Fly Fishing the 45th Parallel : Oregon

My first fishing book was "Fly Fishing the 41st Parallel", by James Prosek. The adventure that leads one to travel out their fr...

My first fishing book was "Fly Fishing the 41st Parallel", by James Prosek. The adventure that leads one to travel out their front door and down the road captivated me. Not only that, but the ability to continue on a single plain across the globe with just one goal in mind, fly fishing. The idea hooked me instantly. Now that its been over 18 years since I read that book, the stories still fill my memory.

With the imprint of Prosek's imagery forever stamped in my mind, I wanted to continue that same appetite of fly fishing with a few changes. I decided to fly fish along the 45th Parallel in Oregon which cuts right through the states most beautiful fishing opportunities.

The rules were simple: allow myself leeway a few miles north or south but mainly staying along the same longitude. I would start at the Oregon Coast, fishing for steelhead and coastal cutthroat. Then, up and over Mt. Hood to Central Oregon where I would spend time targeting trout species in Lakes & Rivers. The last leg of the journey would bring me at the most eastern point of Oregon, the Wallowa Mountains.

The Oregon Coast, Lincoln City to be more specific, is one of Oregon's most beloved Coastal Towns. Lincoln City is a fishing haven for anyone coming to experience the silver chrome beasts we call Steelhead (Unicorns of the Pacific Northwest). The Siletz River is an amazing fishery for Winter Steelhead, starting in January. The fishing really starts to pick up and continues on through March/April. Utilizing a 12.5 ft 7 weight, a t-11 or t-14 sink tip when swinging, with an intruder pattern to get the job done. I would also bring a nymphing set up with a heavy bead-head nymph & some egg patterns.

Towards the end of May, the trout season will re-open on the rivers for Coastal Cutthroat. The ultimate time to target these eager trout are in the late Summer/early Fall. For that type of fishing I would focus on a 9 foot 4 weight so I earn the respect of any older fish in the region. Clousers, Dry Flies, really anything attached to a hook will trick one of these creatures to bite.

As your coastal trip comes to a close and you start making your way East you will happen across one of the Pacific Northwest's greatest wonders- Mt Hood. As you go over the hill past Government Camp from Portland, (don't forget about silent rock) you will see several signs that lead you off the beaten track to amazing lakes.
Timothy Lake, and Clear Lake are the go to lakes for me. Bring that sinking line, and go to town. Check out any creeks flowing in or out of the lakes and throw a size 18 foam ant and catch Brookies till your fingers are soaked.

Continuing on the road you'll actually pass the 45th Paralell sign "Halfway between the Equator and the North Pole." Stop to get a quick selfie and move on to more fishy spots.
Next stop, Warm Springs and the Deschutes River.

The Deschutes produces both Red-Band Rainbow Trout which are native wild trout for our area, and a summer steelhead run within the lower stretches of the river. The Deschutes River is broken up into 3 sections, The Upper, Middle and Lower before dumping into the Columbia. The Upper, and Middle do not get the Summer Steelhead runs but they make up for that with Blue Ribbon Trout fishing. The middle flows right through Bend. Brown trout and Native Red-bands fill the river from Lake Billy Chinook all the way to its head waters in Little Lava Lake, near Mt. Bachelor Oregon.

When you arrive in the upper stretches of the Deschutes you are only a stoneflies cast away from some of Oregon's most beautiful Lakes and Reservoirs. If you find yourself on the Cascade Lake Highway, just keep going until you see the blue. Have a float tube, or little row boat close by ready for the ultimate Lake Trout (and some of the best dry fly opportunities Oregon has to offer). The flies to have on hand are, purple hazes, rusty spinners, and lots of beadhead leech patterns in all sorts of colors for those beasts patrolling the shoreline.

After you get all your central Oregon fixes in, and make your way East and north of The 45th parallel a ways, to the Wallowa Mountains. You'll end up in one of my favorite towns in Oregon, Joseph. These are resting grounds for the Great Chief Joseph (1840-1904) who was a leader of the Wallowa band of the Nez Perce Tribe.

There you will arrive at Wallowa Lake which has the world record sized Kokanee, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, and tons of High Mountain lakes and streams riddled around the area. Amazing backpacking opportunities, for those who like to fish for Cutties above the tree line. Bring your float tube, sunscreen, and a couple rods; one for intermediate lake fishing to catch Lake Trout, and also a dry fly rod. I would bring something fiberglass and lightweight for up in the Mountain streams, like a 3 weight Butterstick. Then I'd have a nice 9ft 5wt or 6wt for the Lakes. Too hot to fish? Go to the rodeo, one of Oregon's biggest, The Pendleton Rodeo.

So like Prosek, I have gone after a goal of traveling along a straight(ish) line through country side, fly fishing and adventuring along the way. The stories that you'll catalog through this journey from Coast to High Desert are just the tip of the iceberg. Countless fish await you on this journey across the state of Oregon, with one line as your guide. The 45th Parallel.

Thanks for reading Folks, click any of the links to shop the gear & flies I wrote about to use on this trip!!!