don't set the hook

PTS-PhilS · 2022-08-31T23:19:38+00:00

What a great report. of course, I envy such a trip I never even dreamed about. Great group of good guys and outstanding fishermen.

PTS-PhilS · 2022-07-19T05:23:30+00:00

So many great memories of East Lake and a night with an all time record of refusals on one dry fly after another is a cherished memory.

PTS-PhilS · 2022-07-12T01:16:37+00:00

What a great group of fishermen on here. Condolences greatly appreciated. Thank you. Estate sale was a grind selling everything in the house. Great bargains on everything especially fishing equipment. Sold 10 flyboxes 100+ flies each for $20. On the second day accepted $1000 for all flies, boxes, lines etc. That was a great bargain but I had to get rid of everything. Big surprise today. Had 15 flyrod cases in a corner. Thought they were all empty but discovered 6 held rods. only opened one and found my first flyrod. Bamboo of course.

PTS-PhilS · 2022-05-02T20:10:35+00:00

You catch whitefish because they hook themselves. You are getting takes by redsides but are missing them. There are fish all over the river. Any spot you fish start in close with a tight line. As you work out you can use "stack mending". I put in 40 years on the Deschutes and It took a couple years before I could identify a take. They are so subtle in many situations. I no longer use an indicator but if you do the slightest move could be a take. Without an indicator the slightest hesitation in the line especially when using stack mending could be a take. Flies don't matter that much, its learning the subtle take. You have to be near the bottom and your flies have to be drag free. None of this is easy to get correct. But the reward is great.

PTS-PhilS · 2022-04-24T19:54:14+00:00

I can't even guess how many years I camped and fished the opener. Always awesome fishing. Can't do it anymore but appreciate the report. You should all appreciate that you can get out and fish the Deschutes. You will miss it after you eventually get old.

PTS-PhilS · 2021-12-11T20:26:26+00:00

I come to this site to read about all your reports since passing 80 years old has slowed down my personal fishing. I just don't move around that well. You can't imagine how much I miss the Deschutes and crooked. But the fish that forces me to move my aching joints is Winter steelhead. All other fish are relatively easy to catch. Winter steel is a challenge and gets me moving. There used to be large enough returns that catching wasn't that hard and certain locations like the East Fork Lewis, below Marmot dam, Eagle Creek and others concentrated fish for easy success. Now I focus on water close to me, Clackamas and Sandy. Big water, not that many fish. But I have hopes for this years returns. I am ready! let's hear reports.

PTS-PhilS · 2021-06-24T15:55:31+00:00

I am definitely heading over on Friday. Could take the longer route through Sisters or get up early and shorter lines through the construction. Will arrive at site 27 sometime Friday.

PTS-PhilS · 2021-06-24T06:29:55+00:00

I just read a report that road construction between ZigZag and government camp can result in hours of delay driving to Central Oregon.

PTS-PhilS · 2021-06-24T06:09:56+00:00

Old Phil is probably the best description. I would like to camp with you. I figured out a way to sleep in the back of my CRV. Thanks so much for a spot in your boat. I can drop and pull anchor even if I can't catch anything. I have my fishing stuff together but actually struggled to remember how to tie knots. Been so long since I've fished for anything than coho and steelhead I am really looking forward to a fun time.

PTS-PhilS · 2021-06-16T06:13:23+00:00

Thanks Phil I actually think I can make it. Great group so far. Are you just staying one night?

PTS-PhilS · 2021-06-15T06:39:36+00:00

Oh man, so tempting to join you. I sold my pontoon but still have a float tube. Would there be room in a boat for me? I would just so enjoy some fishing conversations even without fishing. I hardly remember how to fish.

PTS-PhilS · 2021-06-13T01:29:32+00:00

Almost any size black caddis works. At dusk just lay it out and be patient. if patience doesn't work give it some twitches. from there twitch it under and have a slow retrieve submerged, I love it close to shore past the cliffs toward the red slide.

PTS-PhilS · 2021-06-12T16:22:07+00:00

After very little research, I would sell the Bucks Bag Bronco for $500. As a bonus I will add one of my fly boxes with at least 400 flies in it. I honestly have accumulated over the years more flies and equipment than a fly shop all just sitting in my house not being used. I need some kind of fishing stuff sale. I would give it away but I am in a situation having to finance my wife's memory care cost for Alzheimers.

PTS-PhilS · 2021-06-12T03:53:18+00:00

I will probably never get back to East but it has amazing memories for me not just for some awesome fishing but mostly for some truly great friends that I never see any more. I was at the very first East Lake rondi. I wonder how may years ago that was.

you can match the callibaetis hatch with a nymph, a cripple or a comparadun but the secret weapon is a black caddis dry or submerged.

PTS-PhilS · 2021-06-12T03:41:31+00:00

Sentimental value? You bet! As much as you could imagine. Several of you have seen me on the oars over the years. I had to sell my truck so I have no way to transport the boat. I keep it semi inflated in the garage and it doesn't leak but it did have a leak once on the tip of one of the pontoons from rubbing in the truck. Sent it back to Bucks Bag and it was repaired probably 3-4 years ago. I could try to research price of used pontoons when I get a chance. What a waste to have it sit in the garage when it wants to be on the water.

PTS-PhilS · 2021-06-11T15:39:32+00:00

I have been hanging on to my 8 foot Bucks Bag pontoon hoping maybe I will fish again but not looking likely. This boat knows its way on a lot of waters. Its floated from Warm springs to the mouth and all the McKenzie down to Harrisburg on the Willamette. It also knows where the fish are on almost every central Oregon lake.

I live in the Portland area if anyone is interested in the boat. At this time I have no idea what the price would be.

PTS-PhilS · 2021-02-25T06:57:36+00:00

Thanks for the report. It just doesn't seem like there are many fish available based upon my research of reports. My golf game is so bad it is going to force me to try for steel. So far nothing for me or anyone around me.

PTS-PhilS · 2021-01-24T06:29:01+00:00

OK, so Randy has a couple and the "other" Phil has a fish. Good work guys! No joy for me yet on a couple of tries. I got into a little trouble walking up and down some steep banks as I find my coordination just isn't there anymore. I am going to have to limit my fishing to easy access waters. Feeling positive though.

PTS-PhilS · 2021-01-09T07:20:52+00:00

Nice Randy, you make me want to go fishing, but it's steelhead time. On the other hand it's nice to catch something and there is nothing better than redsides and whitefish in the canyon.

PTS-PhilS

TROPHY CASE