Best Fly Hikes in Central Oregon
 
By Gary Lewis
 
 
Fishery: Metolius River
Base camp: Camp Sherman
Best resource: Camp Sherman Fly Shop
Contact: Metolius Recreation Association, www.metoliusriver.com
 
Seams shift and play with the light. Where riffles and glare conceal the gravel bottom, suddenly the water flattens, smoothing for a moment to disclose the river’s secrets. There. A trout with speckled back and crimson sides.
 
Two hours east of Salem, an hour west of Bend, look to the Camp Sherman area to fish the famous Metolius River. This 28-mile stream finds its source at 3,000 feet elevation, emerging out of the ground, a full free-flowing river. A mile or so downstream, a fly-hiker can find a trail that leads along public land for much of the length of the stream. Major species are rainbow trout, bull trout, kokanee and whitefish.
 
Fishery: Upper Deschutes
Base camp: Lava Lake, Elk Lake Resort, Bend, La Pine, Sunriver
Resource: Fishing Central Oregon, 5th Edition
 
It trickles out of Little Lava Lake, a river that is at times placid and other times, a brawler. It is Central Oregon’s lifeline. In its upper reaches, the Deschutes is a productive fishery for rainbows, brook trout, brown trout and whitefish. Intermittent trails follow both sides of the river all the way to Bend. For unspoiled scenery and good trails, prospect for trout from Little Lava Lake down to Crane Prairie Reservoir.
 
Fishery: Cultus Lake area
Base camp: Crane Prairie Resort, Bend, La Pine, Sunriver
Resource: Fishing Central Oregon, 5th Edition
 
High on the Cascade Lakes Highway, the angler comes to Cultus Lake, the jumping off point to dozens of trails that lead to chains of lakes, strung like blue sapphires on a delicate necklace. Little Cultus, Lemish, Raft, Strider, Deer, Kershaw, Blowdown, Taylor, Irish, Winopee and Big Finger lakes and many more offer fishing for brook trout, cutthroat and rainbow. Most of these lakes are deep with timber right down to the edge. Pack a light raft along or turn your Fikkes Fly Hiker into a spinning rod and use a casting bubble to reach out from the shore.
 
 
Todd Hoffman from Discovery Channels "Gold Rush"
 
Other good paths that lead to fishy environs are the trails to Todd Lake, the Waldo Lake area and Little Three Creek Lake near Sisters.
 
If you prefer stream fishing, explore the White River canyon and the upper forks of the Crooked River.
 
The great thing about the fly-hiking concept is that you can make your own trips. Take a backpack with your meals, your survival gear and a little tackle and go.
 
Author and TV host Gary Lewis has hunted and fished in seven countries and across the U.S. He is a past president of the Northwest Outdoor Writers Association. Contact him at www.garylewisoutdoors.com