Deschutes Redsides

(Onchryncus Mykiss Iridus)
 

A unique subspecies of rainbow trout, adult Redsides are heavily built and brightly marked with a deep red, almost purplish band along their sides.  Hard fighting and acrobatic, they are one of the most sought after trophy fish in the world.  Hooking an eighteen inch Redside, watching its aerobatic tail dancing in the fading afternoon sun, delivers a satisfaction that is absolutely priceless.  

"The Desert Redband Trout" known as the Deschutes Redsides is only found in central Oregon's Deschutes River and they a fat beautiful fish.  Feed primarily on insects, they will average 12 to 18 inches and weigh in at about 1 2/3 to 3 pounds, but frequently run to 20 inches and 4 pounds or more. Typically, we start fishing for Redsides in the Deschutes as soon as the spring Salmon Fly hatch takes off -- usually around the middle of May. Around the end of June -first of July, the caddis flies begin to hatch. We continue targeting the rainbows on into fall, but we generally start to target steelhead as the summer wanes.

A true Blue Ribbon fishery, the Deschutes is managed for wild trout. This means that artificial flies and lures are required (a very short stretch below Shears Falls is reserved for bait fishing). Catch and Release is encouraged by both Natural High and the strict harvest limit of only two fish per day between 10 and 13 inches, all others must be released unharmed. But, if you do decide to hold onto a couple of keepers, our riverside chef's will still be happy to include your catch in a fine riverside dinning experience. 

The football shaped Redsides feed on the prolific insect hatches that abundantly fill the air on warm summer evenings doing their part towards making your multi-day fishing trips so rich in experience and memories. Even with their hearty appetites, these fish can be extremly wary and anglers must make good presentations in order to earn the battle that will come when a Redside is duped into taking your fly. 

Long shadows cast by high canyon walls, the sounds of the Deschutes quickly flowing by, and the plaintive call of the red-winged black birds all contribute to a wild solitude that lends itself to a peacefulnes in your soul.  The cares of the world (meetings, deadlines, traffic jams etc,) become unreal and far away, this can be your new world if even only for a day. Come, sojourn with us and get your Natural High chasing Rainbows.
        

• To learn more about the Deschutes River click here.

• To book a trip fishing for Redsides on the Deschutes River click here.

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