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After many chores at home this summer, I finally made it up to Wickiup for a day chasing after some browns. The reservoir is going down rapidly this year due to the lack of snowpack and unusually drier than normal spring we had. The first consideration of the water goes to the farmers for irrigation so there is little anglers can do but fish it while they can.

It was really cool to see several bald eagles gathering as they do this time of year. The kokanee will start showing up in the Deschutes Arm later next month. Eagles will often gather in areas that have dead salmon carcasses after the spawn.. This reservoir is no exception. The shot of the two out on the sandbar was the first time I had ever seen them posturing and communicating in head movements and their telltale high pitched squealing.......cool stuff!

On the fishing front, I decided to work most of the arm both shallow and down to near 30 feet. I did catch one brown while casting a kokanee pattern plug on my spinning rod....what a blast. He was around 4 LB. and a great fight on the lighter gear. The photo was a washout on my camera so not included. I did catch a couple from 2-3 lb. and then got this nice buck running deeper up near the mouth of the arm. Right before dark, I did get a hard strike that didn’t stick while flat lining.....boy, I wish I could have seen it!

Steve Kroll and I are talking about getting out together next week so check back.

Tight Lines,
Rick