cut and continued through the green walls of the sage-painted canyon. A snake slithered past in the grassy shallows with the tail of a Sculpin waving from its jowls. I stood to watch her jaw unhinge as she slowly worked her lunch down the hatch. The head of a trout broke a few yards out on the seam line, leaving bubbles in its wake. After glancing down the pool, I stepped out, and began my presentation. A soft breeze brushed my hair as I worked out more line. I fell into the zone, whereupon there was no more separation between myself, and my surroundings. Experience told me, that the fish should be holding along the faster edge of the seam, especially at these water temperatures. After a few funky casts, I corrected my motion and witnessed an astonishing loop of line blaze out over the current. The line came tight and pulled across the flow with a tension that could be felt in my bones. Step by step, my line probed the likely holds, and it trolled the depths with an anticipation that could be shattered at any moment. And so it went, tailoring my casts and presentations to the subtle current differences, when I noticed a pair of eyes on me. Up above, the face of a praying mantis curled under the brim of my hat to say hello. Her head twisted to and fro as she wiped her eyes with her little green elbows. She looked through me and she evidently decided to join me on my journey this day. Together we fished on down the run and I wondered if she could feel the connection that I felt so fortunate to be a part of.

The grab did not come that day. But on the day following, my rod was nearly ripped from my hand, as a Steelhead, no smaller than 15 lbs tore at my fly and in seconds, she managed to turn my world upside down. Three years of ocean living had left her in remarkable health, size and a beauty bordering on exquisite. In that moment, the pieces all came together and it is during these times, when I feel most alive. But I can say that in my life, it is the placing of those pieces that is most important to me.

So we’ve all heard that saying, “If it was easy, everyone would be doing it.” Well I suppose that is true. But what is the big interest in “easy?” What magnitude of reward are we granted if the pieces come already put together? For those anglers that are on the fence about fly fishing for Steelhead, I can tell you from experience, that there is no greater reward than hooking a Sea Run Rainbow on a swung fly.

How about the saying: “When in Rome.” People, we are surrounded by these magical creatures! Oregon and the legendary Columbia River Tributaries are laden with Steelhead. Our coastal streams run with chrome blood!

OK, ok now for the big one: “I can’t really afford it.” After years of living on Ramen Noodles, hunks of bread, and cheap beer, I know the financial thing all too well. There is little doubt that there is some upfront cost involved, but there is a logical way to go about it... You're paying for an education while on vacation. Without investing in all the gear, grab a loved one or a buddy, and take a guide trip. Besides walking away a better angler, you'll spend the day in a beautiful place pursuing a beautiful animal. I would consider it a privilege to join you during your initial steps into this world of endless opportunity.

Presently, area rivers are ripe with winter Steelhead and as May creeps in, we can expect the arrival of our fabled summer Steelhead run. Give us a call or drop us a note any time. We would be happy to answer any questions that you might have concerning this amazing journey of discovery.

-Mike Duffy is a guide for Larimer Outfitters. He Guides the Clackamas, the Hood, and the Deschutes Rivers.

I Wanna Go Back to Andros South

2011-04-26T06:00:00.000-07:00

Image: Cam Miller

It's raining again... Can't wait for Andros South 2012. Bonefish, sunshine, cold beer and great food, what's not to like?

-TL

Five Spring Steelhead Shots

2011-04-25T06:06:00.000-07:00

The Clackamas River, Sandy River and Hood River are the place to be for spring steelhead in April and May.

Fishing Skaters for Summer Steelhead on the Deschutes River

2011-04-24T15:27:00.000-07:00

In less than 70 days we will be casting to summer steelhead on the Deschutes River with skating dry flies. Its the second most fun you can have standing up.

Imagine.

Joe Ringo

Clackamas River Fly Fishing Report

2011-04-23T17:57:00.000-07:00

Finally... Sunshine in the Northwest! Don't mind telling you it feels damn good. Spring steelhead fishing is ramping up on the Clackamas River. Water temperatures are finally creeping into the high forties and the fishing is starting to pick up. We're still finding late winter steelhead and the early summers are just showing up. We should continue to have good fishing through May, give us a shout if you want to get on the water.

-TL

The Beauty Of Fly Tying

2011-04-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

Beauty is… Tying intricate flies, which match the various insects that are available to wild Deschutes River trout. Beauty is… Fooling a wild trout into taking your artificial fly pattern as if it were a natural insect. Beauty is… Understanding the complex underwater world of wild trout and making a connection to it with fly rod in hand.

There are four major groups of insects available to trout: Mayflies, caddisflies, stoneflies and midges. These four food groups make up a Deschutes River Trout’s daily diet. There are many other aquatic insects available like crane flies and aquatic moths, but these are of lesser importance. All of the insects in these major groups also come in various sizes and shapes, and have different behaviors. This makes your efforts as an angler and fly tier even more challenging. As an example, the mayfly group is divided into four sub categories; swimmers, crawlers, clingers, and burrowers. Within each subgroup, there are distinct times of development that the insects go through. For example caddisflies have four distinctive stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. With stoneflies having just three: egg, larva and adult. Even this doesn't address other stages we can imitate during the insects life, such as egg laying and spent adults.

As you can see the challenge is there, especially if you also happen to be a fly tier with a streak of obsessive-compulsive behavior.

Getting a trout to take your artificial creation at one of these various stages of the insect’s life on a consistent basis is beautiful and magical. It’s a feeling of joy and accomplishment. It becomes a passion for many reasons, but one very important reason is that trout, wild trout at least, are genetically programmed for survival... They are not stupid.

Several years ago, I was tying some trout patterns at Maupin City Park when a gentleman walked up and sat down to watch me tie. We talked about fishing, bugs and the river. At one point he asked why I tied only two tails on a mayfly pattern, when most flies he had seen were tied with many fibers in the tail. I answered, “Because this is a baetis mayfly and baetis only have two tails.” He skeptically replied, “Do you think they can count?”

While trout can’t count, they are incredibly perceptive. Consequently, they are not easy to fool, and if you are fly tying junkie it matters to you. -At least it matters to me. Creating life-like bugs is a passion of mine. For me, it’s the beauty and mystery of the sport. It’s the essence of fly fishing for trout.

Imagine!

Joe Ringo

How To Rob A Bank… Part Five –Presentation For Deschutes Trout.

2011-04-14T07:00:00.000-07:00

Presentation is everything on the Deschutes.

More times than not, Deschutes trout are not super picky eaters. It’s way more important to focus on the water you fish and how you fish it.

When we're guiding the river, we look for behavior patterns in the fish. we're constantly climbing up high banks looking for active trout. Often times we’ll need to watch the water for a while to see what the fish are doing. If we're fishing deep bank water and see fish eating nymphs two to four feet under the surface, we’ll find fish on similar bank water eating at the same depth. Realize the behavior of the fish is not static! Things can change by the minute out there and you need to recognize and adapt to these changes. Observation is critical for success on the Deschutes. If you just go out and fish everything that looks good, you’ll spend a lot of time fishing water with no fish. Look for patterns. Once you find the pattern, focus on it until the trout change their behavior.

We can’t stress how important good presentation is on the Deschutes. The first mistake most anglers make is to start fishing without thinking about their presentation.

The Deschutes is a big, pushy river with lots of complex current edges. Unlike many rivers, these current edges move around as the river surges. The fish follow these currents. Fishing in these conditions can be extremely challenging. If your fly line lands in a surge at the wrong time, your whole rig will get sucked under and drag past the fish. Any big fish in the area will be spooked and the game is over.

It’s extremely helpful to watch the water for a few minutes before you make your first cast. A friend of mine calls it, “getting in tune with the river.” Look for the rhythm of the surges… The river breathes. This is especially true in bank water. You’ll notice there are times the current will surge and everything will be churning around like a washing machine. This is not the time to cast. Keep watching and you’ll see these small windows where the current will smooth out and a foam line will form. This is your opportunity to take a shot. The best anglers can anticipate these windows and present their fly just as everything settles down. More times than not, a short cast with only five to fifteen feet of fly line is out the rod tip is the best way to attack these tough situations. Just remember, the more complex the water is, the shorter your cast should be.

This concludes our series on "How To Rob A Bank". Next time you're on the Deschutes, remember to look for good bank water and you'll definitely find the fish. If you'd like to learn more about fishing the Deschutes, consider hiring one of our guides to show you the ropes.

Good Luck!
-Larimer Outfitters Staff

Read "How To Rob A Bank" Part 1 -Deschutes Trout

Read "How To Rob A Bank" Part 2 -Approaching Deschutes Trout

Read "How To Rob A Bank" Part 3 -Dressing For Success

Read "How To Rob A Bank" Part 4 -The Foam Is Home

Clackamas River Fly Fishing Report

2011-04-13T18:00:00.000-07:00

Rich Kornbroth finding the love...

After a long winter of unstable water flows, we finally have good flows in the 13 to 14 foot level on the Clackamas River. Late winter steelhead are still showing up with a few early summer steelhead in the mix as well.

-TL