I am planning on a trip to the deschutes I was going to take my boat to the mouth what are some popular plugs, plug colors for steelhead [fall chinook When they get there]. or would I be better to take my mountain bike up a few miles and fish the river itself.

I suggest trying both; fishing up the Deschutes and off the mouth out in the Columbia. The lower river will have some later arriving Deschutes fish as well as some upriver group B steelhead swimming up it a ways for a refreshing frolick before heading back out to the Columbia and on up to several rivers, such as the Clearwater River in Idaho. In the lower river try the ol' standard for plug success for Deschutes summer steelies; the regular size Tadpoly in the red with black dots pattern (with barbless siwash hooks). Back when I guided summers on the Deschutes in the 80's it was these Tadpolys that were most responsible for the 20 to 30 steelhead days when the bite was on. But most good color patterns and good plug brands work well there though. Of course those are among the best striking steelies in the world, so many things work well on them. They are just the best fly strikers around; even on top! And I bet you couldn't miss with any good spinners/spoons or good jig patterns for them with so many fish returning this year - as long as the water hasn't gotten too warm in the D yet [ www.firstcastjigs.com has a new green butt skunk jig pattern that should work great there - and elsewhere ]. Also try the black and red color combo in a good 1/4 oz. jig under a float. Another deadly method up the river that isn't used much is to use a tuned K-11 Kwikfish in those colors, or any good proven color pattern, and attach them to about a 40" leader and put a small slinky weight at the other end of the leader, then do a combo of drifting/swinging/hovering in good holding water. Bam! ...

As for trolling off the mouth out in the Columbia for a combo of group B steelies and early fall 'nooks the plug I suggest is Wiggle Warts; tough to beat. They dive deeper and and make more attracting noise, and both steelies and 'nooks bite them well. The Red w/black tigerstripes, chrome/chartreuse, and the Michael Jackson (black w/silver glitter) are only a few of the productive colors. Try some trolled K-14's too. With the Columbia currently around 72 degrees, and possibly climbing, the fish will definitely seek cooler water at the mouths of tribs to hold for awhile. Good luck, and let us know how these things work out.

Steve

[ 08-15-2001: Message edited by: RT 1 ]

What size wiggle warts, magnum etc. Do you know how the fishing has been, I have herd its been hit or miss

I know there are exceptions, but I've always used the Mag Warts for chinooks and the regular Warts for steelies and silvers.

I used to use a lot of Hot N Tots for steelies down there, but I'd probably switch over to Warts in the Columbia for steelies (Mag Warts if you wanted a chance at an Upriver Bright) and Tads in the D.

That RT guy - he's one sharp cookie!

[ 08-15-2001: Message edited by: parker ]

Jon, I haven't fished up there in a couple years, but I do get info from friends that still go there. Both the standard and Mag Warts will work there, so try both to see if they prefer one over the other on any given day. With the water so warm this late summer I would also try very slowly trolling some Alvin blades, and the smaller copy version too. It may take a lot of experimenting to see what they will bite while they are being 'cooked' this year . I just hope the jerks who use the big heavy steel jigs (Crocks' and Buzzbombs, etc.) to snag fish don't make a big showing again!

Edit: Hey thanks Parker. You are a pretty sneaky fishermen yourself.

[ 08-15-2001: Message edited by: RT 1 ]

Thanx everyone for the info. I will go down there this weekend and try my luck at some steelies. will post a report when I get back

Firetiger, Firetiger and of course Firetiger Wigglewart. Worked just fine last week on two different days.

You all have filled in many blanks but one, what depth should I try and target steelhead, From past fishing experience on diferent rivers This factor has been very important